You certainly can observe planets with the ETX scopes.

Most people expect to see a planet like Jupiter filling their EP. That doesn't even with my 10" scope.

The size of Jupiter is dependent upon the magnification you use to view it. The ETX scopes can quite easily get you to 250x or 300x magnification. You will be able to see Jupiter and the Galilean moons. You should be able to see cloud bands, too.

Again, don't expect a big image of Jupiter. It should look in your scope like the moon does without a scope. It's angular size is just too small.

You'll get a bigger image with Venus, which is bright and easy to locate in the West after sunset (for the next month or so).

Mitch

Glenn E. Mitchell II, Ph.D. (aka Mitch)
10" f/10 Meade LX-200 GPS (Big Blue) s/n 01088
Supercharged at ASO by Dr. Clay Sherrod, # 2314-2010
N 30° 30' 49.2" / W 084° 20' 13.8"