I am looking to buy a portable goto scope. I looking for opinions and/or advise regarding the Meade ETX 105, NexStar 4GT, or something else in that price and size range.

I personally would recommend the Meade ETX 125 because it is a little bigger (20 mm more) and would get more light. Of course thats if you can afford. I have not heard anything about the 4GT tho

i know he said 102, but why not just get the 125 if u can afford, the more aperture, THE BETTER!

Yes the 125 would have more aperature. I am hoping not to spend that much $$. Plus I already have a 10"Dob if I want more aperature. I am looking for portability at a reasonable $, and I may even consider a 90mm.

Although I recommend neither scopes, I actually have seen a few ETX's WORK! -actually goto a target and dependably put it in the field of view. The owner said the scope was real picky, but if you stay on top of things, and know all the bells and whistles and understand somewhat how the thing works, then you can get it to goto with fairly decent accuracy.

If the GOTO isn't important to you I'd strongly consider a refractor in the AT1010 class on a simple altaz mount. The new Orion "apo" needs some attention as well and you might be just the person to put it through its paces.

I've read about that one. Any good? It seems quite reasonable, cost wise.

QUOTE: Originally posted by PenguinEmperor

I've read about that one. Any good? It seems quite reasonable, cost wise.


Well, that's the point. We don't know if its any good yet. We need a sucker, er, I mean a guinea pig to take a chance on it and put it through its paces.

But this scope does look promising.

It all depends on what you want to look at. Your 10" Dob is great for deep sky objects, but not very portable, and not ideal for planets. A refractor of at least 90mm is nice for solar system objects and splitting doubles. A small Mak-Cass, like an ETX90, is great to take with you when you don't have room to take a telescope. A medium size Mak-Cass, like an Orion Apex 127, is great as a portable scope that can do almost everything: great for solar system objects, doubles and star clusters, and you can even see some of the easier galaxies and nebulas. But don't expect any of those to show deep sky objects the way you are used to seeing them in your 10" Dob. (Btw... I have each of those scopes).
...John

After comparing both in a side by side test, I went with the NexStar 4. It is easier to set up, the controls are freindlier to my clumsy fingers, and most importantly I felt hat the view was cleaner and crisper in the NexStar 4. I feel that this scope will make a nice addition to my viewing tools.