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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.įinal 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. This coating improves light transmission by about 15%. 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.
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A "standard" #883 tripod was available as an optional accessory.
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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 90 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 105 mm, and 125 mm Maksutov Cassegrains and achromatic refracting telescopes in sizes of 60 mm and 70 mm, but these two models were later replaced by an 80 mm model.