[okiscopey (Mike)]

Never seen a 'naked' ETX before! Looks like a good set-up. Is it a 125, and what size EQ is that?

You seem to have eliminated the two problematic bits of the ETX - the mount and the finder! There's no doubt the optics are superb.

I have the standard 125AT but only had two half-way serious observing sessions so far.

The 40mm VX Vixen works well for me - only 42 deg AFOV but 20mm eye relief - handy with occasional observing with specs. Probably overkill in $ for an f/15 scope but thinking this and other VX's (26, 12, 9) will be useful with any future shorter FL scope.

I don't expect too much from the 125 on DSOs, especially after looking through an 18-in Obsession recently!

Surely you don't get a reasonable image with a 4mm eyepiece? ... that's x375, or about x75 per inch of aperture! I had been thinking about a 6mm, but was advised 9mm was about the limit.