ed unez
member
Reged: 10/04/06
Posts: 34
Loc: El Paso, TX
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Anyone seen this?
http://www.techdigest.tv/2008/11/mead_etxls_back.html
Ed N.
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ed unez
member
Reged: 10/04/06
Posts: 34
Loc: El Paso, TX
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More:
http://www.gadgetreview.com/2008/11/auto-star-gazing-comes-home-with-the-etx-ls-telescope.html
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1_old_dog
sage
Reged: 09/07/07
Posts: 435
Loc: Smoky Mnts
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Nope I haven't until now. Here's a little more hype on it, but still no real specs.
http://tinyurl.com/66rqtl
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old stuff but good stuff
http://chu65nang67.us/nam/vietnam.html
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Clive Gibbons
Mostly Harmless
Reged: 05/26/05
Posts: 13453
Loc: Oort Cloud
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If those are 1.25" accessories on the back, it looks to be at least 6" aperture. 
It's the "ACF" optical design.
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A few telescopes of dubious value.
Understanding wife, two curious cats and one sadly departed.
"Semper ubi sub ubi"
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13815
Loc: CyberSpace
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Quote:
If those are 1.25" accessories on the back, it looks to be at least 6" aperture.
It's the "ACF" optical design.
Looks like the ETX-150LS ....  
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Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
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Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's 
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AlexDJ30
sage
Reged: 09/02/08
Posts: 276
Loc: Monterrey, Mexico
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I wonder if this new scope can do polar aligment??? (I supouse that yes), i think its cool having lot of gadgets on it, i just hope the internals are remade with metal gears and have better tracking motors than the ETX Pe and AT.
Now i wonder too what kind of ccd cam it have (eclipse cammm strange name) ?? I supouse it should be something like the DSI 1 or 2 (for budget purpose)... and i wonder too the price tag they will sell them (i supouse would be in the 700 dls to up)
Nice to see a new addition to the ETX family
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Equipment:
- ETX 125 AT
- C6 ASGT
- WO 66mm SD
- 2.5X ED Barlow, 8-24mm Zoom Eyepice
- Canon EOS Rebel XSi
- Celestron Nextimagen
- Orion Starshoot CCD cam
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4494
Loc: Sunny California
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Finally, an ETX I could buy! It's supposedly coma-free. And it aligns itself with built-in GPS. And it has a camera built-in!
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4494
Loc: Sunny California
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I doubt it's a Mak. If it's using Meade's ACF technology, it's a modified SCT. That means it will need periodic collimation. Maybe they've gone one better and made it electronic like on their larger RCF model. If so, I'll be ordering one.
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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nytecam
Postmaster
Reged: 08/20/05
Posts: 5756
Loc: London UK
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Quote:
I wonder if this new scope can do polar aligment??? (I supouse that yes)
From recent smaller Meade scopes I suspect 'no' eg altaz only [but hope I'm wrong].
Reference to 'two stars' suggests a wideangle camera, perhaps covering a few square degrees, will record, self centre and synch the scope removing user input for initial alignment - that would be great.
Looks like the Meade cam could also slide into the main scope for imaging - fab
I'm sure such a system would work - I've swapped my regular 8x50 optical finder for a short-focus lens + CCD to cover 12 sq deg of sky. It's easy to find an alignment star and when centred and synched swap the cam onto the main scope for the rest of the evening's session - unless an eyepiece needed 
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Nytecam 51N 0.1W
Meade 30cm LX200+ETX-70+e-finder+C8+Ha+CaK PSTs SBIG SGS+homebuilt spectrographs
Starlight SXVF_M9+Lodestar CCDs/Canon 300D DSLR/Fuji E550
My observatory build-ETX-70 imaging-my videos
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13815
Loc: CyberSpace
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Looks like the ETX-LS will compete with the 6SE and 8SE ...
The 6SE and 8SE owners don't worry about polar alignment.. 
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Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's
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MtnGoat
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/18/07
Posts: 1213
Loc: Columbia Gorge, WA
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what a beast. I mean, it's real cool and full of neat stuff...but given the company's dire straits, is this a money maker or a prestige showpiece?
Also, I am no mount expert, but that thing doesn't look beefy enough to me to tip over and run in polar mode. That OTA doesn't look outrageously massy, but it's no lightweight, and that single sidearm sure doesn't look like much. Used in polar mode, I'd guess flexure city.
Me, I'm a fork guy. If you're going to run half a fork, you may as well keep the other side as well. Don't care for this single sided trend, just seems like they do it because it looks different and cool, while ignoring basic fundamentals of physical design. On a small refractor, that's one thing..but that thing is at least 6ish and primary and corrector and cells can't be all that light.
Edited by MtnGoat (11/14/08 08:02 PM)
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MtnGoat
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/18/07
Posts: 1213
Loc: Columbia Gorge, WA
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Oh yeah, I posted a comment to the first site for the poor guy who can't get his ETX to work. We'll see if it makes it past the moderator. Told him to go to the experts..Weasner and here at CN.
