I'm selling my EQ8 which was in the first batch brought in to Australia so it is about 6 years old.
I use it in the observatory on the custom pier most of the time but have taken it to the QLD Astrofest each year. For that I use the portable Pier that came with the mount that is included in the sale. The pier looks a bit worse for wear but it is only cosmetic and doesn't really get much use.
The mount has the original 12V power cable and I have a n EQmod cable that can go with it and of course the hand controller - which I rarely use.
I don’t but I certainly never had any problems using a guidescope for 20 mins. So long as the guider eats the PE for breakfast, dinner and lunch I don’t worry about it 😀