ComaB
super member
Reged: 09/22/07
Posts: 106
Loc: Nevada
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Meade just launched a new scope. The ETX-LS 6 inch RC cassegrain with Lightswitch technology. You just turn it on and it aligns itself(you don't even have to point it north and it also levels itself.) It also comes with a built in CCD camera. It sells for $1299. It looks awesome. 
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JimmyWong 10 inch schmidt 8 inch schmidt 10 inch schmidt a 2120 lx5 by Meade in 1984 and 6 inch refractor.
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star drop
Guilty as Charged
Reged: 02/02/08
Posts: 16312
Loc: Snow Plop, WNY
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Thank you for the notification. It sounds interesting.
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Ted
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Ali Tarakma
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/01/08
Posts: 521
Loc: West Jleeb, Kuwait
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I've read about it but didnt know it was to be released this time of the year.
I hope its a good scope which all can enjoy..
Anyways, thanks for sharing the info 
Clear Skies!
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Im 18 , so I won't get to the Milky Way without you guys
My Blog
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us - Gandalf
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tcfool
sage
Reged: 09/25/08
Posts: 301
Loc: Vancouver, WA "The Rain State...
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Yup sounds good. Technology is ever gaining on our hobby. Pretty soon all scopes will come with everything we need and at an affordable price..
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TC
Orion® SkyQuest™ XT10 DOB
Garrett® Gemini 15x70 LW Binoculars
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therocksal
sage
Reged: 12/02/08
Posts: 287
Loc: Everett, WA
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I love technology as much as the next geek but I also wish it would slooooow down. I really like when things take some time to learn, take some time to enjoy.
I remember when digital cameras started coming out and digital SOFTWARE. I always thought I was a decent photographer and I know to take good photos one needs to still have a good "eye" but people now can do so much in post processing that to me it takes away some of the effort that it used to take to get a good photo...yes, darkrooms were available back then but not too many people spent the time unless they were dedidcated.
It just seems things are getting too 'easy' for people. I spent hours in DOS and even though I appreciate the newer OS's, I was there when it took effort and most people just don't understand that..of course, they don't care either and are happier to have something easy to use. I guess it's all in each persons perspective.
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Skywatcher 10" Truss Dob
Astro Tech 6" Mak-Cass (on order)
Orion 80ED
Atlas EQ-G
Canon XSi
KWIQ guider
Celestron 15x70s
Edited by therocksal (01/07/09 12:15 PM)
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DennisF
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/03/06
Posts: 1184
Loc: Northern IL
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Technology is a two-edged sword. As you can see in my signature, I've got push-to and a go-to equipment so I obviously feel it has its place. In light polluted areas it can help find targets and, once you're up to speed, can pack a lot of targets into a short observing session.
But there is something to be said for doing it the old fashion way as well. While I feel a go-to/push-to can actually be a help in learning the sky, this plug-in and go approach may be too much of a good thing. It completely divorces an individual from the process of learning about where things are located and how the sky changes (and subsequently why).
Another issue is that the more complicated a device is, the greater likelihood of failure. And down the road parts and knowledgeable technicians will be unavailable. And there's the down time while you're waiting for repair if it's even available. Fortunately, I haven't had a problem yet, but I understand that wait times can be long. And some companies don't service their products for the entire normal life cycle because it is expensive to do so. IIRC from other posters, Meade is a prime example.
But in the final analysis, if this brings in more people to the hobby, I'm all for it. Some will drop out, but some will stay and enjoy the wonder of it all.
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10" XTi
C6 SE
C8 SE
C8 (late 90's?)
SV80ED
SV102ED
SV M1
Original AYO EzTouch mount
LM Teegul
Gone-ETX 125, C80, ED80SF, PortaMount
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csa/montana
Wild Spirit
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 40248
Loc: montana
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Quote:
I remember when digital cameras started coming out and digital SOFTWARE. I always thought I was a decent photographer and I know to take good photos one needs to still have a good "eye" but people now can do so much in post processing that to me it takes away some of the effort that it used to take to get a good photo...yes, darkrooms were available back then but not too many people spent the time unless they were dedidcated.
I had a full-color professional darkroom setup years ago; I remember so well, spending hours upon hours to get a print "just right"; now in a few minutes, I can accomplish it with my computer. Speaking just for myself; I much prefer the new technology to the darkroom days.
