Meade ETX80 Observer (ETX-80)

Portable, computerised telescope for terrestrial observation and visual astronomy.

  • 80mm f/5 Refractor
  • Multi-coated optics
  • AudioStar handbox with speech
  • Database with over 30,000 objects
  • Removable optical tube assembly (OTA)
  • Two 1.25" Super Plossl Eyepieces
  • Backpack
  • UK warranty
Meade ETX80 Observer
  • Product code: 205002
  • Availability: Not in production
  • Not available
  • Original Price: £
not in production
Shipping rates
England & Wales
£ 15.00
Scotland Central & South
£ 15.00
Scotland North
£ 25.00
Northern Ireland
£ 25.00
UK islands (from)
£ 35.00

Description

Over the years, ETX Series telescopes have provided novice astronomers quality, value and performance, with each new model bringing enhancements and improvements. The ETX-80 Observer continues that legacy.

Starting your astronomy journey with an ETX-80 is the perfect choice. Take your 80mm lens and enjoy close-up views of land and celestial objects anytime, anywhere. Packing your telescope and tripod at a moment’s notice is a breeze with the comfortable and durable backpack.

The ETX-80 Observer fully equips the modern explorer with a sophisticated, automated and portable telescope. Its dual-purpose design includes a removable OTA that is ideal for both day or night observing and includes exceptional features like AudioStar, GoTo technology, and large 30,000 object database.


U.K. WARRANTY

BEGINNER

PORTABLE

COMPUTERISED

ASTRONOMY

TERRESTRIAL
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It’s perfect for daytime observing during camping, hiking, and outdoor activities. Night-sky stargazing is made fun, easy and educational. With the ETX-80, you’ll see planets, stars, galaxies and nebulae with the push of a button.

The ETX80 Observer comes with a number of features and accessories, including: Backpack for the mount/OTA; AudioStar handbox controller with over 30,000 objects and a built-in speaker; lightweight but sturdy tripod; internal flip function Barlow lens to increase the magnification of the eyepiece in use; Flip mirror to let light focus to the rear of the telescope allowing attachment of a camera on the back of the scope; dew shield to prevent dew buildup and block stray light; Multi-coated optics for higher contrast and brighter details; 45 degree roof prism for a more comfortable viewing position; bubble level/compass to make sure your tripod and mount are level; achromatic design to reduce optical aberrations.

Left to right: ETX80, ETX90 and ETX125.

AudioStar handbox controller

The AudioStar computer controller with speaker helps you quickly find and GoTo over 30,000 objects in the night sky. With the AudioStar Controller plugged into your Meade telescope the astronomical universe is in the palm of your hand. Never before has such powerful telescope technology been so easy to operate, even by the most casual observer. Coiled cord and instructions included.

View planets, stars, galaxies, nebulae, comets and more-all at the push of a button. Don't know what you want to view this evening? Then go to the Tonight's Best™ tour in your AudioStar. It automatically selects the best objects in the sky for that particular time and location.

The Meade AudioStar handbox controller features audio files and an internal speaker. This amazing computerised celestial object locating system plugs into the telescope's handbox port allowing a quick telescope alignment.

Once aligned with the sky the AudioStar is ready to take you to any object in the over 30,000 object database. In addition to GoTo and tracking capability the AudioStar permits a wide array of fascinating and educational functions such as multiple Guided Tours, digital positional readouts, a database of up to 200 user-defined objects, 9-Speed dual-axis movement, the ability to link with a PC using optionally available software and cord, and much more.


AudioStar features

The AudioStar controller provides all of the telescope control functions of the previous AutoStar handboxes but adds unique Astronomer Inside digital audio software and a speaker built into the AudioStar body that can provide you with more than four hours of fascinating and professionally-recorded audio descriptions of the objects you are observing. With Astronomer Inside technology, everyone around your telescope can listen and learn about more than 500 of the celestial objects contained in the AudioStar database, including planets, nebulas, star clusters, the Moon, and much more. Astronomer Inside puts the experience and astronomical knowledge of a professional astronomer in the palm of your hand.

