Customer Reviews

Meade ETX70AT Telescope w/882 Tripod and Software

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I researched my telescope purchase extensively and am very happy with my choice. However, emerging astronomers should be aware that a telescope of this size will only be able to see all the items they say it can see if you are in the middle of the desert (dry air) on a clear night with no moon. If your viewing conditions fall short of this, the visibility of the planets and the level of detail observable on them is severely limited. I'm probably incompetent but so far I've found viewing deep space objects frustratingly difficult. I would also suggest that the Barlow lens option is VERY worthwhile to get maximum enjoyment. I can happily report, however, that the autostar tracking system works perfectly once the system is aligned. You really, really can just bring up an object, hit GOTO, and it goes there....pretty cool.....

This is a great little telescope for the money. Two previous reviewers (who gave it a low rating) had quality control problems with it. I've had none with mine but I have had 3 of them with my Meade 4" refractor. The Meade customer service people were wonderful in correcting these problems, but it seems their quality control could be better.

Optically, this is an achromatic refractor with a very fast focal ratio. That means it's good for viewing extended objects like star clusters, Milky Way star clouds, large nebulae, pretty conjunctions, etc. Dark skies help alot -- the darker the better of course -- but good clear rural skies in Ohio are plenty wonderful. It doesn't have the aperture for dimmer objects but the brighter Messier objects, for example (and there's plenty of them!) are great. It isn't at its best on planets and the Moon but you can definitely see Saturn's rings, the phases of Mercury and Venus, Jupiter's moons and belts (the red spot is difficult at best) and the Moon simply can't help but look wonderful in any telescope!

The Autostar is really good. It's best when you align it carefully: use the north star to point it to north and use a bubble level to level the tripod and tube. You can find brighter Messier objects, comets, asteroids, the planet Neptune, etc, so easily! (But of course not Pluto, quasars, black holes and some other ridiculous objects in the Autostar database.) And you get better at aligning it as you practice. Be sure to check out the "synchronize" feature (in the owner's manual under the "enter key").

As others have pointed out, the focus mechanism is bad, and the tripod is not terribly sturdy. Together they make higher magnifications (which are not optically optimum either) just about impossible. But 50X is still reasonable with a good 7mm orthoscopic eyepiece. Also a good 32mm eyepiece will eliminate the need to buy a finder and give you wonderful wide views. A dew shield is a must in Ohio (reduces glare too).

It ain't a Televue, it's true, but for the price, this scope is hard to beat.

I've owned this telescope for a few months now. In all that time I've taken to a dark sky site (my dad's house)at least twice a week, so I've had quite a bit of experience using it. First off, if you're looking for impressive views of the planets or deep sky objects, you'll be disappointed. For the same amount of money you could buy a Dobsonian reflector (6") which gathers *much* more light. But you don't buy a telescope like this for its optics. The real reason to own the ETX-70AT is for the Autostar computer! That was the whole reason I purchased this scope, and it was worth it. The Autostar is a great learning tool. I've learned many constellations thanks to it, as well as the location of several deep sky objects (my favorite is the Andromeda Galaxy). Aligning the telescope for use with the Autostar is easy as long as you buy a circular bubble level and possibly a compass if you don't know the location of Polaris. After levelling the scope and tube, and pointing it north, setup is a breeze; you simply align it with two bright stars--Arcturus and Vega for example. If you choose "easy" mode, the Autostar automatically selects two of the brightest stars in the sky, ones that really stand out from neighboring stars. So even if you don't recognize Arcturus when you see it, you'll know it when you're looking at it through the finder because it's by far the brightest star in that part of the sky. Once the simple alignment procedure is completed, the fun begins. You can choose from several different categories of objects, but my favorite thing to choose is the guided tour called "Tonight's Best". Since the Autostar knows your date and time, it automatically picks out the best objects in the sky for that particular time. Last night, it chose such things as the Andromeda Galaxy, Neptune, and several star clusters. If the Moon is out, you can be sure that it'll be on its list as well.

If you're new to astronomy--like I am--I think you'd enjoy this telescope simply for the Autostar, but if you're looking for detailed, bright views, you'd probably be better served with a larger reflecting telescope. I just bought an 8" Dobsonian, which wasn't much more expensive than the Meade, and it's really no comparison. The Dob looks better for everything. But, I'm still glad I own the Meade. It's a great learning tool, and it's far more portable than a larger scope. I've taken it on several long hikes this summer when I've gone camping and it easily fits (minus the tripod, of course) in my backpack. So I see no reason to get rid of it. Even when I use my bigger scope I like to set the 70AT up alongside it to help me find deep sky objects. So if you're new to astronomy, and just kind of testing the waters and want something portable, I give this a high recommendation.

The ETX70 is billed as a beginner's telescope, but those entering the hobby of amateur astronomy are typically motivated by interest in planets, and for such interest this scope is, in a word, unsuitable. Planetary observation requires high power, and this is a low power scope. Although it is possible to see the rings of Saturn and the moons of Jupiter through it, the images are tiny. (On my own specimen, planetary discs are marred by unacceptable flares. Other owners tell me their scopes do not have that problem.) Thus, inexperienced purchasers are likely to be disappointed, and more's the pity because amateur astronomy is about much more than planets. The ETX70 is more suited to the deep sky. It is not so much a beginner's scope as it is a scope conscientiously intended for beginners, designed by experienced astronomers. Think of it as a powerful monocular with a computerized GoTo.

