Meade Instruments Corporation, started in 1972, manufactures telescopes and accessories. It produces the ETX series of beginner telescopes, which come with push-button galaxy and planet finding technology. As of 2011, Meade produces three models of ETX telescopes. You can purchase Meade products directly from the company store or from local or online vendors.
Common Features
All of the ETX telescopes come with the AutoStar controller. This controller helps you quickly find up to 30,000 objects in the night sky, including comets, galaxies, planets and starts. The controller is programmed to provide you with information on the brightest or the easiest to see objects on a particular date and time. You simply need to input your location and the current date and time to use this feature.
125mm ETX-AT
The 125-mm ETX-AT has a 5-inch diameter aperture and a focal length of 1,900 mm. The focal ratio is f/15. It features the Easy Align system, which helps you quickly align your telescope using a bubble level compass, and it also comes with the AutoStar Suite version 5.5 software program. This telescope is blue. It has ultra high transmission coatings (UHTC), which increases your aperture and improves your telescope's overall performance. It comes with a field tripod and a PC interface cable. You can also purchase an optional aluminum carrying case for your telescope. As of March 2011, this telescope costs $699.
ETX-80AT-TC
The ETX-80AT-TC Go To computer telescope includes an internal time chip for maintaining the current date and time, and it also has a Barlow lens, which helps you view planets and moons. It features two 1.25-inch Super Plossl eyepieces, and it comes with the AutoStar Suite Astronomer software. This telescope uses two AA batteries, which last up to 20 hours. The optical tube dimensions are 3.6 inches in diameter by 14.5 inches long. The aperture is 3.15 inches in diameter, and the focal length is 400 mm. The focal ratio is f/5. This telescope feature slow-motion controls. As of March 2011, this product costs $299.
90mm ETX-AT
The 90-mm ETX-AT also comes with the Easy Align technology and the AutoStar Suite version 5.5 software program. It features the UHTC coating, and comes with a PC interface cable and a field tripod. The focal length of this telescope is 1,250 mm, and the focal ratio is f/13.8. The aperture opening is 3.5 inches in diameter. This telescope is blue. As of March 2011, this telescope costs $499.
Tags: comes with, 2011 this, AutoStar Suite, date time, focal length, focal ratio, inches diameter
