ETX PREMIER EDITION FEEDBACK Last updated: 4 August 2006

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:	problem with LNT module in ETX-125 PE
Sent:	Thursday, August 3, 2006 04:30:17
From:	Luca Levoni (luca.levoni@ranahispania.net)
excuse my English, I'm from Spain, I have a problem with the LNT module
because in the autostar not apear the option to make an Automatic
Alignament, if I push Mode for 2 or 3 seconds I don't see the options of
LNT. It's like the telescope don't recognize the Module. I change the
module but the problem is the same. I actualize the Autostar to the last
version "43ea".
What can I do?
Many thanks.
Luca Levoni 

Subject:	RE: Time Keeping
Sent:	Monday, July 10, 2006 13:37:45
From:	Roger McDonald (panjia@nildram.co.uk)
Hi Mike an update on time keeping.

Having carefully removed the LNT cover the button cell appeared in
place. A gentle nudge revealed that the cell had popped out of its
holder!!!

Noting carefully, I could see that the retaining clip was not vertical
to the holder but slightly outward pointing. With a gentle effort I bent
the clip a tad towards the centre of the holder. Placing the cell under
the black lugs and gently pushing the cell down the spring clip clicked
over the cell and the two small tangs on the clip engaged with the cell
locking in to position.

I called the reseller (telescope house Kent) and passed on the procedure
to them. Happily, the time/date on the Autostar no longer asks for the
time and date - phew.

All I've got to do now is calibrate the sensors, set the tracking rate
and train the drives and hopefully get some great captures for my mini
library. Details from your web site printed out. Why can't Meade be as
good is beyond me given the terrible manual that comes with a great
scope.

Incidentally, whilst the 'scope was 'playing up', I did manage to get an
AVI capture of Jupiter back in June this year which wasn't too bad given
I live just eight miles SE of London UK - light polution is terrible you
can read a book in the light reflected down by the clouds! I was amazed
that registax could track the image slowly moving down the screen. But
it did really well in getting a half way decent final image - well I
think so but I'm only a beginner.

I've not been in to the hobby for that long and I've not had the scope
long either but using a Philips TouCam pro 2 webcam for the first time I
got a picture which I'm copying to you for a professional comment should
you wish to pass one.

Thanks for the help on this one!

Keep up the great work,

Cheers,

Roge

Subject:	Re: ETX 105 PE Alignment Failure
Sent:	Monday, July 10, 2006 07:24:47
From:	twilcox2@columbus.rr.com (twilcox2@columbus.rr.com)
Thank you for the reply.

I have done Calibrate Motors and Train Drives.  I am using Easy Align
because Auto Align doesn't even come close.  The object that I am
looking for is always on center and below the place where it should be-
-Moon, Jupiter for example.

Thank you again.

Tim

And:

Thanks for sticking with me.  I believe I have found my problem.  The
instructions on the website were so much better than the telescope
manual.  I was training the alt drive twice which seems to be a common
error.

Thanks
Tim

Subject:	Time Keeping
Sent:	Saturday, July 8, 2006 11:43:34
From:	Roger McDonald (panjia@nildram.co.uk)
Hi Mike just got your book from Amazon and it's a great read so far! One
issue I'm having is that the LNT module does not keep time. I have to
manually enter the date and time every time I switch on my 105PE. I'm
located in London UK. I've been in touch with the reseller in Kent UK
and I'm getting conflicting information.

Once and for all Mike put me out of my misery does the LNT keep time or
not here in the UK? The battery is securely clipped in and is fresh as
far as I'm aware. BTW this scope is the second one I've had as the first
one had a tracking fault on it which the guys at the shop changed right
away also the autostar need changing too as the scope wasn't tracking at
well like zooming pass the moon big time.

Cheers for a great web site.
Roger 

And:

Thanks Mike for the quick reply. I've printer out the page and will go
through the procedures. Fingers crossed.

Cheers,

Roger 

Subject:	ETX 105 PE Alignment Failure
Sent:	Friday, July 7, 2006 20:14:02
From:	twilcox2@columbus.rr.com (twilcox2@columbus.rr.com)
After I have performed a successful alignment, the object that I am
looking for is always far above where the scope is pointing (3 fingers
with an outstreached arm).  What steps should I take to correct this and
have things close in a 26mm eyepiece?

Thank you,
Tim Wilcox

Subject:	Re:1 x Finder on ETX 125PE
Sent:	Wednesday, July 5, 2006 18:21:58
From:	mhogansr@comcast.net (mhogansr@comcast.net)
Usually, the dot comes on during a star alignment, then goes off.  The
Finder Set menu allows you to set the intensity and blink rate of the
dot, while the "0" (light) key on the AutoStar will turn it on or off at
any time you need it.
 
Mike Hogan

Subject:	1 x Finder on ETX 125PE
Sent:	Wednesday, July 5, 2006 08:01:50
From:	Robert B. White (rbwhite@interbaun.com)
As you know, the 1x finder only comes on doing search phases. My
question is this: How do I make it come on so that I can align it and
the scope so that items in the finder will be in the field of view of
the scope?

As always, I appreciate your service to the ETX community. It must take
a lot of work.

Regards,
RBW 

Subject:	ETX-105 PE Calibrate the Sensors
Sent:	Sunday, July 2, 2006 01:49:16
From:	dankrszal@comcast.net (dankrszal@comcast.net)
How do you calibrate the LNT sensors on a meade 105PE ?  Does it do it
auto or is there other things you have to do? Also how offen should u do
it? should it be done everytime you train the drives?

                          Thanks 

                                  Dan 

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