Features

• Exclusive multicoated, air-spaced achromatic objective lenses
• Razor-sharp images of both astronomical and terrestrial subjects
• Extremely portable at only 6.8 pounds
• Telescope can be used on any flat surface
• Meade 882 tripod included

Reviews (21)

Not a Televue but . . .
This is a great little telescope for the money. Two previous reviewers (who gave it a low rating) had quality control problems with it. I've had none with mine but I have had 3 of them with my Meade 4" refractor. The Meade customer service people were wonderful in correcting these problems, but it seems their quality control could be better.

Optically, this is an achromatic refractor with a very fast focal ratio. That means it's good for viewing extended objects like star clusters, Milky Way star clouds, large nebulae, pretty conjunctions, etc. Dark skies help alot -- the darker the better of course -- but good clear rural skies in Ohio are plenty wonderful. It doesn't have the aperture for dimmer objects but the brighter Messier objects, for example (and there's plenty of them!) are great. It isn't at its best on planets and the Moon but you can definitely see Saturn's rings, the phases of Mercury and Venus, Jupiter's moons and belts (the red spot is difficult at best) and the Moon simply can't help but look wonderful in any telescope!

The Autostar is really good. It's best when you align it carefully: use the north star to point it to north and use a bubble level to level the tripod and tube. You can find brighter Messier objects, comets, asteroids, the planet Neptune, etc, so easily! (But of course not Pluto, quasars, black holes and some other ridiculous objects in the Autostar database.) And you get better at aligning it as you practice. Be sure to check out the "synchronize" feature (in the owner's manual under the "enter key").

As others have pointed out, the focus mechanism is bad, and the tripod is not terribly sturdy. Together they make higher magnifications (which are not optically optimum either) just about impossible. But 50X is still reasonable with a good 7mm orthoscopic eyepiece. Also a good 32mm eyepiece will eliminate the need to buy a finder and give you wonderful wide views. A dew shield is a must in Ohio (reduces glare too).

It ain't a Televue, it's true, but for the price, this scope is hard to beat.

A lot of telescope for the price
The ETX 70 AT is a great little scope, very portable and easy to use (with a couple of nights practice!). A Barlow multiplying lens (x3) is a must to get good sharp close ups of the moon and planets. A set of filters also helps for a sharper contrast and cuts down the brightness of the moon. Once you have mastered the Autostar alignment procedure any object can be tracked automatically, ideal for photos. I have used the scope with and without the tripod, but the tripod does give a much more solid base (ie. less vibration when looking at the object).
The manual focus can be irritating (about 15 turns) when switching between eyepieces or adding a lens. Deep sky views are a bit faint but this is after all an ideal beginners scope.

Very Good, Easy to Use Telescope
...I can only offer praise and Kudos to Meade for offering such a wonderful instrument at a value price. For the past 30 years I have used a 60mm refractor from Sears without any problems. I finally decided it was time to get somthing a little more modern but didnt want to spend over a thousand dollars. After researching the market for 3 months, I finally decided on the ETX 70-AT. After adding 2x and 3x Barlow lenses, a 5mm plossl, a basic filter selection, and hard case I have spent less then $700.00. Once you have a realistic idea of what to expect when viewing through a small telescope, you will find that the image quality offered in the ETX 70-AT is outstanding for a 70mm telescope with such a short focal length (f/5). Autostar also makes easy work of finding subjects for the evening. The ETX 70-AT is a highly versatile instrument for both novice and experienced amateur astronomers. The rings of Saturn are clearly visible as is the Cassini Division. Jupiter is outstanding with the Red Spot visible under good conditions, and 5 moons visible. The Orion Nebula is very distinct as are the Plaedes. The only shortcomings I have found are: battery life could be better, focus knob is awkward, and dew shield should have been included as standard. Also, if this is your first telescope, dont expect to see images like those on the box. All in all, a Very Good Telescope for the money, and highly recommended for the astronomer on a budget.

Don't Let Meade Focus!!
At first I thought this scope was an excellent beginner scope. Soon I returned it as the motor would not train correctly. I received a brand new one. Same or similar problem. Returned and again received a new one. Problems are; training motor is a negative, If you are using in a city or with much light pollution you can't really go much higher than 70X so don't worry about purchasing 1000x+ eye pieces as you might as well purchase Captain Crunch. The focus knob is in a terrible place and just assume that Meade placed it there so they could focus! I have to admit though, Meade did replace the scope (twice) and their service dept. seemed great! However, back to reality, If you are interested in purchasing this scope...I would strongly suggest either; 1) Spend more money and receive a better quality scope or 2) spend the money you are going to spend on this scope and purchase yourself a very nice spotting scope and a cold beer!! You will not be disappointed by this advice. Now go out there and get the job did!!

Great Scope!
This is a great scope. At first I had trouble aligning it because when I tried to center the star with the autostar it didn't move. Later I found out that I had the speed to like 64X or 8X. Which is very slow. Then I moved it to 0.5 and I got it to work perfectly. The first night I got it to work I saw jupiter and its moons and I saw the moon. If you would like to see more detail of planets I would suggest buying a 3X barlow lense. You may not see things like you would in a planetarium but hey this is an ametuers scope and for the money you can see things well enough to say you had a great night in the field. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

The Meade ETX90EC is a compact telescope with excellent optics, packaged with a sturdy tripod and the remarkable Autostar computer control. Even though I own several telescopes and belong to an Astronomy club, the first night I took out the ETX, it showed me objects I'd never seen before. The ETX90EC is the computerized version of an affordable Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope first introduced by Meade in 1996. Every reviewer since then has commented on the excellent optics. How excellent? When I presented a session on optical testing at my local Astronomy club, I brought my ETX90 so that everyone could see what a "textbook" star test actually looks like.

What can you see with an ETX90? You won't see the flag on the Moon, but you will see sharp, color free views of mountains and valleys, craters, and lava flows. The planets are also a delight. I'll never forget seeing Saturn's rings with my own eyes for the first time. Although you can see the rings of Saturn and the cloud bands of Jupiter with the included 26mm Plossl eyepiece (about 48X magnification), you'll want to increase the magnification to bring out more detail. I find that a magnification of about 100X is ideal on most nights. You can reach 100X by using a Barlow Lens, I like the Celestron Ultima Barlow, or a smaller eyepiece such as the Celestron Omni Series 12.5mm . It's tempting to crank up the power to 200X or more, but on most nights I didn't see any more detail.

The Autostar controller makes it easy to find 30,000 celestial objects.

