Hi Graeme. I have a 6SE and am very happy with it. It tracks very well as an AltAz. Alignments are easy and as you say, its a good portable unit. I have taken mine in the back of the car over many Km and it holds its collimation well. (Still haven't had to collimate) Make sure you adjust backlash if you want to get good GOTO results. Also try and balance the OTa on the mount. You can easily locate the balance point of the OTA with attachments (Diagonal, e.p. etc) by balancing it over a pencil on a table.
This is a dedicated site full of useful info. Highly recommend a visit.
http://www.nexstarsite.com/
For astrophotography I mount the OTA on an HEQ5Pro. But the AltAz is OK for short exposures where rotation is not an issue - eg. moon shots.
Robert