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I don't think there is any way around having to master polar alignment.
If you are starting off I would suggest getting good at drift alignment.
You can do it with your camera if it downloads onto a computer screen. If you are using a DSLR you would have to use a separate specialised eyepiece called a reticule eyepiece. It places a cross hair in the field of view plus it is lit so you can see it. Then follow the many internet posted directions for doing drift alignment.
When you get good at it you can do it in about 45 minutes.
If you set up each night I would suggest putting pavers where your tripod goes and then making marks so you can repeat where the tripod sits night after night with no change. That way you do it once and it works every night thereafter. Another thing I used to do to speed it up was I would put a laser through the polar scope and it would shine a spot of light on the ceiling of my roll off roof. Once aligned I put a bit of black electrical tape on the spot. Next time I setup I simply adjusted the mount so the laser lined up on that spot again (1 minute) and I was all set.
You could mount a laser on the side of your mount and have a target on a nearby fence etc for an outdoor application.
Andy's Shotglass Astronomy sells a cheap overlay for your computer screen with instructions for drift alignment with a CCD camera or a DSLR that is connected to a laptop.
Your results in astrophotography will be no better than your polar alignment so spend some time mastering it. You'll be glad you did in the end.
Some mounts have rapid rough polar alignment setups like the Gemini system and the Paramount PMX. But these are more expensive mounts.
Greg.
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