As good as the optics are, however, the most amazing feature of the ETX90EC is the Autostar computer. The ETX90EC with Autostar was the first computerized "go-to" telescope for under a thousand dollars. While bright objects like the moon are easy to find, the Autostar excels at finding the galaxies and star clusters that make space so fascinating. Maybe it's because I play with computers anyway, but I found the Autostar easy to use. The owners manual instructs you to begin the alignment by pointing the telescope North and tilting the telescope to level. I don't use a compass or a spirit level to do this, I simply point the telescope at the North Star, Polaris, and lower the telescope 44 degrees using the setting circles. This works because my home is near 44 degrees latitude. Don't know which star is Polaris? You'll want some kind of star chart that identifies the stars by name, NightWatch by Terence Dickinson is one of my favorites.

Many of the best galaxies and star clusters were discovered by a French comet hunter named Charles Messier. These so-called "M" objects looked to Messier like comets in the small telescopes of his day. My first night with the ETX, I switched on the "tour" mode. After looking at a few favorites, the cluster M52 came up on the Autostar. I pressed GO TO, and the telescope aimed itself at a cluster I hadn't looked at before. And darned if it didn't look just like a distant comet passing in front of a few small stars! I was so impressed, I bought an ETX for my step-son who works for the Air Force.

It's only fair to warn you, however, that if you find yourself enjoying Astronomy, you may start wanting a bigger telescope! --Jeff Phillips

Pros:

• Excellent optics
• The Autostar computer finds objects and describes them for you
• Small and easily portable

Cons:

• It's small--the only way to see more detail is with a bigger telescope
• When using small eyepieces, you might bump the finder scope with your nose

... Read more

Features

• Includes Autostar controller and deluxe field tripod
• Cordless motor drive for fully automatic tracking
• Equatorial fork mount, flip-mirror system
• Maksutov meniscus corrector lens of Grade-A BK7 optical glass
• Includes a Meade Series 4000 Super Plossl 26 millimeter eyepiece for 48 times magnification

Reviews (3)

Meade Does It Right
The Meade ETX90EC lives up to its billing. It's a high-quality piece of gear that exudes craft and workmanship. The bundled package w/Autostar and Tripod gives you most of what you need. If you have any intent of doing terrestrial viewing, you should consider the 45 degree erecting prism. Also, the package does not come with any power adapters. If you plan to be out for a long evening of star gazing, you will probably want the adapter that lets you plug into a cigarette lighter. I wish Amazon had the UHTC version available, but no luck. Finally, I haven't been able to find the correct T-mount adapter for this scope on Amazon. I do want to use it for photography eventually. The main thing I would say is that this is not a toy, but it is ideal for beginners to intermediate enthusiasts. I've had more fun in just a couple sessions than I've ever had before.

Disappointed in Meade
This was my husband's big present for Christmas, something he has always wanted. While unwrapping and unpacking, he heard a rattle in the spotting scope. Upon investigation, he fished out a broken set screw and discovered that it had sheared off the outside of the spotting scope. Another screw was badly damaged. The eyepiece covers had all been left off when shipping. Also, all the settings were loose and had to be reset. Meade does not have an 800 number and you are put on hold interminably when you try to contact them. All in all, he likes the scope BUT was very disappointed in the quality of the manufacturer and lack of customer service. What a disappointment for Christams day!

Great Telescope
I've only used my telescope a couple times, but it has been great. It takes a little while to get used to it, and I highly recommend reading the manual. Also, Meade has a deal going on that you will probably want to check out (http://www.meade.com/promo.d/plosslpromo.html). You will definitely want to take them up on this offer. ... Read more

Amazon.com product description

The CaptureView 8x42 2.0D is a binocular that takes pictures. Now you can view the action up close and capture it in digital images or video. Easily download the files to your PC, then print your snapshots or email them to family and friends. It comes with a carry case, USB cable, and image editing and archiving software, and operates with only 2 inexpensive, user-supplied AA alkaline batteries. Plus, you get a full one-year limited warranty.

You get plug-and-play performance with Windows 98SE, 2000, ME, or XP.

The CaptureView 8x42 2.0D combines a high-performance, full-size roof prism binocular with a 2.0 megapixel digital camera to capture stills or video. Large, 42mm multi-coated objective lenses deliver super bright images even in low light. A 1.5" diagonal color LCD flips up for composing or reviewing images and video instantly. Add an optional SecureDigital memory card to add image storage capacity. The CaptureView 8x42 2.0D is perfect for action sports, concerts, nature studies, industrial site inspection, or security and investigation applications, when the greatest amount of detail is desired both visually and digitally.

Features:

• Fully coated optics.
• 32MB of internal memory.
• Optimum imaging range from 49' to infinity.
• Plug-and-play performance with Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP. No additional software or drivers required.
• Capture up to 40 images at the full 2.0 megapixel resolution. More images can be stored at the lower resolution settings
  and/or with optional SD card.
• Capture up to 90 seconds of video with instant replay with internal memory, or more with optional SD card.
• Minimum interpupilary distance is 57mm, great for those who require narrower lens separation adjustment.
• Standard equipment includes: USB cable; carry case; neck strap; cleaning cloth; complete instructions; CD-ROM with image-editing and archiving software.

The Nuts and Bolts

1. Diopter Scale (on underside of right eyepiece)2. SD Card Port3. Eyepiece4. Menu Button5. Shutter Button6. Left Button7. Right Button8. LCD Screen9. Objective Lens10. Camera Lens(not visible, see #10 on other view)11. Barrel12. USB Port13. BatteryCompartment Lid(see other view)14. Focus knob (not visible, see #14 on other view)

1. Diopter Scale10. Camera Lens13. Battery Compartment Lid (squeeze and pull back to remove)14. Focus knob

FAQ

What can I view with my CaptureView Binoculars?
A: Use your CaptureView Binoculars for Sporting events, Bird-watching, public events, viewing wildlife. Anything you would use a standard pair of binoculars for, the CaptureView will see and give you the added advantage of capturing the image.

What programs can I use to manipulate my images? Can I use them to download images from my Camera?
A: You can use the software programs that are provided on the CD Rom that comes with the CaptureView Camera to manipulate and download images. If you are already using other Photo programs on your computer to manipulate images, they will also work with the CaptureView Camera.

How many images will my CaptureView hold?
The CaptureView 8x42 Camera will hold up to 40 images at 2.0 Megapixel Resolution with Built-In Memory. There is also a 3 Megapixel (interpolated) setting that will hold up to 20 images. The 1 Megapixel mode will hold up to 60 images. The VGA mode up to 120.

These cameras have a Movie Mode. How long can the movies be?
The movies are taken in Windows AVI Format and can be up to 90 seconds @QVGA (320 X 240 pixels). Use this mode to capture not just a moment, but the mood and feeling of an event.

What is an SD card?
An SD card is a Secure Digital Memory Card. This card will allow you to expand the amount of memory on the CaptureView camera up to 256 Megabytes. These cards are available in various sizes and can be purchased from any computer retailer. The CaptureView 8x42 will also work with Multi-Media Cards (MMC) up to 256MB.

