#MEADE AUTOSTAR 497 FOR EXT90 SERIES#

The ETX 90 and ETX 125 Observer telescopes returned with many upgrades in 2016 continuing the legacy of the ETX series for years to come. Production of the ETX 105 ended in November 2009 and the ETX 125 followed suit in October 2011. Retail price of the ETX telescope has been constantly going down since its original 1996 introduction while capabilities and included accessories have increased dramatically. Production of these final versions was in China. The mounting points for the tabletop tripod were deleted as well. These scopes were assembled in Meade's new facility located in Mexico.Р”Р‡inal versions of the ETX-PE (after January 2007) used a revised (framed viewfinder) LNT module and Autostar controller (#497ep), made the UHTC coatings standard and went back to blue optical tubes. These Premier Edition telescopes had an image of the North American (ETX125) or Orion (ETX90) Nebulae printed on the optical tube. The small right-angle finder scope was replaced on these models by a LNT (Level North Technology) module which included a level sensor, a magnetic north sensor, accelerometer, real-time clock and a frameless red-dot viewfinder. In October 2004, Meade announced the new ETX-PE or Premier Edition. It only has copper pads which the conductive rubber keys contact. The key-side is hard to expose, and doesnt have much of interest on it. This coating improves light transmission by about 15%. If you take off the covers of your Autostar, youll find that it contains a two-sided circuit board. Meade's UHTC (Ultra High Transmission Coating) treatment was first offered as an option on 'EC' model telescopes (part of the 'AT' bundle) in 2002.

Not officially a new model but rather a package (which eventually became standard), the 'AT' package included an ETX-EC telescope bundled with the #497 Autostar controller and a stronger 'deluxe' #884 tripod. A 'standard' #883 tripod was available as an optional accessory. An optional #497 Autostar package was offered and would replace the simple electric controls, turning the ETX-EC into a fully computerized 'goto' telescope. In January 1999, Meade introduced the ETX-EC which included electronic control of both axis through a small hand-controller. Also included were tabletop tripod legs similar to the Questar.

The original 1996 model, now referred to as the 'RA' or 'classic' model, had a clockwork mechanism to track movement of the earth with an equatorial wedge, but it cannot be retrofitted for computer control. The line has come to take advantage of ' goto' telescope mount technology, making it very popular with amateur astronomers. The ETX started out as a 90Р’В mm (3-1/2') Maksutov Cassegrain telescope (first produced in 1996) and took advantage of high volume mass production and simplified optical and parts construction to open a new market for a cheap alternative to the very expensive Questar 3-1/2 Maksutov Cassegrain The ETX 'line' has been expanded to 105Р’В mm, and 125Р’В mm Maksutov Cassegrains and achromatic refracting telescopes in sizes of 60Р’В mm and 70Р’В mm, but these two models were later replaced by an 80Р’В mm model.

Meade autostar 497 for ext90