ETX pros and cons

Chatted with Phil and then Gilles about the Meade ETX telescopes.

Phil is urging me to consider an APO. They are small, compact, have excellent wide fields. But, he acknowledges that then I still have an outstanding tracking problem. How should it be mounted? And will I be able to met my objectives of a compact, self-contained, rapid-setup telescope?

As I walked into the David Dunlap Observatory dome, I noticed Nicole near our presentation booth materials and a 90 ETX. I suddenly remember when first meeting them seeing this little telescope! I briefly tried the 'scope. It is clearly patterned off the Questar. I learned that it can work on a table top, the newest versions come with a GPS, that while a camera can be mounted on the back it is better on the top.

I'll have to look at these more closely.