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"Ignorant people think it's the noise which fighting cats make that is so aggravating, but it ain't so; it's the sickening grammar they use." Mark Twain
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4494
Loc: Sunny California
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Quote:
Looks like the ETX-LS will compete with the 6SE and 8SE ...
The 6SE and 8SE owners don't worry about polar alignment..
Don't expect Celestron not to issue a new version of the SE. Who knows? Maybe it'll be a two-fork job. That would be really funny if each maker reversed and issued what their competitor did regarding the mount.
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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nytecam
Postmaster
Reged: 08/20/05
Posts: 5756
Loc: London UK
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Quote:
....that thing doesn't look beefy enough to me to tip over and run in polar mode. That OTA doesn't look outrageously massy, but it's no lightweight, and that single sidearm sure doesn't look like much. Used in polar mode, I'd guess flexure city.
In engineering terms altaz wins as there's far less strain and flexure in the system. The vast majority of scope users including here on CN are visual with no intention to image [and sometimes opposed to imaging] so the need for polar is almost quirky and would thus hardly effect scope sales.
That's my take on the market but it's a shame if an inbuilt cam on a scope is only used for initial alignment when it could do much more in polar 
My e-finder pic below
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Nytecam 51N 0.1W
Meade 30cm LX200+ETX-70+e-finder+C8+Ha+CaK PSTs SBIG SGS+homebuilt spectrographs
Starlight SXVF_M9+Lodestar CCDs/Canon 300D DSLR/Fuji E550
My observatory build-ETX-70 imaging-my videos
Edited by nytecam (11/15/08 11:33 AM)
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jgraham
Postmaster
Reged: 12/02/04
Posts: 6763
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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The ETX line has never been about imaging, thouh they certainly can be used for basic deep sky imaging and do a fine job at solar system imaging.
It's fun to search the web for information on the ETX LS and guess what it's going to include. It sounds like it has a built-in CCD camera, possibly a DSI derivative, whose primary function is to locate and center the alignment stars during the LNT alignment procedure. The camera can then be used to take pictures of what you see through the scope. The key there is ‘what you see’ which is a fairly easy thing to do using short exposures.
Another feature that caught my eye is that after all these years it looks like there’s finally a place to put the handbox! 
It’ll be fun to see the complete details on the telescope and the price. It looks gadget-heavy, which isn’t necessarily bad but it could drive the cost up.
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-John
================================================
Homebuilt scopes from 4.25-16.5"
Meade LXD75-N6/SN6/SC8, DSX-90, ETX-60BB, ETX-125PE, DS-2130
Orion StarBlast, BinoViewers, Coronado PST
Rebel XT/XTi, DSI Pro (I, II, & III), DSI, LPI, Electronic Eyepiece, Phillips SPC900NC
Tasco 60mm Refractors
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4585
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Quote:
I wonder if this new scope can do polar aligment??? (I supouse that yes), i think its cool having lot of gadgets on it, i just hope the internals are remade with metal gears and have better tracking motors than the ETX Pe and AT.
Now i wonder too what kind of ccd cam it have (eclipse cammm strange name) ?? I supouse it should be something like the DSI 1 or 2 (for budget purpose)... and i wonder too the price tag they will sell them (i supouse would be in the 700 dls to up)
Nice to see a new addition to the ETX family
Will it have better gears? Maybe, maybe not. About all I know at the time (in addition to what is on the web) is:
It's an ACF scope, which means this is an SCT, not an MCT, I assume. It has GPS.
I speculate this is a 5 - 6-inch SCT.
I wonder will this replace the MCT ETXes?
I'm leery of Meade bringing another tech-heavy thing to market at this time.
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Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4585
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Quote:
I doubt it's a Mak. If it's using Meade's ACF technology, it's a modified SCT. That means it will need periodic collimation. Maybe they've gone one better and made it electronic like on their larger RCF model. If so, I'll be ordering one.
Be very careful what you wish for. The motorized collimation/focusing on the (now discontinued) LX/RCX 400 was one of the common failure points. And at the price level this one is likely to occupy? Shudder. 
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Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4585
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Quote:
Me, I'm a fork guy. If you're going to run half a fork, you may as well keep the other side as well. Don't care for this single sided trend, just seems like they do it because it looks different and cool, while ignoring basic fundamentals of physical design. On a small refractor, that's one thing..but that thing is at least 6ish and primary and corrector and cells can't be all that light.
Well, there's some truth to that. But the NS 8SE and its ancestors are nicely stable on the single arm...and don't forget the storied Quantum MCT or yore also used a One Arm Bandit.
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Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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GJJim
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 09/09/06
Posts: 907
Loc: Western CO
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Meade ETX-LS, development code name: Blivot.
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johninderby
member
Reged: 11/10/06
Posts: 58
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Well given Meade's recent track record of releasing new stuff before it has been properly developed and all the bugs worked out it would make me a bit cautious about running out and buying one as soon as it is released.
Taking a closer look at what images I was able to find the construction seems to be all plastic, but then again to implement the MySky technology it would have to be. Comparing the OTA size to the HC I would guess a 5 to 6 inch aperture.
