Meade ETX 80 Telescope Review

One of the most popular hobbies for people is using a telescope. Star gazers are not the only people who make use of it. It can be used for observing the weather and looking into far distances at birds or other wildlife from a safe vantage point. This product is best suited for people who need to watch these things and more from a distance, and having the right telescope to perform the task is essential. The best type of telescope is the Meade ETX 80, and it can be used by sky watchers of all ages and experience levels.

What is the Meade ETX 80 Telescope?

Main features for the Meade ETX 80 include an 80 mm Achromatic Refractor. This refractor provides a greater view of items in the distance and makes pictures of those items framed in the lens all the easer to view with the right amount of light. This model also comes with a sturdy tripod that can be used on even and uneven surfaces with ease. At the same time, it includes the company’s Auto Star Suite software that can be used for the sake of keeping the telescope up to date with programming.

(Click here for more pictures on Amazon)

 

Pros and Cons of Using the Meade ETX 80 Telescope

Pros

• Comes with a 45 deg roof prism
• Can be operated manually or with the electronics provided
• Comes with both eye pieces
• Includes a rigid carrying case
• Makes use of an auto-guide for operations and zooming in on objects
• Uses a magnetic compass

Cons

• Manual mode is limited, and the locks need to be released
• Returns to the manufacturer directly take a great deal of time
• Products made by American factories operate better than those from overseas
• The magnetic compass does not always make use of good alignment without true north being found manually

Where to Find the Meade ETX 80 Telescope

There are several places to purchase this telescope online. Amazon is one of the most common options, and there are a lot of reviews on this item that answer many questions. There are other places to locate this telescope, though.

You can find this Meade telescope on the manufacturer’s website, however, they do not sell it directly. You will likely have to pay around $400 for the telescope itself, and then, depending on the seller, you may have to pay for transport.

Telescope Performance

As stated previously, the Meade ETX 80 telescope makes use of an 80 mm achromatic refractor. It also uses the ration f/5 in order to make use of the multi-coated optics that is within the telescope itself. At the same time, it also as a flip-in Barlow lens. There are also two, Super Plods Eyepieces that are included, one that is 9.7 mm and the other that is 26 mm. The optical system on this telescope is razor sharp, and it also offers a removable optical tube that connects to a computerized GOTO mount that works with the Auto Star software.

Extra Info

There are a few things people need to be made aware of. Customer reviews on Amazon indicate that this telescope is great for the price at which it is listed. It takes a while to get used to the demands of this telescope, though.

Maintenance Advice

Maintaining the Meade ETX 80 is rather easy. First and foremost, the tripod needs to be kept even and clean. A slight bend in any of the legs can set the telescope off-kilter, which will make calculating ranges of distances will become skewed. At the same time, the Auto Star software needs to be updated routinely. Making sure that the telescope remains compatible with the software is also essential to making sure that the electronics in it operate accordingly.

Telescope Accessories

Meade provides several accessories for this telescope. As mentioned previously, this telescope comes with a rigid carrying case that doubles as a backpack. This carrying case is essential for taking the telescope safely from one location to another. At the same time, it comes with two different lenses, a 9.7 mm and a 26 mm. These lenses allow for different distances to be viewed in certain clarity. This telescope also comes with an external nine volt to 12 volt DC jack. This charging jack can be used instead of the six AA batteries that are not included.

Warranty and Guarantee Information

Meade provides a warranty directly through their company. On Amazon, the request for the manufacturer’s warranty can be used through customer service provided by Amazon. However, as alluded to previously, the replacement process for this telescope takes some time, so the process is not really efficient.

What Are Some Benefits of Owning a Telescope

There are many benefits of owning a telescope. Here are some of the main advantages of owning a telescope:

Educational

Whether you are an adult, child, or teenager you should always aim to learn more about our universe. With a telescope, you can get an amazing hands-on experience of space that you wouldn’t find in just books or the internet alone. A lot of parents choose to purchase a telescope so that they can teach their children all of the different objects in the sky. What better way to build a child’s excitement about space than by looking at it through a telescope?

Beauty and Wonder

Even people who have studied the universe for years are still in awe at the size and beauty of it. Many people who have an interest in getting a telescope have this awe and wonder within them and looking through a telescope at a distant galaxy is a sure-fire way to increase amazement into the vastness of space. 

Enjoy the Outdoors

One of the greatest things about a telescope is that it motivates you to spend time outdoors. It is entirely possible to use a telescope on your porch or through an upper window, however, if you use your telescope out in the country, there won’t be any city lights around to diminish the experience. 

Fun and Excitement

Looking up to the sky at different objects is a very exciting and fun experience for people of all ages. Even if you don’t have a strong interest in astronomy, looking through a telescope is usually still a very enjoyable experience. 

 

Our Recommendation

Meade’s ETX 80 telescope is a great model for people who are just starting to use electronic telescopes. It can be used with ease, and it is great for looking at different focal points in the distance using the multiple lenses with which it comes. This product is rather unique because of the software it comes with. Auto Star Suite keeps this telescope functioning with ease, and the maintenance required to keep the software up to date is easy to install.

At the same time, it comes with several accessories that can be used with ease. Probably one of the more attractive accessories for this telescope is the rigid backpack that it comes with. People will be using this telescope in all kinds of locations, so having the ease of travel that this backpack offers makes sure that the telescope remains safe.

If you are looking for a decent, price-cautious telescope, then this model is the right decision for you. If you have any thoughts or concerns about this telescope, please share them with us!