Weasner's Meade ETX-125EC User Feedback

ETX-125EC USER FEEDBACK - MAY 1999
Last updated: 31 May 1999

This page is for user comments and information specific to the Meade ETX-125EC. Accessories and Feedback items appropriate to the original ETX model, ETX-90EC, and the ETX-125EC are posted on other pages as appropriate. If you have any comments, suggestions, questions or answers to questions posed here, e-mail them to me and I'll post them. Please use an appropriate Subject Line on your message. Thanks.

Subject:	ETX-125 at RTMC
Sent:	Monday, May 31, 1999 13:24:05
From:	Fcathell@aol.com
I saw the ETX-125 at Meade's booth at the Riverside Telescope Maker's
Conference.  Absolutely identical to the ETX-90 except for size.  It was
mounted on the same field tripod as the 90 and the tripod appeared to be
(after some tapping, etc.) totally inadequate for the larger scope.  One
of the Meade employees at the booth said the delivery will start in
July.

Frank

Subject:	 Mount for ETX 125?
Sent:	Monday, May 31, 1999 9:15:01
What are people thinking for a mount for the forthcoming ETX 125?  The
Meade tripod is not going to cut it at an weight of 18 pounds.  Do any
third-party manufacturers have anything in the pipeline for this?

I know that Tuthill has the Isostatic tripod, but that is only for Polar
mode, not Alt/Az.

Comments anyone?  Mr. Blessing?

Thanks

Steve Viltoft

Subject:	 ETX-125EC
Sent:	Sunday, May 30, 1999 16:28:47
From:	mmalone05@worldnet.att.net (Mike Malone)
I'm on the waiting list at Astronomics for a ETX-125-EC. & Autostar. I
plan on operating the scope only in the alt-az mode. Will I need a
tripod for the scope and if so, what type of tripod do I need?

Thanks,

Mike Malone

Mike here: You may not need a tripod if you have a convenient place to set up the ETX-125EC. Consider the surface, stability, and height of the eyepiece at the location where you plan to place the ETX. If you do decide you'll need a tripod, you'll likely want a VERY study one since ETX-125EC is heavier and bulkier than the 90mm model.

Subject:	 ETX 125
Sent:	Saturday, May 29, 1999 22:48:25
From:	DonMcClelland@webtv.net (Donald McClelland)
Don't mean to nit pik but the actual specs from Meade are 127mm (5
inches).  Don't know why they reference it as the ETX 125/EC.  In
reference to your responce to Mr. Woodard.

Don

Added later:

Regarding specs, check Meade catalog page 6, 3rd line down under
specifications for "clear aperature."  Meade may have changed these.
Please let me know what your source is.  Still the best telescope (not
just ETX) site on the net!

Clear Skies, Don

Mike here: I grabbed the info from the Astronomics web site. The specs do show 127mm clear aperture but the scope is also described as a 5-inch model. Just part of the confusion of metric conversions and model naming conventions.

Subject:	 apollo rendevous & telescope fair of the miami valley astronomical society
Sent:	Saturday, May 29, 1999 19:31:07
From:	macnoid@wcoil.com
Hi my name is Jim and I'm hoping to attend the Miami Valley Astronomical
Society's annual telescope fair in Dayton Ohio this June the 12th..I'm
told that there will be a Meade factory rep and other company reps all
so.If I find out any useful information on the ETX-125, I'll send it
along since I'm also interested in purchasing one..
thank you
.Jim..

Subject:	 ETX 125
Sent:	Friday, May 28, 1999 6:22:57
From:	wrwoodard@compuserve.com (William R Woodard)
I haven't seen anyone mention, is the 125 a Maksutov or a
Schmidt-Cassegrain?

Thanks

Richard Woodard

Mike here: 125mm aperture, 1900mm focal length (f/15), Maksutov-Cassegrain

Subject:	 ETX 125/ec
Sent:	Thursday, May 27, 1999 3:15:16
From:	lovemouse@webtv.net (Matt Thomas)
Natural Wonders is going to carry the 125 in some of their stores. the
price is $899, but they don't have any in yet. They do have a list for
customers who want one, though. They aren't sure when they will get them
in, but they said it would be soon. Just thought you might like to know.
Matt Thomas

Subject:	 ETX 125 delivery date
Sent:	Wednesday, May 26, 1999 21:10:06
From:	LHSudduth@worldnet.att.net (Lawrence Sudduth)
I just got this response from Astronomics re the expected availability
date for the ETX 125:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of June/beginning of July.

Clear Skies,
Astronomics

Subject:	etx-125ec
Sent:	Monday, May 24, 1999 21:27:03
From:	LooneyRoo@aol.com
as if it wasn't already official... sky and telescopes july 1999
edition has an ad featuring the 125, its specifications and the price.
$895!!! i sent you a scanned picture in case you want to add it to your
site.
~noah

Subject:	 ETX 125
Sent:	Monday, May 24, 1999 21:12:19
From:	thilgen@worldnet.att.net (Wm. G. Thilgen Jr.)
Just got my copy of Astronomy for July, Inside the front cover there is
an ad for both of the ETX's. The 90 and the 125. Check it out.
Bill Thilgen

Subject:	 Photography with ETX 
Sent:	Monday, May 24, 1999 15:37:41
From:	jlewis@theramp.net (Joe and Shelli Lewis)
I read an article about the ETX 90mm in Sky and Telescope Magazine that
posed some concerns about photography with it.  It stated "While ad
photographs show the telescope with an SLR camera attached (using an
optional T-adapter unique to the ETX), astrophotography capabilities of
the ETX as supplied are limited to snapshots of the Sun and Moon." It
further states "Meade's manual states that the ETX is not recommended
for deep-sky imaging. For one thing, the telescope's geometric focal
ratio is f/13.8 with a photographic (or transmission) value of f/18.
This is too slow for deep-sky shots, even if the telescope were equipped
with the required electric slow-motion controls."