It's a bit of a high risk strategy for Meade. if they pull it off it would save the company, get it wrong and its final nail in the coffin time.........
John
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4494
Loc: Sunny California
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I'm sure much of it is plastic. They're doing that to keep it reasonably priced.
As far as stability with a single arm, my SE mount is incredibly stable. But it's not constructed of plastic.
I was told the RCX will at some time in the future start up production with new models coming out of the Mexico plant. Same with the huge Max GEM mount. At least that's what the Meade rep told me. They still show the GEM mount on their website. It makes no sense to continue it and not the huge RCX scopes that go with it.
And finally, anything brand new seems to have bugs. At least that's what I've discovered each time I bought something brand new just released for the first time. My Sky was loaded with bugs. I returned it and used the money towards buying a Meade 80mm APO. That was when My Sky was going for $400. I should have known it was buggy. When I opened the box, took it out and inserted the batteries, smoke came out of the battery compartment! It worked, at least for a while, but I never did find out why it smoked. It could have been due to some fluid or oil on the contacts. My Sky would sometimes work perfectly and then it would freeze up. Then one day, it refused to get its GPS so back it went.
I'd wait till the ETX-LS has been out for a while before investing in one.
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4585
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Quote:
Well given Meade's recent track record of releasing new stuff before it has been properly developed and all the bugs worked out it would make me a bit cautious about running out and buying one as soon as it is released.
Taking a closer look at what images I was able to find the construction seems to be all plastic, but then again to implement the MySky technology
No it wouldn't. And...the ETX125PE's fork looks to be plastic, but it is metal underneath the purty makeup.
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Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4585
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Quote:
I was told the RCX will at some time in the future start up production with new models coming out of the Mexico plant.
Where did you hear that? Last I heard the LX400/RCX is a gone pecan (it has been purged from meade.com). If true, that would make me happy...I can't help but be skeptical, though.
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Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4494
Loc: Sunny California
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My mistake. Thinking back, I now realize he meant they will continue to build the LX400-ACF in 16" and 20" to go with the Max mount. They will be special made-to-order items.
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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CESDewar
GorillAstronomer
Reged: 01/16/05
Posts: 2069
Loc: Morganton, GA, USA
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One of the things that bothers me about scopes with too much electronics is that certain aspects will become obsolete long before other parts. Having a CCD sensor may seem nice, but its resolution will probably seem pathetic and barely unusable in 4-5 years. Of course, if one only plans to hold onto a scope like that for a few years it may not be an issue, but I hope that items like that are modular enough that they can be replaced. The optics are going to be good for a very long time.
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cnstarz
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/22/07
Posts: 549
Loc: Kentucky, USA
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So this is Meades general offering aimed at capitalizing on the interest the IYA raises..., I hope the many compromises necessary to bring such a wonder in at around $1k doesn't end up as a frustration for the beginners it will attract.
Still it's an interesting concept in telescope automation.
I guess the next advance is a Pop up telescope you toss in the air which lands on it's feet aligned, no eyepiece just a wireless interface which allows you to direct the unit from the warm indoors via internet.
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Matt
Apogee 50mm BB scope
ETX-60 BB
Meade 70-az
5" DIY Newt (wip)
C6-N on CG-4 GEM
Gallery
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nytecam
Postmaster
Reged: 08/20/05
Posts: 5756
Loc: London UK
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Quote:
One of the things that bothers me about scopes with too much electronics is that certain aspects will become obsolete long before other parts. Having a CCD sensor may seem nice, but its resolution will probably seem pathetic and barely unusable in 4-5 years. Of course, if one only plans to hold onto a scope like that for a few years it may not be an issue, but I hope that items like that are modular enough that they can be replaced. The optics are going to be good for a very long time.
Fair comment on modular /interchangeable cam  Field rotation [without post-exposure software] limits exposure duration even for the ETX-LS cam. However checked my DSLR shots piggybacked on ETX-70 in altaz mode - crop samples below via 85mm fl lens to good effect. Quote:
I guess the next advance is a Pop up telescope you toss in the air which lands on it's feet aligned, no eyepiece just a wireless interface which allows you to direct the unit from the warm indoors via internet.
I suspect many novices would welcome such a CATscope eg it mimics that creatures landing attributes
Seriously - I've donated a few Meade DS2090s and ETX-70s with Autostar to novices and none have got to grips with set-up and just point and gaze at the moon and maybe Jupiter that they can 'see' with their own eyes first so there's a market for COMPLETE auto-align 
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Nytecam 51N 0.1W
Meade 30cm LX200+ETX-70+e-finder+C8+Ha+CaK PSTs SBIG SGS+homebuilt spectrographs
Starlight SXVF_M9+Lodestar CCDs/Canon 300D DSLR/Fuji E550
My observatory build-ETX-70 imaging-my videos
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JT5
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/08/07
Posts: 583
Loc: Ozarks of Missouri
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Well this may also imply that the ETXs we have will not be supported much longer.
John
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My wife shares my love of the night skies and tolerates all of my other hobbies.
