MTM,
I'm looking again at both of those options for sticking your camera onto and tracking. The
ES option actually looks very attractive. If you don't want the telescope bundled, you can save $150 by just getting the mount. The camera dovetail plate looks like the only other item you need. This video is pretty clear.
https://explorescientificusa.com/collec ... ts/dslrcda
I'm so attracted to the
ES dovetail camera plate that I think I'll buy one to put my Canon
DSLR on my Celestron mount.
If you go the iOptron route, you still have to buy a tripod, so you'd go way over $500 on price. The advantage of the mount+telescope bundle is, if you decide you don't like it, you can more easily sell it. You'll also have a capable, entry-level
goto telescope to impress your family and friends.
So, in retrospect, I completely changed my mind. I'd get the
ES mount because it's more versatile and seems quite capable. Caveat: it is a
goto mount, but unlike most gotos, it doesn't have its own computer. You have to supply a PC or tablet to run the
goto app. That shouldn't be a deal-breaker, I think. Even without that, tracking should still work, if you polar-align the mount.
--Russmax