Weasner's Meade ETX-90 User Feedback

ETX-90 USER FEEDBACK

Last updated: 30 April 2004

This page is for user comments and information specific to the Meade ETX-90RA (originally known as the "ETX Astro"), the ETX-90EC, and the ETX-90AT. Comments on accessories and feedback items appropriate to other ETX and DS models are posted on other pages. 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:	Meade ETX-90
Sent:	Wednesday, April 28, 2004 17:23:13
From:	Mike Ellis (mikeyjellis@yahoo.com)
I am from England, and have (almost!) acquired enough money to be able
to purchase the Meade ETX-90 telescope. From what I have read about it
(including from your very helpful site) I have been mostly
impressed...however before I take the plunge and spend about 450 on a
new one I was wondering if you thought of any others that may be any
good / better value for money?

I want to use something that will last, and that will give me superb
viewing opportunities, so I don't want to start on some amateur thing
which I might get fed up with in a short while.

Any feedback you could give me would be absolutely great, I understand
you may be a busy man!!

Kind regards,

Mike Ellis

(23 Year old student!)

Mike here: As I've said many times, the best telescope for anyone is the one that gets used. The telescope that sits in the closet is no good. But for it to be used it must meet your expectations. The ETX-90 is a fine telescope as long as the aperture/focal length meet your expectations of the views you will get.

Subject:	Re: ETX90EC
Sent:	Tuesday, April 27, 2004 18:37:23
From:	Rich Byrne (n2ukb@optonline.net)
It took me almost 2-1/2 weeks to get the right tube adaptor. Service is
just unreal.

Thanks so much for your assistance.

Rich Byrne

Subject:	I dont think I've ever used my 90 EC anywhere near it's potential
Sent:	Monday, April 19, 2004 15:45:34
From:	"parek.islam" (parek.islam@ntlworld.com)
Great site!

It given me the initiative to remove the dust from my ETX 90EC and start
using it. Trouble is I live in London and the light pollution is huge.

I was born and raised in Lichfield, Staffordshire (Kinda central England
- Birthplace of Dr Johnson - the 'inventor' of the Dictionary and home
to the only Cathedral in the world with 3 spires (I think!)), and thats
whenI first bought my Scope - the only trouble was that I expected way
to much - other than the moon and jupiterI dont thinkI saw anything as
immpressive as the images on your siteobtained with the same Scopeand
I think I've only ever used it 10 times in the last 3 years.

Anyway,I digress, I just wanted to say thanks for having such an
excellent site as it has been an inspiriation for me to start using my
Scope - hopefully to it's potential!

Parek.

Mike here: Keep in mind that pictures can lie! At least, they don't always represent what the eye will perceive when looking through the eyepiece. However, as you can tell from the User Observations page the ETX-90 can provide a lot of very nice views of celestial objects.

Subject: ETX90EC
Date: 4/8/04, 19:12
From: Rich Byrne (n2ukb@optonline.net)
Have a problem. I can't seem to tighten the vertical lock on my ETX90EC.
It just to just go clockwise and counterclockwise. I try to adjust using
the controler but the scope does not move. Is something broken in the
vertical lock assembly?

Thanks in advance.

Rich Byrne

Mike here: Sounds like the Right Tube Adapter has failed. See my ETX-90EC comments (http://www.weasner.com/etx/90ec_comments.html); near the end of the article is more info and photos. You will have to contact Meade for a replacement (should be free).

And:

Thanks. You hit it right on the head. I opened in up and discovered the
broken plastic piece. I do you remove the scopr from the fork? Am I
missing something in the pics?

Again thanks. I'll call them in the morning.

Rich Byrne

Mike here: As described in the article, "It was first necessary to remove the ETX OTA from the fork mount. This is done using the large allen key supplied with the ETX (see photo on the left). Unfortunately, the ETX-90EC I received from Meade lacked this large key so I used the one from my original ETX model. As noted on the Scopetronix site, you must spread the fork arms outward away from the OTA to allow the tube to slide rearward out of the fork." There are four screws, two on either side of the rear portion of the OTA.

And an update:

Thanks again. I took the scope apart just like you said to do. I can see
the broken part. I contacted Meade and they advised me it will cost
$35.00. It was not free. You would think since so many people were
having problems they would know its faulty construction or poor design.

Again thanks for your help. You have a great site.

Rich

Mike here: Fooey; it used to be free.

Subject: User manual for ETX 90 RA
Date: 4/7/04, 13:11
From: Harry Howell (howell@tamu.edu)
Is there an on-line copy of the users manual for the ETX 90 RA?

Thanks,

Harry Howell

Mike here: The 90mm ETX Astro manual is on Meade manuals page: http://www.meade.com/manuals/index.html

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