Televue Pronto w/Starbeam pointer and Televue tripod
Meade 2045D, ETX-125PE, 12" Lightbridge
Celestron: 7Amp PowerTank, 15X70mm binoculars
Meade, Swan and Televue Lenses (33, 26, 20, 15 & 9mm), Televue Barlow
Catsperch Observing Chair
Member: Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4585
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Quote:
Well this may also imply that the ETXs we have will not be supported much longer.
John
Maybe, maybe not. Unless they come out with a 90mm LS, I think the MCT ETXes will be around for a while...possibly on DS2000 type mounts, but around. Glad I bought my 125 a couple of years back. She needed a few tweaks, but has basically been friendly and loveable.
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13815
Loc: CyberSpace
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Quote:
Well this may also imply that the ETXs we have will not be supported much longer.
John
Meade still needs a ETX for the low end market..
I think the ETX-90PE will be around for a while but they could sell a ETX-130LS and discontinue the ETX-125PE... 
--------------------
Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's
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Lee Jay
sage
Reged: 02/27/08
Posts: 463
Loc: Westminster, CO
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Quote:
I wonder if this new scope can do polar aligment???
The picture seems to me to clearly show it's mounted on a wedge just like the current one.
http://tinyurl.com/6d9mh8
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nytecam
Postmaster
Reged: 08/20/05
Posts: 5756
Loc: London UK
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Quote:
Quote:
I wonder if this new scope can do polar aligment???
The picture seems to me to clearly show it's mounted on a wedge just like the current one.
http://tinyurl.com/6d9mh8
How so  Looks altaz to me - unless you live a the north pole
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Nytecam 51N 0.1W
Meade 30cm LX200+ETX-70+e-finder+C8+Ha+CaK PSTs SBIG SGS+homebuilt spectrographs
Starlight SXVF_M9+Lodestar CCDs/Canon 300D DSLR/Fuji E550
My observatory build-ETX-70 imaging-my videos
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jgraham
Postmaster
Reged: 12/02/04
Posts: 6763
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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If you look closely it's sittong on an #884 tripod; the hinge is on the left and the lift-arm is on eht right.
--------------------
-John
================================================
Homebuilt scopes from 4.25-16.5"
Meade LXD75-N6/SN6/SC8, DSX-90, ETX-60BB, ETX-125PE, DS-2130
Orion StarBlast, BinoViewers, Coronado PST
Rebel XT/XTi, DSI Pro (I, II, & III), DSI, LPI, Electronic Eyepiece, Phillips SPC900NC
Tasco 60mm Refractors
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nytecam
Postmaster
Reged: 08/20/05
Posts: 5756
Loc: London UK
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Quote:
If you look closely it's sittong on an #884 tripod; the hinge is on the left and the lift-arm is on eht right.
photo probably a mockup  no doubt a real uncropped photo will be released soon!
Does the scope, from the blurb, incorporate My-Sky+
--------------------
Nytecam 51N 0.1W
Meade 30cm LX200+ETX-70+e-finder+C8+Ha+CaK PSTs SBIG SGS+homebuilt spectrographs
Starlight SXVF_M9+Lodestar CCDs/Canon 300D DSLR/Fuji E550
My observatory build-ETX-70 imaging-my videos
Edited by nytecam (11/17/08 10:02 AM)
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Lee Jay
sage
Reged: 02/27/08
Posts: 463
Loc: Westminster, CO
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Seems clear to me.
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MtnGoat
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/18/07
Posts: 1213
Loc: Columbia Gorge, WA
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boy, that's looking pretty polar-y.
--------------------
"Ignorant people think it's the noise which fighting cats make that is so aggravating, but it ain't so; it's the sickening grammar they use." Mark Twain
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13815
Loc: CyberSpace
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Quote:
boy, that's looking pretty polar-y.
Looks like a wedge...
--------------------
Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's
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MtnGoat
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/18/07
Posts: 1213
Loc: Columbia Gorge, WA
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yup.
on the other hand, usually one hand doesn't know what the other is doing. what engineering thinks it's selling may not match what sales thinks it's selling and then the graphics and advertising crew gets some tripod with some scope that kinda fits and some handset and takes a pic of what they got.
then the copywriter gets it slightly wrong and no one knows why a 494 handset was in the photoshoot to start with and it all goes downhill from there.
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"Ignorant people think it's the noise which fighting cats make that is so aggravating, but it ain't so; it's the sickening grammar they use." Mark Twain
Edited by MtnGoat (11/17/08 06:52 PM)
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TONGKW
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/16/07
Posts: 572
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I have just noticed this new Meade ETX-LX can now be pre-ordered at Optcorp for US$1299 + Shipping?
http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=12322
K W TONG
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C8 + CG-5GT, TSA102 + HEQ5 PRO, MK67 + Voyager Mount, WO ZS 80FD + Kenko NES, NexStar 6SE, WO Megrez 72 + Mizar K Mount, Mini Borg 50, C5, PST
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jgraham
Postmaster
Reged: 12/02/04
Posts: 6763
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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Now this is getting silly; taking pre-orders without so much as a spec sheet and a guess at the retail price. This is going to be a fun show to watch. 
