Meade ETX 90, Help Please

[leon]

Hi all

I have come across a sale for an EXT 90 Scope set up for Wide Field Astro-Photography.
It comes completed with, Tripod (heavy duty) Equ Wedge, 26mm Plossl EP,Electric Focus, Reddot Finder, Electronic Controller 497, Piggyback Mount,Wooden Case to house all the bits, plus some extras.

As i do lots of wide field stuff, it sounds to good to be true, at $650.00 including shipping from NSW.

I have received emails from the seller and he assures me it is in Excellent condition, he even showed me some photo's that he said he took with the machine.

This is a private deal and not an E-Bay sale.

My question to all you more experienced observers out there is this.

Is this a deal of a life time, (as iv'e always had my eye on one of these)
and how would it travel from NSW with a Courier service.

Iv'e done the sums on the bits and pieces, and the price would be about one third if i had to buy it from new.
So what do you think. Ya or Na.

Thanks Leon :help:

[[1ponders]]

How is he claiming he is taking the widefields Leon? Piggyback or through the scope itself?

[leon]

Thats was through a camera attached to the scope, and a 400mm lens, sorry i probablly should have mentioned that.

leon

[Nightshift]

Leon, if it is in good condition I say deal. I have an ETX90 and although it's light gathering abilities are limited, it has proven it's worth a hundred times.

The only thing I would be a little hesitant on is the stability with a camera on it's back, the plastic forks and nylon bearings have a lot of give in them but wide field should be forgiving enough, balance would be the key.

P.S. If couriers can get my GSO 12" dob to me from Sydney in one piece without a dint I reckon a well packaged ETX should be fine.

[leon]

thanks nightshift

i just get a bit fussy when it comes to delicate equipment, but if yours made it ok, i suppose something lighter, and propely packed should get here ok

leon

[h0ughy]

its only a good deal if you feel it is and want it! these scopes are not meant for astrophotography, or piggybacking heavy items on top either, I have owned one and a gt4 as well. they serve simply for a quick and pleasing session to setup and pack up really quick.

[JohnH]

Sounds like value, I used mine for astrophotography for a year, piggyback and prime with a Canon 20d no less hanging off it! So it can be done, you must balance it carefully though - I made my own counterweight out of lead sheet - and I had to carefully optimise the clutches to stop slippage. I was limited to 15s at prime therfore the very brightest of DSOs only. At 30s fail rate was to high to be useable. Polar alignmnet is also very tricky due to the "wedge" design. Check out this site:

http://www.weasner.com/etx/menu.html

I also used it with an LPI for Saturn and the moon, if I were to got that way again I would use a DSI for prime for DSOs - I think you would have more fun and success that way. I have linked a few of my ETX shots:

Moon (LPI)
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=3056&d=1121605652
PiggyBack
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=5658&d=1130476225
and
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2812&d=1120655957
Prime
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2471&d=1119232946

Good luck with your choice, like Houghy said it is only a bargain if it meets your needs, I am not sure I would buy this just for wide field photography, you would be better with a motorised eq mount and a good lens or two on your SLR...

[Merlin66]

Sounds like a great buy!!!! I've used the original ETX90RA for the last ten years, optics are great ( remember its a f13 system) but as everyone acknowledges the mounting is a bit limited.

Very easy to use and great to have on hand; i've set mine up to test out the spectroscopes I'm building.. easier than mounting them on the main scope etc.
I'd honestly say a 135mm lens piggyback is probably as far as I would go. Weasner's site is a MUST to visit for info/ improvements/ mods etc etc.
Mine has literally travelled twice around the world in a customwood foam lined box with no damage. Go for it.

ps great for the grandkids, they don't feel threatened by it, think it looks sexy and I'm not to worried if they damage it.

[leon]

Hi John

Thanks for your advice, and also to all the others for their comments.
John i feel i will let this go and use your idea, it sounds good.
hanging a camera and large lens off the scope could be a little tricky, and probably a bit heavy asa well.

Thanks again

Leon :thumbsup:

[JohnH]

Perhaps something like the Vixen Photo Guider Mount (variation of the GP2) - about AU$1000 new I believe, gives you the simplest tracking mount system for an SLR, can carry up to 2.5Kg you can then go to up to 30 mins at 50mm and 5min at 200mm (assuming your polar alignmet is good). Of course your lenses are going to need to be good....

[nightsky]

G'Day,
Very impressive shots M8 :thumbsup: especially the 3rd and 4th ones