Thanks Petra,
I'm about to take delivery of an ETX 105 and maybe a DSI II and want to experiment with some science with this type of setup. The 14" is great but it's tied to it's programme of work and sometimes I wish I had a second scope.
The ETX is far too small for Minor Planet work but should be good enough for bright object photometry such as Variable Stars and Extra Solar Planet work. Can you imagine, for less than $2500 you might be able to do what very few amateurs have ever been able to do before - find or confirm the transit of an extra solar planet! I do believe the Meade CEO's vision for the future is almost here.....
Mind you, I'll hopefully have this little one automated but I don't know how I might overcome any guiding issues yet - it's not like you can piggyback a guide scope to it
Cheers