Meade ETX125EC Telescope w/Electronic Controller

by Meade

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 34 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004SPCH
• Item model number: ETX-125EC
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,596 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 10, 2000

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

When the original ETX telescope, the ETX-90RA, was introduced in 1996, it quickly created a revolution in amateur astronomy. Here for the first time was an ultraportable and highly versatile telescope system of unprecedented optical resolution and performance. Within a year of its introduction the ETX became the top-selling modern telescope in the world.

Manufactured entirely at Meade's Irvine, California, facility, ETX Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes produce optical performance and resolution that equal or exceed any Maksutov optics of similar apertures ever manufactured at any price, past or present. Their optics are so high in contrast, image brightness, and resolution that the ETX-90EC and ETX-125EC often outperform many telescopes of larger apertures. These models build on the original ETX concept to create the most advanced electronically controlled telescopes--including optional automatic go-to-object location with the Autostar computer controller--ever produced in their price range. And yet they don't sacrifice any of the user-friendly features that started the ETX revolution.

With twice the light-collecting area of the Meade ETX-90EC, the Meade ETX-125EC permits a much broader range of astronomical study. Jupiter's cloud belts, for example, are observable at a significantly heightened level of detail, with whirls and festoons and the Great Red Spot readily visible as they transit the planet's disc. The Cassini division in Saturn's rings is routinely seen, as are additional features of the planet's surface, even under less than perfect seeing conditions. Microfine lunar detail beyond the reach of smaller telescopes can be resolved in the Meade ETX-125EC. Looking to deep space, the ETX-125EC's larger aperture enables the observation of galaxies and nebulae in much wider extension. The entire Messier listing of 110 objects is now not only visible, but every object additionally takes on a readily discernible structure.

The observer who accepts astronomy as a serious field of interest will find the Meade ETX-125EC a deeply satisfying instrument for a lifetime of high-resolution astronomical study.

Manufacturer Product Description

When the original ETX telescope was introduced in 1996, it quickly created a revolution in amateur astronomy. Here for the first time was a stunningly beautiful, ultraportable, and highly versatile telescope system of unprecedented optical resolution and performance. Within one year of its introduction the ETX became the largest-selling modern telescope in the world. Meade ETX-90EC, ETX-105EC, and ETX-125EC models build on the original ETX concept to create the most advanced electronically-controlled telescopes including optional automatic GO TO object-location with the Autostar Computer Controller ever produced in their price range. And yet without sacrificing any of the user-friendly features that started the ETX revolution.

Optical Systems: Manufactured entirely at the Meade Irvine, California, facility, ETX Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes produce optical performance and resolution that equal or exceed any Maksutov optics of similar apertures ever manufactured at any price, past or present. Optics so high in contrast, image brightness, and resolution that ETX-90EC, ETX-105EC, and ETX-125EC models often out-perform many telescopes of larger apertures.

Fork Mounts with Standard-Equipment Dual-Axis Drive System and Electronic Controller: The fork mountings of ETX Maksutov-Cassegrain models include high-torque DC motors on both telescope axes, permitting electronic operation from the standard-equipment plug-in hand controller. Use the pushbutton electronic controller at any of four dual-axis speeds: 8x sidereal for image centering in the main telescope at high power; 32x for image centering at lower powers or for pushbutton object-tracking in the altazimuth mode; 0.75°/second for image centering in the viewfinder or for terrestrial tracking; 5°/second for fast slewing across the sky. The observer can instantly select any of these speeds simply by depressing the SPEED button on the controller.

Altazimuth or Equatorial Operation: With the telescope placed in the altazimuth mode on a table, astronomical object-tracking may be accomplished from the directional pushbuttons of the hand controller. Fully automatic astronomical tracking in the altazimuth mode may be accomplished with the optional Autostar Computer Controller. Alternately, any ETX telescope may be mounted in the equatorial orientation, using either an optional Table Tripod or the Deluxe Field Tripod. In this latter case the telescope tracks celestial objects automatically at the sidereal rate.

Cordless Field Operation: The drive base of each telescope accepts eight (user-supplied) AA-batteries that power the telescope for more than 40 hours of normal usage, negating any requirement for an external power source in the field. Alternately, the telescope may be powered from an automobile cigarette lighter plug, using the optional #607 Power Cord.

