Should beginners fear an Equatorial mount?

[LukeSkywatcher]

The only reason i moved away from an EQ mount is because i found it too heavy and bulky to move in and out of the house. Not sure i ever used it correctly either if the recent article in S@N is to go by. I had no idea the EQ mount could contort into all those shapes and directions.

[matthewota]

I got a GEM after using a fork-mounted SCT for eight years. I wanted one just to have the fun of learning how to set it up and how to drift align it. I was spoiled by modern goto technology, and I became proud of the accomplishment of mastering the GEM afterward.

BTW if you are interested in how the GEM was invented I wrote and article about it here:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v8ldUTSpWsA/SmtW7L_y62I/AAAAAAAAAms/VRCV6bfCUc8/s800/Crop%20Circle.jpg