Weasner's Meade ETX-60AT & ETX-70AT User Feedback

ETX-60AT & ETX-70AT USER FEEDBACK

Last updated: 31 May 2005

This page is for user comments and information specific to the Meade ETX-60AT and ETX-70AT. Additional information on these models is available on the ETX-60AT & ETX-70AT Announcements page. Comments on accessories and feedback items appropriate to other ETX 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.

Subject:	SOS help for my ETX 70 AT
Sent:	Monday, May 30, 2005 13:56:46
From:	mikilodat@@libero..it (mikilodat@libero.it)
"help".

I bought an ETX 70 AT and would want to install autostar; exists a
version FREE? it is found the diagram of the hollow one of connection?
would not want to buy it. would want a solution for monitor my ETX from
PC.

thanks

Francesco from south Italy

excuse me for my translation in English

Mike here: If I understand what you want, you are looking for software that will control the Autostar and ETX from a computer. There are several apps that will do this. Some are free, some shareware, and some commercial. For some info, see the Helpful Information: Autostar Info page on the ETX Site. For the #494 Autostar that comes with the ETX-70, you will need to purchase a Meade #506 cable from your local dealer.

Subject:	ETX 70 AT Help Please?
Sent:	Sunday, May 29, 2005 22:03:41
From:	John Suhr (jsuhr@imunplugged.com)
I have a neighbor who has an ETX 70 AT about 1 year old.

He started to do the setup but it started to act strangely

He has never go it to work right it says "Motor Fault" and displays
jibberish underneath that in scrolling letters

We managed to get it to go thru some auto setup for a minute but it kept
circling the sky, I cant get to a reset menu and it keeps scrolling
jiberish

Sometimes the motors will work but something seems wrong with the CPU I
think, Fresh batteries too

Any ideas? Any ways to hard reset it?

My ETX120PE comes on Tuesday I hope it wont be this much trouble!

Thanks

JS

Mike here: The ETX-70 Autostar has probably become corrupted. There is no way to fix it from software. But before declaring it dead, check the cable connection just to be certain it is making good contact with the pins inside the jack. It is probably cheaper to get a new Autostar; a #497 will work fine and it can be updated to the current ROMs from Meade.

And:

Thanks for the quick reply Mike!

So on their website it does not mention the ETX70 for the 497 so before
I tell him to get that you know it works?
Thanks
JS

Mike here: Actually, the Meade site does mention it:
http://www.meade.com/support/auto.html

Subject:	RE: Meade ETX astrophotography query
Sent:	Sunday, May 29, 2005 12:48:01
From:	Bryant, Neil (Neil.Bryant@tateandlyle.com)
Very kind of you to reply, Mike 
I'll certainly have a look on site 
All the best 
Neil

Subject:	Meade ETX astrophotography query
Sent:	Friday, May 27, 2005 05:45:05
From:	Bryant, Neil (Neil.Bryant@tateandlyle.com)
Sorry to trouble you 
Excellent internet site - thank you 

Has anyone tried the humble ETX70 with a digital SLR camera (Canon
Rebel) ? The wider angle F5 optics should provide nice images, even deep
sky. I have seen you 90 and 105ETX Images - these are good but not many
are digital SLR and also the optics are a much higher F#.

I have taken some excellent 400mm F5 piggy pics on another scope With as
little as 60 seconds imaging.

I am now considering getting the ETX70 for a small portable imaging
base. Is the motor on the 70 up to carrying the weight?

Please let me know - I expect you have either tried or know someone that
has
All the best from the UK 
Neil

Mike here: There are many examples of ETX-70 astrophotography in the Guest Astrophotography galleries but I don't specifically one with the Canon Rebel. You could try a Site search with "ETX-70 Rebel". But weight could be a problem. It would likely require a counterweight system.

Subject:	will this work?
Sent:	Thursday, May 19, 2005 17:12:07
From:	Steve Noblin (stevenoblin@cox.net)
I have an etx 70. Can you operate the scope hooked up to the computer
without the autostar plugged in? I just got the 506 cable today and was
afraid to do that considering that it seems like the electronics in the
scope are very sensitive from what I have been reading about.

Mike here: The computer talks to the Autostar which talks to the telescope. So, yes you need the Autostar in the loop.

And:

Oh ok, thanx mike.

Subject:	ETX-70 Broken Dec shaft...
Sent:	Wednesday, May 11, 2005 20:00:47
From:	Mike Sellers (michael.sellers01@insightbb.com)
I have an ETX-70 with a broken dec shaft.  It is broken just to the
inside of the dec gear.  The plastic part that is bolted to the side of
the OTA is  now separated from the dec gear.  The plastic is too soft
for any type of screws or bolts.  I'm afraid if I use epoxy, I could
prevent the clutch from slipping when needed.  I have called Meade for a
replacement, but they said I would have to return the scope and $75.00
for the repair.  Is there any way to fix this myself?

Thanks,

Mike Sellers

Sellersburg, IN

Mike here: You could check the article "ETX-70AT Repair Guide" on the Helpful Information: Telescope Tech Tips page; it may give you some ideas.

Subject:	70AT power
Sent:	Thursday, May 5, 2005 22:27:49
From:	Gary Crossley (gcrossley@paonline.com)
I would like to use a Vector Pocket Power Junior 1.2 Amp Hour, 12Vdc
Portable Power Pack from Scopetronics to power my 70AT. Can I splice a
9v battery clip to a cigarette lighter adapter cord and then plug that
into the Vector?

Thanks,

Gary

Mike here: Yes, that should work. Just keep the polarity correct.

Subject:	ETX - 70
Sent:	Thursday, May 5, 2005 00:15:15
From:	Alexandre Silva (alexhs_98@yahoo.com)
Hi I have buy a old and -only now I know- broken ETX-70 on ebay.
I live at Brazil and here technical assistance are very expensive.

How I can open ETX-70 base plastic case whitout broken it?
How I can open Autostar 494 comand plastic case whitout broken it?

tank you very much

Alexandre

Alexandre Hngaro da Silva

alexhs_98@yahoo.com

alexhsi@ig.com.br

ICQ 168006776

Mike here: There are lots of tips on the Helpful Information: Telescope Tech Tips page and the Helpful Information: Autostar Info page. Sorry I couldn't be more specific right now; got to go.

Subject:	etx decision
Sent:	Thursday, April 28, 2005 13:01:54
From:	NOILLE (SAR-PROTECTORS@COX-INTERNET.COM)
I currently have a meade telestar 2130at which i purchaesd from Walmart.
I know that a scope from that store could not be of any good quality.  I
am fairly pleased with the astro pics that I have been taking.  A couple
of weeks ago I lost the ability to move verticle. Took the scope apart
and found that the "metal" connecting piece from the scope to the alt
gear had sheared.  After many tries to glue, jb weld, solder and bolt, I
could not make it stay.  I called meade and they told me that it is an
internal problem and would cost $75 to look at, b/c out of warranty.    
Scopetronix has a shipment of etx70at factory refurbished for $169.
Would I do better fixing my old scope or starting new?  I am new to this
field and use the scope for observing and photography.

Any insight and comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Noille

Mike here: The ETX-70 is a short focal length refractor. You can see my comments on the ETX-70 on the Helpful Information: Buyer/New User Tips page. Whether it would satisfy you or not, only you can say. But read my comments; you might also want to read the Helpful Information: User Observations for other reports on the ETX-70.

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