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DaemonGPF
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/22/08
Posts: 3975
Loc: New Mexico
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I've started shopping around, looking for a lightweight, portable, (relatively)inexpensive setup mostly to allow the kids and family to look through since my primary setup is used exclusively for imaging, and also because it would be nice to have something to view and play with at star parties while my cameras are doing their thing. The ETX keeps coming up as a fairly respectable scope that might meet my criteria.
I've read the specs and some websites and it seems like there are quite a few things you can do with the ETX as far as accessories, modifications, upgrades etc. It sounds like it's a pretty good out-of-the-box setup for what I have in mind, but I am curious to hear some opinions about future expansions with the ETX.
My older kid has been expressing interest in getting more involved in astronomy and she loves photography. Is the tracking decent enough on a factory ETX to do some basic AP on bright, short-exposure targets? I'm not looking to take an ETX into 20 minute subexposures or narrowband imaging or anything in depth, but the typical basics - solar, lunar, planetary, maybe some clusters and doubles.If not, what kind of modification investment are we talking about? I looked into the pricing on the EQ wedges. Any thoughts about using a wedge with the ETX? I know field rotation will become an issue should we try to take on 30+second exposures.
AP is not an immediate concern, but ultimately I know at some point AP will come in to the picture, and I'm probably not going to really share or let too many little hands on my main imaging rig. I read somewhere that only some of the ETX models have a polar alignment routine?
Sorry, lots of questions, but I've never used a motorized Alt-Az forked scope before, and just want to understand a bit more about its capabilities and potential before dropping cash. I looked through an ETX90 for the first time last fall at a star party and was impressed just how crisp the images were.
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-Josh
http://cleardarksky.com/c/AlbuqNMkey.html
My AP Gallery
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Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 4105
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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Yes you can do SHORT exposures and stack the images-- up to around 15-20 seconds. Don't forget it is 90mm -- so it will be challenged on deep sky objects from a city location.
The GOTO works well enough to place an object inside a 20mm or so eyepiece -- once you train the drives. You still need to be able to identify TWO bright stars during alignment; but they will be both bright stars.
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LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, SV 80/9d, 20x80 binoculars www.texasastro.org
"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources." - Albert Einstein
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Arthur Dent
Galactic Hitch-Hiker
Reged: 10/23/08
Posts: 1464
Loc: A damp South Yorkshire, UK
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The ETX series are great "grab & go scopes" but for astro-imaging apart from the Sun (with appropriate filter), Moon and planets they very limited as are any Alt-Az mounted scopes.
That said, check out nytecam's images produced using a humble ETX-70  - look at this thread.
Awesome doesn't do them justice, but then nytecam does have a beast of a CCD imager!
Art
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If I like it, the wife says that we can't afford it!
=======================================================
Meade ETX105 & Celestron NexStar 6SE with Bob's Knobs
6-26mm EPs + Hyperion 8-24mm
MRF and Antares 8x50 RACI finder scope
Canon EOS 400D DSLR (un-modded) and SPC900 webcam. Finally climbing the AP Learning Curve!
<img width="600" height="300" src="http://7timer.y234.cn/exe/apanel.php?country=UK&adm=UKL9&site=0&en">
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DaemonGPF
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/22/08
Posts: 3975
Loc: New Mexico
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Quote:
Yes you can do SHORT exposures and stack the images-- up to around 15-20 seconds. Don't forget it is 90mm -- so it will be challenged on deep sky objects from a city location.
The GOTO works well enough to place an object inside a 20mm or so eyepiece -- once you train the drives. You still need to be able to identify TWO bright stars during alignment; but they will be both bright stars.
Joe,
Fortunately I live under extremely dark skies well away from the city, but really this will be an intro scope for the general family viewing mostly. DSOs won't be too heavy of a target. Thanks for the information on the scope. I shouldn't have sold my LPI!
Art,
Those are impressive videos! I'm going to have to ponder on this one some more now. The big appeal right now is just the superb portability in a motorized scope. But knowing some basic AP can be reasonably had makes it all the more worthwhile.
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-Josh
http://cleardarksky.com/c/AlbuqNMkey.html
My AP Gallery
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jgraham
Postmaster
Reged: 12/02/04
Posts: 7029
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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I had almost exactly the same problem; I wanted a nice-sized telescope I could use visually while my LXD75 was busy taking images, particularly on those wonderful spring or fall evenings when it's a crime not to put in some serious eyepiece time. I originally picked up a DSX-90 (an ETX-90 telescope on a DS-2000 mount) and I had a lot of fun with that. The images were tack sharp and the mount was simple and effective, but the 90mm aperture was a tad small. I then picked up an ETX-125PE during one of the sales last year and it's been an absolute delight; big enough to see things, small enough to be a snap to set up and put away. I added an Orion binoviewer to mine and that makes it soooo nice for visual observing. For really serious visual observing the edge goes to my LXD75 SC8, but my ETX-125PE comes in a close second and actually gets used more since the LXD75 is usually tied up imaging.
My little scope...
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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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jgraham
Postmaster
Reged: 12/02/04
Posts: 7029
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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...and its smaller sibling...
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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 (02/10/09 09:55 PM)
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Prima Luna
super member
Reged: 01/17/09
Posts: 113
Loc: Huntington Beach, California
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Hi jgraham,
I may get those Orion binos you got. Reading the reviews, some say they needed to use the included barlow. Does the ETX-125 need it? How do you like the binos? With those binos the Scope looks AWESOME!!
