asteroid7
Post Laureate
Reged: 10/19/04
Posts: 4238
Loc: CT
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Meade has a new telescope ad in Sky & Tele. Telescope
with Lightswitch technology. Flick a switch - and it's aligned. WOW. Also telescope is a ACF (advanced coma free)
Also has built-in imaging. WOW. All for only $1300 WOW WOW
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Clear Nights "Make My Day"
4.5" f/7 APM (TMB) APO Refractor CG5 GoTo with Orion extension tube
8" Celestron CPC (two)
Eyepieces:
40mm Pentax; 24mm Tele Vue Panoptic, 18mm Tele Vue Radian, 18mm HD Ortho, 15mm Celestron Omini,14mm Pentax,10mm Tele Vue Radian, 7mm,5mm & 3.5mm Nagler; 7.4mm Tele Vue Plossl.
2.5 Tele Vue Powermate
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4573
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Quote:
Meade has a new telescope ad in Sky & Tele. Telescope
with Lightswitch technology. Flick a switch - and it's aligned. WOW. Also telescope is a ACF (advanced coma free)
Also has built-in imaging. WOW. All for only $1300 WOW WOW
Yep, assumin' the "wow-wow" works outa the "box-box"...! 
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Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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violini
member
Reged: 10/03/08
Posts: 61
Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
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Remember that Meade was sued for wrongly using "Advanced Ritchey-Chretien Desing". Is ETX-LS OTA merely "modified SCT" which they call ACF? How much wider field of view ETX-LS has as compared to ETX125.
Hubble Space Telescope was supposed to be RCT, but the mirror was wrongly ground.
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Own a poor man's Questar:ETX90 RA
Edited by violini (12/28/08 01:24 PM)
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Rob_G
sage
Reged: 10/12/06
Posts: 247
Loc: Syracuse, NY
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I think $1,299 is too much. For that price I'd go for a C-8.
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Rob
Bausch & Lomb Legacy 10x50
Meade ETX 125-AT
Edited by Rob_G (12/29/08 11:29 PM)
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jgraham
Postmaster
Reged: 12/02/04
Posts: 6758
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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ACF = Advanced Coma Free
This is the same design they previously described as an Advanced RC design, but they had to change the name as part of a legal settlement. The bottom line is; the ACF design should make a dandy imaging platform.
The focal length of the ETX-125 is 1900mm as compared to the ETX-LS which is 1524mm, so the field of view for the LS should be about 25% wider (the magnification about 25% lower) using the same eyepiece. The LS's 6" f/10 should make for a nice scope.
What's going to make the LS pricey is all of the gadgets, if none of the gadgets appeal to you there are other (better) options already available. I'm affraid the price will also keep it out of my range until at least the second wave of refurbs. 
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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
Edited by jgraham (12/28/08 09:52 PM)
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violini
member
Reged: 10/03/08
Posts: 61
Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
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6" aperture is at the border line for Mak and SCT (too big for Maksutov, too small for SCT). I wonder how much more light comes out the ETX-LS eyepiece barrel as compared to ETX 125. Also, if Meade goes under, can the owners of ETX-LS have warranty and after market parts and service?
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Own a poor man's Questar:ETX90 RA
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Domerman
What have I done?
Reged: 07/21/07
Posts: 951
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I wonder if they are going to extend this ETX-LS line into larger apertures like say 8". I'm guessing this would result in the end of the LX90 line of scopes.
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~Steve
My Astro-Photo Blog: http://absurduniverse.blogspot.com/
Mounts
BUSTED CGEM w/Dual ADM Vixen/Losmady Saddle and ADM SBS
Scopes
Astronomy Technologies 6" f/9 Ritchey-Chrétien
Orion 80ED w/MoonLite Focuser
Orion ST80 (Guide Scope)
Cameras
QHY8 w/IDAS LPS filter
DSI-C (Auto-Guider)
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mclewis1
Thread Killer
Reged: 02/25/06
Posts: 3946
Loc: New Brunswick, Canada
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Quote:
6" aperture is at the border line for Mak and SCT (too big for Maksutov, too small for SCT).
Hmmm, you might want to discuss how "ineffective" the SCT design is with the thousands of very happy Celestron C5 and C6 owners out there.
