A 7mm thick perspex sheet covers the mirror. It is the LAST thing to come of when setting up, and is the FIRST thing to go back on when packing.
The focuser is wound in all the way. It is also a 'low profile' style. These have a very low housing, but with some clever designing, have a remarkable amount of draw tube travel. I recently upgraded the 1.25" focuser to a 2" focuser with no increase in the size of the focuser housing. This is the one I got:
http://www.1800destiny.com/Merchant2...duct_Code=FOCH
JMI also makes there focusers predominantely in the low profile form, though they are pricey. You may be able to find others.
A 10" mirror doesn't need a 9 point cell. It is stable enough to work well with a three point. Much easier to make too. Any bigger and you do begin to need better support for the flex in that amount of glass, regardless of the material being Pyrex or plate glass.