Pier or Tripod for Astrotrac

[roarke80]

Hi all.

I'm about to splash out on buying the Astrotrac and would love to hear any reviews and thoughts about whether to go for the pier or a tripod.

I'm assuming the pier is more expensive, although I suspect a tripod that is just as sturdy might cost just as much? Are there any good tripod alternatives that give the same support as the pier?

I'm planning to start out with just a DSLR on it, but I also do have a couple of scopes that I might eventually like to use on it. I'm planning to have it set up in the garden mainly, but I do hope to bring it on roadtrips and I will have to move it overseas at some point in time, so I would love any thoughts about how portable the pier is.

Many thanks in advance!