ETX-60AT & ETX-70AT USER FEEDBACK Last updated: 31 July 2004

Subject:	ETX 60/70
Sent:	Friday, July 30, 2004 14:34:10
From:	travis.whitlow@newarkinone.com (travis.whitlow@newarkinone.com)
I have an ETX60 and I also have an ETX70 OTA that was given to me. The
OTA's are identical. The 60 has an adapter that makes the 60mm objective
fit into the tube. The 70mm objective fits snug without the adapter.
Except for this difference the tubes appear completely identical.

Subject:	ETX Coma and focus problem ???
Sent:	Friday, July 30, 2004 12:46:14
From:	Spam @ K3PGP dot ORG !!! (spam2@k3pgp.org)
Perhaps you can post this somewhere on your website and see if anyone
has a clue as to what the problem might be with this scope.

I was in need of a short focal length refractor and when I came across a
'-factory refurbished-' ETX-70AT from Meade Factory Outlet complete with
tripod, accessories and Autostar at a reasonable price plus FREE
shipping I decided to give one of these a try.  The scope is covered
with a 1 year factory warranty.

I have been in astronomy for approx. 40 years using both homemade
reflectors and refractors as well as a couple of ETX-90's and an ETX-125
so I am no stranger to Meade equipment or astronomy in general.  You can
see some of my work at http://www.k3pgp.org.

The problem I am having appears to be out of focus light that is
reaching the eyepiece.  It looks identical to the problem one has when
using a short focal length fresnel or condenser lens to project an image
on a piece of paper.  There is a definite point where the incoming light
is brought to focus but around that image is a LOT of out of focus
energy which greatly reduces the contrast. But unlike a fresnel or
condenser lens I see no chromatic aberation, color fringes or anything
like that.  The brighter the object of course the worse this problem
appears.  The scope is next to useless for terrrestrial viewing during
daylight hours.  I can't even read a large sign across the street as
it's extremely smeared even though there is a definite focal point.

Furthermore, if I focus the ETX-70 on a dim light across the street
during darkness everything looks pretty much normal as long as I keep my
eye directly in the center of the eyepiece.  If I deviate ever so
slightly off center I see a secondary image of the same light source
with an expanding tail (coma).  The further off center I move my eye the
larger the tail until I get to what appears to be approx. 2/3 of the way
out from the center of the field of view when the seconday image cuts
off abruptly.  The boundary where the secondary image cuts on and off is
circular.

After thinking about this problem I came back inside and found a black
piece of cardboard which I cut an approx. 1 inch diameter hole in the
center of. When I hold this in front of the objective lens of the ETX-70
all of the above problems go away!  However this only occurs if I keep
the 1 inch aperture directly in the center of the objective.  If I
deviate ever so slightly off center the problems starts to come back. 
If I place the 1 inch hole near the edge of the objective there is still
a lot of light coming through the eyepiece but it's impossible to bring
it into focus.

After seeing this I thought perhaps something had fallen off inside the
scope, like a light baffle, etc. but I see nothing loose.  It's starting
to look to me like the objective itself is defective.  Like I said it
kind of reminds me of the problem one sees when trying to use a short
focal length fresnel, condensor or cheap plastic lens minus the
chromatic aberations.

Anyone have a clue as to what is going on?  Should I send this thing
back to Meade and make them fix it?  I'm assuming I'll have to pay
shipping even though the scope was delivered this way.  I've never heard
anyone else comment on problems like this with an ETX-70 and I can't
believe this is normal performance as the scope is pretty much useless.

PS - Firing a laser pen through the eyepiece and focusing the image
across the street on a white building displays the same coma and focus
problem. Doing the same with one of my homemade short focal length
refractors displays a nice round dot.  I've swapped eyepieces etc. and
the problem is in the ETX-70.  I tried to use one of my CCD cameras to
take a photo through the ETX-70 to show what I'm talking about but the
problem is so bad I couldn't even get something worth sending...

