Meade ETX-90EC Telescope
- Optical Diameter: 90 mm
- Max Useful Magnification: x 325
- Finderscope: Optical
- Mount Type: Altazimuth
- Focal Length: 1250 mm
- Optical Design: Catadioptrics
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A great scope for the aspiring Amateur
Pros
High Quality Optics, Very Portable, Can add "GOTO" capability, Fairly easy to use
Cons
Needs Lots of add-ons in order to fulfill it's potential
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
If you want to learn the night sky and have some cash to apply to the cause, you can't go wrong with the ETX.
Ever since I was a kid, I have wondered about the stars. My senior year of college the comet Hale-Bopp appeared and I vowed to get a telescope when I could finally afford a good one, so that the next time a great comet came along I could get a better look at it. When I finally had some cash saved in March of 99, I did a bunch of research and I decided on the ETX-90EC.
The first night I got the thing home I aimed it at the brightest "star" outside my west-facing window, believing that it was likely a planet. I thought it was Jupiter. But when I looked through the scope I was astounded to see rings! I knew right away it was Saturn and from then on I was hooked.
So what will I see?
I have enjoyed using my ETX for a variety of things over the past two years, and it has increased my knowledge of the night sky exponentially. For instance, here are some things I discovered:
1. You will be amazed how far the moon travels across the sky night-to-night once you begin observing it every night. The moon is absolutely FANTASTIC looking when viewed with the ETX, and this alone could warrant buying it. I have also hooked up a digital camera to do some "through-the-eyepiece" photos that are truly amazing.
2. Jupiter is a very nice target, as it is very dynamic - The moons of Jupiter are constantly changing position in relation to the planet, making for some interesting observations. And the Great Red Spot moves fast enough that over a few hours of viewing you will notice the change.
3. Saturn is much smaller than Jupiter as seen through the eyepiece, but worthy if for no other reason than to see the "ears" that Galileo described. I can also usually make out the largest moon, Titan.
4. Double stars and clusters are very beautiful. Ever notice how some stars seem to have a redder or whiter color to your eye? Wait till you see the pronounced difference in color with the ETX. Try taking them out of focus as well to see the color more clearly.
5. Every few years Mars' orbit aligns with Earth's enough to get some good views with the ETX. I was able to make out Syrtis Major region the last time this happened, which is fairly impressive for a relatively small scope. I think that the next time this occurs I should be able to get some even better detail with my camera - we'll see.
6. The Sun is a great target. DON'T TRY THIS WITHOUT A GOOD SOLAR FILTER FROM A REPUTABLE COMPANY - YOU WILL GO BLIND! However, assuming you get a solar filter (I got mine from Orion Telescopes) the Sun is a great target and very worthy of viewing, especially during this period of the solar maximum when you can pick out numerous sunspots.
7. Many other amazing sights - Nebulas, galaxies, even fast moving satellites!
So how well does it work?
The ETX is very user friendly. The alignment of the viewfinder takes about 20 minutes (only have to do this ONCE really) and is pretty straightforward. With the included controller it is pretty easy to aim at a bright star or planet if you've done a good job in your alignment. Looking at a planet or the moon is probably the best way to get started, and the most likely thing to inspire you onward.
Once you've taken a tour or two on your own, you will probably want to buy the Autostar controller so you can find just about anything your heart desires. I like the Autostar as it helps find very dim objects, but I must confess that I still enjoy using the manual controller as it feels more like I'm really finding the objects and not the machine. This helps me learn the location of objects better as well.
Another great feature: PORTABILITY. If you buy a larger scope, you will see more detail. No doubt. However, you will probably not want to lug the thing around with you when you go on vacation or somewhere where the sky is especially dark. This is where the ETX really shines. It is incredibly portable and easy to take on trips. This is an often overlooked and very important issue. Along with this, setting up the ETX for a quick 20 minute session is a breeze. Try that with a 6 or 8 inch telescope!
So, once you are truly hooked, the money starts to really flow out the door. I picked up all sorts of gadgets to make my telescope more effective (the deluxe tripod, the Autostar, a more flexible focuser, stabilizing clamps for the tripod, color filters for the eyepieces, a solar filter, a light pollution filter, books, books, and more books). Aside from books, there are many places to find information online as well, some notables:
http://www.weasner.com/etx/menu.html (great guest astrophoto gallery)
http://www.scopetronix.com (for all your custom needs)
So what's the Final Verdict?
