19 replies to this topic

[deSitter]

Share your experience. Looking forward to a 105 that's on the way!

 

-drl

[scout]

What's the best ETX optically?

Ed Ting made a video ranking the ETX models:

 

https://youtu.be/h5Q...ZleUuUp4ky2Go9C

 

I bought an ETX 60 refractor from a garage sale for $20 about 20 years ago. The goto worked well, but sounded like a coffee grinder. The optics were subpar though. In contrast, the optics on the Maks such as your upcoming 105 are supposed to be excellent. I'm sure you'll have fun with it. 

[deSitter]

Ed Ting made a video ranking the ETX models:

 

https://youtu.be/h5Q...ZleUuUp4ky2Go9C

 

I bought an ETX 60 refractor from a garage sale for $20 about 20 years ago. The goto worked well, but sounded like a coffee grinder. The optics were subpar though. In contrast, the optics on the Maks such as your upcoming 105 are supposed to be excellent. I'm sure you'll have fun with it. 

My 90 is superb for a mass scope, and really even just as a 90mm scope against any other. I have heard it said that the 105 is the best optically, at f/14.

 

-drl

[scout]

My 90 is superb for a mass scope, and really even just as a 90mm scope against any other. I have heard it said that the 105 is the best optically, at f/14.

The diagonal flip mirror on my 60 was a little loose and wonky, so that may have had something to do with the flared stars. I didn't give it much of a chance and gave it to a neighbor when I moved. I see the ETX models for sale often on local Craigslist and Facebook and really want to try out one of the Maks.

[ericb760]

I have owned my 125 for almost two decades. The electronics started to get wonky so I have finally de-forked it, added a Wegat back, and am waiting on a Vixen rail so I can either mount it on my AVX, or throw it on my Porta clone as a grab-n-go scope. The optics are, and always have been, amazing.
 

 

Edited by ericb760, 05 September 2024 - 05:11 AM.

[Redbetter]

I don't know which version is the best optically, but the ES 127 Mak is basically the ETX 125 with a decent backplate for collimation (which the ETX lacked unfortunately, and this sometimes resulted in major hassles getting the OTA to give good images, nevermind the glue failing on the secondary baffle at times.)  I was surprised at how sharp the optics were once collimated, despite the 40% obstruction.  I was able to detect the larger white ovals on Jupiter that registered only slightly better in an Orion 110ED (which has some visible false color, so not visually apochromatic as a really good refractor of the same aperture would be.)  I haven't seen these same ovals reported visually with 4" aperture, even though I suspect they should be visible with a well figured 4" apo in excellent seeing.  

 

I am so glad I don't have to depend on a flip mirror.  I wouldn't want that and would be looking to convert it in to a more useful scope (larger TFOV options, and a more reliably collimated/collimateable external diagonal.)

Edited by Redbetter, 05 September 2024 - 05:19 AM.

[rutherfordt]

I have a 105 and like it a lot-- it gives the most aesthetically pleasing views of the planets of any scope that I own (and I have several of various sizes and designs).  I've also seen really nice views through a 90 so have no issues with them either.  As far as the 125-- I haven't actually looked through one, but wouldn't doubt that it would also produce pleasing views.

 

As far as the 60, 70, and 80-- those are short refractors and so are totally different creatures (I have two 60's-- they have their uses but they are not like the Maksutovs.

 

Tom

Edited by rutherfordt, 05 September 2024 - 05:29 AM.

[CHASLX200]

The 125 i sold years back. Thing was nuts past freaky sharp and did 600x like nothing.  It was a first version made here.

Edited by CHASLX200, 05 September 2024 - 11:47 AM.

[jgraham]

I own at least one example of each of the major ETX models and they are all pretty nice. However, for me, the crown jewel of the ETX line is the 125. I luvs my ETX-90, but it runs out of light before it runs out of resolution. The 125 was bought to solve that issue. The 105 is almost the forgotten middle child. The ETX line is a bit bipolar with the little ETX refractors. I like the wide, binocular like field they offer. The little ETX-60 is the cutie of the line, but the ETX-80 gives a much brighter image.

