messier57's Full Review: Meade ETX-90EC (325 x 90mm) Telescope
I find some of the negative reviews par for the intelligence of the reviewers and thier opinions. Experts they are not, for if they were, they would have added that this little scope does just what it is intended to do. After lugging around a LX200 10" Telescope that weighs 80+ pounds, this little Maksutov-Cassegrain Scope is simple to set up, and a joy to use. The Autostar 497 makes it simple to set the scope up on an ADEQUATE Tripod such as the Meade #884. This is a great "grab and go" scope for times when you don't have the luxury or time to set up your "big gun" telescope. I had this little guy set up, aligned, and tracking in 10 minutes tops. The Maksutov design is incredibly sharp, especially with a QUALITY eyepiece such as a Nagler, or Plossl. Sure, the forks ar ABS plastic, but the worm and Dec gears are brass, and that says alot. The ABS construction makes it a nice lightweight telescope. Meade focused on the optical design first, then the tracking system, then the support system. The entire sum makes a functional. integral unit. In the field, the ETX 90 performs quite well. Provided a ACCURATE polar alignment is done, it will slew to and track the selected object for a considerable length of time. This is not a $4000 telescope, so don't expect that kind of performance from it. It is great for teaching the sky to students and using at star parties. I love it because I can take the entire setup on a whim anywhere and be observing through high quality optics in several minutes. Bottom line is to know what you have, and how to use it, and not to expect the ridiculous. The 497 controller is flash upgradable, and you can add user objects also. This guy is a bargain when purchased with the 497 Autostar Controller.
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