ETX-60, ETX-70, & ETX-80 USER FEEDBACK Last updated: 8 June 2008

This page is for user comments and information specific to the Meade ETX-60AT, ETX-70AT, ETX-80AT-TC, and ETX-80BB. Additional information 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:	Re: ETX-70 base ascension motor jammed
Sent:	Saturday, June 7, 2008 08:58:01
From:	Brian Miller (briangmiller@comcast.net)
How do you get this strange nut off? It looks like a threaded washer. I
was expected a standard bolt holding the washers on. How in the world do
you grab a hold of this washer-bolt thing and release it? I tried
inserting a small screwdriver and gently tapped it with a hammer to try
and loosen it but no luck. It feels like it is sealed in place. Pliers
will not grab a hold of this thing.



What new tool do I need to buy? I love trips to Sears Hardware.

Thanks again,
Brian Miller

Still no first light ... although I plan to use it tonight with or without the motors working.

And an update:

I figured it out. That latch to engage the clutch is a pretty dumb
thing. I didn't realize that it had to be lifted and placed on the
little bump.

She's running smooth now.

Brian

Subject:	re: Tripod Selection
Sent:	Wednesday, June 4, 2008 21:32:08
From:	richard seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com)
For my ETX90 (and occasionally an ETX70) i acquired a stable
photo tripod, removed the tilt/pan head, and created a metal
plate with three holes.  One was threaded to accept the tripod's
pan head attachment bolt, the other two were 9/32" through-holes
to pass the 1/4 (nylon) bolts needed to secure the telescope.

This allowed me to choose a tripod with leg-locks i trusted,
and a stable level platform for the scope.

have fun
-dick

Subject:	ETX-70 base ascension motor jammed
Sent:	Wednesday, June 4, 2008 17:11:49
From:	Brian Miller (briangmiller@comcast.net)
Just picked up a used ETX-70 off of e-bay for $100. All in all, the
scope looks like new and the lenses weren't even out of the box.
However, I discovered what I think might be a series problem with the
base ascension motor but I'm not sure. If I push the left arrow button
the motor is jammed. If I push the right arrow button the base motor
turns the base but it's jerky. I won't be able to take any motion photos
with it jerky like that. Is there a way to open up the base and re-seat
the motor or should I just send it to the factory?

If I click Calibrate Motor in the setup menu it moves both motors and
seems to be happy.

Thanks for the advice.
Brian Miller

And:

No, let me give it a try

Brian

And:

When I ran through the TRAIN DRIVES procedure, Up & Down is fine. >
Right works fine but when I had to center using the < Left arrow, it
sounds like it's running over the gear and not fully engaged. It does
not want to move to the left.

It's not a grinding sound (which is good). It sound like the gear it
running over a bump and simply not engaged.

Brian

Subject:	Tripod Selection
Sent:	Tuesday, June 3, 2008 16:35:44
From:	ANICE W CLARK (mrcymrcyme@earthlink.net)
I have an Meade ETX-70 EC Astro Telescope with Electronic  Control that
I need a tripod for.  I'm not interested in a table top design but would
like a recommendation as to which tripod would be the best for a
beginner.
 
Kindest Regards

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