Hi and welcome Matt ,
Forget AP for now as its a long life we have and at the moment just learn and enjoy .
I think you want a Mak Cass so you can get to higher magnifications easier than your Newt can now acheave now ? Right
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Good upgrade for Luna/Planetary/double star viewing as these really perform well and yes an EQ5 would hold one of these nicely but be aware at over 150x ( which the Mak Cass will do with ease when the Newt is struggling with the weight of barlows and small eyepieces , etc ) you will apreciate a RA drive about now and the EQ5 has a good one after market for a small price .
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These work very well as I had one years ago and they are a God send .
So a vote from me to go this route , just forget AP for now .
Brian.
ps. Look in Andrews Communications website and you will find EQ5's ( Bresser branded EXOS2 model EQ5) there at a very good price
Pss. you could also piggy back a small refeactor later on if you want to go the AP way , personally I would not bother yet , its an expensive road to take .
Been there as well and just love observing these days .