Meade ETX-125AT (f/15) Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope is ideal for detailed lunar and planetary observations. With its ETX-AT Easy Align, alignment is a breeze. It’s much talked about Meade AutoStar controller, has a pre-programmed audio clips which is great for learning astronomy while viewing planets, stars, galaxies, and comets with just a push of a button. It has an immediate access to over 30,000 celestial bodies.
Its maker, Meade, founded in 1972 and made public since 1977, is a world leader in the design and manufacture of telescopes and accessories for amateur astronomers. The list of Meade’s firsts is the most impressive in the industry.
Meade is the most sought after telescope and their ETX Maksutov-Cassegrain has been the favourite amongst serious astronomers because it has outperformed other telescopes of larger aperture.
Meade ETX-125AT (f/15) Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope
Discontinued – No Longer available
List Price: $699.00
Sale Price: $679.95
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You can take a look at Meade ETX-125EC
The EC and AT are the same basic telescope but the EC only has the
motor hand controller to point to areas of the sky. The AT is a full
AutoStar GOTO computer to find objects and then track them.
When the original ETX telescope, the ETX-90RA, was introduced in 1996, it quickly created a revolution in amateur astronomy. Here for the first time was an ultraportable and highly versatile telescope system of unprecedented optical resolution and performance. Within a year of its introduction the ETX became the top-selling modern telescope in the world.
Manufactured entirely at Meade's Irvine, California, facility, ETX Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes produce optical performance and resolution that equal or exceed any Maksutov optics of similar apertures ever manufactured at any price, past or present. Their optics are so high in contrast, image brightness, and resolution that the ETX-90EC and ETX-125EC often outperform many telescopes of larger apertures. These models build on the original ETX concept to create the most advanced electronically controlled telescopes--including optional automatic go-to-object location with the Autostar computer controller--ever produced in their price range. And yet they don't sacrifice any of the user-friendly features that started the ETX revolution.
With twice the light-collecting area of the Meade ETX-90EC, the Meade ETX-125EC permits a much broader range of astronomical study. Jupiter's cloud belts, for example, are observable at a significantly heightened level of detail, with whirls and festoons and the Great Red Spot readily visible as they transit the planet's disc. The Cassini division in Saturn's rings is routinely seen, as are additional features of the planet's surface, even under less than perfect seeing conditions. Microfine lunar detail beyond the reach of smaller telescopes can be resolved in the Meade ETX-125EC. Looking to deep space, the ETX-125EC's larger aperture enables the observation of galaxies and nebulae in much wider extension. The entire Messier listing of 110 objects is now not only visible, but every object additionally takes on a readily discernible structure.
The observer who accepts astronomy as a serious field of interest will find the Meade ETX-125EC a deeply satisfying instrument for a lifetime of high-resolution astronomical study.
Main Features List
- 127mm Aperture
- Focal length: 1900mm
- Ultra High Transmission Coatings for optimized visual , photographic and CCD imaging
- Advanced Maksutov-Cassegrain optical system which provides high resolution and contrast
- Lightweight steel Deluxe Field Tripod complete with its own carry bag, with height adjustable from 25 to 43 inches and 25 to 80 degrees elevation
- Offers flexibility with its options to use equatorial or alt-az configurations
- 26mm eyepiece
- Finderscope
- Meade AutoStar which includes its well-loved “Tonights Best”, which takes you to a guided tour of the best objects in the sky while playing an audio description of its details
- AutoStar control access to over 30,000 celestial bodies with star charts and printable star maps for maximized learning
- CD-ROM telescope control software
- 2-year warranty
Who is it for?
It is recommended for a professional observer, astronomy enthusiast as well as budding astrophotographers. It is ultra-portable and so it is great for travelling. One can view the moon and planets in sharp and detailed image.
Pros and Cons
Its AutoStar package is enjoyable to use. This is probably the best GOTO starter kit in the market. It’s simple set up lightweight body is easy for travelling. Imaging performance is fantastic for astrophotography. Its high magnification is ideal for detailed lunar and planetary observations. Meade ETX-125AT Telescope is extremely good for astrophotographers. Durability wise, it is crafted to last. Learning and exploring is so much fun with its convenient, easy-to-use AutoStar feature. The “Tonight’s Best” tour is astounding, one can get to learn more with the number of unheard objects within the 5” Mak reach.
It is a bit comprehensive for beginners, but if you’re patient and mechanically-inclined, this is not a problem. The corrector lens would easily dew up and its dew shield blocks stray light from shining onto the corrector, thus, reducing contrasts. This might pose as an issue if you’re a backyard observer
Why you should buy it?
Meade’s engineering innovation brought durability and portability with classic styling to ETX-125AT, ensuring that this will last a lifetime. Its optic system provides high resolution. Its UHTC provides 10-15% improvement which contributes to its clarity even on cloudy nights.
Last July 2011 BBC Sky at Night Magazine gave Meade ETX-125AT a “highly commended” rating with an overall score of 92%
Verdict
Portable, durable and easy to use, this telescope permits broader range of astronomical study. Exploring astronomy is much more rewarding and fun with Meade ETX-125AT as your tour guide.