Flip-Mirror System: Flip the internal, optical-flat mirror "up" for observing in the standard 90° position; flip the mirror "down" for terrestrial observing with the optional #932 45° Erecting Prism or for photography with the optional #64 T-Adapter.

Materials and Coatings: ETX optical systems include a Maksutov meniscus corrector lens of Grade-A BK7 optical glass. This lens is individually hand-figured by a Meade master optician to achieve an optical null in combination with the Pyrex primary mirror. High transmission magnesium fluoride (MgF2) coatings on both sides of the correcting lens, as well as aluminum/silicon monoxide coatings on the primary and secondary mirrors, are provided as standard equipment.

Standard Equipment: Meade ETX Astro Telescopes are supplied as complete instruments. Standard equipment includes a premium-grade Meade Series 4000 Super Pl?sl 26mm eyepiece for 48X with the ETX-90EC, 57X with the ETX-105EC, or 73X with the ETX-125EC. The 8 x 21mm viewfinder of the ETX-90EC incorporates an internal roof prism that results in an erect-image orientation, facilitating the quick location and field-centering of both terrestrial and astronomical objects. ETX-105EC and ETX-125EC models are supplied with an 8 x 25mm right-angle viewfinder for comfortable object-sighting with the larger instruments.

Optional Accessories: Over 20 optionally available eyepieces permit magnification ranges of from 31X to over 300X with the ETX-90EC, from 37X to over 400X with the ETX-105EC, or from 48X to over 450X with the ETX-125EC. Meade Super Pl?sls are excellent eyepieces with any ETX model, or use a Meade Super Wide 13.8mm, 18mm, or 24.5mm ocular for spectacular moderate-power, wide-angle observing. The #126 2x Barlow Lens, a special short-focus Barlow ideally suited to ETX systems, doubles the power of any eyepiece. For terrestrial photography or astrophotography of the Moon and planets, the #64 T-Adapter threads to the telescope's rear cell and, with the appropriate T-mount, accepts any 35mm camera with removable lens.

ETX-125EC Astro Telescope: With twice the light-collecting area of the ETX-90EC, the ETX-125EC permits a much broader range of astronomical study. Jupiter's cloud belts, for example, are observable at a significantly heightened level of detail, with whirls and festoons and the Great Red Spot readily visible as they transit the planet's disc; the Cassini division in Saturn's rings is routinely seen, as are additional features of the planet's surface, even under less than perfect seeing conditions; microfine lunar detail beyond the reach of smaller telescopes can be resolved in the ETX-125EC. In deep-space the ETX-125EC's larger aperture enables the observation of galaxies and nebulae in much wider extension and permits the resolution of celestial objects as faint as magnitude 12.5. The entire Messier listing of 110 objects is now not only visible, but, in addition, every object takes on a readily discernible structure. The observer who accepts astronomy as a serious field of interest will find the Meade ETX-125EC a deeply satisfying instrument for a lifetime of high-resolution astronomical study.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

162 of 166 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meade ETX-125EC Wins for portability, August 22, 2000

By 

Bruce (Vancouver, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meade ETX125EC Telescope w/Electronic Controller (Electronics)

My 11 year old son and I jointly purchased a Meade ETX-125EC and tripod. When I was his age I spent my summer nights outside looking though a fair quality 4.5 inch Newtonian reflector. My son took the Astronomy merit badge in Boy Scouts and got the bug bad! We looked through my old scope, the mount had broken, so we went shopping.

The ETX-125 fit our needs perfectly: good compromise in light gathering while being very portable (19 lbs)and outstanding optical quality. The tripod works well and is steady. We opted to wait to purchase the AutoStar computer controller so he can learn the locations of nebula, planets and double stars on his own and become familiar with the sky. We enjoy hunting down faint objects and finding them!

As to another reviewer's suggestion that for the same money you could buy a 10 inch Dobsonian reflector...most people would also have to buy a truck to haul it in! We like the portability to take it away from the city in search of darker skies.

90 of 90 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great telescope, August 31, 2001

By 

"dillwead" (Buffalo, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meade ETX125EC Telescope w/Electronic Controller (Electronics)

If you are considering purchasing any of the ETX models of telescopes I would strongly suggest paying extra for the 125EC. The 125EC's aperture is 193% larger than the 90EC's and this makes a huge difference. The brightness of galaxies and star clusters allow even closer magnification and brilliance. If you are going to make an investment on a telescope, you want a scope that you can be happy with for many many years, and with the resolve capabilities of the 125EC, you will be. I have seen spectacular displays of the Andromida galaxy along with many closer objects such Mars, Jupiter, and our moon.