Can I use the CaptureView 8x42 Camera on a Macintosh Computer?
If using a SD card you can download the images onto a Macintosh computer by using a flash card reader. You can also download your images to a Unix system. When using a flash card reader, the flash card looks like a Hard drive to your computer. Note: You cannot load to a Mac or Unix system using the camera's USB port - the USB port only can download to a Windows operating system.

How do I focus the Camera?
The camera is always in Focus from 66 feet to infinity. If you take pictures of objects closer than 66 feet they may appear fuzzy or blurry. When looking through the binoculars you will need to focus them for your eyes, but the camera will always be in focus.

What is the Flashback Feature?
A: The FlashBack feature records a movie for a user-selected period of time (5, 10, 15 or 20 seconds). You can record for as long as you like, but you will only save a recording for the period of time you have selected. For example, if you chose 10 seconds, only the last ten seconds of the recording will remain in memory and be saved--the rest of the recording is discarded.

An example of using the FlashBack feature would be to record a baseball pitcher throwing a pitch. Select 10 seconds from the FlashBack Period submenu. Press the shutter button to begin recording while the pitcher prepares. After the pitcher throws the ball, click on the shutter button again to turn off recording. You'll have saved only the last ten seconds of the pitcher's activity. ... Read more

Features

• Full-size roof prism binocular with a 2.0 megapixel digital camera to capture stills or video
• 32 MB of internal memory plus slot for Secure Digital memory card
• 1.5" diagonal color LCD flips up for composing or reviewing images and video
• Perfect for action sports, concerts, nature studies, industrial site inspection, or security and investigation applications
• Large, 42mm multi-coated objective lenses deliver super bright images even in low light

Reviews (13)

Pleasantly Surprised
After reading some mixed reviews I was skeptical, but I wanted the product and no other had as many features. Besides, I figure you get what you pay for and this was the most expensive of the bino/cameras.

The bad news first: The item feels somewhat flimsy despite its 11/2 pounds. It's made of plastic; you wouldn't want to drop it. The flip-up LCD screen appears vulnerable on its lightweight hinged base. This base rubs on an internal cable, which may wear, causing future problems. The battery cover fits so loosely I have to hold it in place with a rubber band or the camera turns off.

The good news: Most of the plastic (except the battery cover) is heavy duty. The LCD screen can be left down most of the time so it's out of harm's way. You can't see it in bright light anyway and it's only needed for the initial setup and to view pictures. Power is readily maintained with the application of a rubber band to hold the battery cover in place. The binoculars are great. The 2MP images are excellent to my non-professional eye and accurately duplicate the view seen through the binoculars. Resolution is even sufficient for further magnification with photo software. The menu and controls are user friendly. One of the best features is the internal
flash menory, which retains images even if the batteries fail, and the SD slot for expandability. Plug n' play means no potentially faulty external drivers. The device is recognized as a hard drive and images can be opened in any photo app..

I'm satisfied. It's a keeper!

Great for football fans!
Get your own instant replay of every play! We added a 256MB SD card and were able to record, replay and save every interesting play in the game, great play or lousy call, I got them all.

Very easy to use, high quality product. I was concerned that the unit might not work with my Windows 98 based system, but the included software had a DirectX upgrade that I installed that made my system compatible. The box said Windows 98SE or better was needed but my original Windows 98, not SE, works perfectly. Apparently, newer versions of Windows support the binoculars with no upgrades needed.

Excellent still pictures too, but I love the instant replay capability. This new Meade digital binocular is the best digital binocular on the market.

It is okay.
I just got my meade binoculars/digital camera. I believe the binoculars are excellent. The camera part can use some work, but for a product in its infancy, its kind of fun. I am still testing the camera part, but I do believe the price is a little high. The casing is plastic, but it appears to be pretty sturdy. It is also a bit heavier than my celestron binocular/digital camera (with no LCD). Overall, for a little fun and something new it is okay. DEFINITELY, NEEDS TRIPOD CAPABILITY, WHICH THIS ITEM DOES NOT HAVE. IF YOU ARE VERY SERIOUS ABOUT GETTING AN ITEM SUCH AS THIS AND YOU REALLY NEED IT FOR SERIOUS PIX TAKING I WOULD NOT BUY THIS ITEM UNTIL THE TECHNOLOGY IMPROVES, BUT IF YOU WANT IT FOR FUN AND THE PRICE GOES DOWN A BIT, THEN GO FOR IT. I AM KEEPING MINE. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO ADVANCEMENT IN THIS FIELD.

not what I thought
I have only used these twice for a total of about 40 pictures. I am sure once I use them more the quality will improve. I was disappointed when I realized that what you see in the binocular is NOT what the picture will be. To frame the picture you must use the LCD screen, which is impossible to see in sunlight. I suggest getting either a good digital camera with high zoom or good binoculars not a combination, until this tecnology improves. The binoculars are very good by themselves.The camera is difficult to use.

an expensive toy but only a toy
I had high hopes of using this instead of taking a more expensive and bulky camera out to the field in dog field trial events. Pictures are blurry. Videos are blurry. Not user friendly. I am a professional photographer, and I hope that photos that I take will result in identifiable images, so that someone that was not there can tell what it is I photographed. The camera portion does not live up to any reasonable expectations, and, while the binoculars are quite good, the overall weight with the 'camera' make the combination too heavy. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Weighing just one pound, the Meade Travel View 10x25 miniature folding roof-prism binocular is discreet and powerful. With 10x magnification, this portable binocular can accommodate any observational purpose. Soft grips allow for easy use even with gloves on, and the central focusing system can beaccessed with either hand. Also included are a soft nylon carrying case and neck strap. ... Read more

Features

• Field of view: 366 ft. at 1000 yds.
• Close focusing distance at 10 feet
• Multi-coated lenses

Reviews (1)

Perfect Starter Binocular
The Meade Travel View 10x25 Mini Folding Roof Prism Binocular is the perfect entry or beginner level binocular. The sheer versatility of these binoculars is amazing. I received mine as a gift and love them. I can sit in my easy chair in my living room and watch the hummingbirds at my hummingbird feeder outside my living room window a mere 9 or 10 feet away. The view is crisp clear and very good even at dusk with diminishing light. I also take these binoculars to the canal and bird/nature watch there, everything up to 1000+ yards is made easily viewable regardless of lighting conditions. These binoculars are even good for gazing at the moon. Simply the best starter binoculars for anyone looking for an economical yet effective way to enhance hobby viewing. These binoculars are simple, no bells or whistles yet they have everything they need in features and construction to make for a lifetime of great viewing. Very durable and rigid construction make for binoculars you'll want to take everywhere and can due to it's compact size! The soft rubber grips assure a good handle on things and the light weight mean you can hold these for hours easily. The field of view is quite good and the focus dial set in the middle rotates smoothly with either hand. Great all purpose binocular for the nature or sports lover on a budget. Classic Meade quality at an entry price make for an everyday everywhere pair of binoculars! ... Read more

Features

• Computer controller to help locate celestial objects
• Great for terrestrial and space viewing
• 2 eye pieces (78x and 28x)
• 700mm focal length
• Aluminum tripod with accessory tray

Amazon.com Product Description

Camera and binoculars in one: This tremendously versatile 8x22 compact binocular with its integrated 640x480 resolution digital camera is perfect for anyone who wants to view all the action up-close, and capture it digitally as well. The built-in digital camera captures what you see in the 8-power view of the binocular.