I want to get into astrophotography and deep-sky will be a large part of
it. I am on a limited budget, but I am considering the ETX 125mm. How
much better if at all could I expect the 125mm to be for deep-sky
imaging?

Thanks,

Joe Lewis
jlewis@theramp.net

Mike here: As you can see from the various examples on this ETX web site, astrophotography of more than just the Sun and Moon is possible. Some objects are more challenging than others. Some types are easy (piggyback) and some are nearly impossible (long duration prime focus or eyepiece projection). Cameras (both film and digital) and CCDs can be used with the 90mm model ETX telescopes. I don't know how well the ETX-125EC will work for astrophotography but I would expect similar RA drive accuracy as with the ETX-90EC.

Subject:	 etx-125\ec
Sent:	Monday, May 24, 1999 14:54:52
From:	SHPE@chevron.com (Peth, Steven (SHPE))
The new astronomy magazine has the meade advertisement for the new ETX
125 listed side by side (incl. picture) with the etx 90 ec  inside the
front cover in the July issue.

Subject:	 ETX 125/EC in July Astronomy magazine
Sent:	Monday, May 24, 1999 14:44:55
From:	chrono@ibm.net ("Jin \"Time Traveler\" Kim")
Subject says it all.  It's on the inside front cover of the mag.  They
official list the ETX 125/EC as being $895, priced alongside the 90/EC
at 595.

Subject:	 Meade ETX-125\ec
Sent:	Saturday, May 22, 1999 10:30:59
From:	cozmo@mediaone.net (chris cosentino)
Subject: Etx-125\EC
I am responding to the question from Doug Ginn. I found that Astronomics
has the ETX-125 \EC for sale. Here is the link you can follow to there
site they give an overview of the scope and the cost along with the
Extras you can buy. Good luck.
astronomics.com/content/maksutov/meade/short/s_m5ac.htm

Subject:	 Dew Cap
Sent:	Wednesday, May 19, 1999 19:52:39
From:	majidy@worldnet.att.net (Abdul Majidy)
Do you have a dew cap for  ETX-125/EC? And what will be the cost?
Thanks,
majidy@worldnet.att.net

Mike here: Clear Night Products has announced they will be doing one (see the ETX-125EC Feedback for April 1999).

Subject:	 ETX-125/EC
Sent:	Wednesday, May 19, 1999 18:47:39
From:	amurphy@idworld.net (Mike & Sandra Murphy)
Just wanted to let everyone know that I just placed an order for the
ETX-125/EC. Total price with filed tripod was $1211.21. Just to let
everyone know, I was told that the dealer (Analytical        
Scientific, San Antonio, Texas) was expecting receipt of these
telescopes sometime in June. They informed me that their initial order
was for a quantity of 30 which they expect to soon sale     out on.

There is one concern that I had however about this telescope after
reading some of your e-mail feedback. One person had made note that
ETX-90/EC had a problem with tracking objects         beyond 30 seconds.
I hope that this will not be the case with ETX-125/EC as one of the
things that I would like to do is track objects and eventually get into
astrophotography.

If this is anticipated as being a problem, I'm already doubting whether
or not the decision I made was a good one. There is a small part of me
that is considering upgrading to an 8" LX50 even     though I would
rather not at this point. The ETX-125/EC is my first venture into
telescopes and the last thing I want is to be disappointed with what I'm
buying.

Thanks for Your Reply

    Mike Murphy

Mike here: As with all things in life, "your mileage" may vary. You may get excellent results with the ETX-125EC or you may get frustrated. But that could also apply to a larger telescope as well. Anxious to hear your report when you get the telescope.

Subject:	 ETX 125/EC availability; how does it compare to the 90/EC?
Sent:	Monday, May 17, 1999 7:44:56
From:	dginn@att.com (Doug Ginn)
I have been researching the ETX 90/EC and have found this site
wonderful. I am looking for my first scope and had thought that the
90/EC was for me. There are some references here about the new 125 and I
am interested on knowing the differences between it and the 90/EC
(bigger, better drive, price, etc???) and when it will be available.

Thanks in advance,

Doug

Mike here: No definite date reported by Meade but soon.

Added later:

Thanks! Can't wait to get an ETX. If the 125 is going to be far out, I
will go for the 90.

Subject:	 ETC 125
Sent:	Monday, May 10, 1999 11:50:29
From:	rgroday@nytimes.com
Just had a chat with a Meade Techy over another issue, I asked about the
5 inch, it looks great but may be another 2 months before formal
announcement.

Just thought you would want to know.

Rob

Subject:	ETX125 test?
Sent:	Sunday, May 9, 1999 10:03:58
From:	FjhDAVID@aol.com
Jordan said that some people got the new jewel ETX125....? No news from
them, especially on long time exposure accuracy?
Francois

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