Thanks for all the great replies guys
I think I will end up going with a manual mount. I like the idea of the digital setting circles and modifying the mount for smooth movement will be easy enough for me, as I am an engineering tradesperson. I think that if I am going to spend the extra money I would spend it on a larger aperture
(I think it will be hard to resist getting the 12" model
but you have to draw a line somewhere for my first scope I suppose...)