Back Into Astronomy

Well I sold the boat and getting back into Astronomy again.

Just bought a 90 Meade ETX to try my hand with a small goto scope. (I also have a pair of 20x80 binoculars, a Celestron 80mm wide field and a BELIEVE IT OR NOT a Criterion Dynamax 8" SCT...its not as bad as you hear! HA!).

I want to learn goto with a smaller scope and if I like it then get something like a Meade lx200 or Celestron 9.25 goto. SO.........will this small ETX teach me what I need to know or did I just waste my money. ?

Joe,
IMHO I think you did fine. Meade has a long track record with these ETX's. I use to have an LXD55 with Autostar. It's the only GOTO mount I've ever used so I don't know how it stacks up against the others, but I enjoyed it and it was my workhorse for years.

David E

>>I want to learn goto with a smaller scope and if I like it then get something like a Meade lx200 or Celestron 9.25 goto. SO.........will this small ETX teach me what I need to know or did I just waste my money. ?
----

I think you will be happy with the ETX=90. In my experience the ETX series GOTO work well, points accurately and is simple to use.

The one limitation of the ETX-90 is it's 1250mm focal length but since you have the Celestron 80mm Widefield, you already have that covered.

Optically, the refractor will probably be a bit brighter but as you start to crank up the magnification, the ETX will start to be sharper.

jon

Joe, as everybody has already mentioned... YOU'LL BE FINE... 8)
Just remember to keep us all posted on your experiences with it...

Enjoy it, and clear skies!

BELIEVE IT OR NOT a Criterion Dynamax 8" SCT...its not as bad as you hear! HA!)

Back in the late 70's I had my first clear "live" view of the Cassini division through a Dynamax from the roof of a science building at a local university. Since then, every mention of that scope digs up that good memory.

Remember, it's not the size of the tool, but your proficiency in using it!

Jeff

Yes they look impressive! Mine is the original BLUE paint.......the tripod and wedge are EXTREMELY heavy (I think they called it the GOLD model tripod....has motor drive and a small controller).