Features include:

• Fully coated optics.
• 8MB of internal memory.
• Optimum imaging range from 49' to infinity.
• Capture up to 40 images at the full .3 megapixel resolution. More images can be stored at the lower resolution setting.
• Standard equipment includes: USB cable; carry case; neck strap; cleaning cloth; complete instructions; CD-ROM with image-editing and archiving software.

FAQs

1. What can I view with my CaptureView Binoculars?
   

   USB port for easy PC connectivity

   Use your CaptureView Binoculars for Sporting Events, Bird-watching, Public Events, viewing wildlife. Anything you would use a standard pair of binoculars for, the CaptureView will see and give you the added advantage of capturing the image.

2. Can I take pictures in cold weather?
   Your CaptureView Binocular is rated to be used from 41F - 104F (5 to 40C), 20%-85% relative humidity, non-condensing. Using your camera in below freezing tempertures may not allow the camera to function normally,
   and may cause the batteries to lose their charge more quickly.

3. Can I use other programs to manipulate my images? Can I use them to download images from my Camera?
   You can use your other photo imaging programs to manipulate your images. The CaptureView binoculars will have no trouble downloading images to other software.

4. How do I focus the Camera?
   The camera will be in focus no matter whether the image is in or out of focus for your eyes. The range for the CaptureView binoculars is from 49 feet to Infinity for photography. The Binoculars will focus on objects 16.4 feet away, but for effective use of the camera, take pictures of objects from 49 feet to Infinity.

5. How many images will it hold?
   The CaptureView 8x22 Digital Camera Binocular will hold up to 40 high resolution images on the VHI resolution mode (640x480). The CaptureView will hold 100 images on the LO resolution mode (320x240).

The Nuts and Bolts

Diopter Knob (on underside) Center Focus Knob Objective Lens Power/ModeButton Shutter/Select Button USB Port Eyepiece Camera Lens LCD Screen Battery Compartment Lid Barrel

... Read more

Features

• Binocular and digital camera combo
• Binocular features include rubber armor coating, internal baffles, smooth central focusing, and coated optics
• Digital camera features include 8 MB of memory
• Two capture settings--low (320 x 240 pixels) and high (640 x 480 pixels)
• Comes complete with editing software, carrying case, neck strap, and USB cable

Reviews (28)

Meade Capture View by semi-pro photographer. FK Walter
Received Binoculars/Camera as a Christmas gift. The Binoculars seem to work fine. However; the digital camera leaves a lot to be desired. Do not expect to get a Sharpe picture on distant objects!! I have taken at least 60 different shots and the only fair ones are from 50 to 200 feet. I am using the Nikon Colpix 5000(5Mega Pixils)!! The difference is like night and day!! Do not expect the Meade camera to even come close to the quality of our Nikon 5000! We Plan to use the Binocular portion mainly on hiking trips and to take an occasional picture at about 200 feet out. This would be OK for someone new to digital photography and wants a entry level camera. A nice toy, but not a quality camera!!

SAD
Internal timer with no controls? No 'OFF' switch. Turn it and take pics...great. As long as you keep taking pics all is well.If you loose track of the 2 minute window..it turns off! RATS No way to extend the 2 minutes? Looking thru binocs you have no hint (is the camera on or off?)
PROBLEMS:
1) Internal timer-that can be fixed with a firmware download but if you extend the timer to 30 minutes..ya can't turn it off.Well you can by removing the battery cover. And that's another problem.
2) plastic battery cover.A toy .Not long for this world
3)no cover for memory slot or USB port or lens covers (5)
4) Beeper? What beeper? I can't hear any beeper.
5) Battery labels? + and - are confusing for first time

Just turned it on,took one picture..it turned off. Turn it on, take another picture,set it on the counter..it turned off??????
Grrrrrrrrr

Disappointed - disgusted
Received as a gift, tried first time at a full daylight baseball game. Camera auto-shutoff between pitches makes it impossible to get quick action shots. Difficult to retrieve the photos, due to the poor driver software that locks up your PC, requires disconnecting other USB devices. Defective photos: images have jagged horizontal lines in neon colors bisecting the middle (where the interesting part of the photo should be). The (partial) images below the jagged horizontal lines have incorrect colors - baseball fields are not deep purple! I'm sorry I wasted my time with it.

Not sure I like it yet
I opened the box and installed (or tried to install) the software for this piece of equipment, and found that the software loaded ok, the driver installed properly, but the Tutorial WOULD NOT RUN. I am VERY disappointed in the documentation (instructions for the software and technical info for the camera/binocs)! As another reviewer stated, the thing shuts off after 10 seconds of non-use - a pain in the neck when you are out 'birding' and trying to catch the perfect shot - and that is NOT DOCUMENTED anywhere!

I will keep trying with this...I have a trip coming up and plan to take my REAL camera, too. I am sure the technology on these things will get better. I hope to contact Meade and let them know how disappointed I am.

A good camera
This camera is excellent for birdwatching & catching those great shots. The perfect picture is about 16 feet from you- I have taken some prize winning photos with mine.It is fixed focus and takes some time to learn to perfect your technique- but by and all I am pleased with the price and the product. My boyfriend also bought one and we enjoy taking pictures together and comparing.A good product- a good price. ... Read more

Features

• View live monochrome video images through telescope
• Composite video port for sending image to TV, VCR, or camcorder (6-foot RCA cable included)
• Use with any telescope with 1.25- or 0.96-inch eyepiece
• Powered by 9-volt battery (not included)
• Easy to use and setup with contrast control dial

Reviews (4)

A clever (and fun!) gadget
The name is somewhat misleading. What this is, actually, is a small, senitive black and white TV camera designed to slip into a telescope focuserin place of an eyepiece. Now this won't deliver images of faint, deep-sky objects- you need a cooled CCD and long exposures for that- but it will deliver excellent views of the moon and planets to a TV monitor, videorecorder of computer with video converter. Using videotape and a digitizer as a "poor man's active optics" it's possible to select frames and produce suprisingly good results.

