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Last updated: 31 December 2005
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Last updated: 31 December 2005 |
This page is for user comments and information specific to the ETX PE (Premier Edition). Feedback on the specific PE technologies (Automatic Alignment + SmartFinder, Level North Technology) will be covered here. Feedback on the Autostar Suite AE (Astronomer Edition) will be posted on the regular Autostar Suite feedback page. Items that are applicable to all ETX models (EC, AT, PE) will continue to be posted on the other appropriate feedback 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.
Subject: I have a question about ETX 125 PE auto time set with ATUM. Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2005 09:21:41 From: R J. Cassato (hieight@sbcglobal.net) I purchased the ATUM for my ETX 125 PE. I have a few questions. 1. Does the ATUM update the LNT in the "automatic update" mode if the antenna is plugged in with the power to the scope turned off or does the scope have to be powered on? In other words will it update over night with the scope off? 2. When in the "Start up" mode I get a "looking for signal" message and sometimes flashes "found signal" When it flashes "found signal" for just a second I don't get a message confirming that the clock has been set. Is there any indicator like on many atomic clocks that the LNT has be synchronized with WWVB? 3. When I bring up the status menu and scroll to currant time there are two times listed One is "Time" (which is not in sync with any of my Atomic clocks in the house. It is off by 45 seconds) and the second is "LST" which is 8 Hours (pacific time zone shift) 12 minutes and 26 Seconds behind. So what is the right time? I'm so confused LOL. Thank you, RJ Burbank, CAMike here: I don't have a ATUM so can't answer that. LST = Local Sidereal Time.
Subject: ETX-125 Premier Questions Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2005 16:47:22 From: W.R.Edwards (WEdward2@Bellsouth.Net) I purchased a Meade ETX-125 Premier w/UHTC for my Wife as a Christmas Present. I have two questions I'd like to run by you and see if you've heard of any solutions. 1 The new Meade Red Dot finder "Dews up" very easy. Have you heard of a Dew Heater solution for this Red-dot finder other than a 12-volt blow dryer? 2 I also purchased the Meade Atomic Time Update Module. This came with a 3-4 feet of cable and no instructions on where this module should be mounted. Any idea where it needs to go? Do you know if this is just an Antenna? If so, I'd think it would need to be mounted high. Thanks and have a safe New Years, Bill EdwardsMike here: I haven't heard of any dew heater solutions for the SmartFinder lens. I would avoid using a hair dryer unless you want to melt it or damage the coating. I don't have the time module but I suspect it is an antenna as well as the receiver. The cord can probably just dangle as you don't need to have it connected all the time.
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Good evening Mike, Didn't expect to get a response from you until next week when you returned. Thanks for the information,,,I'm going to try and construct something to wrap around the SmartFinder that I can attach a regular dew heater strip. Bill Edwards
Subject: unable to change smartfinder time settings Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2005 06:31:43 From: John Lennon (lennonjo@ie.ibm.com) Mike hope i catch you in good form. I have just received my new ETX 105PE. The scope is working great at the moment but im trying to change the time setting for the smartfinder. Im new to this and this is my first telescope. It says in the manual that i hold the MODE key for two seconds and it then Displays RA & Dec.....When i scroll down the options there is no listing for finder-set-blink. Im i doing this right, or is there some other menu i can go into to change these settings? Again i hope all is well with you and i must thank you for such a great site. Best regards John Lennon IBM Test TechnicianMike here: If the Autostar is not "seeing" the LNT then the LNT options won't appear on the Autostar. Check the LNT battery. It could also be a bad LNT cable connection (not good) or a bad LNT module. Contact Meade for a replacement.
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im having trouble getting the smart finder red dot to come on. I have read allot of post and done as much as possible, im a little afraid incase i break something. I have pressed the (0) key on the control pad even in a dark room and still nothing. When i hold down the MODE key for two seconds and scroll down through the options there is no listing for finder set. I have reseated the battery and every time the scope is turned on i have to reenter the time & date. It always list the last date it was on but the time is always 8:00pm. This is my first Scope so this is all kinda new. Since i got the telescope i first set it up and then turned it on. I have since only moved it via the hand controller arrows a few inches up and down thinking it had to be moving to see the dot but nothing. Can you tell me anything that might explain why so many things are wrong. Thanks so much for your help Mike.Mike here: It sounds like the LNT module may be bad. Contact Meade for a replacement. While waiting for it to arrive you can still use the Autostar for alignments and GOTOs.
