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This a difficult question as both are very good for what they are intended to do.
The Astrotrac is more expensive. You probably also need the wedge to align it without driving yourself crazy. Has a much heavier payload and you can go deeper if properly aligned.
There are guys on the Astrotrac yahoo group who say they have taken 5 and 10 minute exposures with camera lenses
The Polarie on the other hand really requires only the tripod and a ball head
I have used it with the same tripod you plan on taking for the solar eclipse and for widefields with a 50 or 55 mm lens
I have both. I use the Astrotrac with a short tube small telescope if I am driving. Astrotrac also sells a pier and other kit. I found I had to use a beefier tripod than the 055XProB for my set up with an Astrotrac. So all in all s little more gear compared to the Polarie. But heck if I am driving I will take both the Astrotrac and the Polarie
If I am travelling by plane I'll take the Polarie in my camera backpack it's that small and lightweight
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