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Meade ETX105EC Telescope w Autostar Controller The following report compares gadgets using the SERCount Rating (base on the result count from the search engine). |
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POPULAR HAT - 2006-02-13 11:48:00 | © Copyright 2004 - www.hat.net () | sitemap | top |
i read and read for weeks and decided this was a great deal for a mak-cassegrain with autostar or "go to" feature. this is my first scope, so take that with a grain of salt. i live in the mountains in a new home, hence the eagerness to get a good scope. upon opening it i rushed to local photog store and picked up a barlow 2x and moon filter. another $65 total but suggest you get these at once.
first impressions:
good quality on scope. proud to keep in on display in the great room. guests notice it and can't wait for it to get dark!
finderscope is a bear to align, but with practice should be easier.
tripod is sturdy and no complaints thus far
autostar is NOT user friendly on first test drive...takes time to get comfortable i hope.
it does take 8 AA batteries. buy NiMH rechargeables.
the slow autostar display is enough to make me drink too much red wine waiting for it to finish! thank goodness i figured out the "enter" key or "mode" key lets me bypass the excrutiating slow scrolling text. (fyi mode functions as "back" or "escape")
figuring stuff out takes a lot of time...be patient.
now i am technically versed as i work for software company and this is giving me a bit of a challenge....why? poor autostar documentation.
if the user manual for autostar was more detailed with a quickstart tutorial, it would go quick. reality...i have the mind to call Meade and ask for their technical writer and scream obscenities at them :}
nonetheless, i plan on keeping the scope and am excited to learn more and get to know my way around the night sky. get the book Nightwatch - great for a newbie like myself
would like to post a final review once my neighbor gives me an autostar tutorial with his LX200...just waiting on clear skies in Utah! i do hope to give this scope a 5 star rating once i figure out autostar.