59 replies to this topic

[Universe XY]

I'm excited. I saw this cute little purple telescope that looks like the Questar I can't afford & took the plunge on my first telescope.

 

Now I can stop wasting time looking at old 16X50 binoculars & have something small that I can make good use of.

Price was really good. He has a tripod for it but wants $100 for that. Seems high.

 

I can out this on a table & sit down. I'm so short that a tripod may make it too tall..

 

 

OOOOH it's so cute!!!!!!

 

Looks to be in exc cond with all lens & original box.

 

I'm excited!!!!

 

It's a special little telescope & from the time Meade was making them in USA!

 

Now for the glamour shots!  

 

[CHASLX200]

Beats the pants off the Q until you get to the mount for the money.

[Universe XY]

Q as in Questar? Love to have one of those but that would be a few thousand when this was a few hundred.

A little more than I paid for my CZJ 10X50. Price I would have paid if I bought a few more. old binoculars.

 

This looks modern, had good magnification, is compact & I can do so much more with it,,,

 

I didn't even research it.

Saw conditions, all parts & it's the same type of system as the Questar & very affordable. Half of some one

the classic 60 X 800 ish old refractors that the epay is selling for at least 2X their worth with lens that look condensed & foggy.

This lens looks new. I don't need a tripod. I like a table top with a chair setup.

 

I'm happy!!!!! 

 

Edited by Sean Cunneen, 30 January 2025 - 12:31 PM.

[Rick-T137]

I had one of these back in the late 90s/early 2000s. The optics were really good. I had a friend that loaned me his Questar for a summer and I got to compare it to the ETX. Optically there wasn’t much between then (I’d say maybe the Q was a smidge sharper).

 

If you have the RA version of the ETX, then it will be awesome. Once you get the little mount aligned with Polaris (or the south celestial pole) it will track nicely. I had the EC version with GOTO and man… that thing sounded like a coffee grinder when it was slewing around the sky.

 

The Q has a way higher quality mount. But what you have is essentially perfect for a small take it anywhere portable observatory. I’ve been keeping my eye out for one of these myself! Someday I might stumble upon a deal like this.

 

Congrats!!! 

[Universe XY]

Looks like it's well thought of in the CN community.

 

Only thing I see is there is not remote control like in this older post...

 

Hmmm...

 

https://www.cloudyni...-90/?p=13636887

[Rick-T137]

Looks like it's well thought of in the CN community.

 

Only thing I see is there is not remote control like in this older post...

 

Hmmm...

 

https://www.cloudyni...-90/?p=13636887

As I mentioned, I believe yours the RA version, which means Right Ascension. The scope has a tracking motor in the base that is either on or off with a switch on the base. There is no hand controller. You have to use the Dec slow motion control to adjust the scope in Dec. 

 

The EC version of the ETX comes with a hand controller as it has motors on both axis (axii??).

[Universe XY]

I had one of these back in the late 90s/early 2000s. The optics were really good. I had a friend that loaned me his Questar for a summer and I got to compare it to the ETX. Optically there wasn’t much between then (I’d say maybe the Q was a smidge sharper).

 

If you have the RA version of the ETX, then it will be awesome. Once you get the little mount aligned with Polaris (or the south celestial pole) it will track nicely. I had the EC version with GOTO and man… that thing sounded like a coffee grinder when it was slewing around the sky.

 

The Q has a way higher quality mount. But what you have is essentially perfect for a small take it anywhere portable observatory. I’ve been keeping my eye out for one of these myself! Someday I might stumble upon a deal like this.

 

Congrats!!! 

It just says ETX90 on the back & it's made in USA.

 

Not sure what RA is & it has no tripod.

 

Not the AT model. I presume that is the auto tracking? https://telescopes.n...-with-uhtc.html

https://www.opticspl...6do85a09REpGiSz

 

There is another at same price I paid open box no return untested.

