Ethan Clarke
The Meade ETX-90 is a telescope designed for amateur astronomers who want a decent viewing experience without breaking the bank. It was first released in 1996 and was in production until 2021. The telescope features plastic gears, a plastic shaft with a gear mounted on it, and plastic standoffs. The type of plastic used in the ETX-90's construction is ABS plastic, which can be welded back together using ABS adhesive and a proper primer.
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What You'll Learn
Plastic standoffs and gears
Standoffs and gears made from plastic are used in a variety of applications, from telescopes to modelling.
Plastic Standoffs
Plastic standoffs are used in electronic hardware to connect and mount circuit boards, panels, doors, and gears. They provide sturdy support and alignment, ensuring proper positioning and spacing between components. They are commonly used to reduce component contact, elevate stacked sections, and create space for heat dissipation. Plastic standoffs are available in various materials, including nylon, which provides insulation and prevents electrical shorts.
Plastic Gears
Plastic gears are often used in modelling and machinery. Different types of plastic have varying strengths and abilities to cope with shock loads. For example, Tufnol, a type of plastic, is stronger and better able to handle shock loads than Delrin or nylon. However, it requires proper lubrication for long-term use. Delrin and nylon, on the other hand, can be run dry if kept clean. Nylon gears are known to run quieter than steel gears, reducing noise at higher speeds.
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UHTC coating
The ETX 90 is a telescope that features a UHTC coating. UHTC stands for Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics. UHTC coatings are used to protect substrates from oxidation and ablation at extremely high temperatures. These ceramics can operate in air at temperatures higher than 1800 °C, and the resulting oxides have melting points of around 3000 °C.
UHTCs are generally referred to as the carbides, nitrides, and borides of transition metals, with the Group IVB compounds (Zr and Hf) and TaC as the main focus. They are endowed with ultra-high melting points, excellent mechanical properties, and ablation resistance at elevated temperatures. These unique combinations of properties make them promising materials for extremely environmental structural applications in rocket and hypersonic vehicles, particularly nozzles, leading edges, and engine components.
UHTCs can be fabricated through various methods, including hot pressing, spark plasma sintering, and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). CVD of titanium and zirconium diborides is another method for preparing coatings of UHTCs. Plasma-enhanced CVD (PECVD) has also been used to prepare UHTC diborides at lower temperatures than traditional CVD methods.
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Autostar controller
The Meade Autostar Controller is a computer controller for telescopes. It is available for purchase on eBay, either brand new or used. The controller can be used to operate telescopes remotely, although it is not compatible with the Meade ETX telescopes. The Autostar Controller has been praised for its mechanical soundness, with one user reporting that the motors and controller were still functioning well even after 30 years of use.
The ETX 90 is a highly portable telescope with good optics and a reasonable price point on the used market. It is a part of Meade's ETX series, which are known for their plastic mounts. The ETX 90 comes with a zippered blue soft carry bag that holds everything required for its operation. While the telescope has been praised for its optics and portability, some users have reported issues with the plastic components breaking or crumbling over time.
The ETX 90 is a popular choice for astronomy enthusiasts, especially those on a budget or with limited storage space. It is often used as a quick-peek or travel telescope due to its compact size and ease of setup. Some users have reported issues with the GoTo mount, finding it finicky and time-consuming to align objects manually. However, others have found that the Autostar Controller can help overcome these issues, allowing for easy tracking and centering of celestial objects.
In conclusion, the Meade Autostar Controller is a valuable accessory for telescope enthusiasts, offering remote control capabilities and improved tracking and centering of celestial objects. While the ETX 90 telescope has its advantages in optics and portability, its plastic components may require repairs over time. The Autostar Controller can enhance the user experience of the ETX 90, making it a popular choice for both beginner and experienced astronomers.
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Portability and affordability
The Meade ETX 90 is a highly portable telescope, weighing only 9.5 pounds (4.3 kg) and measuring 12 inches (30.5 cm) in length. Its compact and lightweight design makes it perfect for travel and easy to carry along on stargazing adventures. The telescope's portability is further enhanced by its optional battery pack, allowing for exploration of the night sky anywhere. The ETX 90's ultra-portable design also makes it easy to transport and set up, catering to both beginners and advanced users.
In terms of affordability, the ETX 90 has been described as "outrageously expensive" and "extraordinarily high-priced" in some reviews. However, it's important to note that cheaper alternatives may lack the advanced features offered by the ETX 90. The ETX 90 utilizes cost-effective materials, such as plastic, to reduce expense and weight, making it more affordable than some other premium telescopes on the market. On the used market, the ETX 90 is considered an incredible bargain, providing high-quality optics and performance at a lower price point.
While the ETX 90 may not be the most affordable option for beginners, it offers a good balance of features and price for those seeking a powerful yet portable telescope. It is a versatile choice for both travel and backyard observations, providing clear and sharp views of the night sky. The ETX 90's portability, ease of use, and optical performance make it a popular choice among amateur astronomers and professionals alike.
For those on a limited budget, the Meade ETX-90EC is a more affordable option within the ETX 90 series. It offers a decent viewing experience for planetary observation and is well-suited for beginners. However, it may not provide the same level of performance as other telescopes in the same price range, and there are more child-friendly alternatives available for those prices. The ETX-90EC excels in visual observations but falls short in astrophotography performance when compared to larger telescopes.
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Optical performance
The Meade ETX-90, introduced in 1996, is a 90mm Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope with an ultra-long focal length. It was designed to compete with the premium Questar telescope, which costs over $5,000 USD. Meade achieved this by using inexpensive materials, such as plastic, to cut costs and weight. The ETX-90's optical performance has been described as very good, with sharp views of celestial objects like Jupiter, Saturn, and the Moon. It is also suitable for observing semi-difficult double stars like Alnitak and Rigel.
The ETX-90 has Meade's Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC), which offer improved light transmission over previous models. This feature, along with its advanced Maksutov-Cassegrain design, allows for extraordinary contrast and pinpoint star images. The telescope is, therefore, ideal for detailed lunar and planetary observation and can easily reach high magnifications.
The ETX-90 has a built-in flip mirror mechanism, which acts as a star diagonal. This feature allows for a DSLR camera to be attached for imaging or a correct image prism for daytime terrestrial viewing. However, some users have found that the flip mirror is a gimmick and that if it is not aligned perfectly with the telescope's optical axis, the views become less sharp.
The ETX-90's finder has been criticised for being almost useless due to its inconvenient positioning and the lack of baffles, which results in the pickup of stray light. Additionally, the telescope's all-plastic fork mount has been a frequent source of complaints due to its fragility and difficulty in achieving smooth manual motions.
Despite some mechanical issues, the ETX-90 is considered a classic telescope, offering optical quality that has set industry standards. Its optical performance, combined with its affordability and portability, has made it a popular choice for astronomy enthusiasts.
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Frequently asked questions
ETX 90 is a telescope model by Meade.
The plastic used in ETX 90 telescopes is not specified. However, the plastic pieces are described as sturdy and solidly constructed.
Plastic standoffs and shafts with gears mounted on them are reported to break off in the ETX 90.
You can try fixing broken plastic parts with epoxy, straws, or super glue. You can also try using an ABS adhesive with the proper primer to weld the parts together.
