Thanks for the info everyone. Yes, the main issue is that I'm having real trouble navigation the night sky, even at a 'spotter' magnififcation I can't identify something obvious like the southern cross is beyond me - even through a set of binos.
(that said even the GT mount can be found cheapily, with the hand-controller included.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Celestron-Te...-/281274860276 )