At the asking price, it's a pretty good deal, too, and an inexpensive way to get started in digital astrophotograp

great addition to any telescope
This eyepiece is quite nice. I tried it out and was amazed at the results. I use it on a six inch reflecting telescope. I used it first on the best target in the night sky, the Moon. It looked as though I was looking through a window on an apollo capsule orbiting the moon. I am not kidding. It was great. I then moved over to Saturn. I could clearly see the rings and bands of clouds. This item is worth the cost!

Fun for bright objects
There was very little documentation, nothing saying anything about the focal length to give any idea of the actual magnification.
Fun for bright objects, I've used it to get images of Jupiter and Saturn and some of the moon. I could only faintly see Jupiter's biggest moons when viewing on the TV screen (with the contrast set so Jupiter is washed out). When using my video capture card I couldn't get the moons to show up at any level of contrast, but still got some medeocre pics of Jupiter itself. There's not a very wide feild of view so it's very dificult to center something without tracking.
I've noticed that I can use it as a poor-man's electronic microscope by attaching my 25mm Meade eyepiece to it and using my trypod to help steady and focus.
A fun toy but I wouldn't expect to get any nebula or any other faint object with it.

Beware...
A few things you must know before purchasing the eyepiece:
1. The display is MONOCHROME (black & white)
2. You will need a 9-volt battery
3. In order to hook it up to the TV, your TV needs to have a yellow-colored Video-In port. Many TVs have it, duh, but yours might not. Some of us might have pawned our good TV set just to get enough cash for an ETX-90EC.
4. Keep in mind that you will need to take your TV or VCR where your telescope is. You might need an extension cord.
Have fun~* ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Meade Polaris 60 AZ-D is a quality refracting telescope for land or sky viewing. It is perfect for observing celestial objects like Saturn, Jupiter,and the moon. It has an attractive design and fits in any room. The Polaris 60AZ-D is a cost-efficient telescope for the beginner. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Telescope
Its nice and you can look at the stars and its so fun.

You get what you pay for
with this cheap and cheerful 'scope from Meade. I liked their 90-AZ-F model far more, but it's [$$$] more expensive and you have to purpose build a stable viewing platform out of red brick in order to use it, so as a compromise, the 60-AZ-D is a much better choice. For children wishing to spy on school friends two blocks down you can't go wrong with this. Does exactly what it says on the box - "Warning - this product may contain nuts."

eyepieces serverly limit view-here are tips for you...
not a bad little telescope but the eye pieces are of the poorest
quality .not what i expected from a company with such a good name.
if you use the scope with out the 3x barlow (total junk) and with out angle mirror (also very poor resoslution )and use the eye piece dirrectly its just ok . then add a stone or other near by heavy object on tripod stay and the shaking will stop..
adjust the thumb screws so you get just enough resistance to move scope -good luck -and buy better eye pieces if you plan to keep it ..

Be aware of the limitations before you buy
The notion of a $99 telescope is very attractive, but don't think a scope of this size and quality will deliver those stunning NASA-like images of Saturn and Jupiter you're used to seeing on TV.

This is a modest little scope, capable of modest magnification. The 60mm (2-1/2 inch) objective lens means that the absolute maximum maginification this scope is capable of is about 100x. The spindly tripod, however, makes viewing at anything over 40x or so near impossible.

Through this scope (and similar ones) Saturn and Jupiter will appear like little dots- about the size of a dime 10 or 15 feet away. You'll just be able to make out that Saturn has rings. Views of the Moon will be much better- you'll be able to see details in craters that can keep you busy for a long time- and some star culsters and deep-sky objets will be interesting viewing if you have a dark sky to use this scope under.

But that tripod is still a problem. If you do buy this scope, use it sitting down, with the tripod at its shortest length, and some weights attached to stabilize it, and you'll be rewarded with a more usable scope. Still, you'll be better off saving another $100 and getting a slightly larger scope with a sturdier mounting.

telescope
I like this twlescope a lot because of it attractive features a magnificant look. ... Read more

Features

• Excellent general-purpose eyepiece for observing hairline lunar and planetary detail or resolving faint nebulosity in deep-space
• Extremely low astigmatism, spherical aberration, and off-axis color
• Incorporates 7-layer multi-coatings and edge-blackened optics
• Includes a soft rubber eyeguard, custom-fitted with a bayonet mount
• Eyeguard folds down for eyeglass wearers

Features

• Fully coated optics
• 16MB of internal memory
• Optimum imaging range from 49' to infinity
• Capture up to 60 seconds of video with internal memory
• Minimum interpupilary distance is 57mm

Reviews (5)

Stay away
The first camera died the day after Christmas. The second lasted four months longer, but only because we didn't use it in the interim. The problem was the same in both cases: for no apparent reason, the camera fails to turn on.

Gave it as a Christmas present didn't work
Not good a waste of money it didn't work. No power went to the camera so it did not work. Son in Law took it on Vacation useless.

Capture View
Instructions very poor. For exam ple, instr. do not tell you that batteries must be in camera and camera must be "on" in order to download to PC. Also not told that if you take batteries out ,will lose any pictures still in camera. Maybe this is elemenetary to a camera buff but not to a novice like myself.

Battery contacts in battery compartment not well designed or installed. Hard to make contact to activate camera.One spring terminal was "bent" when I got camera and had to be straightened to get battery in. Sometimes batteries will make contact and sometimes not.

Judging by the few pictures that I have been able to view, picture quality seems to be good, however.

I'd like a replacement but not sure how to expediently accomplish this.

An item to avoid
The Meade CaptureView has two features that should annoy most of us. First of all, it is powered by two AA batteries, but claims to be unable to prevent the batteries from discharging and harming the device if the batteries are left in while the device is off.

Secondly, its USB interface is apparently a version of the USB mass storage standard altered to prevent it from working with anything but Microsoft operating systems. For a company one often associates with scientific interests, active discrimination against users of Mac and unix seems unwarranted.

Poorly designed but a great idea awaiting improvement
I pre-ordered this binocular/camera gizmo a few months before it was available, anxious for its release. I got it a few months late, but here are my thoughts. While it's certainly a great idea spotting that unusual bird and snapping a close up photo of it. Unfortunately this particular product is one of those made by the same people who design tippy, shallow beverage holders for cars. Just a little more thinking on the part of the designer would lead to a drink holder that will hold a beverage upright in a moving vehicle. Similar problems with the Meade binocular here. For example: the camera runs by batteries which the instructions recommend you remove each time after you use the camera. Better design would include an on-off switch. Would you buy a battery operated radio if you had to remove the battery after each use?
I returned this product for refund, though I do look forward to future revisions. :) ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

When the original ETX telescope, the ETX-90RA, was introduced in 1996, it quickly created a revolution in amateur astronomy. Here for the first time was an ultraportable and highly versatile telescope system of unprecedented optical resolution and performance. Within a year of its introduction the ETX became the top-selling modern telescope in the world.

