ETX 125 vs LX 90

ebeyonder · Post by **ebeyonder** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 12:00 pm

I am seeing quite a number of deals for these scopes on Astromart. The 125 typically goes for about $800, whereas the LX90 goes for about $1000.

I need advice on which scope to choose.

I need a reasonably portable scope and I hope to see more than planets, more of DSOs. I already have a 5" SCT (I think) scope at home (without go-to). But I thought that was really difficult to carry around. Maybe I just didn't get well-acquainted with it due to the lack of go-to.

My readings have led me to 2 scopes: the ETX 125 and LX 90.

I thought it best to ask Singaporeans which scope to get in view of the light pollution. Some questions:

1. Is the LX90 reasonably portable and easy to set up?
2. Is the $200 worth it?

Thank you.

ariefm71 · Post by **ariefm71** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 12:20 pm

For DSO, go with the LX90, but if you find a 5" SCT difficult to carry around, forget the LX90.

kayheem · Post by **kayheem** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 12:29 pm

If you factor in the shipping, the difference is much more than $200.
Take a look at the LX90 in person. There are a couple of owners here.

Like Arief says, if the 5" is a problem, forget the LX90.

Kay Heem

Post by **acc** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 1:01 pm

Hi
Since you mentioned that your 5" scope doesn't have goto, I assume that it comes with an equatorial mount. That probably explains why you find it difficult to carry around. Both the ETX and LX90 operates in alt-az mode so you don't have to lug any counterweights which is probably the source of your complain. The LX is much bigger than the ETX though but IMO still manageable and will provide SIGNIFICANTLY better views than the ETX.

As always, if portability is an issue, see before u buy!

If u do decide that the LX90 is too big for you, I would suggest u consider a second hand Nexstar 5 instead of the ETX125 for the N5 is much more reliable and mechanically robust.

cheers
cc

ebeyonder · Post by **ebeyonder** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 1:11 pm

Thanks for all the helpful replies!

Yes, I do recall there being counterweights in the tripod... maybe that's wy it felt heavy. I could move it around alone but the whole setup just appeared a bit clumsy.

I started looking at the LX90 when arief alerted me to its better views in another thread. It looks good; I'm just worried about the weight issue. I'm not in S'pore now and I don't know any telescope shops in NYC. But I'll try to find one.

However, there aren't as many LX90s as there are LX200s on Astromart. There's an LX200 at US$1600 excluding shipping. Sounds like a good deal except I think I'll have to add another $100 to it when I ship it back to Singapore and it doesn't help that the LX200 supposedly weighs much more than the LX90.

I suppose I'll just wait and see what offers come by way. Thanks!

Post by **acc** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 1:18 pm

Yup you better trust Arief and me in believing that the LX90 will provide better views. Not just marginally, but MUCH better

Eh its true the 8" LX200 is bigger and heavier than the LX90... Better be patient and wait for an LX90 to appear on astromart

In NYC try http://focuscamera.com but I wouldn't recommend buying from them.

Post by **weixing** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 2:11 pm

Hi,

Yes, I do recall there being counterweights in the tripod... maybe that's wy it felt heavy. I could move it around alone but the whole setup just appeared a bit clumsy.

A C5 won't use that many counter-weight, it is only around 3kg. What EQ mount are you using... a CG3?? If you find yourself too lazy to bring out a C5 on an EQ mount, I think the LX90 or LX200 will soon be collecting dust... hee hee...

Also, it is possible to backpack a 6" F5 Newtonian, C5 or even a C8 on Vixen GP mount and move around alone, but I don't think it is possible to do that with LX90 or LX200 due to the size of the fork mount. So, if you thinking of using a LX90 or LX200 in Singapore, you need a car to transport it... unless you just want to observe somewhere very near your house or you got people to help you carry around.

Anyway, I'll be downgrading from a 6" F5 Newtionan to a C5 setup, because I figure out that by using a C5 setup, I'll be more portable (since I don't drive) and can compensate the lack of aperture by going to a darker site for observation.

By the way, is $100 enough to ship a LX90 or LX200 from US to singapore???

Have a nice day.

ebeyonder · Post by **ebeyonder** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 12:48 am

I think $100 is enough if I literally ship it back. But if it's by air, it'll cost much more. It may be possible to check it in at the airport but at this pt, I'm not sure.

I actually don't know what model my telescope is

I just remember losing interest because I could never find things to see other than the planets and some prominent objects. I figured that with the go-to, it would be easier and I can perhaps learn to locate objects in the process. I'm also very interested in picking up some astrophotography and after reading that the ETX is not well-suited for DSO photography/observation, I began to consider the LX90.

But at this pt, all I'm getting are offers of LX200s. I don't think that would be within my budget with all the shipping costs thrown in so I'll aim for a LX90. If at the end of the day I can't find a LX90, I'll get a ETX

ariefm71 · Post by **ariefm71** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 1:11 am

Yihan, you might want to consider this:
http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/de ... _id=334645

Post by **Airconvent** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 2:40 am

wow..firstly, US$1000 for an LX90 is cheap! I don't think its the norm. LX90 typically go for around $1200-$1300 on the web. I nearly bought one last year at US$1300 but backed out when I was not able to sell my ETX105 away...

in anycase, the LX90 is MUCH bigger than the ETX125. while the 125 can be lugged around on a backpack, the lx90 will break your back with the scope, mount and accessories. mobility wise, the etx wins hands down BUT the views through both scopes would be vastly different. a 5"'s view will never come close to that of an 8"....aperture wins. but for what's its worth, you would probably take the ETX25 out more often, so ROI is better..heh heh
for the lx90, the sky must be pretty good before you will bother to lug all that equipment out...car or no car...

as for shipping, the cost to ship the lx90 would be much more than that for the etx...so weigh this when considering the price....only a patient person will ship by sea....so slow and your scope is exposed to the unknown much longer...can you stand that???

good luck on your scope hunt! if you will notice, there has recently been alot of "new" ETx125 owners...koh jb, danny...so you will never be lonely!
if you want to get the scope now and save the hassle, euwen (dew) is selling his entire etx125 setup including original tripod, scope case, etc.

cheers

rich