Meade ETX-90EC 90mm Catadioptric Telescope

Meade finally brings a serious telescope into thecasual-consumer price range. The ETX-90EC Astro offers extraordinaryoptics at an affordable price. It combines a high-resolution opticaldesign and diffraction-limited imaging with microprocessor-controlled,prec​ise celestial-object tracking, all in a nicely styled, highlyportable package.

Improvements to this model include a new forkmount with dual-axis drive system. The ETX-90EC also includes hightorque DC motors on both telescope axes, permitting electronicoperation from the hand-held controller. This push-button electroniccontroller has four dual-axis drive speeds: slow, 8x for imagecentering at high power; medium, 32x for image centering at lowerpower or for pushbutton tracking in altazimuth mode; moderate, 0.75degrees per second for image centering in the viewfinder or forterrestrial tracking; and fast, 5 degrees per second for fast scanningacross the sky.

The Meade ETX-90EC is specially designed to beportable and used in the field. It offers cordless operation, allowingyou to use the telescope's dual-axis drive system for more than 40hours on eight AA batteries. At approximately 8 pounds and 15 inchesin length, it packs a lot of power into a compact unit.

TheETX-90EC uses a 90mm Maksutov-Cassegrain optical design, and Meadeactually warranties the optics of the ETX-90EC "to equal or exceed theoptical performance and resolution of any Maksutov optics of similaraperture ever manufactured at any price." The ETX-Series optics offersuperb contrast, image brightness, and resolution; Meade claims thetelescope consistently outperforms many instruments of largerapertures. Meade also uses EMC super multicoatings on all opticalsurfaces to maximize light transmission through the corrector lens andreflectance from the primary and secondary mirrors. The flip-mirrorsystem allows for 90-degree observation of land and sky objects,straight-through observation using the optional #932 45-degreeErecting Prism, or photo-ready imaging using the optional #64T-Adapter and your own 35mm camera.

Overall, the Meade ETX-90EC isa fine piece of craftsmanship at a surprisingly affordable price. Forthose of us who spent our childhood peering through old-style consumertelescopes, using the ETX-90EC is like getting time in the PalomarObservatory. From shifting cloud belts on Saturn to the glowingfilaments of the Orion Nebula, this instrument lets you observe theheavens in extraordinary detail.

I have used this telescope for a while now, and I am very impressed with the power. Overall this is a great telescope. I have never had any problems with it, great for any star gazer!

Here are the specs:

Optical Design Catadioptrics

Optical Diameter 90 mm

Finderscope Optical

Focal Length 1250 mm

Max Useful Magnification x 325

Mount Type Altazimuth

If you are an absolute beginning astronomer, my strong recommendation is buy a NEW scope. I found the big risk is not the optics but the teeth of the two drive motors are damaged or striped. Users must try to aim the scope by manually twisting the fork assembly instead of using the controller buttons. If I took a wild guess, I would say the fork assembly actually represents well over 50% of the total value of the package. Do not get hypnotized by the beautiful blue tube and mirror when considering a bid. I have never seen a new unit right out of the box in operation but if the unit I purchased was meticulously maintained as stated, the gears and motors are of very poor quality (not the optics). The backlash and grinding sounds are very disconcerting. More like what I would expect from a $100 Fisher-Price dinosaur toy.

Good little scope, portable and easy to use. Optics are excellent for the $$ and the GoTo system works OK. It's very important to watch the Meade tutorials so you can perform fast, accurate alignments.

You HAVE to have this thing level, pointed as close to North as you can, and on a sturdy tripod. Let it cool down to ambient temperatures for half an hour or so before getting into serious viewing.

I suggest using the "Best of the Evening" tours when you first fire it up (if you have the 497 controller). First night out with it, I had fairly good viewing conditions (full moon limited what I could see). VERY COLD, but worth the views of Saturn and 2 of its moons, nebulosity in Orion's Belt, and a weak view of Andromeda.

This is not a great scope for viewing galaxies and nebulas: it's just too small and slow. Great for moon and planets, daytime watching birds, and timelapse photography (I mounted a camera on the top and used a slow slew to pan while filming). Perfect first telescope.

I plan on using the 90EC to learn astrophotography. The relatively small investment means I can jump right in and make all the beginners mistakes...or even quit if I want and not be in too deep.

Pros: Nice optics, GoTo feature helps you learn the sky, portable.

Cons: Gear lash in the drive system is annoying while tracking manually, weak motor won't support the weight of large cameras, needs a 90 degree viewer so you don't get a stiff neck after a few hours of star hunting.

I am a long time amateur astronomer and am impressed with this telescope. I have not checked it out optically but have heard a lot of great things about Meads optics. The telescope show quality all over. I am into variable stars and I really appreciate the variable speed motor which enables me to move the field of view several degrees away and do it smoothly. The little finder scope, although excellent, gives me a pain in my neck when observing at the zenith making things uncomfortable.So I will be replacing it with a right angle finder as used on the ETX 125.It would be fine if your interest is terestial though.I highly recommend this scope to anyone who is interested in viewing the stars and planets.