One thing, in the Astro field, I don't think the day will come, that "manual, push-to" scopes will no longer be available. The new technology is exciting, I for one would welcome to have one, along with my "manual" scopes; but alas I can't afford it. 
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Pentaxes; 5XW, 7XL, 10XW.
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
TV Panoptics; 22, 35
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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Hrundi
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/06/08
Posts: 1237
Loc: Estonia
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I hope technology doesn't push the more basic hand-guided scopes out of the market.
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pstarr
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/17/04
Posts: 1280
Loc: NE Ohio
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IMO, Both Meade and Celestron should put the quality of their optics first. The steadiness of the mounts should be second and the electric bells and whistles third. Good optics and a steady mount will perform brilliantly, long after the goto breaks. A 10" reflector on a CG-5 mount for example, is not a good thing.
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Paul
10" Home built F-6 Eq Newt. w/Zambuto mirror, built for lunar and planetary viewing.
12'x12' roll-off roof observatory
6" Home built f-6 Newt. w/Dick Wessling mirror on CG-5 Eq. mount, built for high resolution work.
4.5" Orion Starblast on Eq. mount
TV Radians 4,5,6,8,10,12,
Pentax XL 10.5mm
Pentax XW 14mm
Baader Hyperion 17mm
4&5mm UO Abbe Orthos.
3.2mm TMB planetary
TV 2.5x barlow, TV 1.8x barlow
My equipment philosophy... If it ain't broke, fix it anyway.
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ken svp120
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/19/04
Posts: 1273
Loc: Ohio
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Quote:
IMO, Both Meade and Celestron should put the quality of their optics first. The steadiness of the mounts should be second and the electric bells and whistles third. Good optics and a steady mount will perform brilliantly, long after to goto breaks. A 10" reflector on a CG-5 mount for example, is not a good thing.
I couldn't agree more. Mead's optics, service, and advertising have all caused them problems in the past, some of which they've ended up in law suits over and their financials seem to have suffered. Back to basics guys.
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Orion 120 Refractor
Orion SkyviewPro Mount, Single Axis Drive
Losmandy G11 Mount, Non-Gemini
TEC 140 Apochromat #300
Meade DSI Pro II Monochrome
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bdjeep
sage
Reged: 01/29/07
Posts: 440
Loc: Bolton, MA
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Here is a short article about this scope from Wired.com.
Lots of bells and whistles but little mention of the optics.
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werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 8429
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
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Four. Hundred. Power. wow. Doable, I suppose, but that's lessee here, call it 67X/inch. wow. Wonder if they really can do it?
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Pete
6" Apogee/LXD55
Starhopper 6" Dob
Spaceprobe 130EQ
Black C8 OTA
WO Zenith Star 66 Patriot Edition
Sun Pak Pro 7500 Platinum Edition
8X42 Bushnell H2O Porro
7X35 Tasco
10X50 Nikon Actions (Type 7)
15X70 Skymasters
Dell Inspiron Dual Core 531s
"Science without Religion is lame, Religion without Science is blind" A.Einstein.
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Skip
Starlifter Driver
Reged: 01/23/08
Posts: 1343
Loc: San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Hmmm... Maybe in "PERFECT" seeing conditions. But how often have you seen those?  
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Skip
Celestron NexStar 6SE (Small Caliber)
Orion SkyQuest XT10i Intelliscope (Howitzer)
2 25mm Plossls; 24mm & 13mm Hyperions; 10mm Plossl; 6mm BO/TMB; 2X Barlow
Telrad + 4" Riser
7Ah PowerTank
Starbound Observing Chair
Eagle Eye Observatory, Texas -
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Neil27
super member
Reged: 12/15/08
Posts: 122
Loc: East Midlands, England
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Well they do say x20 TO x400.
Maybe a little optimistic on the maximum power, but x200 should be well within its reach. I think it could be a nice little product for Meade and as its the year of Astronomy.....well....timing is everything they say..... 
Regarding the intricate nature of the product, well I believe it used to be called 'innovation' something that allow us all to fly, drive and sail. Meade may have made some bad mistakes in the past, but hopefully something like this (while not at the forefront of killer optics) may give them the ground they enjoyed in the 90's.