Quote:
I wonder how much more light comes out the ETX-LS eyepiece barrel as compared to ETX 125.
It won't be a big overpowering difference (and yes some folks will now whip out their calculators and claim x%) but I do notice the difference on faint DSOs between my C6 and Meade 125s and Orion Apex 125s. It's not very noticeable on globulars and open clusters but is on faint nebulae and galaxies.
I'll assume that the differences between a new Meade 6" Aplanatic SCT (ACF) and a Celestron C6 are just as subtle as they are for the existing M8 ACF vs. a C8.
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Mark
C11, C6, APM/TMB115, and AT80ED - Tandem mount CGE and CG-5A, WO EZ-Touch and AT Voyager
25x100s and 8x56s, T-Mount Light, Mark 1 eyeballs - Modded 350D, DSI-P, SPC900, Mallincam
Just because you can doesn't necessarily mean that you should
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nytecam
Postmaster
Reged: 08/20/05
Posts: 5750
Loc: London UK
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Quote:
I wonder if they are going to extend this ETX-LS line into larger apertures like say 8"
Agreed and maybe shorty refractors too  Quote:
...The bottom line is; the ACF design should make a dandy imaging platform. ...
On a Altaz mount platform - I doubt it  despite all the conjecture of this forum that some spied an Polar mount option on an early mockup pic - the latest Meade releases don't show that.
I conjecture [well everyone else is!] that the 'imaging option' is via the built-in light-technology alignment system to be used for wide-angle views of the sky - much like my e-finder but probably in colour 
 
Edited by nytecam (12/30/08 05:37 AM)
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violini
member
Reged: 10/03/08
Posts: 61
Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
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Quote:
I'll assume that the differences between a new Meade 6" Aplanatic SCT (ACF) and a Celestron C6 are just as subtle as they are for the existing M8 ACF vs. a C8.
That would be a big improvement. The stars would appear to be much smaller dots when viewed through ACF instead of big cotton balls as shown in the above photos.
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Own a poor man's Questar:ETX90 RA
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mclewis1
Thread Killer
Reged: 02/25/06
Posts: 3946
Loc: New Brunswick, Canada
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Just so we're clear violini, I have seen virtually NO difference in the view between an M8 ACF and a C8 XLT with the exception of some coma out at the edges of the C8. Both scopes were well collimated and properly acclimated (cooled down). The Meade ACF design is only a slight variation to an SCT. It does improve stellar images at the edges of the fov, it does not appear to offer any visual difference in on axis performance.
And for the record those "big cotton balls" are also conspicuously absent from my C6 as well.
Perhaps it might be better to spend more time experiencing various scopes under the stars than reading the advertising?
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Mark
C11, C6, APM/TMB115, and AT80ED - Tandem mount CGE and CG-5A, WO EZ-Touch and AT Voyager
25x100s and 8x56s, T-Mount Light, Mark 1 eyeballs - Modded 350D, DSI-P, SPC900, Mallincam
Just because you can doesn't necessarily mean that you should
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faz
member
Reged: 01/23/08
Posts: 21
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Hi all,
Happy New Year to everyone. Better introduce myself. Name here is John and I live near Alicante, Spain.
I've been observing for quite a few years now with various telescopes from an 8 inch newtonian to my present - and favourite - ETX125.
The new ETX LS looks interesting but I wonder about the near 45% central obstruction against the 30 or so percent on the ETX125-AT. Rough calculations seen to indicate that the extra inch won't make a lot of difference to the light gathering capabilities.
I really hope it succeeds however. Could be a winner!
- John
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violini
member
Reged: 10/03/08
Posts: 61
Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
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Quote:
Just so we're clear violini, I have seen virtually NO difference in the view between an M8 ACF and a C8 XLT with the exception of some coma out at the edges of the C8. Both scopes were well collimated and properly acclimated (cooled down). The Meade ACF design is only a slight variation to an SCT. It does improve stellar images at the edges of the fov, it does not appear to offer any visual difference in on axis performance.
And for the record those "big cotton balls" are also conspicuously absent from my C6 as well.
Perhaps it might be better to spend more time experiencing various scopes under the stars than reading the advertising?