 

Listing description: Seems it's the model before RA but that's ok maybe that was  not made in USA?

 

Up for sale is this original Meade ETX 90 Table Top Telescope Maksutov-Cassegrain.

D = 90mm, F = 1250mm. f/13.8

Originally named simply ETX-90 Astro, it became known as the ETX-90 RA (right ascension drive) when the newer EC (electronic control) model was released.

Although it is motorized, you can loosen the locking knobs and position manually.

This is in good condition and shows signs of normal use. It powers on but I have not tested for accuracy. Comes with the original box, front and rear lens caps, #12 Yellow Moon filter, SVBONY 5X Barlow Lens, 3X Barlow Lens, a Meade Super Plossl 26mm LP Multi-Coated eyepiece, a 4mm eyepiece, a 12.5mm eyepiece, and 8x21mm finderscope.

You can also attach a SLR or mirrorless camera to the back of this using a T-adapter (not included) and a flip of the mirror lever for astrophotography.

 

Sounds like he knows it. It's not sold as is so as long as it works it;s fine with me.

[Airship]

This is an example of the ETX-90M, sometimes called the ETX-90RA. The ETX-90M was fully manual (hence the M) with just a battery powered RA drive motor in the base (hence the RA). There was no hand controller for this model.

 

Enjoy your new scope!

[Universe XY]

As long as it works. I don't need to use it on motor drive. As long as it's complete & works it should be fine.

So can I use it as a table top model without a tripod? One needs to be able to fine tune it to find objects in the sky. Thanks

This is an example of the ETX-90M, sometimes called the ETX-90RA. The ETX-90M was fully manual (hence the M) with just a battery powered RA drive motor in the base (hence the RA). There was no hand controller for this model.

 

Enjoy your new scope!

Edited by Universe XY, 26 January 2025 - 09:29 PM.

[Airship]

Yep, it's a fine little star-hopper...

 

 

I added a Vixen finder bracket to mine so that I could attached a nice 30mm RACI finder. In an earlier variant I mounted a laser pointer in the original finder bracket...

 

 

The Meade #884 mount makes it easy to switch between altaz and equatorial mode. It's a nice little scope!

 

Enjoy!

 

[Universe XY]

Ohh, my! That's really cute!!! I can't wait to get it.  

[ericb760]

My first real scope, besides the dime store examples I had as a kid, was an ETX-90EC that I sold to finance the ETX-125 I have owned for two decades. Recently, I decided to re-acquire an ETX-90 OTA, although it was made in China, not the USA. In many ways it really is a perfect grab and go scope, and I think it punches above its weight optically.

[Don W]

It was much better than my 1st scope, a C-90 Astro with the single arm mount.

 

about 20 years ago I picked up an ETX-90 with a bum drive. The OTA was deforked and a Vixen dovetail attached. I can use it on many different mounts for quick views and performs well.

[Universe XY]

On closer inspection the 2 extra lens may not be Meade. I assumed not knowing the look of every part that it was original.

 

The 26mm in the eyepiece is stock but what are thes funky lens & a barlow 3X tossed im?

 

Am I going to need to buy better lens?

 

Bummed now

[Universe XY]

Also a 5X barlow 

 

[Universe XY]

It seems they didn't come with assorted lens. Everything was sold separately.

 

I'm ok with it. He didn't list them as Meade. I guess wishful thinking on my part.

Too bad someone got the tripod.

 

Found a list of lens access

Edited by Universe XY, 27 January 2025 - 01:19 PM.

[Rick-T137]

meade lens Screenshot 2025-01-27 085443.png

On closer inspection the 2 extra lens may not be Meade. I assumed not knowing the look of every part that it was original.

 

The 26mm in the eyepiece is stock but what are thes funky lens & a barlow 3X tossed im?

 

Am I going to need to buy better lens?

 

Bummed now

These two extra eyepieces and 3x Barlow look like very inexpensive accessories - likely from Amazon or AliExpress.

