Product Description

TE2) ETX-80AT W/AUTOSTAR & TRIPOD

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #84654 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Meade
• Model: ETX-60AT

Features

• Convenient electronic hand controller
• Internal flip-mirror system
• 60mm diameter lens
• Razor-sharp images of astronomical and terrestrial subjects
• Either straight-through or 90-degree observing positions

Amazon.com Product Description
Whether you want to study Saturn and its ring system, the primary cloud belts of Jupiter, or mountain ranges and other terrestrial objects, the Meade ETX-60AT offers extraordinary power for its price. It offers a 60mm multicoated, air-spaced achromatic objective lens manufactured with Grade A crown and flint optical glass components. The flip-mirror system lets you observe in the standard 90-degree position. Just flip the internal optical flat mirror up, and you'll be set for sky viewing.

It's easy to carry, so you can take the Meade ETX-60AT to a distant mountaintop or to your own back yard. It only needs a quick 60-second alignment for setup. This telescope includes an Autostar hand controller that permits the automatic location of over 1,400 celestial objects. Just enter the object you wish to observe and watch as the telescope moves rapidly to place the object in your field of view. The Meade ETX-60AT also includes a serial interface, so you can download new software through your PC to the telescope. This way, the positions of Earth satellites may be updated for observation, or newly discovered objects, such as comets, can be located.

Customer Reviews

A beginner scope that is superior to a dept. store "bargain"
This is striclty a beginner scope, but is the best of the beginner scope choices. It is highly portable, and easy to use. Some advice: When you buy the scope, also buy the Book - "The Backyard Astronomers Guide" by Terence Dickinson. In fact, if you are unsure about your interest in the hobby, buy the book first. If you think this is the beginning of a life-long hobby, consider the 90mm version of the ETX. While more expensive, it will never be outgrown. Also, don't buy too many accessories (i.e. additional eyepieces) until you have used the equipment for a while and are familiar with its operation and how you plan to use it. Meade makes very high quality products, and this product will last a lifetime.

A neat scope- but for low magnifications only
This is a cute little scope, and certainly the smallest automated observatory available. But be forwarned: That short-focus 60mm scope is not in the same league as Meade's similar-looking ETX-90,or even most 60mm refractors. The short focal length means that trying to use magnifications much over 40x-50x will result in severe color fringing. It's a fine little package for viewing many deep sky objects, comets, and for low magnifications of the moon. You can count the moons of Jupiter and Saturn with it, but don't expect Hubble-like views of the planets, most of which will appear as small dots.

If you understand the limitations of this scope, you'll enjoy it. If you're looking for more detailed planetary views, or in exploring a great number of deep sky objects, look to a larger scope.

A great all-around telescope
I have had the opportunity to use the Meade ETX-60AT on several nights and find it to be a great telescope for the beginner or casual observer. Its low power fields make it easy to locate objects both astronomical and terrestrial. When higher powers are needed (I have used up to 140X), the telescope provides crisp clear detailed images of the Moon, Jupiter and Saturn with its beautiful rings. The advantages of the Autostar computer controller for the beginner cannot be over stated. With no knowledge of the sky, a child or curious adult can find hundreds of astronomical wonders with just the push of a button. The telescope actually moves on its own to find the selected objects and centers them in the eyepiece. It is possible to find less expensive old-technology telescopes, but they will likely be used a few times to look at the Moon and maybe Saturn and then put away in a closet after the novice user becomes frustrated at not being able to find any other objects such as the star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae that are within the reach of a telescope of this size. A person using the ETX-60AT telescope can see many more celestial objects in one evening than most people will ever see in a lifetime. I have been involved with amateur astronomy for over 30 years and I can tell you, this telescope is the best way to introduce the treasures of the night sky to anyone interested in what the cosmos has to offer. I have purchased 2 of the ETX-60ATs for non-astronomical friends and they love them.