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Thanks Stu1, I was aware of this but welcome the input, the issue I have is that if right-mount then my current finder scope fixing will be in an awkward position

Yes, mine was bundled as a tube and mount. I don't have immediate plans to move to eq mode so I will update Firmware to the left hand mount for now unless there's any reason to proceed differently? Thanks again all very helpful

That's odd my son just put the tube on the right of the mount, has he done something obviously wrong as my guide mount is now below my tube?

Great, thanks for that

Hi there, I have the same set up and am about to update the firmware - do you have a photo of how it looks when mounted to the right? I cant quite visualise how it will all be oriented when mounted, presumably the finder will be below the tube? - no problem if not I can go ahead and try mounting it when i get home (away on business and just planning what to do). Thanks, Phil

Hi all, this is great to find out more about my options. Thank you all so much Some supplementary info and a couple of follow-up questions if I may? We live in a pretty rural location on village-edge, with led down light street lights, I have a long ssw facing back garden and nothing but open fields behind. Nearest towns are Cambridge and Newmarket both about 10 miles away to the south e or south w of us. Some fairly dark skies are also within easy reach. If I went down the Mak 127 route: In reality how long would cool down be on a crisp winters night (from an unheated garage)? How effective are dew shields? I guess I'd consider a decent zoom EP and get a barlow (2x?) And maybe a longer EP (32mm?), probably a daft idea but is there any sense in a focal reducer with this system e.g. a 0.63? If I went down the 150 Reflector route: what would I need to ensure good planetary images? I.e. clear ring(s) / moons with Saturn, surface features on Jupiter and Mars. Would DSOs views i could achieve be likely to grab an 8 year old's interest? right now be loves anything I do, but I also have a 13 year old so am aware this will change 🤣 am I better served sticking to moon and planets or moon and DSOs? I hadn't really considered a refractor but the simplicity appeals, I still like the idea of a goto (possibly wifi driven). In reality what set up would allow me to hit the sweet-spot of budget what we can see and some degree of portability? (Ease of use by 8YO and fitting in car +/- holiday gubbins!) I suppose the final question really applies to all choices! Once again, I really appreciate the input, the information gathering and the decision is really interesting. I'm a cell and molecular biologists by training so this is somewhat outside my comfort zone!

Hi All NTMU, thanks for being so welcoming and taking the time to respond. Some really helpful advice above I'm sure, always happy to receive more. Thanks again, Phil

Hi All, new here and I’m aware that this is a regular type of question, but any advice would be gratefully received: 8 year old son and I have had a great summer and autumn using binoculars to look at the landscape and clear night skies with a handy “star walk” app to assist our spotting. The brightness of Mars, Jupiter and Saturn has really fired his enthusiasm and interest (and my own is rekindled) and, having unexpectedly come into a small amount of money, due to unfortunate circumstances, I would like to use it positively to further our interest. We’re (un)lucky enough to have a budget of up to about £700 all-in (we don’t have to spend all of it). Basically I would like a scope that will provide good views of the moon, local planets (I would love to see Saturn’s ring) and ideally some of the more prominent DSOs. Ideally it will also be quick to set up, easy to store, portable (as it may well become a second or a grab and go, out and about option) and suit being used (guided) by a relatively young lad. I’m not really thinking of Astrophotography right now (beyond a mobile phone mount to remember some of our views by) and I’m reconciled to the fact that I wont find a single scope that will allow us to see everything in a single mobile package (I think I would like to get into DSO observation in due course), and that this first scope might become one of several should we desire to explore further or get into imaging in the future. Having read the forums, reviews and spoken to a local shop I’m quite taken by the Sky-watcher Skymax 127 Az-GTI, it sounds like it should give relatively good views or the moon and large planets. I like the size, wifi control and “freedom find” sounds like a useful innovation for observation with kids. I’m curious if this is a sensible option or whether extending to something like a celestron AstroFI 6, would offer some advantages or possibly negatives, I was also curious about the Sky-Watcher Star Discovery 150i WiFi but was concerned that it may be less portable and maybe more useful for the DSOs, which may be better served by future, specific purchases. Given the budget and our intended use, what do you more experienced folks think, I remain open to options/suggestions? Clearly a cheaper scope will allow for more accessories (Power source, eyepieces, Barlow/reducer, dew shield etc.). if any of the options could be made more flexible or perform better, what additional buys might be recommended?? Thanks in advance Phil