A better all around scope, optically and mechanically. The Mini is a good example of a single-arm Dob, whereas the Polaris is a mediocre example of an equatorial-mounted Newtonian. Unlike many cheap instruments which include complicated and wobbly equatorial mounts, poor optics, unusable finderscopes and plastic eyepieces, the Lightbridge Mini telescopes all come with easy-to-use and stable tabletop Dobsonian mounts, decent red dot finders, and good MA eyepieces with glass optics. Try something like a Meade Polaris 114/900mm f/8 long tube newtionian on a eq mount. On the whole, I would rather own the Lightbridge Mini 114. Meade’s Lightbridge Minis are some of the best beginner telescopes available for under $200. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Meade Instruments LightBridge Mini 114 Telescope, White (203002) at Amazon.com. I didn't get chance to try it out as I was busy with the etx90 so I decided to give it away to a friend who was suffering with some depression issues and I wanted him to take his mind off things. Meade Lightbridge Mini 114mm - My Son's New Scope - First Light - posted in Reflectors: This past weekend my son won a Meade Lightbridge Mini 114mm at a Star Party as part of a drawing associated with a kids outreach/educational program To ensure that I figure out an optimal setup in terms of platform, seating position for a child and eyepiece powers ive started experimenting with this … I actually won the Meade LightBridge Mini 114. I won it in a comp with all about space mag. Read honest and unbiased product reviews … I won the etx90 and a spotting scope also as a package.