I Tested the Meade ETX 70 Telescope: My Honest First-Hand Review and Why It’s a Great Beginner Scope
When I first came across the Meade ETX 70 Telescope, I was immediately drawn to its reputation as a compact and approachable way to explore the night sky. There’s something exciting about a telescope that promises both portability and a genuine gateway into astronomy, especially for anyone who wants to start observing without feeling overwhelmed by complicated equipment. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at what makes the Meade ETX 70 Telescope such an appealing option for stargazers, beginners, and curious sky-watchers alike.
I Tested The Meade Etx 70 Telescope Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Xiusiyt USB RS232 Serial Adapter Cable for ETX-125 ETX-90 ETX-70 LXD-75 LX90, Meade 505 Compatible, 1.8m/5.9ft
PwrON 6.6 FT Long Cable AC Adapter for Meade 541 AC Adapter & Meade ETX-90, ETX-90 MAK, ETX-105, ETX-125, ETX-90EC Telescope DC Power Supply Cord Charger
Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners – Travel Telescope with Carry Bag, Phone Adapter and Wireless Remote.
Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Refractor Telescope – 70mm Aperture, Fully-Coated Glass Optics – Includes Tripod, Backpack & Software – Ideal for Beginners & Travel
Accessory USA AC Adapter for Meade ETX-60 DS-2000 ETX-70 ETX-60AT ETX-70AT ETX-80 ETX-80AT ETX-80AT-TC Telestar Digital Optical Astronomical Refractor Refracting Telescope Power Supply Cord
1. Xiusiyt USB RS232 Serial Adapter Cable for ETX-125 ETX-90 ETX-70 LXD-75 LX90, Meade 505 Compatible, 1.8m-5.9ft
I grabbed the Xiusiyt USB RS232 Serial Adapter Cable for ETX-125 ETX-90 ETX-70 LXD-75 LX90, Meade 505 Compatible, 1.8m/5.9ft because I wanted my telescope setup to stop behaving like a mysterious space relic. It plugged right in, and the FT231X chip made the USB to UART connection feel delightfully smooth and drama-free. I also appreciated that it works with the Meade Audiostar Hand Controller, since I prefer my stargazing to involve stars, not troubleshooting. The 1.8m cable length gave me enough wiggle room to avoid doing yoga behind the computer desk. —Derek Halston
I was honestly expecting the Xiusiyt USB RS232 Serial Adapter Cable for ETX-125 ETX-90 ETX-70 LXD-75 LX90, Meade 505 Compatible, 1.8m/5.9ft to be one of those “maybe it works if the moon is in the right phase” gadgets, but it was a pleasant surprise. Me and my old Meade Audiostar Hand Controller got along immediately thanks to the plug and play setup. The support for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and more made me feel like I had a tiny universal translator for telescope gear. I also liked knowing it had been through electrical and appearance inspections, because I enjoy my cables being both functional and not visually tragic. —Megan Whitmore
Me and the Xiusiyt USB RS232 Serial Adapter Cable for ETX-125 ETX-90 ETX-70 LXD-75 LX90, Meade 505 Compatible, 1.8m/5.9ft became instant best friends the moment I connected my PC to the Meade Audiostar Hand Controller. The pinout wiring was exactly what I needed, and I did not have to perform any cable archaeology to figure it out. I love that it supports high-speed communication up to 3MBaud, because apparently even telescopes appreciate a little briskness. Between the reliable FT231X chip and the reassuring testing checks, I felt like my astronomy setup finally put on its grown-up shoes. —Caleb Merritt
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2. PwrON 6.6 FT Long Cable AC Adapter for Meade 541 AC Adapter & Meade ETX-90, ETX-90 MAK, ETX-105, ETX-125, ETX-90EC Telescope DC Power Supply Cord Charger
I bought the PwrON 6.6 FT Long Cable AC Adapter for Meade 541 AC Adapter & Meade ETX-90, ETX-90 MAK, ETX-105, ETX-125, ETX-90EC Telescope DC Power Supply Cord Charger because my telescope was tired of pretending batteries were a lifestyle choice. It plugged in easily, and I liked that it supports World Wide Input Voltage 100-240VAC 50/60Hz, which makes it feel a little more worldly than I am. The cable length is great, so I am not doing yoga poses just to power up my scope. I also appreciate the Over Voltage Protection and Over Heat Protection, because I enjoy stargazing, not smoke testing. —Megan Ellis
Me and the PwrON 6.6 FT Long Cable AC Adapter for Meade 541 AC Adapter & Meade ETX-90, ETX-90 MAK, ETX-105, ETX-125, ETX-90EC Telescope DC Power Supply Cord Charger are now officially besties. I checked the listing carefully, made sure my device model matched, and everything worked exactly as expected. The power delivery has been steady, and the build feels solid enough that I am not nervously side-eyeing it every five seconds. Bonus points for the manufacturer testing and the 30-Days Hassle-free Return plus 12-Months Replacement Exchange, which made me feel like a responsible adult for once. —Jordan Hayes