K3PGP - John
-==-

And:

Although I tested the rear port when I first got the scope with
identical results I just went outside and repeated the test just to make
sure I didn't miss something and the results are the same.  It's dark
here now so stray light isn't a problem but it's overcast so I used a
street light some distance away.  Same focus problem and coma on both
the 90 degree and rear port using a known good 25 mm eyepiece and the 25
mm eyepiece that came with the scope.

I don't understand what I'm seeing.  This is a very simple refractor
scope. About the only thing I can think of is the objective lens is
defective.  I'm not sure but I assume this lens is glass and consists of
at least two lens although it's performing like a cheap short focal
length plastic condensor lens!  If it does consist of two lens, I'm
wondering if the two lens were assembled incorrectly.  If one lens was
left out I would assume the focal length would be grossly wrong but the
FL seems about right.  The lack of any chromatic aberation problems
would also indicate that all elements of the objective lens are indeed
there.  If the scope weren't under warranty I'd tear it apart and find
out what is going on but I'm starting to think it needs to go back to
Meade.  After all it was returned at least once before, refurbished then
sold to me.  I'm wondering if what I'm seeing is why it was returned the
first time?  Remember it came from the Meade Factory Outlet store and
was sold as a refurbished scope with a 1 year warranty.

The view through one of my cheap Meade 6 x 30 finder scopes puts the
view through the ETX-70 to shame!

Subject:	re:  ETX 60/70
Sent:	Wednesday, July 28, 2004 19:54:19
From:	Richard Seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com)
Will a 70mm fit in a 60 mount (or vice-versa)?

Maybe.  There have been -two- models of ETX70 (and therefore 60)
over the years... the "early" (power and autostar plugs in base)
and the "later" (all plugs on side of fork, rotate with telescope).

I believe that the entire tube-support is different between 
the two families.

In any one -family-, the ota barrel is the same size
(buried somewhere on Mike's site are ancient photos of a 60
to which someone added a 70, then 80mm, lens. 
 I think Duct Tape must've been involved....)

have fun
--dick

Subject:	ETX 60/70
Sent:	Tuesday, July 27, 2004 15:09:34
From:	Ray (rayjay@mail.ccsinet.net)
Quick question for you and this one I'm quite certain that you will know
right off the top of your head. I bought an ETX tube assembly awhile
back and have been using it for a finder. Just ran across an ad for a
brand new autostar mount for the ETX 70. Won't the 60 fit the 70 mount?
It's difficult to tell but as far as I can tell in the photos it looks
like the only difference in their size is the objective cell and lens? I
know the tube is like way big for the 60 mm and there certainly is
enough room for the 70 but thought that I would ask anyway.

Thanks for your time Mike!
Best regards Ray

And:

Sorry I thought that I did, must have gotten ahead of myself again. I
have a ETX 60 tube and the opportunity to buy the autostar base from a
ETX 70. The guy took out the 70 to use for a finder scope and everything
is brand new. My question was will the 60 tube fit right into the forks
that the 70 used?

Thanks again,
Ray

Subject:	ETX 70 on Ebay
Sent:	Sunday, July 25, 2004 22:27:33
From:	Roger Eggleston (coinhunter@ameritech.net)
I was looking over your forum, and found it to be interesting. I used to
be crazy about Astronomy until my late teens, but  "making a living"
kind of took my attentions elseware. I am thinking about getting back
into the hobby, and would like to eventualy build my own scope. In the
mean time, I saw a Meade ETX 70 on Ebay at $33 with 3 days left. I know
it will go up, but it seems like a really good buy, and I know Meade
scopes are real nice. Is this something I should go for at probably
$100+ by the time it ends? I appreciate your time Mike, and your
opinion.

Regards,
 
http://http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3829723967
 
Roger Eggleston

Subject:	re:  ETX 70 problem
Sent:	Sunday, July 25, 2004 21:47:25
From:	Richard Seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com)
Something which is often unbelievable is how many turns
the ETX70 focus knob may require.

It is 50 (fifty!) turns from end-to-end.

