brianshodge
member
Reged: 05/15/09
Posts: 27
Loc: Long Beach, California
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Well I just got the box a few minutes ago. Will post again tonight when I've set it all up. Should be a clear night here in So. Cal. so I might actually get to take it out and post some impressions.
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LX90 ACF 8"
ETX-LS 6"
Meade DSI II
Canon Rebel XSI
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AlexDJ30
sage
Reged: 09/02/08
Posts: 276
Loc: Monterrey, Mexico
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Coool...hey remmeber to put the pics..we want great pics!!
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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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Dangermouse
member
Reged: 02/13/08
Posts: 85
Loc: 170.5E; -45.9S
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Agreed. This thread is USELESS without pics.
Lots of pics :-)
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Arthur Dent
Galactic Hitch-Hiker
Reged: 10/23/08
Posts: 1182
Loc: South Yorkshire, UK
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...and first impressions Brian!
Favourable - or otherwise?
Art
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If I like it, the wife says that we can't afford it!
=======================================================
Meade ETX105 (a nice "Grab & Go" scope) & Celestron NexStar 6SE with Bob's Knobs.
Various EP's from 6mm to 26mm, Baader Hyperion 8-24mm Zoom, a 2x Barlow, 2" diagonal and 7Ah PowerTank.
MRF and Antares 8x50 RACI finder scope - both for the 6SE's OTA, whilst the ETX gets a plain RDF.
Canon EOS 400D DSLR (un-modded) and SPC900 webcam. Finally climbing the AP Learning Curve!
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AlexDJ30
sage
Reged: 09/02/08
Posts: 276
Loc: Monterrey, Mexico
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what happen?..did it work??..picss pleaseee..
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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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rob cos.
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/11/04
Posts: 693
Loc: Plymouth,Ma
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There's a post on Mike Weasners website(two actually) that do not sound promising.
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Rob
Antares 10"f/4.9 Dob w/ DBA Birch Base and Sky Commander
ETX125PE
SV102/LXD75
Eyepieces:
University Optics Konigs
Harry Siebert Ultras/Observatory
TMB Planetary's
Edmund RKE's
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brianshodge
member
Reged: 05/15/09
Posts: 27
Loc: Long Beach, California
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I have a four-month old daughter that wasn't really having any part of Daddy taking his scope out last night but at the very least I was able to take it out of the box and put it together.
My first impression was the overall size of the scope. It's got a 6" aperture optical tube, but the mount is really where the bulk is. At first glance it doesn't appear to go with the tripod that comes with it, but once assembled I was really impressed by how rock-solid the assembly was.
In all it took me about ten minutes to put the scope together, and that includes taking everything out of its box and plastic for the first time. Very easy, even for a newbie like me. A serious plus for a constantly on-the-go astronomer.
Aesthetically the scope is gorgeous. It has a nice powder-coated deep blue, metal optical tube. The decals on the tube are just cheap transparent stickers, but oh well. Upon taking the scope out of the box I realized the red dot finder was detached (which is clearly supposed to be on the tube during assembly at Meade), but fortunately I had the necessary itty bitty screwdriver to re-attach it. Someone on Mike Weasner's page had this very same problem.
The scope is relatively light-weight and easy to move around once assembled, which should make transporting it a breeze. I don't think anyone has developed a carrying case for it yet and measurements are impossible to find on the Internet, so here are some rough and quick measurements I took last night: The scope is 21" from the top to the bottom of the mount (no tripod). It is 15" in width and 12" deep. Again, rough measurements that should only serve as a general guideline of its size. For now I am using a 22" carry-on type suitcase that I will use to take it up to the mountains this weekend.
The scope is clearly gadget dependent, which makes one curious about not "if" something will go wrong, but when. But hopefully Meade covered all their bases and we have a winner.
Another thing I didn't like is there is a small area where the tube is connected to the arm that has exposed wiring. But that's just nit-picking.
Overall, I'm happy with what I see. I was expecting less for the $1,500 price tag with all the gadgets they've put on it, but I really think they made an effort to build a solid, quality instrument.
Now the real test comes when I use the light-switch. I will post some pics later.
--------------------
LX90 ACF 8"
ETX-LS 6"
Meade DSI II
Canon Rebel XSI
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fliglera
member
Reged: 06/16/09
Posts: 26
Loc: Tel-Aviv, Israel
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Hi Brian,
I'm a newbie, though already became obsessive.
I am contemplating between the LX90 ACF 8" and ETX-LS 6" as they both seem to provide good optics, goto (which will back up my star hopping self learning), tracking and what I sense as good portability.
Can you share with me why you bought the ETX-LS if you have the LX-90 ? to me the ETX-LS looks like a small downgrade in comparison with your LX ? again, I am newbie so excuse me for any misfortune statements.
Thanks and enjoy,
Ariel
Edited by fliglera (06/18/09 09:51 AM)
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brianb11213
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/25/09
Posts: 2108
Loc: 55.215N 6.554W
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Welcome to the forum!
Quote:
Can you share with me why you bought the ETX-LS if you have the LX-90 ? to me the ETX-LS looks like a small downgrade in comparison with your LX ?
Can't answer for others but one scope isn't enough.... different scopes show different targets better, and there is also portability to consider. 8" & 6" SCTs are a bit similar though.
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AlexDJ30
sage
Reged: 09/02/08
Posts: 276
Loc: Monterrey, Mexico
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I would go the LX90 instead of the LS....yes the LS may have the latest gadgets on it but the LX90 will give better and bright images and more magnification any given time than the LS-6 and well the aligment is not that hard ..you dont need the eclipse camera...its always been easy....
The LS if it works its a coold gadget but if you can afford the LX-90..i would not think and buy the Lx-90 instead!