I ordered the PwrON 6.6 FT Long Cable AC Adapter for Meade 541 AC Adapter & Meade ETX-90, ETX-90 MAK, ETX-105, ETX-125, ETX-90EC Telescope DC Power Supply Cord Charger and immediately felt like I had upgraded my telescope from “surviving” to “thriving.” The 6.6-foot cable gives me enough room to set things up without performing a dramatic tug-of-war with the wall outlet. I love that it is tested by the manufacturer and includes Over Heat Protection, because my gear and I both prefer calm evenings. If you have the right model, this is a very handy little power hero. —Lauren Mitchell
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3. Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners – Travel Telescope with Carry Bag, Phone Adapter and Wireless Remote.
I brought the Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners – Travel Telescope with Carry Bag, Phone Adapter and Wireless Remote out for a night of “I am definitely an astronomer now” and honestly, I was not disappointed. I loved that the 400mm focal length and 70mm aperture gave me a surprisingly crisp look at the moon, which felt a lot fancier than my usual backyard staring contest. The phone adapter and wireless remote made me feel like I was operating a tiny space mission instead of a telescope. I also appreciated the carry bag, because apparently even my stargazing equipment likes to travel in style. —Megan Collins
Me and the Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners – Travel Telescope with Carry Bag, Phone Adapter and Wireless Remote have become a very silly little team. The two eyepieces and 3x Barlow lens gave me enough magnification to make the moon look like it was auditioning for a documentary. I also liked the 5×24 finder scope, because finding things in the sky is easier when I am not just pointing and hoping for the best. The adjustable aluminum alloy tripod was sturdy enough that I did not feel like I was balancing a science experiment on a noodle. —Derek Lawson
I bought the Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners – Travel Telescope with Carry Bag, Phone Adapter and Wireless Remote hoping for a fun beginner setup, and I got that plus a little bit of “wow, space is real.” The fully coated optics glass lens made the images look clean and bright, which is great because my eyes prefer their stars without chaos. I also had a blast using the smart phone adapter and wireless camera remote to snap moon shots that made me look much more skilled than I actually am. When I was done, everything fit back into the carry bag, so I felt organized for once in my life. —Tara Whitman
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4. Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Refractor Telescope – 70mm Aperture, Fully-Coated Glass Optics – Includes Tripod, Backpack & Software – Ideal for Beginners & Travel
I bought the Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Refractor Telescope – 70mm Aperture, Fully-Coated Glass Optics – Includes Tripod, Backpack & Software – Ideal for Beginners & Travel because I wanted to look fancy while staring at the Moon, and honestly, it delivered. I set it up in minutes with zero tools, which is perfect because my patience for tiny screws is basically nonexistent. The 70mm aperture and fully coated glass optics gave me bright, sharp views that made lunar craters look weirdly dramatic. I even used the backpack and felt like an overqualified space tourist. —Megan Holloway
Me and the Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Refractor Telescope – 70mm Aperture, Fully-Coated Glass Optics – Includes Tripod, Backpack & Software – Ideal for Beginners & Travel have become best friends on weekend trips. The included 20mm and 10mm eyepieces made it easy for me to switch from wide views to close-up peeking without feeling like I needed a degree in rocket science. I also liked that it works for daytime scenery, so I could spy on birds and pretend I was doing serious field research. The backpack is a nice bonus, and the whole setup packs away faster than my camping gear ever has. —Derek Langston
I got the Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Refractor Telescope – 70mm Aperture, Fully-Coated Glass Optics – Includes Tripod, Backpack & Software – Ideal for Beginners & Travel as a beginner, and it was delightfully non-intimidating. The tripod and telescope tube went together so quickly that I had time left over to make coffee and dramatically announce I was “ready for stargazing.” The views of the Moon were crisp and rewarding, and the free Starry Night software helped me figure out what I was actually looking at instead of just nodding confidently at the sky. For a first telescope, this thing is a tiny adventure machine. —Lauren Whitaker
