Meade ETX125PC. Is it worth it?

[Tegel]

I've got a chance of a virtually unused Meade ETX 125PC with extra eyepieces, filters etc. for £400. Is it worth it do you think?

I know there are some negative reviews knocking about for this scope but wondered if, at that price, it was worth a look. I've not really much of a clue what these things normally go for.

Any advice very much appreciated.

Many thanks.

[jambouk]

What sort of scope and mount isnit?

[Peter Drew]

It's worth the price but is it worth it to you? If it covers your type of interest it would be a good buy, if not there are alternatives in this price range. 

[Tegel]

It's a Maksutov-Cassegrain scope, Jambouk, but not exactly sure of the mount as yet as not seen the thing! Just been offered the chance of it by a colleague and wanted some idea if the price was in the right ballpark. I'd assume the mount is whatever came as standard (if there was such a thing).

As to my interest, it's pretty general. I' m getting back into the hobby after lots of years in the wilderness so just want something to get me started and that will keep me going for a year or two.

Many thanks for taking trouble to reply.

[Plouer]

Hi

I've had the Meade 105 ETX for years, same scope just smaller, its a great scope and perfect if you need to travel around a lot or are limited on space, most of my moon and solar shots are taken with a Canon 700D attached to it at prime focus ( https://www.flickr.com/photos/petetenerife/ ). check if it has the Meade tripod with it as this allows you to use it in equatorial mode.

Peter

[ronin]

It is a Mak on a fork mount, no worse then any other and actually reasonably good so long as the narrow field of view is not a problem.

Alighmnet is fairly easy but again the narrow FoV means that the initial Level and North has to be accurate otherwise the first star to centre is not in view - got a 32mm or 40mm plossl, a cheap one as all you want is width you do not care what the star looks like just want it to be visible.

In a way essentials to start with are:

40mm/32mm plossl,

An alignmate to set the thing level,

Flexi-focuser things to make focusing easy.

It means 12v and if at home a Maplins mains supply is good, battery pack is another option.

Handset is upgradeable but really no point, Meade got the basics about right and they did not go around adding much.

Make sure the right angle finder is with it.

If you get it then PM me and I will suggest a battery pack and where to get the flexi-focuser, the Alignmate is more difficult but look at Astroboot they appear there at times. Just bought the first 2 items for an ETX-105 I have.

Strange item, not many people seem to have them owing to whatever bad press, but the same people keep the things. HAve a friend with an ETX-90 who wants an ETX-125.

Initial problem was the gears stripped, they were plastic. Meade said in the manual "Tighten the cllutches", so people put an 8 foot pole on and hung off the end thinking that should be tight. It was, it stripped the gears. They have reworded the "tension" bit now and may have changed the gears also. Equally at the time other scopes were stripping gears - think Celestrons went through a few sets.

[mboothe]

I have an etx105. I find the optics to be great but am definately not impressed with the mount/build quality at all.

[Tegel]

Many thanks once more for the responses.

Yes it comes with the Meade tripod.

I'm getting a week's try out (from next Sunday). I'll pay particular attention to the mount build quality. Let you know how it goes.

Many thanks

[garryblueboy]

I had one quite a few years back there a good scope had some good views of Mars that year when it was really close I'd properly say get the Skywatcher 150 the extra aperture is worth it I found much more detail shown and can pick up ota around £200 or with a eq5 for about £450 .