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-John
================================================
Homebuilt scopes from 4.25-16.5"
Meade LXD75-N6/SN6/SC8, DSX-90, ETX-60BB, ETX-125PE, DS-2130
Orion StarBlast, BinoViewers, Coronado PST
Rebel XT/XTi, DSI Pro (I, II, & III), DSI, LPI, Electronic Eyepiece, Phillips SPC900NC
Tasco 60mm Refractors
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13815
Loc: CyberSpace
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OPT is jumping the gun again... 
I didn't see a link on that page to the 6SE ... 
--------------------
Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4494
Loc: Sunny California
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It is rather silly. Plus God knows how many bugs it'll have. I'll wait until at least a year's gone by before I'll even consider ordering one. It might be worth attending the Consumer Electronics Show to check it out.
It does appear it'll be a 6" coma-free SCT. I wonder if the optics will be as sharp as the 5" Mak. What I did notice when I compared a ETX125 with a Nexstar 6SE is the image was slightly sharper in the ETX, albeit a lot dimmer. And because the focal length of the ETX is 1,900mm, I found it was pretty much useless for viewing open clusters. I used a 32mm eyepiece and still couldn't get in the entire Pleiades.
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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MtnGoat
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/18/07
Posts: 1213
Loc: Columbia Gorge, WA
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well heck, they may as well generate some buzz. and if you're feeling adventurous, a place in line with no down isn't bad
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"Ignorant people think it's the noise which fighting cats make that is so aggravating, but it ain't so; it's the sickening grammar they use." Mark Twain
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nytecam
Postmaster
Reged: 08/20/05
Posts: 5756
Loc: London UK
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Quote:
Now this is getting silly; taking pre-orders without so much as a spec sheet and a guess at the retail price. This is going to be a fun show to watch.
Showtime indeed...and equat mount and #494 Autostar thrown in as well Fortunately [for me] love of new technology and my creditcard are worlds apart
PS: TelescopeHouse - UK's Meade distributor hope to have a ETX-LS on display for the European Astrofest in London in early Feb 2009 - should be 'big magnet' and we can surmise what other sized scopes the mount can support especially if the 'Light Switch' technology was attached to the top of the mount's 'altitude arm' rather than on the scope itself
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Nytecam 51N 0.1W
Meade 30cm LX200+ETX-70+e-finder+C8+Ha+CaK PSTs SBIG SGS+homebuilt spectrographs
Starlight SXVF_M9+Lodestar CCDs/Canon 300D DSLR/Fuji E550
My observatory build-ETX-70 imaging-my videos
Edited by nytecam (11/18/08 12:18 PM)
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supercoolone
member
Reged: 07/25/07
Posts: 93
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I was saving up for a Nexstar 6SE - which is about $899 after mail in coupon. Steppnig up $400 to the ETX LS is tempting, but I'm wondering - outloud - if this lightswitch technology would work off a balcony where large parts of the sky are blocked or whether it requires an unhindered view of the nightsky. Also with dramatic price drops with their handheld GPS and latest DSI cameras, one wonders if the the estimated price is way too high. Buzz is one thing, buying and being a beta tester is another IMHO.
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4494
Loc: Sunny California
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Get the 6SE. It's proven technology. I've had mine now for a year and a half and so far it works. The motors are quiet and you can load it up with extras like a nice RACI finder. And it accepts a 2" diagonal. I use a WO dielectric on mine and when I plug in a 2" wide angle eyepiece, the views are excellent. The scope is easily collimated. I suggest if you get one to buy Bob's Knobs which replace the three stock Phillips head screws and makes adjusting a breeze. And if you want, you can buy a Sky Scout and put GPS into the Nexstar using Sky Scout Connect. When you aim the Sky Scout at a target, the scope will slew to it. I'd use one, but having a metal roof makes it impossible. The magnetic interference is too great. On the other hand, until my My Sky went south, I never had an interference issue using it in my backyard. Perhaps My Sky has better shielding.
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13815
Loc: CyberSpace
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Quote:
Get the 6SE. It's proven technology. I've had mine now for a year and a half and so far it works. The motors are quiet and you can load it up with extras like a nice RACI finder. And it accepts a 2" diagonal. I use a WO dielectric on mine and when I plug in a 2" wide angle eyepiece, the views are excellent. The scope is easily collimated. I suggest if you get one to buy Bob's Knobs which replace the three stock Phillips head screws and makes adjusting a breeze.
The 6SE is an OK type of scope. 
The main issue is the extra large Central Obstruction which affects the image quality... 
I definitely did look at the 6SE but decided the CO was just too large for my taste...At least for the money.. 
As I recall Starlighter never got the SkyAlign to work correctly...
Plus you don't need Bob's Knobs with the ETX...