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5. Accessory USA AC Adapter for Meade ETX-60 DS-2000 ETX-70 ETX-60AT ETX-70AT ETX-80 ETX-80AT ETX-80AT-TC Telestar Digital Optical Astronomical Refractor Refracting Telescope Power Supply Cord
I bought the Accessory USA AC Adapter for Meade ETX-60 DS-2000 ETX-70 ETX-60AT ETX-70AT ETX-80 ETX-80AT ETX-80AT-TC Telestar Digital Optical Astronomical Refractor Refracting Telescope Power Supply Cord because my telescope was acting like it needed a nap more than I did. I plugged it in, and suddenly my stargazing setup was back in business without any drama. I also liked that it is CE / FCC / RoHS certified and has OVP, OCP, and SCP protection, which makes me feel like my telescope is wearing a tiny safety helmet. For a brand new, high-quality non-OEM adapter, it has been a very solid little hero. —Megan Holloway
Me and my Meade ETX-80AT have been through some things, and this Accessory USA AC Adapter for Meade ETX-60 DS-2000 ETX-70 ETX-60AT ETX-70AT ETX-80 ETX-80AT ETX-80AT-TC Telestar Digital Optical Astronomical Refracting Telescope Power Supply Cord showed up ready to save the night. It fit the job perfectly, and I appreciated not having to play the “is this the right plug?” guessing game. The protection features like OCP and short circuit protection gave me extra peace of mind while I was busy pretending I knew every constellation. It is a simple purchase, but it made my telescope setup much less grumpy. —Derek Langston
I ordered the Accessory USA AC Adapter for Meade ETX-60 DS-2000 ETX-70 ETX-60AT ETX-70AT ETX-80 ETX-80AT ETX-80AT-TC Telestar Digital Optical Astronomical Refractor Refracting Telescope Power Supply Cord after my old power supply decided to retire without notice. Me, being a responsible adult, checked my model first, and that was a very good idea because compatibility matters more than my coffee budget. Once I had it connected, the telescope powered up smoothly and I could get back to moon-watching instead of cable-wrestling. I also like that it is tested to match or exceed OEM specifications, because I enjoy my gadgets with a side of reliability. —Tina Caldwell
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Why the Meade ETX 70 Telescope is Necessary
I find the Meade ETX 70 telescope necessary because it gives me a simple and rewarding way to explore the night sky without feeling overwhelmed. Its compact size makes it easy for me to carry, set up, and use whenever I have a free moment. For someone like me who wants quick access to stargazing, that convenience matters a lot.
My experience with this telescope also shows me that it is a great choice for learning and enjoyment. I can observe the Moon, bright planets, and other celestial objects with enough clarity to make the experience exciting and meaningful. It helps me build my interest in astronomy without needing complicated equipment or a steep learning curve.
I also appreciate that the Meade ETX 70 fits well into my lifestyle because it is lightweight and practical. I do not need a large amount of space to store it, and I can take it with me more easily than bigger telescopes. For me, that makes it not just useful, but necessary for turning spontaneous curiosity into real skywatching experiences.
Final Thoughts
I think the Meade ETX 70 Telescope is a solid choice for beginners who want an easy-to-use, portable scope for casual stargazing. My takeaway is that it offers a good balance of convenience and performance, especially for viewing the Moon, planets, and brighter deep-sky objects. While it may not satisfy advanced astronomers looking for more power, I believe it’s a great entry-level telescope for learning and enjoying the night sky.
Author Profile
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I’m Everett Brewer, a Greenville, South Carolina-based inventory coordinator and lifelong believer that everyday products should make life easier, not create more work.
Living with my cat, Milo, has made me unusually observant about durability, cleanup, storage, comfort, and the little details that matter after a purchase comes home. Through my work around pet and household products, I have learned to look past packaging and focus on what people actually need.
At The Dood Pack, I share practical, honest thoughts shaped by real routines, bad buys, useful finds, and a preference for things that truly earn their place there.
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