Jimmy2K63
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/26/09
Posts: 1179
Loc: Kentucky
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Greetings to all in the ETX forum.
I don't own an ETX yet, but I came very close to making one my newest scope. I finally settled on another Meade scope, but I hope to get an ETX 125 down the road as I think it is an excellent little scope, and would make a great road scope and visual instrument to use while doing imaging.
I am very impressed with Meade's scopes. I know they have gotten a bad rap from some, but I still think they are great and we should support the company. I think the Autostar is fantastic and had a lot to do with my choice over the others as well. I like the fact that Meade makes a lot of accesories for their scopes as well.
I just received my Meade LPI. My current plans include completing my autoguider addition and adding a DSI II or DSI III to my imaging instruments. Beyond that I thought it might be nice to get a second scope for visual use while imaging, and had thought about a large Dob.....but I keep leaning back to the ETX 125 thinking this is the way to go. I've always wanted a Mak.
Just wanted to say hi to you all and if you have any input on the ETX 125 I'd like to hear from you.
James
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http://astronomyguy63.blogspot.com/
LXD75 SN6-UHTC
Cave Astrola 10" f/5
Garrett 15x70/FarSight
Canon XS (1000D)
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Treehopper
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/29/08
Posts: 582
Loc: Upstate NY
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I think you'll enjoy the 125. For it's size, it's a veritable planet killer due to its long focal length and f/ ratio. It's wonderful for going after the moon, globular clusters, brighter DSO's, and double stars. Its performance begins to lag a bit on open clusters and faint fuzzies where surface luminosity is low. I've been told focal reducers and certain deep sky filters can help somewhat in pulling these latter out a bit better.
I've seen side-by-side views of Jupiter with an ETX-125PE and a Celestron NexStar C6 SE, and despite the extra inch of aperture, the 125 provides the better view. Probably due to the higher contrast of the Meade would be my guess.
Have fun with the LPI. I'm still trying to figure if I want to find an LPI to play with, or if I'm going to go straight to a CCD-based imager (I think the LPI is still CMOS, correct me if I'm wrong.) I might just find an inexpensive webcam to futz around with while I save my drachmas for one of the DSI's.
Welcome to our little corner of the forums, James! Feel free to jump right in with any questions or comments.
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Tim
Champion of small aperture scopes everywhere!
Meade ETX-125PE
Meade ETX-80
Celestron FirstScope 76mm Mini-dob
 Updated: 09/16/2009
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burb scope
member
Reged: 04/18/08
Posts: 55
Loc: Canton, MI
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I found an LPI in the CN classifieds for about $55. I have had a blast with it, and it was a great way to get started in imaging. I'd love to try it on my brother's ETX-125 (if Meade can ever get his scope fixed). Take the plunge on a used LPI. I don't think that you would regret it.
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Treehopper
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/29/08
Posts: 582
Loc: Upstate NY
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I'm keeping my eyes open for one. Seems Meade might be slowly phasing them out; several of the larger online astronomy retailers don't even carry them anymore. If I can get my hands on one in the $50 range to play with, I might. The few places I can find that still stock them still are asking $100+ for them. I'm getting cheap in my ol' age! 
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Tim
Champion of small aperture scopes everywhere!
Meade ETX-125PE
Meade ETX-80
Celestron FirstScope 76mm Mini-dob
Updated: 09/16/2009
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rcd47
sage
Reged: 03/15/08
Posts: 259
Loc: East Texas, USA
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There's a used Philips spc900nc on ebay for $39.99 + 6.99 shipping right now. Located in Brooklyn...just in case anyone's interested. http://tiny.cc/LSzIk You would also need an adapter. http://tiny.cc/GxpjW
And here's a new one that's taking bids. http://tiny.cc/xjMLS
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Randy
Edmund Astroscan
Meade ETX125PE
Skywatcher 102mm F5 & Alt/Az Mount
Orion ST80/Mini EQ1
Tasco Starguide 114/Celestron Hand Paddle
Pentax 10x50 Binoculars
Philips SPC 900NC
Stellacam EX
Edited by rcd47 (07/27/09 01:34 PM)
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jgraham
Postmaster
Reged: 12/02/04
Posts: 6749
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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This sounds almost exactly like my story. I have an LXD75 SN6 that's almost always busy taking images when it's clear. I was often torn between setting the scope up for imaging or visual since we get so few clear nigths around here and even fewer multiple clear nights in a row. I wanted a second scope for purely visual work that was small enough to be easy to setup and put away and large enough to see things. I pcked up a DSX-90 from the Meade outlet store (an ETX-90 OTA on a DS-2000 mount) and I was really impressed with the optics, but the 90mm aperture was a tad small (the 90 is now the guide scope for my SN6) so about a year ago I picked up an ETX-125PE. This has proven to be a great little scope that does exactly what I want it to do and on any given clear night you'll find me in the back yard with my LXD75 busy taking pictures and my ETX-125PE busy hopping all around the sky and my Thermacell in between.
Have fun!
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-John
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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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john D
All you have to do is ask!!
Reged: 08/05/07
Posts: 5449
Loc: Midlothian, VA
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hey james,i have had the etx-125 for about a year i think. its a great telescope. i have really enjoyed it. its great on planets and some bright DSO thats about all i can see where i live and the moon looks amazing!
i have it on a lxd55 mount which is a really nice meade product.
CS!
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Meade ETX-125
Meade LXD55 mount
Philips SPC900NC webcam
Some Accessories!
My Blog
 -Midlothian VA
--Land Of The Free Because Of The Brave--
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john D
All you have to do is ask!!
Reged: 08/05/07
Posts: 5449
Loc: Midlothian, VA
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meade has a refurbished ETX-125 telescope for sale right now only 675.00. thought i would let you know.
link
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Meade ETX-125
Meade LXD55 mount
Philips SPC900NC webcam
Some Accessories!
My Blog
-Midlothian VA
--Land Of The Free Because Of The Brave--
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Bamccoy
member
Reged: 03/27/09
Posts: 43
Loc: Frederick, MD
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Do you have a lot of light pollution being outside Richmond?
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Bill
LX90-ACF 8"
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teskridg
sage
Reged: 01/15/08
Posts: 277
Loc: PA
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I have an ETX-125 for sale on CN with a case and a load of other accessories for $550.
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Tim Eskridge
CPC 800
Scopebuggy
Burgess Binoviewer Model 24
8mm Radian
11mm Nagler
15mm GTO
20mm Burgess binolite and Stellar
26mm Meade SP Series 4000
30mm Vixen NPL
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john D
All you have to do is ask!!
Reged: 08/05/07
Posts: 5449
Loc: Midlothian, VA
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Quote:
Do you have a lot of light pollution being outside Richmond?
yes Bill, the LP is really bad. i live right next to a shopping mall and tons of stores. but i have still enjoyed the etx-125 alot. wonderful scope.
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Meade ETX-125
Meade LXD55 mount
Philips SPC900NC webcam
Some Accessories!
My Blog
-Midlothian VA
--Land Of The Free Because Of The Brave--
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TimD
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/16/05
Posts: 866
Loc: CA USA
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I love my 2 Etx125's. They are so portable and seem bigger than their physical size!
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Takahashi TSC 225
WO Megrez 102
Meade ETX 90, ETX 125
Meade LX90
Classic Orange tube C14, C90, C5+
Etc,Etc,Etc!!
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