As far as I'm aware they also make very good optical telescopes.
Regards, Neil.
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Skywatcher Sky Tee
WO ZS66
Pentax 75 SDHF
Pentax 105 SDP
Takahashi TOA130F
Canon 450D
A lot of enthusiasm, a lot less skill
http://web.me.com/neil27/Starsoverlimetree/Welcome.html
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Bob Griffiths
Postmaster
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 6583
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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This subject has been discussed on a lot of forums right here on Cloudy nights...
Consensus is that IF...(and that is a very big IF) it works ...and works without being bug infested Meade may have a winner... The built in camera sounds great ..but when it was discovered that the camera does not take pictures thru the scopes OTA you got to ask yourself WHY ??
I'm going to just stand on the sidelines and see
how well they preform mechanically and electronically...
The Optics I have no doubts about....
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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jayscheuerle
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/16/06
Posts: 4071
Loc: S. Philadelphia, PA
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At a certain point, when they take all the work/effort out of it, why not just have it take a "picture" by accessing a database of images from the Hubble?
I guess some people will always want to make a cake from scratch, while others are happy with the "just add water" mix. If it pulls people in who otherwise wouldn't be interested, it's a good thing. - j
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Fight indignorance!
The Green Goblin - 12" of dobsonian excellence!
The PortaBowl-a $100 4.5" f/8 ball-scope YOU can build!
Eero2-a 6" f/5 ball-scope you probably can't. 
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psetnik
member
Reged: 12/23/08
Posts: 64
Loc: Beachwood, Ohio
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As is the case with most of technology, equipment that comes in at the higher end pushes down the price at the lower end. Some people will enter the hobby because of the bells and whistles (because that's the priority, not money); others will enter because the lower end becomes better.
Seriously, when I was growing up, there was Tasco, and there was really, really expensive. Now there is no reason to not get a pretty-good to very-good scope for a reasonable price, and get you and your kids going on a life-long love affair with the stars.
Now, I confess to being somewhat of a Luddite. I read about a guy who got into imaging not long ago, and sprang for the best of everything. Money to burn. He sets up his laptop and his scope, and GOES TO BED and the pictures are ready in the morning. To me, that takes away from the enjoyment of the stars. But that's me - and while I don't agree with the approach, I will defend to the death his right to enjoy astronomy in that fashion.
Something for everyone. But I agree with the priorities: optics first, then the mechanical, then the electronic.
My $.07 cents (I work for a bank that got some of the bailout, so I can go the extra nickel.)
Phil
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Zhumell 8" f/5.9 Dob
Orion Mini-Giant 8x56 binoculars
Solon, Ohio - southeast of Cleveland
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stefanj
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/15/07
Posts: 1755
Loc: Western New York State
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 extra nickle!!
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Life is a circus- and I'm stuck in the FREAK TENT
If these are blue- it means the moon is full!
Meade ETX 90RA w/ tripod
Meade AZ 70 (now solar)
Meade DS 2130 AT
Zhumell 10" Dob
Simmons 10x50 Binoculars
GLPx8
LPI
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THEPLOUGH
Sir Ducksalot
Reged: 01/11/08
Posts: 6231
Loc: Carlisle, Cumbria, ENGLAND
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Maybe Celestron will come up with the same.... Only in the 8"...
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Geoff...
Nexstar 8SE ...Plus bits & pieces
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Michael Cox
member
Reged: 12/24/08
Posts: 50
Loc: Barstow, CA
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I also thought the new ETX-LS had a lot of features and would be very simple to operate. I also liked the idea of having a CCD Camera built into the scope. I put in a pre-order for this scope thinking it would have a short learning curve but later learned that the CCD camera was not through the scope, this was part of my original draw to this scope. I cancelled my pre-order and will just stick with my new NexStar 6SE. In my case there was little to gain since I also have the GPS accessory for my new scope and I can level the scope and find North very easy.
I also read in the forums about some plastic gear issues associated with the ETX and with all the other related issues, I felt I should just wait and see how this scope does in the real world. Perhaps Celestron will also put out a new line since Meade and Celestron try to out do each other.
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Michael Cox
Member High Desert Astronomical Society
Nexstar 8SE (For At Home Viewing)
NexStar 6SE (Grab & Go)
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