Manufactured entirely at Meade's Irvine, California, facility, ETX Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes produce optical performance and resolution that equal or exceed any Maksutov optics of similar apertures ever manufactured at any price, past or present. Their optics are so high in contrast, image brightness, and resolution that the ETX-90EC and ETX-125EC often outperform many telescopes of larger apertures.These models build on the original ETX concept to create the most advanced electronically controlled telescopes--including optional automatic go-to-object location with the Autostar computer controller--ever produced in their price range. And yet they don't sacrifice any of the user-friendly features that started the ETX revolution.

With twice the light-collecting area of the Meade ETX-90EC, the Meade ETX-125EC permits a much broader range of astronomical study. Jupiter's cloud belts, for example, are observable at a significantly heightened level of detail, with whirls and festoons and the Great Red Spot readily visible as they transit the planet's disc. The Cassini division in Saturn's rings is routinely seen, as are additional features of the planet's surface, even under less than perfect seeing conditions. Microfine lunar detail beyond the reach of smaller telescopes can be resolved in the Meade ETX-125EC. Looking to deep space, the ETX-125EC's larger aperture enables the observation of galaxies and nebulae in much wider extension. The entire Messier listing of 110 objects is now not only visible, but every object additionally takes on a readily discernible structure.

The observer who accepts astronomy as a serious field of interest will find the Meade ETX-125EC a deeply satisfying instrument for a lifetime of high-resolution astronomical study. ... Read more

Features

• 500x maximum magnification
• Fork mounts with standard-equipment dual-axis drive system and electronic controller
• Altazimuth or equatorial operation
• Cordless field operation
• Flip-mirror system

Reviews (10)

A great telescope
If you are considering purchasing any of the ETX models of telescopes I would strongly suggest paying extra for the 125EC. The 125EC's aperture is 193% larger than the 90EC's and this makes a huge difference. The brightness of galaxies and star clusters allow even closer magnification and brilliance. If you are going to make an investment on a telescope, you want a scope that you can be happy with for many many years, and with the resolve capabilities of the 125EC, you will be. I have seen spectacular displays of the Andromida galaxy along with many closer objects such Mars, Jupiter, and our moon.

Be aware though, that the price does not stop at this telescope. In order to get any practical viewing out of this you absolutely must purchase the deluxe field tripod for $200. This somewhat limits the portability of the telescope, but if you do not have it, you will not be able to see much at all. Also, the hard carrying case is greatly beneficial. For about 6 months I lugged this telescope around in the original box that it came in and it was a pain. The cardboard was bending and it would get wet and soft. Also you cannot take any accessories in the original box like eyepieces or the Autostar controller. The hard carrying case holds at least three eyepieces and has room for other accessories. Any other things that you buy with this telescope would be luxuries, like the T-adapter for taking pictures, the dew shield (you don't really need that and it doesn't always work), or any filters.

If you have thought about buying the Autostar controller, I would hold off for a bit. It is extremely beneficial to learn the sky on your own, so that if ever you part with that controller, or your batteries run dead, you are not lost in the dark. It is not hard at all to learn the skies, and with a few weeks time, with or without a telescope, you can master most of the constellations. An unparalleled benefit of the controller is its capability to track objects during your observations. It is able to hold objects in the field of view for hours without having to adjust the telescope manually.

The ETX telescope itself is great; it has a motor drive system with four speeds so finding any object under any magnification is easy. Its portability is handy when it comes to taking it over long distances. I had no problem taking this scope with me in a canoe in the Adirondacks to a remote camping site (the viewing there was spectacular). This would be a great telescope for any astronomer, as a first one to learn the skies, or as a backup, to use for long trips.

Good, pleasant, but not without a few problems
I bought this scope about a month ago. Overall I'm pleased. Its not too heavy, and the size makes it relatively easy to pull out of the garage and into the backyard.

I also bought several accessories with it. The field tripod is a must if you want any semblance of stability. And the plossl lense that it comes with is good for viewing the Moon, possibly some open star clusters, but not much else. You will probably end up getting one or two additional, higher power lenses -- and possibly a barlow as well. I bought the 12.4mm lense and the 2x barlow, and when using both at full magnification it can really bring an object like Saturn to life. The problem is that even the slightest vibration can cause the image to shudder.

I bought the Autostar, but can testify that when running on battery power alone you will NOT be able to "punch in an object" and expect it to go right there. It will get close, but even 8 new AA batteries seem to struggle to power the thing. So I ended up buying the power adapter, and now it works much better and more accurately.

As you can see, you may end up buying lots of accessories to get a good experience from your scope. However, it appears to be worth it. I have no regrets.

Meade ETX-125EC Wins for portability
My 11 year old son and I jointly purchased a Meade ETX-125EC and tripod. When I was his age I spent my summer nights outside looking though a fair quality 4.5 inch Newtonian reflector. My son took the Astronomy merit badge in Boy Scouts and got the bug bad! We looked through my old scope, the mount had broken, so we went shopping.

The ETX-125 fit our needs perfectly: good compromise in light gathering while being very portable (19 lbs)and outstanding optical quality. The tripod works well and is steady. We opted to wait to purchase the AutoStar computer controller so he can learn the locations of nebula, planets and double stars on his own and become familiar with the sky. We enjoy hunting down faint objects and finding them!

As to another reviewer's suggestion that for the same money you could buy a 10 inch Dobsonian reflector...most people would also have to buy a truck to haul it in! We like the portability to take it away from the city in search of darker skies.

Trouble and Poor Customer Support from Meade
I just purchased a new ETX-125EC (June 2003). I keep getting motor failure errors and retraining does not help. In talking with Meade they indicated that it was probably a motor encoder problem and to please send it back for repairs. The expected wait was quoted as 3 weeks. Asked why the wait was so long it boiled down to "get in line with everyone else needing repairs". Frankly, I didn't pay [money]. for a new scope to get in a 3 week line. I have an old (20 years) C11 as well as a C90 so I am very close to returning the unit to the supplier, who has tried to help but had no pull with Meade to do any better, and telling Meade to take their scope and arrogant customer service and shove it.

Portable but Pricey
This is the size that the ETX should have been when it was introduced. The 125 is a relatvely new member of the ETX lineup, and the one that I would recommend first to those with the money and the desire to buy an "UltraPortable" scope. With its 5 inches of aperture, it is the only ETX scope so far that I would recommend for any sort of serious deep sky (galaxies, star custers, nebulae) viewing. (See my review ot the ETX-90 for an explanation of why aperture is important.)

