Meade ETX90-PE Premiere
April 1, 2008
Meade ETX-90 PE Premiere Telescope Review
General Info
Class: ETX Catadioptric Maksutov-Cassegrain (Uses lenses & mirrors)
Best Uses: Planets, moon, nebulae & galaxies
Recommended Experience: Beginner - Recreational User
Overall Rating: 8.6/10
Official Review: With great optics for the price, the ability to simply enter your zip code and let it level, set the time and point North, the Meade ETX90-PE is a great first or second scope! It comes with AutoStar Suite software, can be controlled by your computer and it provides dazzling clarity comparable to many scopes in the $1,500+ price range.
Add to all this the fact that you can hit “Tonight’s Best” and it will automatically focuses on the best objects in its 30,000+ object database according to your location, the season & the time! How cool is that? If you’re a beginner or casual astronomer and/or you want a good overall scope with some nifty features to show your family, the Meade ETX90-PE is a fantastic choice!
Pros: Accurate, comfortable, stable, easy to align, nice lenses, “Tonight’s Best” feature, GoTo, computer-control option
Cons: Fairly low magnification, “tricky” auto-align (TIP: hit “?”), somewhat bulky, no Astrophotography, no GPS
Click here to check out the Meade ETX-90 PE Premiere on Telescopes.com!
Important Details
Usability: 8.6/10 - While some may have trouble aligning at first, its features make things easier
Comfortability: 8.6/10 - Adjustable tripod & comfortable eyepiece
Durability: 8.9/10 - Steel construction & stable tripod/mount combo
Battery Life: 7.1/10 - Runs on 8-AA batteries
Backlash: 8.0/10 - Very little computerized-tracking lag for its price
Warranty: 9.0/10 - Standard Meade warranty
Storage: 8.6/10 - Lightweight, easy to store & move (Case recommended)
Accuracy: 8.8/10 - Very accurate alignment & Red-dot technology
Setup: 8.4/10 - Easy to get used to & features help out (great manual)
Click here to read more reviews on the Meade ETX-90 PE Premiere!
Tech Specs
Aperture: 90mm
Magnification (Highest Useful): 175x
Focal Length: 1,250mm
Focal Ratio: f/13.8
Resolution: 1.3
Tracking: GoTo system (Dual Fork-Arm mount)
Click here to learn more about the Meade ETX-90 PE Premiere!
Telescope Construction
Optical Design: Maksutov-Cassegrain
Viewfinder: SmartFinder “Red-dot”
Eyepiece: 26mm
Tube: Blue “Premiere” Edition (8lbs)
Mount Design: Dual-Fork arm (11lbs w/ tripod)
Weight: 19lbs total
Tripod: Adjustable, steel (chrome-plated), Equatorial or altitude-azimuth positions, spreader bar & case included
Power Supply: 8-AA batteries
Lens Coating: UHTC (Ultra-High Transmission Coatings) - Excellent!
Other Equipment: Star charts, maps & PC interface cable
Recommended Accessories: Hard case for Meade ETX 90-PE - If you need it to be portable or you have kids…=)
Extra Features
GoTo: Yes
GPS: No
Computerized: Yes
Alignment: AutoAlign (Press “?” when it asks for alignment to brightest star)
Remote: No (But it’s easy to control it with your PC)
Object Database: 30,000 pre-programmed objects to observe!
Programming Options: Setup to control & integrate w/ your computer
Summary: If you’re looking for a telescope that allows you to easily view planets, stars, nebulae & the moon without much hassle, the Meade ETX90-PE is a wonderful option! The object database allows you to enter your zip code and it will find the best objects to view for that night based on the time, the season & where you are. You can’t beat that!
For a scope that a casual backyard astronomer and their family can enjoy for under $1,000, the Meade ETX-90PE is tough to beat!
Click here to order the Meade ETX-90 PE Premiere from Telescopes.com!
