Well, I appreciate all of the advice and answers, but I have one more question before I make a decision.

I can get a very good price on an ETX-80, so my question is, how much of an improvement is the ETX-90 over the ETX-80? Is the extra little boost in aprature make a noticable difference, or will the 80 be sufficent to view the planets and the brighter Messier objects?

Thanks again everyone!
Shane.

Edit: And is there a big difference between the ETX-80 and the ETX-80 backpack edition?