This year's CES is not entirely about LCD monitors, projectors and netbooks, and we have the showcase of the Meade ETX-LS telescope as proof of that. However, this high-tech optical device has clearly blended in the tech-savvy landscape. But unlike other gadgets on display at the Consumer Electronics Show, despite its highly professional appearance, the ETX-LS is very easy to use, even for amateurs.

What's truly innovative about this telescope is the fact that it uses LightSwitch technology, hence the “LS” from its name, a self-alignment system that works at the touch of a button. At startup, the telescope’s integrated sensor module and ECLIPS CCD (Electronically Controlled Locate Identify Position System) basically look at the sky and use the available celestial objects not only to determine where you’re located, but how to find other constellations you might be interested in.

 

Practically, it does all the work for you. All you have to do is let it know your preferences and the ETX-LS will guide you through the starry sky. And you clearly have where to choose from when it comes to star gazing, as the telescope features a database of over 100,000 celestial objects, which you can access at the push of a button, thanks to the Meade Autostar III controller.

 

All you have to do when you feel like watching the beauty of the night's sky or you want to learn something more about astronomy and celestial objects' position in the sky is find the constellation/star/planet you want to see, hit the “Go To” button and the telescope will automatically orient itself so that the object appears in the center of the eyepiece.

 

The 6-inch model retails for approximately 1,300 US dollars, a more than fair price taking into consideration all the great features of the ETX-LS, not to mention the fact that there are a lot more telescopes out there that cost more and give you less.

 

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