The goal (when pointed at a star) is to turn it to produce
the -smallest- image possible (a tiny point).

good luck
--dick

From:	Faraaz Ahmed (faraaz_ahmed@hotmail.com)
You were right, the focus knob was disconnected. I got a new one. seems
to work fine. also is aligning it hard, I was able to manually see the
moon etc, but when aligned the scope pointed to some place where i 
couldnt locate any stars.

thank you for your time and help

Subject:	Alt Knob ETX-70
Sent:	Sunday, July 25, 2004 03:08:05
From:	Ledley (gwledley@wcoil.com)
The Alt.knob on my ETX- 70 has to be cranked down REALLY TIGHT in order
to engage.Is there an "at home" fix for this?Thanks in advance for your
reply, GREAT site and service to ETX users.
 
Greg Ledley
Ridgeway Ohio

Subject:	ETX 70 problem
Sent:	Saturday, July 24, 2004 00:30:24
From:	Faraaz Ahmed (faraaz_ahmed@hotmail.com)
Hi. I read ypur review on the Weasners website. I was hoping you could
help me. I just bought an ETX 70. Now I am clueless about getting it
work. I cant see anything through it except blurly light. I did all the
check ups, made sure the flip switch is in the right positon but still
nothing.I turn and turn the focus screw but nothing happens. It has been
driving me crazy. please assit me. the scope aligns itself but i can
still not see a thing.

What do i do? Any help you give will be much appreciated. I nned to fix
this quickly as I need to give to my brother when he comes over and
would love to have it working by then.

Thank You for your time

Faraaz

And:

I have read the  manual many times overs. trying to focus on a distant
land peice doesnt work eitheir. there is no change despite many focuses.
it is as if the focus knob doesnt move.

Subject:	RE: Autostar compatibility question
Sent:	Saturday, July 17, 2004 09:31:14
From:	Ed (edward@brush.fsbusiness.co.uk)
Many thanks for your response. I have followed the link to the Meade
site and read through the article. It looks as though buying the #497
for my ETX-70 is the best way forward.

I'm really grateful for your advice Mike.

Very best wishes

Ed

P.S. I should have mentioned that I am based in the UK and I hadn't
managed to get such a clear response from any of m contacts here. Thanks
once again and I'll keep an eye on your web site.

Subject:	Autostar compatibility question
Sent:	Friday, July 16, 2004 23:04:14
From:	Ed (edward@brush.fsbusiness.co.uk)
I own an ETX-70 AT which came with the standard 494 autostar.

I would like to connect the unit to my laptop to download the latest
software however, I recall some advice that you provided some time ago
which suggested that a possibly better alternative would be to consider
replacing the autostar unit rather than purchasing the 506 cable.

An opportunity to purchase a new 497 controller has come along and I
would be grateful if you would let me know if this controller is
compatible with my ETX-70.

Alternatively, a link to the article that I recall reading would be of
great assistance.

Many thanks in advance

Ed

P.S. I purchased your book  'Using the Meade ETX' and wanted to let you
know how pleased I am with it. Very well done.

Subject:	[none]
Sent:	Wednesday, July 14, 2004 09:22:09
From:	Stacey_McGlasson@Dell.com
First off I would like to congradulate you on an excellent web site,,
packed with valued information.

I have a question, and cannot seem to find an answer to it. I figured
you would know best.

I am new to astronomy and telescopes, and my pick for the first
telescope has lead me towards the Meade ETX 70AT, I was just wondering
if it would be sufficient, or should I go for the ETX 90 ?

Thanks in advance for any help given 

Subject:	Merits of ETX-60 vs. ETX-70 - worth the upgrade?
Sent:	Saturday, July 10, 2004 15:07:30
From:	Tyler Nagel (twsnagel@shaw.ca)
I have a chance to buy an ETX-70 to replace my ETX-60, and then a chance
to sell the ETX-60 for what I paid for the 70.  In other words, I can
upgrade free of charge.

All things being equal, would you say that the ETX-70 is a more
satisfying telescope than the 60?  Is there any regard in which the 60
is superior to the 70?

I have a good selection of eyepieces (I have the celestron kit) as well
as a NexStar 114GT.  I use the ETX-60 the most since it is so quick to
set up.

Would you say that I should upgrade?  Thanks so much for your advice,
Mike.  I appreciate the site.

Tyler

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