It is critical that you setup your telescope so that the mount is level (not sort of level, but really level).  With polar alignment, ensure the telescope itself starts out level as well, after it has been pointed directly at Polaris.  For the ETX-60AT, you should set the drive motor to Fine in the setup.  This will provide the best object tracking.  Also, in the instruction manual, Meade suggests you align the drive periodically.  It certainly doesn't hurt to do it more often.  And it is needed.

Finally, even if you do all of the above perfectly, you will get some drift.  As long as your exposure time is not excessive, this drift will not cause problems.  The better the alignment, the longer the exposure time that may be attained, and fainter objects come into view.

Still, even when you have done all of the above, you will find that the drive is not perfect - some version of a corkscrew drift occurs.  Meade object tracking software does not seem to handle that issue correctly.  It will track an object until it changes direction by what appears to be more than 45° from the original direction.

If you have a telescope that can be connected to the Envisage software, then there is a tracking function which can take over the telescope control to track based upon the live image.  This is not available for the ETX-60AT or most other low-end Meade telescopes.  Another tracking method for the serious is to use a second DSI or LPI on a finder telescope to track the object live.

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