Thanks, Mark, for the info. I've never seen any Meade ACF scope. The only reason that I have some interest in ETX-LS is because it's cheaper than buying someone else old Questar. I am happy and still holding on my old ETX90 RA. Coma is not a problem in long focal length/narrow field Maks.
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Own a poor man's Questar:ETX90 RA
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Rob_G
sage
Reged: 10/12/06
Posts: 247
Loc: Syracuse, NY
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Quote:
The new ETX LS looks interesting but I wonder about the near 45% central obstruction against the 30 or so percent on the ETX125-AT.
The ETX-125 actually has a central obstruction of approximately 41% because of the secondary baffle.
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Rob
Bausch & Lomb Legacy 10x50
Meade ETX 125-AT
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13803
Loc: CyberSpace
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Quote:
I think $1,299 is too much. For that price I'd go for a C-8.
If I have $1299 to spend I would buy the 6SE or add another $200 and buy an 8SE ...
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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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nytecam
Postmaster
Reged: 08/20/05
Posts: 5750
Loc: London UK
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Quote:
The stars would appear to be much smaller dots when viewed through ACF instead of big cotton balls as shown in the above photos.
Glad violini my pic helpful in describing telescope optics but they were not taken with any telscope - just f/2 85mm and 58mm focal length lens respectively and log stretched to demo stellar penetration with a small camera lens What galaxy detail can you see with 1-inch aperture
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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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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4573
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Quote:
Quote:
I'll assume that the differences between a new Meade 6" Aplanatic SCT (ACF) and a Celestron C6 are just as subtle as they are for the existing M8 ACF vs. a C8.
That would be a big improvement. The stars would appear to be much smaller dots when viewed through ACF instead of big cotton balls as shown in the above photos.
Well, "better". The stars in a standard scope are not "cotton balls" visually, nor are they perfect in the ACF SCTs. ACF is an improvement, but the ACF troops are still, for example, still hoping Meade will come out with a reducer/corrector to flatten the field some. Others are using the good, ol' Celestron/Meade f/6.3 reducer/corrector.
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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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I hate to say it, but if you want sharp, pinpoint stars across the entire FOV, buy a good quality APO refractor. I was at a star party a few months ago where someone had a Televue 127mm next to an ETX125 as well as a big Meade ACF. The 127 blew both scopes away. No comparison. Contrast and sharpness were far better with the Televue. And it showed zero CA. Of course at nearly seven grand it's far more expensive. But you do gain much with it. Another terrific scope at this party was a Tak 130mm refractor.
I have a 6" SCT and find I'm using it far less than I did before I purchased my first refractor. I own five refractors so I guess I'm hooked.
But I'm intrigued by this new ETX-LS since I like the idea of just switching it on and it aligns itself. But it'll have to be out for a while with few if any problems before I buy 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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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13803
Loc: CyberSpace
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Quote:
I hate to say it, but if you want sharp, pinpoint stars across the entire FOV, buy a good quality APO refractor. I was at a star party a few months ago where someone had a Televue 127mm next to an ETX125 as well as a big Meade ACF. The 127 blew both scopes away. No comparison. Contrast and sharpness were far better with the Televue. And it showed zero CA. Of course at nearly seven grand it's far more expensive. But you do gain much with it. Another terrific scope at this party was a Tak 130mm refractor.
I have a 6" SCT and find I'm using it far less than I did before I purchased my first refractor. I own five refractors so I guess I'm hooked.
But I'm intrigued by this new ETX-LS since I like the idea of just switching it on and it aligns itself. But it'll have to be out for a while with few if any problems before I buy one.
Starlighter
The price of a NP127 is $6985 or you could buy a ETX-125PE and a 12" LX200 ACF... 
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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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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4494
Loc: Sunny California
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Yep. I said it was expensive. But the best stuff usually is. It's my dream scope. That or a Tak TAO-130F. They're roughly the same price and offer similar quality. Then they'd need to be either on the best alt-azimuth mount which is probably a hugely expensive DiscMount M6 equipped with Sky Commander or a fine, heavy duty equatorial goto which would either be the Tak EM-200 USD III or a Losmandy G-11. Both are expensive with the Tak fully loaded running over five grand. A good runner up would be the Celestron CGE which at $3,000 complete is a steal. And it's all made in the USA! So's the Losmandy which runs $3,195 less mounting plates and counterweights.
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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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