Houghy,
The brake is a good idea, IF you balance the scope first.
Without balancing first, the brake is too small to hold the mass of the scope.
Balanced it will hold the scope from running, allowing comfortable viewing.
BTW if the brake material is plastic, remove it immediately.
After not much use it will gouge the aluminium.
This happened to mine not long after I bought it.
Don at Bintel, not only sent me the new brake material (teflon) but replaced the bearings!!