I'm looking to buy my first telescope for visual observing and had settled upon getting a 127mm mak, primarily on the basis of portability. LP isn't too bad where we are but there are houses and trees which will cause some obstruciton and I liked the idea of being able to take the scope on camping trips where there's a chance of some unimpeded dark sky viewing. I've been interested in astronomy for ages but the kids are now showing an interest and especially now we're all stuck at home I thought it would be a fun and interesting thing to get them into.
Anyway, I noticed that skywatcher seem to sell two versions of the Skymax 127, one with a SynScan goto mount, the other on an eq3-2 mount. The OTA seems to have the same spec as far as I can see but visually they're different, one white and black and the other all black. Does anyone know whether they're actually different in performance or construction?
Also, I was expecting to shell out more for a goto mount, but the version with the goto mount is actually cheaper than the version with the EQ3-2 mount. Is the goto mount likely to be less sturdy and will therefore have more issues with vibrations etc? Just trying to figure out why anyone would go for the eq3-2 mount (I'm sure there must be reason but I know too little to know what it might be!)
https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/skywatcher-skymax-127-synscan-az-goto-telescope.html
https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/skywatcher-skymax-127-eq3-2-telescope.html