GENERAL FEEDBACK Last updated: 7 May 2008

This page is for user comments and information of a general nature or items applicable to all ETX, DSX, and DS models. Comments on accessories and feedback items appropriate to other ETX and DS 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: Applicability of Tuneup Tips for late model ETX-125's
Sent:	Tuesday, May 6, 2008 15:09:12
From:	Lorenzo Rota (lorenzo_rota@sbcglobal.net)
Thanks Dr. Sherrod and Mike!

All went well. 

First, the OTA was easily removed.  

As the DEC encoder wheel is completely inaccessible even with both fork
covers removed. To get to the DEC encoder wheel, I did have to remove
both inner and outer fork covers.  Then remove 3 screws from the DEC
motor assembly.  Also had to loosen the 3 screws on the worm drive ( I
carefully scribed a line on inside of fork to indicate mounting position
of the worm drive assembly so I could go back to same pre-load position
for the worm drive).  I didnt have to remove the worm drive but it
helped to loosen it so that the DEC motor assembly could be disengaged
from the main gear driving the worm gear shaft.  Then the DEC motor
assembly was carefully dropped down and out of the fork.

I did use your tip to run a screwdriver into the OTA arm bearing as I
removed the OTA arm from the fork bearing.  It didnt appear like
anything would actually drop out as the bearings seemed to be pressed
into the fork.  But the screwdriver did prevent the main gear, DEC stop
ring, etc from falling down into the arm, although it seemed that it
wouldnt drop down too far even if I didnt insert the blade.

I then cleaned the dec motor sensor and encoder.  Also...there was alot
of metal filings/shavings all over the interior of the fork assembly and
on motor assembly from the machining process at the factory which needed
to be cleaned up before it caused a short on the circuit board. It
doesnt appear they properly cleaned/degreased the metal fork before
installing all the other mechanicals and electronics. Metal filings were
everywhere.

The OTA arm went back in smoothly once it was properly keyed.  And
everything is running smoothly and calibrated etc.

Overall, it was not that difficult at all but I am fairly mechanically
inclined.  The key was to go slow, not force anything, take pics as I
went along, and keep track of all the screws.  I cleaned off all excess
greases and lightly greased with lithium grease only where necessary.

Again, thanks to both of you for the assistance.

Regards

Lorenzo Rota

And:

From:	P. Clay Sherrod (drclay@tcworks.net)
Glad it was successful, and you are correct:  going slowly and
deliberately is the key.

Dr. Clay
-------------
Arkansas Sky Observatories
Harvard MPC/ H43 (Conway)
Harvard MPC/ H41 (Petit Jean Mountain)
Harvard MPC/ H45 (Petit Jean Mtn. South)
http://www.arksky.org/

Subject:	StarGPS for an ETX125
Sent:	Sunday, May 4, 2008 16:30:35
From:	JOHN SABELLA (johnsabella@hotmail.com)
I checked the site to see if there were any articles about the StarGPS
used with the ETX125 and found none.

I had visited a local store who was telling me a little about this unit,
but I'm a little hesitant without check with you first.

I beleive you need to use it with a Laptop which I could do, but I would
find that inconvenient. I'm hoping Meade someday will update the ETX
with a GPS option soon.

If you heard anything about this StarGPS, please let me know. Thank you.

John

And:

I'll try again but what I did see was for different models.  I was just
wondering if you had any experience with that particular product
yourself? Thanks.
 
John

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