If you want to get the best from a live image, then the monitor is it. Good old CRT gives a much better picture than LCD - (especially monochrome), and is much cheaper (Its another example of convenience over function cf vinyl/CD).
Also, imagine dark field, wires everywhere, dew-point reached, damp beginning to penetrate everything. Now think $2000 laptop or $100 monitor!
Having said all that, I use an 5" LCD screen + laptop in myself so I can attach the screen to the scope for finding/focussing and then record the video with the lappy. What was I saying about convenience over function?