Despite what you might think, the ETX70 is not a poor man's ETX90. Jupiter looks much better through the '90, but the Orion Nebula, the Dumbbell Nebula, and the Lagoon Nebula look much better through the 70. The '70 presents very nice low power, wide field views. The '90 presents dim, narrow, higher power views. Of the two scopes, the ETX70 is arguably nicer, because it excels at more objects. Also, the broad field of the ETX70's makes the GoTo mechanism function reliably. Some ETX90 GoTo's are less reliable because that instrument's tunnel vision can challenge the accuracy of its positioning system. (Accuracy varies among individual scopes.)

Computerized scopes are, to say the least, controversial in the amateur astronomical community. I have seen amateurs who know very little of the sky, and spend nights punching buttons. That's a hazard. On the other hand, unconnected beginners face the hazard of never finding things in the sky and losing interest. If a beginner can get past the challenge of the GoTo mechanism, the computerized sky tours of the ETX70 can connect him/her with the sky.

Before the GoTo will work properly, the scope must be aligned. For this purpose, it will help if the user can find at least the North Star. Three alignment systems are supplied: Easy Align, One Star Align, and Two Star Align. If you have 360 degrees of sky visibility, Easy Align is easy indeed. It is no more than the two star alignment method with the scope picking the stars. The user is called upon to center the stars, but the computer picks bright ones. In principle, you find the brightest star anywhere near where the scope is pointing, and center it. If that star is behind a tree, though, you're in trouble. You can have the scope choose another, but if you have a lot of trees, the Easy method can be quite difficult. Better to learn the identities of two bright stars far away from each other and from Polaris, that are visible from your backyard at the time of night you do your observing. (Of course you will need different stars at different times of the year and night.) Once you've done that, you can use the two star method. The increased accuracy of this method over the one-star method is worth the small extra effort.

As long as the computer is doing the work, the ETX70 requires no tripod, but a foam rubber pad will help to hold the instrument steadily on, say, a picnic table. The tripod becomes more important when aiming the scope by hand, but it compromises the scope's portability. If you can get the tripod free, therefore, take it. Otherwise, think about it long and hard - or keep looking until you find one for free.

Now for the problem: Most of the objects in the ETX70's database appear as faint smudges, and if you aim a larger scope at some of those smudges, they will become beautiful enough to make you weep. For the same money you can get a respectably large Dobsonian telescope with no GoTo, and you will see a lot more. A *whole* lot more. You will have to find the objects yourself (Check out the book, _Turn Left At Orion_) and nudge the scope as the earth turns. The scope will be less portable, and you will have to align the optics every time. The choice is yours.

If you have money to burn, and never intend to become involved with the hobby, the ETX70 may be for you. If you like gadgets, the ETX70 may be for you. If you want a tour of the sky, and a very portable scope, the ETX70 may be for you. A new amateur probably has better options. An experienced amateur may wonder why someone bothered to put a GoTo on a monocular. I thoroughly love my ETX70 as a toy, but for serious observing, I use a telescope.

...I can only offer praise and Kudos to Meade for offering such a wonderful instrument at a value price. For the past 30 years I have used a 60mm refractor from Sears without any problems. I finally decided it was time to get somthing a little more modern but didnt want to spend over a thousand dollars. After researching the market for 3 months, I finally decided on the ETX 70-AT. After adding 2x and 3x Barlow lenses, a 5mm plossl, a basic filter selection, and hard case I have spent less then $700.00. Once you have a realistic idea of what to expect when viewing through a small telescope, you will find that the image quality offered in the ETX 70-AT is outstanding for a 70mm telescope with such a short focal length (f/5). Autostar also makes easy work of finding subjects for the evening. The ETX 70-AT is a highly versatile instrument for both novice and experienced amateur astronomers. The rings of Saturn are clearly visible as is the Cassini Division. Jupiter is outstanding with the Red Spot visible under good conditions, and 5 moons visible. The Orion Nebula is very distinct as are the Plaedes. The only shortcomings I have found are: battery life could be better, focus knob is awkward, and dew shield should have been included as standard. Also, if this is your first telescope, dont expect to see images like those on the box. All in all, a Very Good Telescope for the money, and highly recommended for the astronomer on a budget.

