What is the difference between the RA, EC, AT, PE, and LS models?
A. The RA model was the original ETX (non-AutoStar, 1996). The EC model (1999) added electronic slewing controls on both axes and came with a standard 4-speed handcontroller; the AutoStar and a tripod were additional cost options. As noted on the Announcements – Meade page on 15 June 2003, there is no real difference in the EC model vs the AT models; the standard handcontroller was no longer included (the EC model) but the AutoStar #497 and the #884 tripod were included as standard with the AT model. It was just a designation change. The PE (Premier Edition) model started shipping around 2006 and included the Level North Technology (LNT) module but otherwise is essentially the same as the AT model. Unlike earlier ETX models, the PE model dropped an optical finderscope in favor of a 1X “red-dot” finder. The ETX-LS started shipping in 2009 and was a major upgrade from earlier ETX models. It includes GPS as well as the Level North capability. Unlike earlier models, the LS models are avail
