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Hi Paul,
I have an ETX-105. I don't think it is unreasonable for you to expect to see sharp images of those planets with your telescope. Just a couple of things I have found, though, is that viewing planets is heavily dependent on the quality of the "seeing", which has to do with the steadiness of the upper atmosphere, and is something not readily apparent even if it is a clear night. (Under Resources in the side bar you will find something to tell you what the jetstream is doing over your location: if it is active overhead, don't expect sharp images.) Once, on a cold Hobart day I saw cloud bands on Jupiter at midday! Also, the best views through a mak certainly require the scope to have been outside for an hour at least for the optics to cool down. This can make a big difference. Saturn is pretty low in the sky, so you are looking through a lot of atmosphere, and it is mainly visible early. Often the best viewing is in the hours before dawn. Not that that suits me very much.
Of course, the quality of the eyepieces plays a role, too.
Good luck, and hang in there. That ever-so-infrequent evening of perfect seeing is a killer for converting people to the hobby.
Cheers,
Brian.
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