I am the president of a large (300 members) astronomy club in Columbus, Ohio and have looked through thousands of telescopes in my life- including a few Meade ETX-125s. The scope seems to be high quality, very contrasty, with just a touch of softness that makes views through it distinguishable from high end refractors costing many times as much. If you enjoy planetary or lunar viewing, and don't want the hassle and expense of a large refractor, or the "cool down time" of a reflecting scope, then this is the scope for you.

The AutoStar GOTO system seems to be the same as the one on the ETX-90, and, as in that scope, seems to do a good job finding objects. (Recommendation: learn the names of the brightest 20 or so stars in the sky. You will need them as guide stars to align the scope with.)

NOTE: I have stood next to many first time users of the Meade-ETX (all versions) and watched them fumble in the dark for hours with the system of computerized menus in the GOTO system that comes with this scope. Learn to use it in the daylight or during the full moon and not while you're cutting into your observing time.

At its current average asking price, beginning astronomy enthusiasists might ETX-125 might be a bit pricey. At much less, views that are almost as good (if not better, due to greater aperture) can be had through and 6-8 inch Orion or Meade Dobsonian scope. On the other hand, like the ETX-90, the ETX-125 is extremely portable- perfect for travel or quick looks.

The 24 millimeter finder is useless for finding anything but guide stars and the planets. It is difficult to align, and is so small that very little can be seen through it.

I would recommend getting a dew shield in addition to this scope. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The compact Meade Travel View binocular sports a versatile 8-17x magnification for practically any observational purpose. It has a soft, rubberized cover for a firm grip and a central focusing system. Also included is a soft nylon carrying case and neck strap. ... Read more

Features

• Compact and light for travel anywhere
• 8-17x magnification
• Multicoated lens
• Includes carrying case and neck strap
• Center focusing system

Reviews (1)

Compact, light and the price is right..........
I wanted to purchase some compact, lightweight binoculars for multi-use. I travel a lot, go to NFL games a lot, go to plays (with my wife) a lot and wanted something that was versatile in application and easy to place in my pocket or luggage. I have found these binoculars by Meade to be the ticket. Lower power for the casual and normal viewing. Great for the balcony in the theater. Zoom to high power, with a lot less light loss than I expected, for the NFL games in the stadium (handy for viewing the cheerleaders...). These compacts are rubber coated for true grasp and also helps keep light inclimate weather off too. Zoom control is handy and easy to move. I keep them with me almost always. I am into backyard astronomy and have telescopes and large binoculars. I have found that Meade products have never done me wrong. So I applied that logic to this purchase and found that again Meade has held true to form. I shopped around for these very binoculars and various other brands and zoom powers in a compact. If you are looking for a great name in optics, a great compact zoomer at the best price available. This is the one. Have fun. ... Read more

Features

• 8x22 compact binocular with it's integrated 640x480 resolution digital camera
• Built-in digital camera captures what you see in the 8-power view of the binocular
• Automatic exposure, and focus-free settings
• Compact and light weight
• Perfect for capturing sports, racing events, or distant wildlife

Reviews (2)

Best Digital Camera Binocular!!!!
What a great Innovation!! At a recent baseball game we shot over 200 photo's!! This camera is loaded with so much memory its hard to run out. I recommend it for anybody into sporting events. We didn't miss a shot. The download to the computer afterwards was easy, and the photo's were great! This is a great deal!

Cheap Construction
I cannot tell you about picture quality for these binoculars because I couldn't get past the cheap construction. I bought these for my husband for hunting and the races but had to send 2 pair back before even using them. The body is cheap silver looking brushed plastic and it had dents and dings. The battery cover wouldn't even close. That was my first pair. I got the second and the battery cover still wouldn't snap closed. VERY POORLY MADE. Now my husband is disappointed and so am I. I suggest shopping around. I know I will. ... Read more

Features

• Fully coated optics
• Field of View: 290 ft. at 1000 yds.
• Ideal for hiking, travel and distant scenery
• Black rubber cover for durability

Reviews (1)

Pleasantly surprised
After a sour learning experience with highly-rated (by a stock tout in the WSJ!) Meade compact binoc, I was recently impressed with the quality and design of two samples of the 8X version of this model. For the price, the center sharpness and high eyepoint are impressive, the focusing is close-tolerance and smooth, and the image symmetry and collimation seem good. All of these qualities were notably absent from the touted model. While the 8x32 binocs are imperfect in edge sharpness and resistance to flare, they are entirely satisfactory, especially as gifts. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Skillfully observing the many visible stars and planets can be very daunting for the beginner and trying for even the intermediate amateur astronomer, but the Meade DS-2114ATS telescope makes it easy thanks to the Autostar computer controller system. You can locate any astronomical object by entering it into the keypad; electric motors then align the telescope to display the object. The Autostar's catalog includes 74 galaxies, 135 star clusters, 26 asteroids, and the 8 major planets, for a total of 1,586 viewable objects.

You can store up to 200 objects in the memory for an immediate go-to function. Digital readouts display the telescope’s position in both radians and decimal form. Oversize bearings and locks on both of the telescope’s axes eliminate imprecisions of movement that are common to lesser telescopes.

Since it is a Newtonian reflector, the DS-2114ATS's aluminized primary mirror and elliptical secondary mirror provide sharp and bright images at a relatively low price. This optical system has a 114mm aperture and a focal length of 1000mm. The 6x30mm viewfinder and eyepiece, with a diameter of 1.25 inches, makes viewing comfortable and free of any eye strain. Also included are an aluminum tripod with a fold-up accessory shelf and astronomy software on CD-ROM. ... Read more

Features

• 114mm aperture for a focal length of 1000mm
• Newtonian reflector with relay lens
• Aluminum tripod with unique fold-up accessory shelf
• 6x30 viewfinder
• Included astronomy software on CD-ROM

Reviews (8)

Good telescope for the beginner
This is an acceptable scope if you get it for $250 or less. If you intend to spend more than that, get yourself an 8" or 10" dobsonian.
After using it for a few months, I now realise that its not the electronics and motors that matter in a good telescope, but the optics for a beginner. The 4.5" primary mirror is good enough for planetary / lunar observation. The eyepieces that come with this scope are just acceptable, and I can afford to have kids smear jam and butter on them. For my own use, I use a set of Series 4000 plossls I purchased separately.
I do want to add that Meade customer service is excellent. If I were to purchase a higher end scope, I would go to Meade. Primarily because of their superb customer service.
Hope that helps.
Clear skies :-)

Poor quality, not worth the money
I bought this telescope 2 months ago from a local telescope shop. I wanted a simple "GO TO" telescope and I did not want to spend top dollars for my first scope. while unpacking the scope I made an observation that the primary tube was not packed very well (only one layer of bubble wrap), in any case assembling the scope took about an hour and the first time I started using it I realized the scope motor was failing to engage the lever responsible for the vertical motion (up and down) I packed the scope back in the box and asked the store for a replacement. This is when it gets really interesting; I opened the box, unwrapped the tube and heard something jiggling inside the tube. The secondary mirror has come lose and was hitting the primary mirror and damaged it, so I decided to try to swallow my frustration and attempt to fix it which I did ,I glued it back, looked though he provided 25 mm eye piece and could not notice any scratches, so I continued with the assembling the rest. I took the mount with the motor from it's box and it was broken in half, at that point I realized that this "THING" is not worth my time, I went back to the store returned it and got a Celestron GT114. All I can say about my experience with the Celestron is it's cheaper, far better quality, arrived very well Collimated.
took me 10 minutes to assemble. If you are looking for a good quality beginner telescope that would be satisfactory for a long time go with the Celestron GT114, or GT130.

