DRO for Chinese lathe/Mill

[garage nut]

Ordered DRO from Ali Express some 30 days ago.
200mm for x slide and 500mm for longetudenal.
In Rands 1200 compared to the stuff locally available(much fancier, but do you need it for the home?) of around 4 times that.
Free shipping meant 60 days delivery.......here in 30


Any pointers...can I leave the one end of the rail, the slider slides on free, trying to keep the x feed unit away from getting caught between the saddle and the tail stock, I hate it when I have to drill a hole and have to extend the tailstock to its limit simply because it is right up against the saddle and I can not move the saddle closer to the chuck.