Quote:
I had almost exactly the same problem; I wanted a nice-sized telescope I could use visually while my LXD75 was busy taking images, particularly on those wonderful spring or fall evenings when it's a crime not to put in some serious eyepiece time. I originally picked up a DSX-90 (an ETX-90 telescope on a DS-2000 mount) and I had a lot of fun with that. The images were tack sharp and the mount was simple and effective, but the 90mm aperture was a tad small. I then picked up an ETX-125PE during one of the sales last year and it's been an absolute delight; big enough to see things, small enough to be a snap to set up and put away. I added an Orion binoviewer to mine and that makes it soooo nice for visual observing. For really serious visual observing the edge goes to my LXD75 SC8, but my ETX-125PE comes in a close second and actually gets used more since the LXD75 is usually tied up imaging.
My little scope...
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Meade ETX-125AT w/UHTC & Tripod
Celestron Regal LX 10X42
7mm TMB Planetary
9mm TMB Planetary
26mm Meade Series 4000 Super Plössl
35mm Orion Ultrascopic
2X Barlow Orion Shorty
Aluminum Hard Carry Case 07609
TeleVue TAC-1003 Air Chair
Celestron NightVision Flashlight 93588
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jgraham
Postmaster
Reged: 12/02/04
Posts: 7029
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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Ahhhh, binoviewers. Say goodbye to eye strain. The Barlow is not needed for the ETX-90 or the 125, though it can be used if you want to double the magnification. Without the Barlow the binoviewers may bump into the finder on pre-LNT models. I use a parfocal ring to raise them up just a tad. I also primarily use Orion Explorer II eyepieces (17mm and 25mm); these have a nice eye relief and are very lightweight (and economical).
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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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Chris1485
super member
Reged: 09/05/06
Posts: 122
Loc: U.K.
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I've had an ETX-90 for about 5 years now and have imaged the Moon, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.
I even managed to image using a 3x barlow which is no mean feat. (effective magnification about x 600!!)
As for EQ wedges, I made my own from MDF a length of brass piano hinge, 3x adjustable feet and an adjustable stay.
I can take video of up to 5 minutes with this configuration.
I don't set up the goto I just have it tracking in Polar mode.
It's a bit of an art though to centre your target on the CCD chip and keep it there but it is possible.
The most frames I have collected in one go was 2200 at 5x frames a sec imaging Saturn.
Check out Mike Weasner's site (Mighty ETX).
If you do a search on C.A. Warburton you should find some of my images.
Here's a link to my best shot of Saturn (if it works)
http://www.weasner.com/etx/guests/2007/guests_planets1.html
Chris (UK)
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Heritage 130p Mini Dob
ETX-90
Nexstar 80 OTA
EQ3 + RA Drive
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teskridg
sage
Reged: 01/15/08
Posts: 330
Loc: PA
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Quote:
Ahhhh, binoviewers. Say goodbye to eye strain. The Barlow is not needed for the ETX-90 or the 125, though it can be used if you want to double the magnification. jWithout the Barlow the binoviewers may bump into the finder on pre-LNT models. I use a parfocal ring to raise them up just a tad. I also primarily use Orion Explorer II eyepieces (17mm and 25mm); these have a nice eye relief and are very lightweight (and economical).
These right angle finders are nearly useless; I'd get a Rigel Quickfinder and mount it on the right side- then the binoviewers will fit fine.
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Tim Eskridge
CPC 800
Scopebuggy
Burgess Binoviewer Model 24
8mm Radian
11mm Nagler
15mm GTO
20mm Burgess binolite and Stellar
24mm Panoptic
26mm Meade SP Series 4000
30mm Vixen NPL
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rmollise
Postmaster
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 5261
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Quote:
My older kid has been expressing interest in getting more involved in astronomy and she loves photography. Is the tracking decent enough on a factory ETX to do some basic AP on bright, short-exposure targets? I'm not looking to take an ETX into 20 minute subexposures or narrowband imaging or anything in depth, but the typical basics - solar, lunar, planetary, maybe some clusters and doubles.If not, what kind of modification investment are we talking about? I looked into the pricing on the EQ wedges. Any thoughts about using a wedge with the ETX? I know field rotation will become an issue should we try to take on 30+second exposures.
AP is not an immediate concern, but ultimately I know at some point AP will come in to the picture, and I'm probably not going to really share or let too many little hands on my main imaging rig. I read somewhere that only some of the ETX models have a polar alignment routine?
Yes, the ETX is adequate for snaps of the Moon and planets. Beyond that? Nope. My thoughts on the little feller in general? Rat Cheer:
http://cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1807
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Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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Chris1485
super member
Reged: 09/05/06
Posts: 122
Loc: U.K.
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Check out this website.
You'll be amazed at what can be acheived with a small scope.
http://www.jgeheniau.nl/etx90/news.html
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Heritage 130p Mini Dob
ETX-90
Nexstar 80 OTA
EQ3 + RA Drive
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seeker372011
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/05/04
Posts: 927
Loc: Sydney , Australia
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I have had some small success with imaging DSOs with an ETX 70
http://www.freewebs.com/seeker372011/
and for more relatively recent images:
messier objects
http://s91.photobucket.com/albums/k282/n_mukkavilli/Messier%20Objects%20with%20an%20ETX%2070/
Caldwell objects
http://s91.photobucket.com/albums/k282/n_mukkavilli/Caldwell%20Objects%20with%20an%20ETX%2070/
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ED 80 on a CG5 mount;ED 127 on EQ6; QHY8, 20 x 80 LW Obies;PST;10 inch GSO dob
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