Appreciate the quick feedback..........
O'K seems the 12" Collapse DOB is the way to go........would love to be in a position to buy it now but unfortunately not..........just recently purchased the Jeep.......so probably somewhere between 6 -8 months away
Some good points about the base and my shins.........nothing worse......and I might just be moving it around as I wont have my observatory built just yet.........still thinking about that as well but I suspect this may be 12 months away.
I'm fortunatate that I have 120 hectare of parkland and bushland right across from where I live so should my backyard not be dark enough, i could simply walk it across the road. The idea now of portability is starting to make more sense now and since my son (age 10) and daughter (age 6) are very much interested, this might be the better choice.
I have finally dug up my old Tasco 4.5" Newt (made in Japan) and will set this up after 20 years in hiding (and 4 house moves).......hope it still o'k....