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This review is actually for the G R80 with the GPS unit. It took about 15 min. to set it all up. I had read reviews that were very critical of the tripod, but this yrs. model has a rock solid tripod. The legs have a maximum angle they can fold out, and then due to their shape they can't go any further. To lock them into a really stable place all you have to do is attach the lens holder tray, which has notches for each of the legs. You cinch the tray up via a large handled wing nut that uses the threaded center cube mount bolt to raise the tray into position. Sweet design. I also found the bubble level to be right on, unlike some reviewers who found it to be off. I checked it in several directions with a 2' level, and it was really very accurate. Setting up the mount took a little time, but was pretty straight forward. I did it in the evening just after the sun set so I could see what I was doing. Using the AZ ALT motor GoTo tracking feature, I was able to go first to the waxing new moon, then track to Venus, Jupiter, and all the way across the ecliptic to Saturn, with every one being in the field of view with the 25mm. eyepiece. Not bad! I did have to center each one, but that is very easy. Then the subsequent tracking function was also pretty darn good. With that kind of out of the box performance along with the tripod instability problem apparently solved, I feel like this is a really good little telescope for the money. The dovetail mounting system is advertised to accept any normal dovetail bar, so adding a somewhat bigger telescope should not be a problem, as long as it is no more than 8 or 9 lbs.. Overall the optics seem good as well, as I have a view of a tree covered mountain about 15 miles away as the crow flies, and the detail of the trees and rocks is very good. Overall a very good beginner telescope.Read full review