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Hi Ant,
welcome to the club of first time telscope buyers for this year. I'm one. My first time sessions was exactly like yours, after having been a bino observer for years. My neck and back were really struggling. I bought 2 things to fix the problem. First I dragged an old plastic outdoor setting chair to the backyard where I have my telescope and bought a nice soft cushion to put on it. It seems to be the right height and if I need to adjust my position I just move my bum forward or backward to suit. SAved $200 buying an adjustable chair.
The other problem you most likely have is twisting around to look through your finder scope, since its parellel to the tube and to locate objects stright up you will have to become a contortionist. I bought a laser pointer. Since I know the heavens reasonably well from all those years of bino viewing, I place the laser pointer on the surface of the tube and against the eyepiece mount and it points pretty well in the same spot as I'm viewing. It cost me $95 from an online store and its the best purchase I've made. Makes the telescope almost point and shoot. Others will tell you a telrad is just as good, but I have no experience with those.
Anyway, good luck with yor purcahse and may you have many nights of clear skies.
cheers
Rod
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