Be aware though, that the price does not stop at this telescope. In order to get any practical viewing out of this you absolutely must purchase the deluxe field tripod for $200. This somewhat limits the portability of the telescope, but if you do not have it, you will not be able to see much at all. Also, the hard carrying case is greatly beneficial. For about 6 months I lugged this telescope around in the original box that it came in and it was a pain. The cardboard was bending and it would get wet and soft. Also you cannot take any accessories in the original box like eyepieces or the Autostar controller. The hard carrying case holds at least three eyepieces and has room for other accessories. Any other things that you buy with this telescope would be luxuries, like the T-adapter for taking pictures, the dew shield (you don't really need that and it doesn't always work), or any filters.

If you have thought about buying the Autostar controller, I would hold off for a bit. It is extremely beneficial to learn the sky on your own, so that if ever you part with that controller, or your batteries run dead, you are not lost in the dark. It is not hard at all to learn the skies, and with a few weeks time, with or without a telescope, you can master most of the constellations. An unparalleled benefit of the controller is its capability to track objects during your observations. It is able to hold objects in the field of view for hours without having to adjust the telescope manually.

The ETX telescope itself is great; it has a motor drive system with four speeds so finding any object under any magnification is easy. Its portability is handy when it comes to taking it over long distances. I had no problem taking this scope with me in a canoe in the Adirondacks to a remote camping site (the viewing there was spectacular). This would be a great telescope for any astronomer, as a first one to learn the skies, or as a backup, to use for long trips.

149 of 153 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's no Hubble, but it's glorious!, January 21, 2001

By 

Chel Micheline "Chel Micheline" (Southwest Florida) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Meade ETX125EC Telescope w/Electronic Controller (Electronics)

Before you spend the money on this scope I must warn you that you are NOT going to get close up views of the planets and celestial objects. Even though I spent over a year researching this scope and planning this purchase, and knew full well what I was getting into, it still came as a surprise when I realized that most of the things I would be viewing would be fuzzy clusters and blurry dots.

If you are okay with that fact, you will adore this telescope.

The first night we used it, we found Jupiter without much trouble. We pointed the scope at a bright dot in the sky that wasnÕt twinkling, and when we looked in the eyepiece, there was Jupiter. It was the size of an aspirin, its bands clearly visible and several of its moons brightly illuminated. Our own moon was amazing- the craters were just breathtaking.

Beyond those objects, we needed to plug in the optional Autostar. The problem for us was that the telescope worked so well we had a hard time figuring out if what we were looking at in the lens was what we wanted to find- hundreds of stars shine and twinkle in the scope when only a few may be visible to the eye. We lost our way several times trying to find objects using marker stars in the sky. With the assistance of the Autostar, we viewed brilliant Saturn, its rings clearly defined. Saturn was the size of a tic-tac, but very crisp and bright. We found the Orion nebula, and Venus at half full state. Then we viewed several bright star clusters.

The Messier and deep space objects, which make up a huge part of what you will be viewing, were dim and hard to make out. If you are an astronomy buff, you will be able to identify these guys, and probably enjoy hours of use with this telescope every night. However, for amateurs like us, you will need a really good map of the sky and information on the objects you will be seeing. There are some great software titles out there- we use Starry Night and do not leave the house without a detailed star map when we are going to use the telescope. Without either of these things, you will be lost, or bored, or both.

The lens that comes with the telescope will not be adequate for most objects beyond the moon. We purchased a higher power lens and use it about 99% of the time. I highly recommend the Autostar for novices in order to get the most out of this telescope. Otherwise, you will spend a lot of time trying to find things that may or may not be there.

Finally, splurge on the Meade Field Tripod. Any little touch to the telescope makes the image completely blurry from the vibrations. The tripod really helped with this problem. The telescope comes with a plate which can be screwed into the bottom of the mount to further stabilize the set-up. We spent a few days puzzling over it before we tried attaching it, and it made all the difference.

This was a great purchase. However, I thought I might write about all the extras that we found necessary to make this telescope worth the money we spent on it. It is an investment, but trust me, the first time you see Saturn in this telescope you will know that every cent will have been well spent.