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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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Fhuyu
member
Reged: 07/06/08
Posts: 41
Loc: Madrid, Spain.
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Nice first impresions brianshodge, more info and pics are wellcome 
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*TeleVue-85mm
*Lunt LS100THa/B1200
*Coronado PST
Zeiss AbbeII ocular set+barlow.
Zeiss Zoom 8-25mm & TV Zoom 3-6mm
Ethos 13mm, TermiNagler 31mm.
Masuyama: 20mm, 25Wmm, 30mm.
Rodenstock 40mm.
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pkingroch
newbie
Reged: 04/30/09
Posts: 3
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If I could jump in here...
My wife and I are considering this scope, but are curious to know what we can expect to see with it. We are completely new to this and we are looking for the scope and some accessories to compliment deep sky and planetary viewing.
Suggestions?
Thanks!
Paul
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AlexDJ30
sage
Reged: 09/02/08
Posts: 276
Loc: Monterrey, Mexico
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No photos of the scope??
My god..eveybody wants to see it real flesh and no photos hahah..ok..
what eyepices..depends on what you want.. accesories well made for the LS there arent many its a new scope.
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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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brianshodge
member
Reged: 05/15/09
Posts: 27
Loc: Long Beach, California
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I'm going to have photos up soon. I'm taking it up to the mountains today actually and will post some pictures later. I'll have a full report on the light-switch function as well and hopefully I can better answer questions at that time. Trying to finish up at work here so I'm ready for tonight! 
--------------------
LX90 ACF 8"
ETX-LS 6"
Meade DSI II
Canon Rebel XSI
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AlexDJ30
sage
Reged: 09/02/08
Posts: 276
Loc: Monterrey, Mexico
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I supouse the LS came with an 26mm eyepice only isnt? if that the case..then yes you would need more eyepices or some zoom one if you want to only use one zoom eyepice for everything, you will need a 2X barlow so you can double the magnification of any eyepice (your 26mm would become a 13mm).. A box the store the scope (there are any made by meade for ls right now, so you should lokk to make a custome one or buy one that would fit inn), if you go to darksites you would need a powertank, a Dew shield! because dew can form in the lense while night its transcurring.
A AC or DC connector (dont know if one came with your LS scope) fto use it from any house or car plug innn power outlet.
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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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brianshodge
member
Reged: 05/15/09
Posts: 27
Loc: Long Beach, California
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I am happy to report the light-switch works as advertised and the optics are beautiful. Will have a full and detailed report later.
--------------------
LX90 ACF 8"
ETX-LS 6"
Meade DSI II
Canon Rebel XSI
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Arthur Dent
Galactic Hitch-Hiker
Reged: 10/23/08
Posts: 1182
Loc: South Yorkshire, UK
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Cheers Brian
Looking forward to it.
Nice to hear that the "LightSwitch" works as advertised and it isn't just "hype".
Art
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If I like it, the wife says that we can't afford it!
=======================================================
Meade ETX105 (a nice "Grab & Go" scope) & Celestron NexStar 6SE with Bob's Knobs.
Various EP's from 6mm to 26mm, Baader Hyperion 8-24mm Zoom, a 2x Barlow, 2" diagonal and 7Ah PowerTank.
MRF and Antares 8x50 RACI finder scope - both for the 6SE's OTA, whilst the ETX gets a plain RDF.
Canon EOS 400D DSLR (un-modded) and SPC900 webcam. Finally climbing the AP Learning Curve!
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fliglera
member
Reged: 06/16/09
Posts: 26
Loc: Tel-Aviv, Israel
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Guys,
Thank's. I am off to a star party soon, and I guess it will make selection easier once I actually look through those scopes.
Clear skies,
Ariel
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Newbie
Orion Truss Inteliscope Dob 12'' ordered soon
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pkingroch
newbie
Reged: 04/30/09
Posts: 3
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Please report back on what your descision is after your party!
Thanks!
Paul
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brianshodge
member
Reged: 05/15/09
Posts: 27
Loc: Long Beach, California
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Well I had two nights of observing at 6,000 feet elevation over the weekend.
Night 1: The sky was crystal clear, but with a considerable amount of wind. I set up the scope and I didn't time it but I would say the light-switch alignment took between 10 and 15 minutes. The first alignment star it chose was Arcturus. It then slewed to Dubhe, which it couldn't locate because of obstruction from the cabin we were staying at. It then slewed to Spica and finished the alignment. After the successful alignment I immediately slewed the scope to Saturn, which popped up in the lower right corner of the eyepiece. I then went to several other objects, which all landed dead center in the eyepiece or just off center.
Night 2: Relatively clear. A few splotchy clouds and again, considerable wind. I tried the alignment process three times and all three times it said the process failed. I tried slewing to some objects anyway and all were reasonably successful, though not with the same accuracy as night 1. Saturn, for instance, was not in the eyepiece but just outside of it.
I should point out that on night 1 I was using the AC Power Adapter plugged directly into the wall on the deck of the cabin. On night 2 I was using a cigarette lighter adapter plugged into a Celestron power tank.
The windy conditions on each night led to less than desirable observing and I was also not completely out in the open, which are likely factors as to why the alignment succeeded only once over the weekend.
I would say that the light-switch does work despite my lousy observing conditions but if you already find aligning your scope very easy, this will not be a significant enough addition for you to go spend your hard-earned $1500 on.
If you don't already have a scope then this is an outstanding instrument to begin learning with. I must say my Wife was thoroughly impressed when she was able to view objects over the weekend and have the scope tell her all about what she was looking at. This should be a major plus for those of you that have kids or spouses!
--------------------
LX90 ACF 8"
ETX-LS 6"
Meade DSI II
Canon Rebel XSI
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