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Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's
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Lee Jay
sage
Reged: 02/27/08
Posts: 463
Loc: Westminster, CO
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Quote:
Me, I'm a fork guy. If you're going to run half a fork, you may as well keep the other side as well. Don't care for this single sided trend, just seems like they do it because it looks different and cool, while ignoring basic fundamentals of physical design. On a small refractor, that's one thing..but that thing is at least 6ish and primary and corrector and cells can't be all that light.
I was like you because of my bad experience with a Nexstar 130 SLT. But that mount/tripod was weak and the tube very long. I'm less against single-arms now that I've played with a Nexstar 8SE. Also, the gold standard in large-lens terrestrial photography support is the full Wimberly II seen here:
http://www.tripodhead.com/products/wimberley-main.cfm
There are some advantages compared to a GEM or a side mount like the iOptron Mini Tower, namely that the CG stays over the tripod axis, and both axes can be placed through the CG. Compared with a dual-fork system, more than one diameter OTA can be mounted. So, if done well, it could be very nice. If done badly, like with my 130 SLT, it can be pretty horrid.
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4494
Loc: Sunny California
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Quote:
Quote:
Get the 6SE. It's proven technology. I've had mine now for a year and a half and so far it works. The motors are quiet and you can load it up with extras like a nice RACI finder. And it accepts a 2" diagonal. I use a WO dielectric on mine and when I plug in a 2" wide angle eyepiece, the views are excellent. The scope is easily collimated. I suggest if you get one to buy Bob's Knobs which replace the three stock Phillips head screws and makes adjusting a breeze.
The 6SE is an OK type of scope.
The main issue is the extra large Central Obstruction which affects the image quality...
I definitely did look at the 6SE but decided the CO was just too large for my taste...At least for the money..
As I recall Starlighter never got the SkyAlign to work correctly...
Plus you don't need Bob's Knobs with the ETX...
I did get it to align. I had problems at first, but only because where I'm using it, I cannot use the three-star align. Now I use the Auto-two-star and it works like a charm. Tracks accurately and the goto's are within the FOV of the eyepiece.
As for the central obstruction, all SCTs, Maks and reflectors have them. If you want to see unrestricted, extremely sharp views, get a refractor.
The added aperture of the 6SE meant more light getting through compared to the ETX125. The old saying goes which is aperture rules. In a side-by-side comparison with a 6SE and a ETX125, the 6SE was decidedly brighter. No question. And that meant more detail since it brought out weaker objects.
And if you knock your Mak out of collimation, you must ship it back to Meade. I'd rather have the ability to adjust it myself.
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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Lee Jay
sage
Reged: 02/27/08
Posts: 463
Loc: Westminster, CO
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The main issue with all the Nexstar SEs for me is that they have no clutches to release the axes. That's a dead-in-your-tracks showstopper for me. Based on my ETX 125, I'm *guessing* the new one does have clutches, and would thus still be a contender.
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4494
Loc: Sunny California
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Not a problem for me since if I want to manually slew my SCT, I mount it on my CG-4.
Not that the photo proves anything, but the ETX-LS doesn't appear to have the ability to manually slew. There's no lock knob on the side arm nor at the base.
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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MtnGoat
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/18/07
Posts: 1213
Loc: Columbia Gorge, WA
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thats a good observation. it gives me the willies.
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"Ignorant people think it's the noise which fighting cats make that is so aggravating, but it ain't so; it's the sickening grammar they use." Mark Twain
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4494
Loc: Sunny California
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It could be that for the mockup they left them off. But they just might have decided to drop them entirely. I've been told that using clutches has been one the biggest problem with the ETX. Dealers tell me, and this was backed up by a Meade rep when I visited their headquarters in Irvine, that after people unlock them to do manual slewing and then when they engage them, they sometimes make them too tight which is the chief reason the gears get damaged.
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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Lee Jay
sage
Reged: 02/27/08
Posts: 463
Loc: Westminster, CO
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Locking the clutches cannot possibly cause damage to the gears, unless you crash into the hard stop or something else afterwards by using the drive motors. The fact that doing that can cause damage is a bad design, and the clutches themselves are bad designs in both axes. That said, not having them is worse than having bad ones by far, and I still will not purchase any mount (including the new ETX) if it doesn't have them.
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13815
Loc: CyberSpace
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Quote:
I've been told that using clutches has been one the biggest problem with the ETX. Dealers tell me, and this was backed up by a Meade rep when I visited their headquarters in Irvine, that after people unlock them to do manual slewing and then when they engage them, they sometimes make them too tight which is the chief reason the gears get damaged.
First of all the so called clutch is simply a lever to engage the gear train with the OTA..
When I engage the gear train the lever only moves a short distance to lock the gear train with the OTA..Frankly I don't see how I could over tighten the lever..
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Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's
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Lee Jay
sage
Reged: 02/27/08
Posts: 463
Loc: Westminster, CO
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Quote:
First of all the so called clutch is simply a lever to engage the gear train with the OTA..
No, it's not, it's a friction clutch (a bad one).