I don't expect much from a 70mm refractor. I have several scopes, including another 70mm refractor, so I would say that my expectations were pretty well grounded. I purchased this telescope in order to play and experiment with the ETX line: I'm planning to purchase a scope in the $1000 - $3000 price line next year, so a couple of hundred dollars sounded like a good investment along with other forms of research. In comparison to other 70mm telescopes, here's my opinion:

Advantages:
-- small, lightweight, highly portable package
-- easy set up and use
-- good quality eyepieces (this is problematic in other scopes)
-- easy computerized menu that can be upgraded
-- easy to attach to a decent tripod
-- very good instruction manual (compared to other 70mm scopes)
-- can use most standard accessories

Disadvantages:
-- focus knob hard to use
-- somewhat difficult to lock fork arms so motor drive can work properly
-- easy to lose alignment
-- will not focus properly at infinity to allow sharp viewing of astronomical objects (a major flaw)
-- uses batteries at alarming rate, but no AC adaptor available
-- slight amount of noise (doesn't bother me, but may bother very sensitive neighbors at 2am)
-- do not recommend for astrophotography

Overall, if it wasn't for the fact that I can't get Saturn in focus (and I have enough experience with 70mm refractors to know that it is the scope, and not me. I currently own two other 70mm scopes), this would probably be my favorite. I love toys, and this is a great one. Sadly, being able to see things is the primary role of a telescope. I understand from several other people that they haven't had the problems that I have, but nonetheless I have this problem. Additionally, while it is not a problem, the short focal ratio of this telescope means that if you were to get something in focus, it will be very small in terms of visual size compared to another telescope with the same eyepiece but longer focal ratio. Not a problem for me, but if you're expecting to see a big view of Saturn with a high power eyepiece, you may be dissappointed.

The ETX 70 AT is a great little scope, very portable and easy to use (with a couple of nights practice!). A Barlow multiplying lens (x3) is a must to get good sharp close ups of the moon and planets. A set of filters also helps for a sharper contrast and cuts down the brightness of the moon. Once you have mastered the Autostar alignment procedure any object can be tracked automatically, ideal for photos. I have used the scope with and without the tripod, but the tripod does give a much more solid base (ie. less vibration when looking at the object).
The manual focus can be irritating (about 15 turns) when switching between eyepieces or adding a lens. Deep sky views are a bit faint but this is after all an ideal beginners scope.

I received this telescope as a Christmas gift last year. For over two months I've been trying to make it work with limited success. I've written a five-page letter to Meade with my complaints and suggestions. I hope they respond. My letter is available if requested.

After a great deal of effort and study I got the scope motors trained. This step is absolutely essential if one expects the scope to automatically point in the right direction. I eventually aligned the scope and found the moon by asking for it. Then I wanted Jupiter and selected it from a menu on the Autostar. I got a strange message on the Autostar controller "Proc. Trap 2" with a blinking +/- sign. There's nothing I could find about this in the instruction manual. The only way I could bail out was by turning the power off. This has happened many times.

Documention is not good. My instructions from Meade on training motors was for a DS series telescope. Only by learning about other Meade scopes did I realize I had info for the wrong scope. The flow charts for alignment in the manual don't agree with Astrostar displays. Much better documentation is needed. For a novice like me, clear, well written, and accurate instructions are essential. Clearly higher quality control and better manuals are needed.

The screws meant to hold my scope to the tripod were bad. I had to clean the threads with a 1/4-20 die. After the second use a tripod leg clamp lever broke. Now one leg is permanently extended.

The optics are great. Terrestrial viewing is terrific, especially bird watching with the optional erecting prism. The scope cries for a good digital camera.

Included software is good. Starry Night is an excellent educational tool for learning about the night sky. The other software, Astronomer's Control Panel isn't optimized for the ETX-70AT. I've tried to send my PC date and time to the scope and get errors about "illegal format" with no help.

It's amazing to me that one can buy a computer controlled telescope with great optics for less than $(...). This instrument has so much potential. It's a shame that Meade appears to be so lax about quality control. This is an entry level instrument and should get a lot of attention. I'll keep trying to make it reach its potential.

My 1st scope and I have no major complaints (except for the poorly placed focuser). Astronomy newbies beware though, this scope has a focal length of only 350 mm. That makes for very small images with the supplied eyepieces. I then purchased the Meade 2X Barlow. Saturn's rings and Jupiter's cloud banding now visible but still not quite what I expected. The limited focal length compels the 70 to be used as a wide field scope. Pleiades looks excellent but better through a quality pair of astronomical binocs. The Autostar is probably it's best feature and works as advertised. Prospective buyers will need a quality small eyepiece 4-5 mm and also a high quality Barlow to see planetary detail.

(...) I got this scope last week and had to return it as the motor failed on the first day - I could never get it to locate an object using GOTO.

My rating is based on my experience and I'll try to present the
pros and cons

Pros:
1) Very wasy to carry, light-weight scope.
2) Field setup is very easy with just a couple of screws to plug in.
3) The images I saw of the nearby objects were really good - especially with a 9mm.

Cons:
1) The tripod is of very poor quality. Even a rock solid base, all I had to do was nudge the scope a little and the stand would move.
2) The autostar I got with the unit made a very annoying continuous hissing noise. I am not sure if this is the tracking drive feeding back but I doubt it.
3) I could not locate a single object. Some drive motor failure problems
4) When viewing an object at the Zenith, it is impossible to focus as my fingers could not reach the focus knob (but most GOTO scopes have similar problems)

If you DO want this scope - get a rightangle view finder (save your back) and a TelRad (or atleast a finderscope).