Charic

I 'm not sure I could keep very still whilst standing in the dark next to my Skyliner, yet I find the Skyliner to be the perfect height for observing whilst seated. Thats the reason I've never bothered with raising the scope off the ground on a water butt as many folk suggest! however, my newest DIY screen is a little too high, so a butt may be the answer, or better still, I'll just modify one of the panels, or buy another panel  with less height.

As for M31, it's  nothing spectacular from my garden, however, away from the house, darker site, something magical occurs? its as if Im using a better scope, such is the difference between the two extremes of viewing.

You might feel the  need a wider AFOV when M31 fills your eyepiece.

Good luck with the Skyliner.

daiwelly.....hi, have you considered any BST's on your wish list, only 60° afov but almost half the price, 'Alan' will let you try them out,  and if you're completely  satisfied, he will refund you. It will cost a couple of quid to return them. If the BST's don't satisfy, at least you  tried them and you get your money back,  then move on? The BSTs have good eye relief ( i see your glasses in your avatar) but I don't wear my prescriptions at the eyepiece) all my EP's work well for me on the 200P.