 

Soooo, my experience has been that the two groups of ETX are optically very similar, but I’d have to go with the ETX-80 and ETX-125 as the more better.

[Echolight]

Must be the 90.

[CHASLX200]

Must be the 90.

HAD 2 OF them out of collimation.

[Echolight]

HAD 2 OF them out of collimation.

My 1, works good.

About equal to an 80 apo at high power. Maybe a hair dimmer.

But for high power on planets with little scopes, the Starblast 113 is nicer to look through... to me.

[RichA]

Share your experience. Looking forward to a 105 that's on the way!

 

-drl

Best I had of the 25 or so I've owned was a 105.  Great contrast on Jupiter.  But all ETX's for the most part are decent Maksutovs.

[deSitter]

Best I had of the 25 or so I've owned was a 105.  Great contrast on Jupiter.  But all ETX's for the most part are decent Maksutovs.

25?!? WOW! That's Chas level!

 

The 105 is WAY heavier than the 90, and has a real altitude bearing. I'm picking it up on the 18th assuming quick tests are passed.

 

-drl

[sunrag]

My ETX-125 OTA was my first MAK (owned several large reflectors, SCTs, Achromats before I got it). On my first light, I was not expecting much, but the sharpness of stars was astounding! Really made for double stars and planets.

Edited by sunrag, 06 September 2024 - 03:49 PM.

[bobhen]

Had two original 90s. The first was very good, the second was average. In short order, I removed both from their pretty useless mounts. In the end, I decided that an 80mm apo was better for my needs.

 

Bob

Edited by bobhen, 07 September 2024 - 07:35 AM.

[oldmanastro]

I have owned my Meade ETX90 EC for 22 years now. This one is USA made. The optics are as good as they can be for a Maksutov without an aspherized secondary spot like the Questar. Many times I have compared both telescopes side by side. The Questar has a definite edge but the ETX90 is just right behind it. The plastic fork mount has been holding well all these years. The Autostar still works and as long as all the alignment steps are followed, it has never failed me. This has been my grab and go telescope for years. I have taken it many places but collimation has never faltered. The mirror is still pristine as well as the meniscus lens. Only the flip mirror shows some degradation. I also own a Meade ETX 60, a telescope saved from the trash. This one is on the other side of the road. The optics leave a lot to be desired and so do the electronics. So, for me the Mak ETXs are the best of Meade with the 90mm being the best. Here is mine with the manual controller.

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[Terra Nova]

I always thought those 60, 70?, and 80mm short tube achromat ETXs were an afterthought, a marketing ploy, and a marketing mistake; just another opportunity to go cheap and make an attempt for broad market appeal. They should have just stuck with the trio of Maks. Just my opinion, having never owned any of them.

[deSitter]

I always thought those 60, 70?, and 80mm short tube achromat ETXs were an afterthought, a marketing ploy, and a marketing mistake; just another opportunity to go cheap and make an attempt for broad market appeal. They should have just stuck with the trio of Maks. Just my opinion, having never owned any of them.

A buddy who helps out with estate sales for a hobby found an ETX80 at one of those sales for $10. The cable to the hand controller was shredded but easy to fix. To my surprise it was much better than I expected. The moving objective focuser was actually pretty neat. For a beater scope to schlep around camping or the like, it was fine.

 

-drl

[oldmanastro]

I always thought those 60, 70?, and 80mm short tube achromat ETXs were an afterthought, a marketing ploy, and a marketing mistake; just another opportunity to go cheap and make an attempt for broad market appeal. They should have just stuck with the trio of Maks. Just my opinion, having never owned any of them.

At least my experience with the 60mm ETX substantiates your comment. When I picked it up the poor thing had a broken focusing mechanism. Luckily this was an easy repair job. Nonetheless, every time you have to focus with a different eyepiece the process is a good exercise for the fingers. I lose counts of how many turns the focusing knob requires. The tracking motors were working but I had to disassemble the base and do some adjustments to get the tracking working. I have used it only with the 492 manual handset. Optically it is good at very low powers only. At medium powers astigmatism is evident. I have read that the 80mm seems to have been better.