Included in the AudioStar’s database are all of the following 30,000+ astronomical objects and stars – a range of objects certain to keep even the most active amateur astronomer growing in his or her studies of the skies for years:

  • the complete Index Catalog (IC), containing 5,386 galaxies, nebulas, and star clusters of all types;
  • the complete New General Catalog (NGC), containing 7,840 galaxies, nebulas, and star clusters of all types;
  • the complete Messier catalog of 110 Messier (M) objects, the best-known catalog of heavenly showpieces for the amateur astronomer;
  • the 109 objects of the Caldwell Catalog, a new listing of the best objects for small telescopes that expands the Messier catalog;
  • 16,800 stars from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) catalog, including double stars, variable stars, and other stars of special note;
  • 50 Earth-orbiting satellites, 26 asteroids (including all of the brightest asteroids), 15 periodic comets, and the 8 major planets from Mercury to Pluto.

Carries full one year UK warranty by Opticstar Ltd on behalf of Meade Instruments Corp.

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Meade ETX80 Observer
Attribute Specification
Meade Product Code (SKU) 205002
Universal Product Code (UPC) 709942997491
Warranty 1 year UK warranty by Opticstar Ltd on behalf of Meade Instruments USA
Series ETX telescopes
Experience Level Beginner
Clear Aperture 80mm
Optical Design Achromatic Refractor
Optical Coatings Multi-Coated
Optical Tube Assembly (OTA) Removable, allowing the user to take the scope off the fork mount for customization
Focal Length 400mm
Focal Ratio f/5
Resolving Power (Dawes' Limit) 1.45 arc-seconds
Viewfinder Red Dot
Eyepieces Two (2) Super Plossl Eyepieces 1.25” diameter:
• 9.7mm focal length (41x maginification)
• 26mm focal length (15x magnification)
Barlow Internal Flip-Function 2x Barlow
Dovetail Vixen-Style
Dew Shield Yes
Mount Type Fork type; double-tine
Hand Controller AudioStar™
Object Database 30,000 objects
Time Chip Yes
Tripod Lightweight Aluminium Tripod
Carry Case Backpack for the mount and optical tube
Software Planetarium software on DVD for Microsoft Windows 10 PC
Assembled Product Weight 5.3 kg (11.72 lbs)
Transit Weight & Dimensions 8kg; 55cm x 45cm x 25cm
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Support
Documents
0.7 MB • 19 June 2018
0.3 MB • 20 June 2018
1.9 MB • 18 May 2020
1.1 MB • 01 May 2018
19.3 MB • 05 February 2021
0.1 MB • 12 October 2021
0.2 MB • 12 October 2021
Videos
Astro images
News
01 December 2021

Learn how to align your Meade AZ telescope, including the StarNavigartor NG, ETX Observer, LX65, LX90, LX200 and more.

01 December 2020

Get the most out of your telescope when visually observing the Moon, planets, comets and deep sky objects.

07 April 2020

Buying your first telescope is probably going to be your most difficult decision as an amateur astronomer.

29 March 2018

The ETX Observer telescopes are lightweight and portable, making them ideal for astronomy on the move...

15 November 2016

Can a telescope be used as a powerful lens for your DSLR camera? The answer is yes, as demonstrated in Fotodiox’s video.

14 June 2016

Often we have been asked to explain the difference between the various Meade handbox controllers to people who wish to replace...

22 May 2017

There is another excellent review for the ETX90 Observer published in the June issue of Astronomy Now magazine.

16 May 2017

The ETX Observer series of telescopes is reviewed in issue 64 of All About Space magazine.

26 August 2016

There is a new advertisement that has appeared in two UK magazines. It promotes the new ETX Observer telescopes.

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