meade refractor telescope
The ETX (Everybody's Telescope) is a line of Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes made by Meade Instruments Corporation. They have been produced in diameters of 90mm, 105mm, and 125mm. They are moderately priced compared to other commercially produced telescopes of similar design. Other than Maksutov, another line of ETX based on achromatic refractor telescopes are available in sizes of 60mm and 70mm, but these two models were later replaced by a 80mm model.
"EC" models have provision for automatic control. Older model, called ETX RA, have a clockwork mechanism to track movement of the earth with an equatorial wedge, but it cannot be retrofitted for computer control,.
New ETX telescopes ("AT" models) come with the #497 Autostar controller. This provides "goto" capabilities at an affordable price. (Compare with LX and RC lines of Meade telescopes) Smaller refractor models come with the #494 Autostar controller.
They can be used on a tabletop, or on a field tripod.
In 2005 Meade upgraded the ETX with a new Premier Edition (PE). These are Maksutov-Cassegrain scopes produced in 3.5 and 5 inches aperture, in which Meade incorporates new optical coatings called UHTC (Ultra High Transmission Coatings). The new coatings increases by about 15% total light transmission and represents its actual major improvement. ETX-PE also incorporates a red dot finder, better mechanics and an automatic alignment system.