Ok telescope for beginners, but there are better choices
Written: Nov 11 '01
Product Rating:
Pros: Inexpensive, T mount, automatic, Quality Optics, Compact
Cons: refractor telescope, 60mm aperture, No finder, No AC adapter
The Bottom Line: This telescope is good for child or adolescent that is starting on astronomy. Adults, if you are willing to spend 100 dollars more, there are better alternatives out there.
papoanaya's Full Review: Meade ETX-60 AT Telescope
I purchased the Meade AT 60 on impulse. It was cheap and there. It costed me about $130.00. The computer control finder and Meade's reputation made it an attractive purchase. Because I was not looking to spent gazillion dollars on one, I plunged and purchased it.
The telescope comes with two eye pieces, the main body, star gazing software, computer control and engine; manual and a catalog.
An attractive feature is that it is not your typical long refractor telescope. This one can easily fit any spot in your home or apartment. It is modeled to look like a Maksutov-Cassegrain reflector, but in reality is not, is your typical refractor scope, only shorter.
The tracking computer controlled motor uses 9 volt battery pack to power it. It can use either a 9 volts battery or 6 AA in a supplied case. However, lacking is the ability to plug it into an AC power outlet. It is possible to rig something with parts from Radio Shack or use a rechargeable battery(ies). The estimated battery life is 20 hours according to the documentation. I predict that it is something less than that to be fair. Its larger brothers (ETX-90 and 120) does have an AC adapter and power cord available as an option.
Calibrating the scope is tricky and requires that you read the manual. It takes a lot of tweaking after the initial calibration is done.
Then it takes you through a series of menus that allows you to "point and shoot" to a star, constellation, deep space object or planet. You'll be able to see them with the touch of a button only if the scope is properly calibrated. If not, well, you will see a lot of void space. When is it calibrated and you do see something, tracking of it is helpful.
You do not need to use the engine to use it. I was able to use it by hand without any problems. However, because you are tracking by hand you have to get use of watching your subject moving to all directions, unless you have a steady hand.
When you do see something, optics are pretty good. You can see stars visible with the naked eye very clearly, plus two or thee others that are not visible on the naked eye. Contrast is very good.
Regretfully I could not see any planets (I'm writing the review after one night of use so please, bear with me) because of the position of them in relation to my house.
It has the ability to attach a camera using a T-Mount connector. It will give you a lens of 360 mm's with a speed of 5.6. These spec's are not that bad for a lens of that length, but they are not impressive either. I have a 500mm that has exactly the same aperture speed.
Accessories for it will increase the price of the scope. Unless you really fall in love with it, do not bother. Probably I would purchase the tripod, for the right price. The finder might be a good thing to buy, again, at the right price. I'm amazed that it did not come with one, the cheapest refractor models have it. Personally, I do not think that the computer control is a substitute for one, specially when you have to calibrate it against two stars!
Do I regret my purchase? Yes and no. Yes, because I though it was a better scope and I wanted something better to begin with. No, because it is a good scope with good optics that matches the amount of time to do star gazing, which is not a lot to begin with.
Store Search in titles descriptions Store Categories OpticsPlanet Pages Home Page Our Policies OpticsPlanet Super Sale Items with Free S H Perfect Gif...More at eBay
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.