DMH

Thank you @Tiny Clangerfor the advice! I love the 'watch can I expect to see' thread. That does align with my expectations haha, so that is a good start at least I think I'm set on a 130P, but I'm now looking between the one Rustang has for sale, which I think is the Explorer, which has a solid tube, no so DIY work needed and is obviously on a different mount. I'm not sure if there are pro's and con's outside of that!

Thanks @malc-c! Just out of interest the above you mentioned seem to have the same 'stat's as the Heritage but on a different mount. Is that the primary difference? They are al 650mm f/5. I guess it comes down to the focus and mount?

Oh awesome! Thank you I'll get in touch Awesome thank you, I've heard about the Zhummell being a good competitior. I'll do some more reading! Thanks everyone for your comments! Can't wait to get up and running!

Hehe! Thanks @dweller25 appreciate you taking the time to respond. Would you recommend getting a barlow x2? I understand I need to perform some modifications on the focus and make a light shroud. I wondered if its worth getting some additional lens straight away

Hi @malc-c - thanks for the reply and information! Sorry for the lack of information on my side, let me try to add some colour. Firstly, my children are still toddlers so it's not serious at all. More of something I'd like them to see and start introducing, but it's more about me! Experience; nothing outside of reading. I've always wanted a telescope to be able to see things that we can't normally but I've never been in a position to get one. I'd love to be able to start seeing the moon in great detail and seeing planets. Id also love to be able to see DSO's such as galaxies, but that might be out of budget.

Good evening all! I've done lots of research, and I'm fairly certain that the answer the this question is the Heritage 130P! However before I invest, I'd love to hear other options and thoughts! I live fairly rural, and I'm looking to get my kids to share my passion for astronomy!