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nytecam
Postmaster
Reged: 08/20/05
Posts: 5756
Loc: London UK
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I'm confused - isn't THIS the Meade ETX forum Some Celestron advocates seem lost and confusing the "Meade v Celestron" thread with this one on the "ETX-LS". In fairness for those living in parallel universes perhaps we could have both these threads on the Celestron forum too
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Nytecam 51N 0.1W
Meade 30cm LX200+ETX-70+e-finder+C8+Ha+CaK PSTs SBIG SGS+homebuilt spectrographs
Starlight SXVF_M9+Lodestar CCDs/Canon 300D DSLR/Fuji E550
My observatory build-ETX-70 imaging-my videos
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Mike Cook
member
Reged: 07/13/08
Posts: 75
Loc: Moncton NB (Cloud Central)
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If one uses common sense when tightening the clutches, there shouldn't be any problems. However if one applies 50 foot pounds to the clutches, something indeed will break. 
~Mike
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Meade ETX125PE Maksutov
Meade series 5000 80mm triplet on AT Voyager alt-az
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4494
Loc: Sunny California
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Quote:
I'm confused - isn't THIS the Meade ETX forum Some Celestron advocates seem lost and confusing the "Meade v Celestron" thread with this one on the "ETX-LS". In fairness for those living in parallel universes perhaps we could have both these threads on the Celestron forum too
I had no idea one had to own an ETX in order to post here.
--------------------
Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4494
Loc: Sunny California
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Quote:
If one uses common sense when tightening the clutches, there shouldn't be any problems. However if one applies 50 foot pounds to the clutches, something indeed will break.
~Mike
This tells me it's a design flaw if it allows for anything other than engaging or disengaging the clutches. I have clutches on my CG4 GEM and there's no problem with over-tightening them. I'm running an Orion RA motor and so far, no damage. 
--------------------
Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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Rob_G
sage
Reged: 10/12/06
Posts: 247
Loc: Syracuse, NY
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Quote:
I'm confused - isn't THIS the Meade ETX forum Some Celestron advocates seem lost and confusing the "Meade v Celestron" thread with this one on the "ETX-LS". In fairness for those living in parallel universes perhaps we could have both these threads on the Celestron forum too
I agree. 
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Rob
Bausch & Lomb Legacy 10x50
Meade ETX 125-AT
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Bob Griffiths
Postmaster
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 6590
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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Quote:
I'm confused - isn't THIS the Meade ETX forum Some Celestron advocates seem lost and confusing the "Meade v Celestron" thread with this one on the "ETX-LS". In fairness for those living in parallel universes perhaps we could have both these threads on the Celestron forum too
I do own BOTH BRANDS of GoTo scopes ...but I still agree with the quote above...I was reading this thread just to get some basic info on the new ETX-LS Meade scope...
No need to even start a debate about C and M
Bob G.
.
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CPC1100
Nexstar 8i + GPS & Rays Brackets
Denk S1 power switch
Orion 100 mm Refractor
Meade LXD 55 ...AR-5 127 mm Refractor
Exploradome Observatory S.I.E. (Smiling Irish Eyes)
Gerbring Heated Motorcycle clothing in the winter
39*21'03" N
77*28'12" W
The sky over my head....
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Roy McCoy
professor emeritus
Reged: 10/13/05
Posts: 642
Loc: Glendale, AZ
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parallel universe
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Roy
MN65
114NT/500
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Rob_G
sage
Reged: 10/12/06
Posts: 247
Loc: Syracuse, NY
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Quote:
Quote:
I'm confused - isn't THIS the Meade ETX forum Some Celestron advocates seem lost and confusing the "Meade v Celestron" thread with this one on the "ETX-LS". In fairness for those living in parallel universes perhaps we could have both these threads on the Celestron forum too
I do own BOTH BRANDS of GoTo scopes ...but I still agree with the quote above...I was reading this thread just to get some basic info on the new ETX-LS Meade scope...
No need to even start a debate about C and M
Bob G.
.
To me, it's like going into the refractor forum and telling everyone why a reflector is better.
Certainly, all are welcome, but this is the ETX forum. People are here to read about ETX's, not Celestrons.
Now a thread on "which is better" is obviously different. The intent there is to compare different scopes.
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Rob
Bausch & Lomb Legacy 10x50
Meade ETX 125-AT
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supercoolone
member
Reged: 07/25/07
Posts: 93
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I think the clutch debate became a stream of conciousness. Having said that, I don't think this develoved into a C vs. M debate - its pretty clear that the debate allowed people to point out that there appear to be no clutches on the ETX LS. Anyho - unless someone has fondled this ETX LS...pure conjecture at this point is fun. Talking about conjecture, I am wondering what the lip on the bottom of the OTA is, is that the CCD?
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4494
Loc: Sunny California
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You mean the goodie hanging down with 'ECLIPS module' printed on it? If so that is the CCD camera. It appears to possibly plug into the OTA and can be removed.
