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Meade ETX-90EC

I wanted a small, portable scope to compliment my 10" Dob. Originally, I purchased an ETX-70AT with tripod and Autostar for $210. I play with that scope for about 3 weeks and liked the scope, but it wasn't what I wanted. I don't have much of a need for the Autostar as I know the night sky (I do have to say that the Autostar setup was very impressive when set up properly). I was mainly looking for a nice scope to view planets and the moon when I didn't want to drag out the Dob. I was able to make a straight across trade for an ETX-90RA with the Deluxe Field tripod. For a total price of $210, I think I got quite a bargin as the tripod retails for $199 and the scope can be had new for $180.

The optics on my ETX-90RA are beyond my expectations. Very nice star test and the detail on lunar views and planets are the best I've seen in this size scope. There are a lot of complaints about the mechanics and I agree that the mount could be better. However, if you want excellent optics and and excellent mount in the same size scope, your going to have to spend a lot more money and buy a Questar ($3000+). My primary dislike with the ETX-90RA is the finder scope. That is an easy and cheap fix, though. I stuck a red dot pointer on mine and it works fine for what I'm doing with the scope. Tracking is a bit jerky, but it is barely noticeable visually. I only see it when doing afocal photography. Again, this is an easy fix if you need to fix it. Nothing a little teflon and lithium grease won't fix.

All in all, I think this is an excellent scope for the price. If you want it to work great, your gonna have to put a little work into it. Optically, it is a great 90mm scope. The mount could be better, but you would have to pay for it. Easy of use is fine for what you get. It's basically an equatorial mount with an RA drive. Value....This scope can be had for $180. At that price, you can't go much wrong in my opinion. Had I paid the original $595 for the scope, I might have expected more from the mount. It serves it purpose, though, and i have a hard time asking more at this price. The OTA alone is well worth the $180. Consider the mount a freebee. If you hate the mount, put the OTA on something else. You can pick up a cheap, used Losmandy for around $1000 I'm sure. Do I think it is a great second scope...yes. Do I think it is a great primary scope....if you go into it aware and with open eyes....absolutely. There are far worse scopes out there in this price range.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Mount:7 Ease of Use:8 Value:10
Weight: 4 (Unreliable Vote)
Date: 12/27/2001 09:42:51 am PST
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.75.15)
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=49070

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