 

The 26mm eyepiece you have is far better. Start with that before looking to buy more eyepieces (IMHO).
 

[Rick-T137]

Also a 5X barlow

I doubt the 5x Barlow will be much use with the ETX. That would give a power of (with your stock 26mm eyepiece):

 

1350mm / 26mm x 5  = 260x which would likely only be usable on the steadiest nights. This also assumes the Svbony 5x Barlow is actually decent (which it might be).
 

[Rick-T137]

It seems they didn't come with assorted lens. Everything was sold separately.

 

I'm ok with it. He didn't list them as Meade. I guess wishful thinking on my part.

Too bad someone got the tripod.

 

Found a list of lens access

The tripod are those 3 long tubes that came with the scope. They screw into the base, and you use it on a table top.

 

Here's a link the manual for your particular scope that explains it all...

 

https://scottsastrop...de_ETX_90RA.pdf

[Universe XY]

The tripod are those 3 long tubes that came with the scope. They screw into the base, and you use it on a table top.

 

Here's a link the manual for your particular scope that explains it all...

 

https://scottsastrop...de_ETX_90RA.pdf

Thanks for the great advice.

The 26mm looks like the one that came with the scope.

 

 

I'll work with that maybe try the barlow or those what look like to be cheap 4 & 9mm. Maybe even toss them.  

 

I just was a bit disappointed thinking the other kens were quality. They basically are extra weight & damaging projectiles if not safety secured in the box.

 

As long as the scope & the 26mm are good I'll be ahead.

 

Something to learn on. I thought it was compact & cute. Just bought it on an uneducated whim. Not thrilled with all the plastic he has but it's small & portable.

 

Not as sure about the purchase or excited as i was originally...Hoping for the best. It looks to be in excellent cond.

 

Downloading the Manual... Thanks!

[Bonco2]

A few years ago I purchased a used ETX 90.  optically I was amazed at its sharpness viewing planets. Provided excellent views of the recent Jupiter/Saturn conjunction.   Bonco 2 

[Universe XY]

A few years ago I purchased a used ETX 90.  optically I was amazed at its sharpness viewing planets. Provided excellent views of the recent Jupiter/Saturn conjunction.   Bonco 2 

I'd like to see some Nebula...Orion...will have to check into a really decent but affordable lens to compliment the ETX90

Not sure if you can just pair any 1.25 lens with it. I suppose there might be some parameters???

 

Don't know but getting it is the first thing but I like to plan ahead.

 

It's not meant for heavy duty which I probably won't give it anyway. As long as the optics are good we'll have to deal with nylon gearing & plastic parts which degrade with time.

[scout]

Great first telescope.

Here's the premier website for ETX tips and everything about the ETX line:

 

http://www.weasner.com/etx/menu.html

[Universe XY]

Great first telescope.

Here's the premier website for ETX tips and everything about the ETX line:

 

http://www.weasner.com/etx/menu.html

I'm hoping so & from the reviews the optics are very good. The rest we will have to deal with. What I like the most is that it is compact. 

Thanks for the info! 

 

LA skies should clear up hopefully tonight. I get to point my new old 1987 CZJ 10X50W at the sky. My old one is a 1939!

[RichA]

I'm excited. I saw this cute little purple telescope that looks like the Questar I can't afford & took the plunge on my first telescope.

 

Now I can stop wasting time looking at old 16X50 binoculars & have something small that I can make good use of.

Price was really good. He has a tripod for it but wants $100 for that. Seems high.

 

I can out this on a table & sit down. I'm so short that a tripod may make it too tall..

 

 

OOOOH it's so cute!!!!!!

 

Looks to be in exc cond with all lens & original box.

 

I'm excited!!!!

 

It's a special little telescope & from the time Meade was making them in USA!

 

Now for the glamour shots!  

 

 

Good choice.  Takes some a bit getting used to the long focal length, but it's a competent telescope with good optics.