I just recently acquired an ETX 105.
I had it out with the new autostar last night and while it took me a while to figure out how to set it up properly, the "go to" feature is excellent. It placed the objects in the FOV every time.
The finderscope (even the RA one for the 105) is truly a piece of crap. The ETX105 allows for easy removal of the holder, so I threw the finder away and mounted a 6X30 straight through (an Orion model on a tall bracket). Excellent, easy alignment on the Orion finders.
The optics are excellent. In my 20mm Expanse EP, I could clearly make out 5 cloud bands on Jupiter, with great contrast...and the moons were perfectly round dots. The 9mm Expanse still showed only 5, but with much greater clarity. This was even while Jupiter was getting closer to the horizon.
I can understand why some people dismiss the ETX line, but I needed an "ultra portable, easy to haul out and setup scope". While smaller refractors may be "grab'n'go", you still have to haul out the tripod and mount as well.
The ETX is the easiest scope to pick up and use. For all the bad press about it from "experts", I have yet to find a better solution for my limited time to view. I had a small scope that was supposedly grab'n'go, but the mount was a pain to haul out along with the scope. Plus, I have come to find I despise EQ mounts and the constant adjustments. The ETX has it all in one little unit. Simply take it out and put it on any level surface and in less than 5 minutes I'm viewing. Plus I can take it anywhere with me and enjoy the night sky, even without a tripod.
I will grant that the mount itself, and the plastic gears, etc. leave one wondering about quality. But the optics themselves are first rate. I own an 8" SCT and the 105 gives me sharper images. Great little scope. It's got me back out enjoying the night sky again...which is the whole purpose of having a scope in the first place.
The ETX105 is the perfect "sweet spot" between viewing and portability. I should've purchased one a long time ago. I can see where my 8" SCT will not be used much anymore and I'm even considering selling it.
PS - Thanks again Dan. It's just what I needed!!!
I had it out with the new autostar last night and while it took me a while to figure out how to set it up properly, the "go to" feature is excellent. It placed the objects in the FOV every time.
The finderscope (even the RA one for the 105) is truly a piece of crap. The ETX105 allows for easy removal of the holder, so I threw the finder away and mounted a 6X30 straight through (an Orion model on a tall bracket). Excellent, easy alignment on the Orion finders.
The optics are excellent. In my 20mm Expanse EP, I could clearly make out 5 cloud bands on Jupiter, with great contrast...and the moons were perfectly round dots. The 9mm Expanse still showed only 5, but with much greater clarity. This was even while Jupiter was getting closer to the horizon.
I can understand why some people dismiss the ETX line, but I needed an "ultra portable, easy to haul out and setup scope". While smaller refractors may be "grab'n'go", you still have to haul out the tripod and mount as well.
The ETX is the easiest scope to pick up and use. For all the bad press about it from "experts", I have yet to find a better solution for my limited time to view. I had a small scope that was supposedly grab'n'go, but the mount was a pain to haul out along with the scope. Plus, I have come to find I despise EQ mounts and the constant adjustments. The ETX has it all in one little unit. Simply take it out and put it on any level surface and in less than 5 minutes I'm viewing. Plus I can take it anywhere with me and enjoy the night sky, even without a tripod.
I will grant that the mount itself, and the plastic gears, etc. leave one wondering about quality. But the optics themselves are first rate. I own an 8" SCT and the 105 gives me sharper images. Great little scope. It's got me back out enjoying the night sky again...which is the whole purpose of having a scope in the first place.
The ETX105 is the perfect "sweet spot" between viewing and portability. I should've purchased one a long time ago. I can see where my 8" SCT will not be used much anymore and I'm even considering selling it.
PS - Thanks again Dan. It's just what I needed!!!