Subject: LNT and Leap Second Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2005 07:28:22 From: Dave Wallace (d_wallace@ecrm.com) If you don't have the WWVB "atomic time update" module in your telescope, you should know that as of 0000 01/01/2006 UTC, your time will be a second off. This is because we're adding a "leap second" between 23:59:59 12/31/2005 and 00:00:00 01/01/2006 so that the measurement of time is re-synchronized to accommodate the variation in the earth's rotation. What does this mean? It means that unless the LNT's clock is corrected (either by you or via the WWVB signal) the LNT's time will be a second ahead of UTC (and that means that your telescope will point four arc-seconds west of the actual right ascension). Should you worry? Probably not -- pointing accuracy for the ETX mounts is not nearly good enough for you to detect the error. But it's interesting to know, I thought.Mike here: And for better or worse, this is the last scheduled leap second.
Subject: etx at,pe edition Sent: Monday, December 19, 2005 18:11:56 From: bruce engkjer (bruce@onemastercraft.com) What are the differences between the at uhtc and the pe scope I am trying to purchase one of the above and the at seems more available. Is it worth the wait? Meg at telescope.com said the difference was very marginal Thank you in advance for your help Bruce Engkjer Fargo,nd. bruce@onemastercraft.com This will be my first scopeMike here: The PE model automates some of the Autostar alignment process. It also switches from having a magnifying finderscope to a red-dot one. Other than that, no real difference. If you can find North and level yourself, you may not need to go with the PE model.
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Your quick response was unexpected Thank you so much Have a wonderful christmass/holiday Bruce
Subject: I have a question about ETX 125 PE auto time set. Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2005 09:07:46 From: Richard J. Cassato (hieight@sbcglobal.net) I just received a ETX 125 PE. I live in California on the other side of "The Hill" from Fort Collins, CO. In the manual there is no explanation about time set menu. I.E. "WWVB, "Start up" and "Continuous Update." Here is my question: The ETX is supposed to set the time automatically. When the unit is first turned on and is in the "Start Up" mode for time set, the readout says that the unit is looking for WWVB signal. It never seems to find it. Does the ETX 125 PE require the Atomic Time Update Module to perform the auto time set or is the ATUM just an external antenna for the unit? If you could enlighten me about the Auto Time set menu, I would be very happy. Thank you, Rich Cassato Burbank, CAMike here: Unless there is a new option, the time is set from the internal clock on the LNT module, which is set at the factory. You can also set it manually. To get the time from WWV you will need the Atomic Time Update Module.
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Thank you for your quick response and your answer. Rich Cassato
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One more question. OK, The time is set in the LNT. The button battery in the LNT should last a long time. But when I replace the battery, will the LNT still have the time embedded in it, or will I have to reset the time every time I start the scope? Or is it just a digital clock like the one on the wall without a display? Sorry for all the time questions but like I mentioned there is very little documentation on this feature. Thanks Rich CassatoMike here: From the ETX PE manual (APPENDIX D:CHANGING THE LNT MODULE BATTERY): "The LNT Module uses a lithium coin CR2023 battery that will last about 5 years and is installed with the original LNT Module assembly.After you replace the battery, you will need to recalibrate the telescope's sensors and reset the time and date."
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Kewl, Thanks Mike, RJ
Subject: ETX PE Sent: Thursday, December 8, 2005 02:51:36 From: Mal (mkr@ozemail.com.au) Just read your article "*MEADE ETX-105PE/UHTC COMMENTS ". I have ordered the EXT125 PE and am presently awaiting delivery. It will be interesting to see if the issues raised in your article have been addressed by Meade in the nine months since. In any case your article has given me a "heads up" on some potential hiccups. Thanks Mal *
Subject: Bad LNT module Sent: Sunday, December 4, 2005 08:44:13 From: Kevin (kevin@secondstorystudio.com) About a month ago, my ETX125PE was not saving time, date, location, no red dot, etc. MEADE sent a replacement LNT module, but the result was the same. So I shipped MEADE, my ETX125PE scope. Initially, MEADE told me it would take 5-6 weeks to fix my problem. I was pleasantly surprised, when my telescope returned in 3 weeks. I gave it a test and it works great. MEADE replaced the Autostar controller and cord. My old cord had some exposed wires at each connector. This new cord looks much stronger at those stress points. It's now cold, here in Indiana, but I'll wait for a night when the temperatures will be above normal, and get back to the sky. Thanks for the great web site, Kevin Blankenheim
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