The SBIG ST-i has a built-in shutter (Lodestar doesn't), which is very useful for taking dark frames without having to manually cover up the scope.
What guide scope are you using? My QHY5 (first gen) works great with an Orion mini guide scope. The field of view is wide enough that it's very easy to find a bright guide star... easier than finding a bright guide star with the Lodestar on an off-axis guider (GSO RC8). Second hand ones go for quite cheap in the classifieds every now and then.
What about the other solution - increasing your power supply in the field with more/larger batteries and/or a generator?
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