I suppose I will get this thread underway. First off, what are you looking to do, have you any specific thoughts in mind ie OAG or guidescope, LPI< DSI< Nexstar, proper CCD etc.
I use an SBIG ST-4, it is a completely stand alone setup although I do run a cable to a computer and have CCDSoft installed, I only use it to focus occassionally. Availability, you may be able to pick one up second hand, no longer produced. Good points, it is the complete stand alone package, excellent guiding and probably one of the best autoguiders produced, the only downer is that it draws about 2 amps of power so could be a problem in the field, bit of a learning curve. Once the ST-4 is locked on and tracking you can leave go all night and it will not lose the guidestar (weather permitting ofcourse).
I have used an LPI but have always gone back to the ST-4. The LPI will use GuideDog (free), GuideMaster (free) although to use long exposure mode you do need to load .Net 2 and DirectX 9.0 and above and there is also K3CCDTools (not free). I am led to believe that there are a couple of other programs now available to use the Meade DSI as an autoguider.
Hope that helps a little.
Cheers
JohnG
EDIT: this shot
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/a...0&d=1150680200 is 5 x 400 seconds guided with the ST-4, shows what I consider to be excellent tracking of that period of time, just over 33 minutes total.