Weasner's Meade ETX-60, ETX-70, & ETX-80 User Feedback

ETX-60, ETX-70, & ETX-80 USER FEEDBACK

Last updated: 31 May 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:	ETX 60 broken
Sent:	Friday, May 30, 2008 07:45:40
From:	Randall Roman (bkstgzillgod@yahoo.com)
I have a problem with the declination lock on my etx 60, it's broken. I
would like to know where I should send it in the Orlando, Florida area.
and how much you think it would be to get repaired? Even a guess on the
price would be helpfull

Mike here: Unless you have a favorite telescope dealer in the Orlando area you should contact Meade. But even the dealer would send it back to Meade. The repair cost usually starts at about $75 (plus shipping to Meade).

And:

I've sent Meade a letter concerning this problem about a month ago. I've
got no reply as of yet. I have your book so my thoughts were to ask the
expert. I'm very capable of repairing it myself I just need the part,
I'm a retire mechanical engineer and nothing is beyond my comprehension.

Mike here: A phone call to their Customer Support line would be faster. It would get you the RMA info and estimated cost. If you want to try to repair the lock see the article "ETX-90EC DEC fix" on the Helpful Information: Telescope Tech Tips page. The ETX-60 lock is likely similar.

Subject:	Fix 80ETX
Sent:	Thursday, May 29, 2008 15:17:27
From:	Michaels hotmail account (anotherstupidid@hotmail.com)
Thanks for the url referral.  I had already glanced at that one and a
few others.  Although the 80ETX is a refractor like the 70ETX, it
appears the focus shaft is different.  However it may not be that
different.  It may also require epoxying a washer to the shaft.  I can
do that but I also would like to know how the focus mechanism works.  I
see the gears on the focus knob shaft but I can't figure out how that
interfaces with the aluminum piece with the hole in it that the main or
long focus shaft goes thru.  Any help with understanding how that works?
And is the method for repair the same as the 70ETX?

Tx as always,

Michael

Mike here: Again, I don't have an ETX-80 so don't know for certain how different it is from the ETX-60 and ETX-70 models. But I presume the shaft connects to the objective lens housing since I suspect to focus the housing is the part that moves. It is that way with the ETX-60 and ETX-70.

And:

Mike,  I haven't sent a lot of questions to you.  I was thinking the
question went onto a board and people could discuss it with questions
and answers back and forth.  But I'm new here.  Thought someone besides
you would be involved.  Michael

Mike here: Thousands of ETX users all over the world visit the Site. If anyone has help to provide they will respond, either to you, me, or both of us. I post any responses I do get.

And:

Ok.  I thought that was the way but didn't know for sure.  My bad.

Mike here: No problem. Maybe I should update the Site Guide (on the ETX Home Page)?

And:

I don't know about that.  Perhaps I need to read it well.

Subject:	80ETX question for Mike
Sent:	Tuesday, May 27, 2008 19:53:20
From:	Michaels hotmail account (anotherstupidid@hotmail.com)
I have a few ETXs and I was taking an 80 apart and now I can't remember
how to get the focus mechanism back together properly.  I can focus the
scope with a nutdriver on the mechanism itself.  But I cannot get the
focus knob to make the shaft move.  I did drop the washers off the shaft
when I took it apart.  I found them all I think.  I put two washers on
the objective side of the mechanism and one on the nut side.  Is there
something inside the aluminum part over the shaft that I have lost?

Michael

Mike here: I don't know if the ETX-80 is different than the ETX-70 focus shaft but check the articles "ETX-70 Focus Knob Fix" and "ETX-70AT Repair Guide" on the Helpful Information: Telescope Tech Tips page.

Subject:	ETX-70 12v
Sent:	Thursday, May 1, 2008 04:03:48
From:	Vctor Moy (vmoya99@gmail.com)
I've got an ETX-70, with autostar 494.
I'd like to use a 12v SLA battery as a power supply instead of a 9v
battery, but I'm not sure whether it is safe or not.
I have tested just for a few seconds and it seemed to work properly.
I think there's no problem for the autostar, as it works with a 5v
voltage regulator.
My doubt is about the possible harm to the motors. Besides, they move
faster with 12v and I don't know if it might lead to accuracy problems.

Could you help me?
Thanks.
Victor Moya (Spain)

Mike here: Take a look at the photo of the Meade ETX-60, 70 AC Adapter on the Accessory Reviews: Miscellaneous page. You'll see its output is 12VDC 1000mA. So as long as yours does 1000mA you will be OK. Also, don't reverse the polarity. The motors will not move faster.

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