--------------------
Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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Mak2007
sage
Reged: 06/24/07
Posts: 356
Loc: MD
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I don't like at all the ETX-LS. I must confess: I am a newbie, I wanted a sharp - refractor like - optics, without the need to collimate, compact and portable. APO refractors are too expensive for me, particularly at 5 inches aperture. So, the Maksutov-Cassegrain design was a good option. I wanted (and still want) a Questar, the ideal scope for me, with superb optical performance, compact and portable. But it is too expensive. Then, the ETX was for me. I confess, the ETX is my poor man Questar... but, the ETX-125 has 5 inches aperture! Yes, with a so so mount and mechanics but with an optical quality comparable to the Questar... So, this is the reason why I choose the ETX-125, and this is the reason why I even did not considered the NexStar Schmidt-Cassegreins, which are good telescope but not with the optical sharpness of the Maksutovs. I also must to confess that the go to feature is something almost secondary for me. I have been testing diverse eyepieces, including Brandons and Supermonos, and truly the ETX-125 is awesome for the price.
When people started talking about a new ETX, I though that this was an improved Maksutov Cassegrain, perhaps with better mount design (even a computarized GEM), with metallic gears, even perhaps a new improved 7 inch Maksutov model...and still < $1,000... but not this! The ETX-LS seems a scope more for people that love electronic gears than for people that looks for an optically good telescope for get started in astronomy, with decent apertures and not needed for special and complicated cares, like collimation... I don't understand...Why a include a CCD?... And that mount!... If that mount has still plastic gears, this would be even worst. I don't feel happy with this new model... the new ETX lost its soul...
--------------------
10x50 Nikon Action Ex
ETX-125PE
L. Henzl Konig 24mm, 16mm Brandon, 12/9/7/5mm TMB Supermonocentrics
For my wife: 24mm Hyperion, 12/8.5 Pentax XF
My workhorses: 32/24/16/12(Zebra) U.O. Konig II
Barlows 2x TV, 2.8x Klee
"Don't worry about what telescope you own, or its quality. Just get out under the night sky, and enjoy God's wondrous universe." Thomas M. Back
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Lee Jay
sage
Reged: 02/27/08
Posts: 463
Loc: Westminster, CO
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I'd be surprised if the current 5" Mak ended out out-resolving a 6" ACF.
Besides, Orion sells Maks from 90mm to 180mm alone or on suitable mounts. So you can build more-or-less whatever you want if you want a Mak.
Edited by Lee Jay (11/19/08 10:11 PM)
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4494
Loc: Sunny California
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If you want a good performing Mak on a proven, well built goto GEM.......
Orion 180mm Mak
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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Mak2007
sage
Reged: 06/24/07
Posts: 356
Loc: MD
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Thank you for your comments. Actually, I know about the Orion Maks, but I've read reviews and even books (like Star Ware) in which the authors said that the ETX has better optics than the Orion, and the ETX has an optical quality comparable to the Questar. For that reason I choose the ETX over the Orion.
Regarding the ACF...this is a Schmidt-Cass modified, no? The obstruction of the secondary should be larger than the Mak...or not? If so, can actually compete an ACF against a Mak? I mean, the advantages of the SCT to Maks are because are slightly faster (F/10) and better for DSO, while the slow Mak (F/15), with less secondary obstruction and sharper, is better for moon and planetary than the SCT but not good for DSO... and that is the reason why I like Maks...
--------------------
10x50 Nikon Action Ex
ETX-125PE
L. Henzl Konig 24mm, 16mm Brandon, 12/9/7/5mm TMB Supermonocentrics
For my wife: 24mm Hyperion, 12/8.5 Pentax XF
My workhorses: 32/24/16/12(Zebra) U.O. Konig II
Barlows 2x TV, 2.8x Klee
"Don't worry about what telescope you own, or its quality. Just get out under the night sky, and enjoy God's wondrous universe." Thomas M. Back
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Mak2007
sage
Reged: 06/24/07
Posts: 356
Loc: MD
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...but yes...I must confess that the Orion 180 on GEM is very attractive to me, almost irresistible... but for next year!
Thank you for the link.
--------------------
10x50 Nikon Action Ex
ETX-125PE
L. Henzl Konig 24mm, 16mm Brandon, 12/9/7/5mm TMB Supermonocentrics
For my wife: 24mm Hyperion, 12/8.5 Pentax XF
My workhorses: 32/24/16/12(Zebra) U.O. Konig II
Barlows 2x TV, 2.8x Klee
"Don't worry about what telescope you own, or its quality. Just get out under the night sky, and enjoy God's wondrous universe." Thomas M. Back
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Lee Jay
sage
Reged: 02/27/08
Posts: 463
Loc: Westminster, CO
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A Mak will be slightly better than an SCT for planets, but remember, we're probably talking about a 6" ACF versus a 5" Mak. My guess is that the extra aperture will more than compensate for the larger central obstruction.
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4494
Loc: Sunny California
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The Orion has been favorably reviewed and is the biggest Mak available that's reasonably priced. The downside is the time required to cool down.
I've had my eye on that setup ever since I first saw it in the Orion catalogue. The mount is superb. And remember that all these lower priced Maks come out of China including the ETX. At one time, Meade made the entire ETX at their US plant. I believe Star Wars owns one.
--------------------
Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
|
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