The Meade Instruments 205005 ETX125 Observer telescope offers high quality images and a number of options that can suit those looking for a solid computerized telescope, as well as the budding astrophotographer who wants to try their hand at photographing the cosmos. The 125mm aperture combined with the small stature of this telescope gives it an extremely high focal ratio.
The truth is that you can get much more powerful devices than the Meade ETX125 for the price but, I can understand that one of the main reasons you would consider looking at an underpowered device like the Meade is probably because of its mount so, that is what I will address next. The process is longer with a Mak than with an open tube scope like a Dob. If you’re thinking about investing in a telescope, then this might be the right pick.
What kind of telescope is the Meade ETX 125?
A telescope from the reputable Celestron in a similar price range with a larger aperture and shorter focal length, making it a less specialized, but more complete telescope. There are certainly better options for astrophotography on the market, but in most cases, they are very specialized telescopes. All of this makes the flip-up mirror a colossal waste of time, money and funds and is little more than a nice added gimmick that you can brag about to your friends who don’t have an ETX. For starters, this scope has 127mm aperture, which makes it powerful enough for users with a few years of experience who started with weaker models and want to upgrade.
Sky-Watcher’s 6″ Dobsonian or a used 8″ Dob would be a better choice, unless you’re looking for an ETX-125 Premiere, which can be easily identified (it has a nebula printed on the side of the tube instead of blue paint).
What can you see with a Meade ETX 90?
The ETX90 observer has a Maksutov-Cassegrain optical design for accurate stellar imaging and outstanding contrast, making it a great deep sky interpreter and ideal for detailed lunar and planetary observing at high magnifications. Meade sets a new standard by providing user-friendly capabilities never before available in a low-cost telescope. With a Meade ETX-90AT, DS-2114ATS, DS-2130ATS, or larger telescope, the optionally available photo adapters can be used with most 35mm SLR camera bodies for terrestrial photography or for photography of the Moon and planets. The ETX-90 has been around in some form since 1996, gradually gaining more computer features as time goes on.
Like all versions of the ETX and Questar, the Observer has a built-in flip-up mirror mechanism, which is basically a built-in star diagonal that flips aside to make way for a rear port for attaching a DSLR camera or a correct imaging prism for daytime terrestrial viewing.
The Meade ETX 125 comes with a 90-degree internal diagonal and a flip-up mirror, which is ideal for astronomy, but if you want to use this super-sharp telescope as an observing telescope for daytime use, this 45-degree diagonal image correction is perfect. Meade’s ETX 125 comes with a 90-degree internal diagonal and a flip-up mirror, which is ideal for astronomy, but if you want to use this super-sharp telescope as an observing telescope for daytime use, this 45-degree image-correct diagonal is perfect. The Meade ETX-125 Observer is the latest product in Meade’s ETX (Everybody’s Telescope) line of telescopes, being the largest of the three ETX models. The Meade ETX 125 comes with a 90-degree internal diagonal and flip-up mirror, which is ideal for astronomy, but if you want to use this super-sharp telescope as an observing scope for daytime use, this 45-degree diagonal image correction is perfect.
Wrap this flexible dew shield snugly around the end of your Meade ETX125 tube assembly to delay the formation of dew on your telescope’s corrector plate. The Meade ETX-125 AT telescope features an advanced Maksutov-Cassegrain design for accurate stellar imaging and outstanding contrast, making it a great deep sky interpreter and ideal for detailed lunar and planetary observing as it easily rises to high magnifications. Cover your Meade ETX125 when not in use and keep dust, dirt and pollen from accumulating on the optics, finder and other parts. Having owned a Meade 8″ Schmidt-Cassegrain and a Celestron 90mm refractor in the past, I much prefer the ETX-125 I bought when I recently returned to astronomy.
In the case of the Meade ETX125, as well as other Meade models, the GoTo system works quite well once you get the hang of it and understand how it works. Starting with the red dot finder and bubble level compass that allows for easier setup and all the way to the GoTo features with a huge database and built-in speakers, the Meade etx125 is packed with features that will satisfy beginners and intermediates alike. Among Meade telescopes, the ETX125 holds a special place, as it offers plenty of features for experienced users while keeping the price low enough to appeal to beginners. The Meade ETX-125 Observer is a decent package, but is of limited utility and extremely expensive for what you get.
meade etx 125 observer review
Before starting an observing session it is necessary to calibrate the motors and then train them to compensate for lag and backlash. The Meade Instruments 205005 ETX125 Observer telescope offers high quality images and a number of options that can satisfy those looking for a solid computerized telescope, as well as the budding astrophotographer who wants to try their hand at photographing the cosmos.
The ETX-125 Observer telescope includes a DVD to install the AutoStar Suite application (Microsoft Windows only). The Meade ETX125 Observer is, all in all, a pretty solid device but, with a few things that may make it not the ideal telescope for you, be it the price, the extra expense of a DC power supply or the astrophotographic performance well below its price point.
This adds a level of coolness and entertainment that gives the Meade Instruments 205005 ETX125 Observer telescope a boost in terms of accessories and additional features. It’s perfect for anyone who really wants to get clear, focused views of specific and unique deep space objects.
The 316x provided by a 6mm is the most the ETX can handle, while an 8mm provides just a bit more magnification than the included 9.7mm – useful for splitting tight double stars and picking up fine details on planets. The Meade Instruments 205005 ETX125 Observer telescope has the standard selection of accessories included along with some unique enhanced features that stand out.
This narrows the field of view, so while relatively sharp views of popular clusters and nebulae can be obtained, the overall clarity, contrast and “bigger picture” are lost on many of the deep sky targets. In addition, a 32mm Plossl would provide slightly lower power (59x) and a wider field of view (0.88 degrees vs. 0.68 degrees), much better for observing most deep sky objects, as well as initial alignment. The UHTC has been reported as a 10 – 15% improvement (Cloudynights Report, 7 Meade MCTs) in subjective visual tests, and a greater than 20% improvement (Arkansas Sky Observatory, 10 Meade SCTs) in measured light throughput, so it seems worth the extra expense of 10. The 125mm aperture combined with the small stature of this telescope gives it an extremely high focal ratio.
Setting it up
If you are looking for a computerized telescope, it is very likely that the Meade ETX125 has been suggested to you. I suspect that, like the original ETX models, the ETX-125 Observer OTA can be removed from the fork arms by removing four mounting screws.
While the Meade ETX-125 may look small, a 5-inch scope is actually a great starting size for beginners and a great size for any observer who moves around a lot to see. It’s basically all the aperture you need to get pristine views of the Moon, planets, and the brightest objects in the deep sky.
Whether Meade intended it or not, the ETX is an ideal amateur telescope that rewards your input and fine tuning. Meade’s ETX line was born in 1996 with the original Meade ETX-90, retroactively dubbed the “RA or Astro version”. While I fondly remember the ease and speed with which the Orion could be set up compared to the procedure required for the ETX, the nostalgia quickly fades as the Meade effortlessly and quite accurately makes its way to target after target. The optics offer more than enough magnification power for experienced users, though this model fits more as a secondary scope.
Conclusion
If you want something that can give good views of the solar system and brighter Messier objects, starting with an ETX-125 is a great place to start for a reasonable budget cost. The meade etx-125 Observer is a decent package, but is of limited utility and extremely expensive for what you get.
The Meade Instruments 205005 ETX125 Observer telescope has added some modern features to this model that brings this telescope into the 21st century. Battery life won’t be too great either, as it only requires 8 AA batteries to power, but, if you are planning on purchasing the ETX125 from Meade, I would definitely suggest looking into a DC power supply.
