meade etx125 central spot size

[aerobrake (Michael)]

HI all,

Anyone with a meade etx 125? can you tell me the size of the aluminum spot mirror on the corrector. is there a light baffle around the spot as well that increases the size of the secondary?

Cheers
Mike

[MakMan]

Haven't measured it myself, but this is straight out of the manual:
"secondary mirror obstruction (dia,;%)...27.9mm (1.1"); 9.6%"

[aerobrake (Michael)]

Thanks Mal, is there a conical light baffle around the spot? Just trying to work out the obstruction %. A review online says due to the baffle its 40% which seems excessive.

I'm interested in an etx125 as a "quick look" scope. How are the views thru your scope. I have a etx90 that I use as a guidescope and the views thru it are really crisp.

Cheers
Mike

[MakMan]

Yes Mike, there is a cone behind the spot which probably flairs out another couple of mm. (I never took any notice until you pointed it out) 40% obstruction appears to be a gross exaggeration and I strongly doubt that I would get the crisp views that I do.
Like you, I always use the word "crisp" when talking about the views through this scope. The quality of the optics, the "crisp" views and quick setup are definitely the strong points of this scope.

[aerobrake (Michael)]

Good to hear the obstruction is not 40% Mal. Was really looking forward to finding a second hand etx125. I assume the views thru it should be even better than my etx90.

Thanks for responding.

Cheers
Mike

[White Rabbit]

I have the scope and as a grab and go you cant beat it. Plonk it on the ground switch it on, centre a star, centre another star, done.

I live in the inner city and with mine I can see the tarantula neb 47 tuc with no problem. I'd say you limit in the city is about mag 6. The optics are really quite good to. The only thing that lets it down is the mount. The nylone gear dont track to well, but it's perfectly fine for visual.

It's a great little scope