"md" not given to avoid spam wrote in
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"Paul Lawler" wrote in message
. 125.203...
"md" not given to avoid spam wrote in
"Paul Lawler" wrote in message
Alexander Avtanski wrote in
bill kline wrote:

I'm considering getting a Meade ETX series Astro Telescope and
was looking for some feedback as to which one to buy or even
another mfg. The use will be for my father-in-law mainly, so
once set up

One thing that is often not considered is the ease of use: time
to set-up, portability, etc. I have an 8-inch Orion reflector
on EQ mount and I like it very much. However, for casual
observing from the patio after work, lugging the heavy tripod,
setting-up, etc. was too much for me. So, in addition to it,
couple of weeks ago I got a small Orion StarBlast (4.5-inch f/4
tabletop dob). Now I'm using it almost every clear night, while
I use the big scope mainly for "serious" night-long observing.
I take a look outside, if it's clear I take it out and in 30
seconds I'm set at the eyepiece.

I concur completely. The ETX is (unfortunately) NOT user friendly.
You will get much more bang for your buck with a medim sized
(4-10") reflector on a Dobsonian mount.

The ETX is very easy to setup, more so than a 10" reflector!
remember you can use the ETX without aligning it

Just to assure you that I am not trying to start a flame war, I own
BOTH an ETX-125 and an Orion XT-10.

I assure you that even without aligning it (and what would be the
point in that?) I can set up the XT-10 in one tenth of the time
(about 30 seconds) it takes me to set up the ETX (about 3 minutes).
If I do align the ETX (again, what would be the point in not doing
so?), I am looking at well over 10 minutes.

I just pick up my etx, incl tripod, walk 3 meters into my backyard,
put it down, switch it on, and I am ready for viewing. now that did
not take 3 minutes, did it? :-) point is not time though, but
portability, a 10" reflector is a BIG scope for some folks to carry
around. --

You didn't specify that you were talking about portability, nor did you
specify that the ETX was pre-attached to the tripod (not the normal
situation when you must transport the scope). But I assert that my
assesment still stands. If I have both the XT-10 and the ETX broken down
in my car, the times I gave you are accurate (albeit subjective).

You still haven't explained the point in switching your ETX on if you are
not going to level and align it.