Damaged during shipment
I ordered the Meade DS2114ATS Telescope through Amazon.com, but it was actually shipped by J&R Music and Computer World (JR.com). It only took a couple of days for the telescope to arrive, but unfortunately it had been damaged during shipping. The smaller, secondary mirror had becomed detached from its mount and was bouncing around inside the tube. As a result the secondary mirror was chipped around the edges, and the primary mirror had numerous scratches.

The telescope seemed to be packed well for shipping and there was no apparent damage to the outside of the box. The main tube of the telescope was packed in three levels of boxes. My impression is that Meade's process of gluing the secondary mirror to its mount just isn't strong enough to withstand the rigors of shipping. I decided the quality of the telescope was not quite what I had expected. I returned it to J&R and requested a full refund which I received about 3 weeks later. After doing some more howework, I have decided to try ordering my next scope from Orion.

Was well worth the price (free!), some issues
I ordered this 'scope because I'd always had a slight interest in stargazing, yet not enough to spend enough for a decent view. Where I live is pretty dark, no street lights, so when I had the opportunity to get this thing by using points on my credit card, I took it.

Got the box, found that some thingy inside the big tube came loose (some lens) and was bouncing around. It did have minor scratches on the big mirror, but I polished them out. I saw where the glue came loose and reglued the lens, and it worked.

The spotting scope is a real piece of work, took forever to get it to point where the big scope pointed.

The "free" $89 software that it came with was crap. It wouldn't install on Windows XP, and was copyright 2000. Got it this afternoon. The help files and "manual" had links to www.starrynight.com, but the links were broken. Went to www.starrynight.com and found that the "bundle" had no upgrade path, and the new software was $149. Cheapest I found was here on Amazon at $130. I'll probably play around with the scope for a few weeks before deciding to get the software. Sure, $130 overall cost for this telescope is good, but $130 for a freebie, well, I have to sit on that for a bit :).

So-so
If you're not lucky and you need to collimate the telescope, you'll quicky regret buying this newtownian. Collimating a telescope is a real pain, the instructions are not clear and the customer support at Meade is mediocre at best.

After many tries, I was able to collimate the thing and was able to see saturn's rings. The autostart is a wonderful thing, the tripod is pretty good. I did return the telescope because the altitude lock broke. ... Read more

Features

• Astronomy binoculars ideal for comets, start clusters, and distant scenery
• 9x magnification, 305-foot field of view at 1000 yards
• Fully coated optics and BAK-4 prisms
• Durable rubber-coated body
• Includes soft case and necks strap; 1-year warranty

Amazon.com Product Description

Skillfully observing the many visible stars and planets in the sky can be daunting for the beginner and trying for even the intermediate amateur astronomer, but the Meade DS-2070AT telescope makes the task easy with the Autostar computer controller system. You can locate any astronomical object by entering it into the keypad; electric motors then align the telescope to display the object. The Autostar's catalog includes 74 galaxies, 135 star clusters, 26 asteroids, and the 8 major planets, for a total of 1,586 objects that you can view.

You can store up to 200 objects in the memory for an immediate go-to function. Digital readouts display the telescope’s position in both radians and decimal form. Oversize bearings and locks on both of the telescope’s axes eliminate imprecisions of movement that are common to lesser telescopes.

With a 70mm diameter and a focal length of 700mm, the multicoated, color-corrected objective lens increases image contrast and light transmission. The 5x24mm viewfinder and 1.25-inch diameter eyepiece makes viewing comfortable and free of any eye strain. Also included are an aluminum tripod with a fold-up accessory shelf and astronomy software on CD-ROM. ... Read more

Features

• 70mm aperture for a focal length of 700mm
• Eyepiece diameter of 1.25 inches
• Aluminum tripod with unique fold-up accessory shelf
• 5x24 viewfinder
• Included astronomy software on CD-ROM

Reviews (4)

save your money
To be fair, I have never used a telescope before. I have, however, assembled many products using instruction manuals. I found this manual difficult to follow. It lists the assembly instructions in two different areas of the manual and each set of instructions were slightly different from each other. I had the same problem with the alignment instructions. The remote control is impossible to read while it scrolls. I couldn't tell you if the telescope is aligned properly, but we could not see anything with it. We managed to manually find a bright star through the viewfinder, but it looked much better to the naked eye than through the scope. We are very frustrated with this product and will probably return it.

May be the Moon
No stars or other celestial stuff will be shown by the thing .... use it for the Moon, and forget the rest. If you really want to see stars, spend much more bucks. This will be great for my kids' kids.

Not big enough for astronomy
I have bought 4 of these telescopes for young people and the elderly. It is ok for looking at the moon, but little else. Telescopes must have APERTURE to be useful, and this little 70mm scope's objective lens is too small - try a DS 90mm scope which has much better quality and shows a lot!

In addition, the Meade DS scopes usually have only 0.965" eyepieces, and they are crap. Buy a telescope that uses 1.25" eyepieces. The DS90 has an adapter that permits 1.25" and even 2" eyepieces, which show much more sky when you are observing.

Great Starter Scope
After much research and product comparisons, I opted to purchase this scope and I am extremely happy with my buying decision. The first night I had the scope, it was setup and in use! It was easy to setup, very user friendly and I could actually follow the instruction manual to enhance my experience. I highly recommend this scope to people who are interested in astronomy but don't want to committ to a pricey scope or complicated setup and use. Definately a great buy for a family also! Happy star gazing... ... Read more

Features

• Observing latitude from 20-90 degrees
• 90 degree Altazimuth orientation
• Fully adjustable from 25" - 43"
• Graduated scale for elevation-angle adjustment
• Deluxe carry bag included

Features

• Compact and light for travel anywhere
• 10x magnification
• Fully coated lens
• Includes carrying case and neck strap
• Center focusing system