If you want to get a high-quality telescope that will last you many years, keep you interested, and allow you to see the sky with your own eyes on a relatively reasonable budget, this is the telescope for you.
I have enjoyed it since I bought it and still consider it a great investment that I will share with my children some day. It's well worth the high "entrance" price. But be careful, as you can easily spend the price of the scope again on accessories! I would recommend it again and again.
The first night I got the thing home I aimed it at the brightest "star" outside my west-facing window, believing that it was likely a planet. I thought it was Jupiter. But when I looked through the scope I was astounded to see rings! I knew right away it was Saturn and from then on I was hooked.
So what will I see?
I have enjoyed using my ETX for a variety of things over the past two years, and it has increased my knowledge of the night sky exponentially. For instance, here are some things I discovered:
1. You will be amazed how far the moon travels across the sky night-to-night once you begin observing it every night. The moon is absolutely FANTASTIC looking when viewed with the ETX, and this alone could warrant buying it. I have also hooked up a digital camera to do some "through-the-eyepiece" photos that are truly amazing.
2. Jupiter is a very nice target, as it is very dynamic - The moons of Jupiter are constantly changing position in relation to the planet, making for some interesting observations. And the Great Red Spot moves fast enough that over a few hours of viewing you will notice the change.
3. Saturn is much smaller than Jupiter as seen through the eyepiece, but worthy if for no other reason than to see the "ears" that Galileo described. I can also usually make out the largest moon, Titan.
4. Double stars and clusters are very beautiful. Ever notice how some stars seem to have a redder or whiter color to your eye? Wait till you see the pronounced difference in color with the ETX. Try taking them out of focus as well to see the color more clearly.
5. Every few years Mars' orbit aligns with Earth's enough to get some good views with the ETX. I was able to make out Syrtis Major region the last time this happened, which is fairly impressive for a relatively small scope. I think that the next time this occurs I should be able to get some even better detail with my camera - we'll see.
6. The Sun is a great target. DON'T TRY THIS WITHOUT A GOOD SOLAR FILTER FROM A REPUTABLE COMPANY - YOU WILL GO BLIND! However, assuming you get a solar filter (I got mine from Orion Telescopes) the Sun is a great target and very worthy of viewing, especially during this period of the solar maximum when you can pick out numerous sunspots.
7. Many other amazing sights - Nebulas, galaxies, even fast moving satellites!
So how well does it work?
The ETX is very user friendly. The alignment of the viewfinder takes about 20 minutes (only have to do this ONCE really) and is pretty straightforward. With the included controller it is pretty easy to aim at a bright star or planet if you've done a good job in your alignment. Looking at a planet or the moon is probably the best way to get started, and the most likely thing to inspire you onward.
Once you've taken a tour or two on your own, you will probably want to buy the Autostar controller so you can find just about anything your heart desires. I like the Autostar as it helps find very dim objects, but I must confess that I still enjoy using the manual controller as it feels more like I'm really finding the objects and not the machine. This helps me learn the location of objects better as well.
Another great feature: PORTABILITY. If you buy a larger scope, you will see more detail. No doubt. However, you will probably not want to lug the thing around with you when you go on vacation or somewhere where the sky is especially dark. This is where the ETX really shines. It is incredibly portable and easy to take on trips. This is an often overlooked and very important issue. Along with this, setting up the ETX for a quick 20 minute session is a breeze. Try that with a 6 or 8 inch telescope!
So, once you are truly hooked, the money starts to really flow out the door. I picked up all sorts of gadgets to make my telescope more effective (the deluxe tripod, the Autostar, a more flexible focuser, stabilizing clamps for the tripod, color filters for the eyepieces, a solar filter, a light pollution filter, books, books, and more books). Aside from books, there are many places to find information online as well, some notables:
http://www.weasner.com/etx/menu.html (great guest astrophoto gallery)
http://www.scopetronix.com (for all your custom needs)
So what's the Final Verdict?
If you want to get a high-quality telescope that will last you many years, keep you interested, and allow you to see the sky with your own eyes on a relatively reasonable budget, this is the telescope for you.
I have enjoyed it since I bought it and still consider it a great investment that I will share with my children some day. It's well worth the high "entrance" price. But be careful, as you can easily spend the price of the scope again on accessories! I would recommend it again and again.
