Carlos Moreno wrote:
Alfee wrote:

I am planning to buy a computer telescope and still can't make decision
between ETX125 and Nexstar 5i.


I think the decision can not be more obvious in this particular case:
Go for the MEADE ETX125, with UHTC coatings, for a better optic.

Check the images of both, you'll notice that the Nextar has an arm
that supports the optical tube by one side only, whereas the MEADE
has a *fork* support that grabs the optical tube at two points.
(in fact, the Nexstar GPS series of Celestron do have a fork support)

Frankly, I don't know what the hell were Celestron engineers thinking
when they did that; I'm no mechanical engineer, but the design of
that support is, IMO, plain retarded.

The C5+ I have is also a "half-fork" mount and works fine. I have an
ETX-90EC and the mechanical design of my C5+ mount is far superior. I
suspect that is true for the NS 5i also.

The C5+ is the same optics they use the NS 5i and, with Starbright
coatings, really outstanding. And I believe you can now buy the NS 5i
with the optional XLT coatings.

Phil