Weasner's Meade ETX-90 User Feedback

ETX-90 USER FEEDBACK

Last updated: 31 August 2004

This page is for user comments and information specific to the Meade ETX-90RA (originally known as the "ETX Astro"), the ETX-90EC, and the ETX-90AT. Comments on accessories and feedback items appropriate to other ETX and DS models are posted on other pages. If you have any comments, suggestions, questions or answers to questions posed here, e-mail them to me and I'll post them. Please use an appropriate Subject Line on your message. Thanks.

Weasner Experiences the ETX-90EC! (7/31/99)
Sky & Telescope ETX-90EC review (4/30/99)
ETX-90EC, NexStar5 comparison (2/24/01)

ETX-90EC Press Release (1/28/99)
ETX-90EC Accessories (1/28/99)
DSX-90 Photos (12/03/03)

Subject:	ETX 90EC
Sent:	Tuesday, August 31, 2004 07:27:24
From:	Charles, Charles Nixon, Nixon (astronomer120@yahoo.com)
I just got my ETX 90EC from the discovery store!!!  I am soo happy, but
then there is the fact that it will only be clear after school starts!
:(

Subject:	ETX-90 motor specs?
Sent:	Monday, August 30, 2004 13:18:48
From:	SkyChih@aol.com (SkyChih@aol.com)
I am trying to do a TL494 dc-motor pwm controller for the ETX, but from
the manufacturer found only the typical RPM, if you have more detailed
information about the etx-motor, i appreciate you help.

Subject:	ETX 90
Sent:	Sunday, August 29, 2004 18:33:56
From:	dawn Yana (mdyana@sbcglobal.net)
Thanks for the advice re: the ETX 90 vs the Brookstone model.  Got the
Meade and am very happy: it's much superior.  Also like to give kudos
for the alignment tutorial...... much better than the manual.

Having a great time in my "novicehood" and appreciate the help from your
great site.

CLEAR SKIES...

MD Y

Subject:	Mirror Concerns, ETX90RA
Sent:	Saturday, August 21, 2004 10:43:36
From:	Don Carner (dcarner@buckeye-express.com)
I am a newcomer to astronomy. I recently purchased a very clean ETX90RA
with Meade field tripod.

Upon setting everything up, I discovered an anomaly when looking,
"down-the-tube". It would appear that the secondary mirror, (the small
one located on the back of the corrector lens) is off center. I can see
glue/sticky residue and reflection about 2-3mm offset true center. When
examining the corrector assembly unthreaded from the main tube, it is
definitely visible that the small round mirror housing is mis-aligned.

Because I can actually see this residue, I believe heat/humidity may
have caused slippage?! Is this correctable? Is it an issue at all? Is my
"new" scope worthless due to this anomaly?

I'm enclosing a jpg image taken as best I can with a digital camera:

Please notice the 12 o'clock position of the reflected image. See the
crescent shape just above the rubber boot that surrounds the mirror?
Also, if you look closely at the 6 o'clock position within the rubber
mount, you'll see the same crescent. This indicates a change in mirror
position from factory specs, does it not?

I carefully unthreaded the corrector and examined but did not touch the
secondary mirror. I gently pulled on the rubber boot surrounding the
mirror and it "gave" minutely. I did not change anything and re-threaded
the assembly back onto the tube.

What am I looking at here? Is the scope useable in this condition or am
I going to have to return it to Meade?

Many thanks for your website resources!

Respectfully,

Don Carner

Toledo, OH

Mike here: Slippage of the secondary mirror has occurred with the original ETX model in some cases. It even happened to mine (http://www.weasner.com/etx/fun/meade_tour.html). Typically this is a Meade repair item but as Dick Seymour recently reminded me, there is an article "ETX-90RA Secondary Baffle Fix" on the Telescope Tech Tips page. You will likely have to re-collimate the optics following the adjustment (articles on the Telescope Tech Tips page).

Subject:	New ETX-90RA Owner
Sent:	Wednesday, August 11, 2004 20:56:07
From:	Don Carner (dcarner@buckeye-express.com)
Greetings!

I just bought a "slightly" used MEADE ETX-90RA and am proud to finally
own a real optical instrument. Previously, I played with a Criterion
4000 but found it bulky and unreliable to use for astrophotography.
AND...no support groups like this one to share with!

My question revolves around my desire to upgrade this scope to Autostar.
Possible? Or am I gazing at a cloudy sky? If doable, how would I
proceed, other than buying the unit? I got a great field tripod along
with this unit and want to crank up my FTN camera body ASAP!

Many thanks for being here!

Don

Mike here: See the FAQ page for info on that.

Subject:	Broken Wheel
Sent:	Monday, August 2, 2004 09:50:56
From:	Carter, Jeff (Jeff.Carter@marriott.com)
I have an EXT- 90 that has a broken gear wheel in side. I do not know
what it is called exactly. I super glued it and put it all back together
and it lasted about a year but it just broke again. Do you know what the
part is called and where I can order another from? Please let me know if
you can help.

Thank you for your assistance.

Jeff

Mike here: Which axis?

And:

The wheel that controls the vertical movement is broken. Right now the
telescope just moves up and down with no resistance, Even when you
tighten it down. I think it is located on the right fork as one is
facing the View finder.

DO you know what that gear is called and where I can get a replacement?

Mike here: I suspect it is the Right Tube Adapter that has failed. Check the bottom part of my ETX-90EC report: http://www.weasner.com/etx/90ec_comments.html. If that appears to be the problem you can either contact Meade (they used to send them for free but lately seem to be charging for one) or you can contact Astro Hut for their Right Tube Adapter Replacement (link on the Astronomy Links page).

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