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Last updated: 31 August 2008
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Last updated: 31 August 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: ETX 125 Motor Unit Fault related to this small piece of white plastic? Sent: Sunday, August 31, 2008 14:53:18 From: Fred Rains (fjrains@bellsouth.net) Hey there, Mike. Please look at the attached photos of a small piece of white broken plastic that was rattling around in the base of my ETX 125. I bought the scope off of Astromart and had used it for about three hours when problems developed - and continue. It exhibited the "random slew" and also the random "motor unit fault" problems. The random slew issue has been resolved by using the internal batteries instead of an external a/c or battery source, as suggested in posts on your site, however, the motor unit fault problem is no longer intermittent. As long as I slew to different objects every two or three minutes, it works fine and shows good accuracy. The problem begins after four or five minutes of tracking the same object. I have the Autostar 43e software and have calibrated and trained the motors several times and done a restart; the problem persists. I have also used a friend's Autostar and swapped connecting cables - and swapped them end over end - with equally negative results. Before I send it to the shop I wanted to get your's and your reader's opinion on this. When I was putting the telescope up last time I noticed a rattle in the base. I pulled the back off of the base and the object in the pictures fell out. It appears to be a portion of a larger piece and exhibits jagged shear marks consistent with a piece of broken plastic. I'm honestly hoping that this is something that I can order from Meade and fix myself, but I hesitate to do anything more than take off the back of the base unless I can get some guidance from someone. So what do you think? Could the broken piece cause binding and be the source of the "motor unit fault"? I'm a long time ETX 90RA user/lover and have frequented your site since it first began. Have really enjoyed it. Thanks again. Fred Rains Birmingham, Alabama
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Thanks for the quick response! I think sending it back to Meade is my best course of action at this point. Are you going to post the pictures on your site? If so, I'll wait a few days to see if anyone has anything to offer. Thanks again.Mike here: You could also contact Dr. Clay Sherrod for his Supercharge Tune-up service.
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I will check with Dr. Sherrod before I send it to Meade. Thanks, Mike.
Subject: Can a 2003 etx 125 use the 497 controller Sent: Sunday, August 31, 2008 13:40:39 From: patrickmcgarry@bellsouth.net (patrickmcgarry@bellsouth.net) Hello I need to know if the 2003 etx 125 can be used with the 497 controller. I have a chance to buy a used 125 and it does not have a 497 controller, I can not afford a new scope so used is my only option. thank you PatrickMike here: All ETX models except the original ETX (ETX Astro M, ETX-90RA) can use the #497 AutoStar.
Subject: ETX-125 collimation - it ain't that hard
Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2008 16:43:23
From: john (cjonesrocks10@hotmail.com)
hey, i'm going to be buying a meade etx-125 for a friend soon. and just
bought a meade LXD55 mount. i want to put the etx-125 on the LXD55. i
went through your artical. do you have pictures of this process? i'm
kind of a visual person. i could do what you said but pictures always
reasures me especially when i'm going to be spending all my money of
this telescope. and is this process hard? for real! i don't want to do
anything that i will be hitting myself for the rest of my youth.
thanks for the reassurance!
sincerely yours,
John Dalane
Mike here: First, if you haven't already, read the articles in the "Star Testing and Collimation Tips" section on the Helpful Information: Telescope Tech Tips page. Second, be aware that you can make matters worse if you are not very careful when collimating the ETX. It is not that simple, especially without an "optical bench", and you have to take the ETX apart (which may invalidate any warranty), although you can use the techniques described to collimate the ETX, if you take your time doing it. Third, are you sure you NEED to collimate the ETX? Even my 12 year old ETX-90 hasn't needed it, and it is the one that has been used the most, including a trip to Australia in 1999.
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hey mike, i just started going through your stuff reading through it and going over it a few times. i just want to take the meade etx-125 off the mount and put it on my LXD55,=, to do that i have to open the 125 tube?right? or do i have to open up the tube? i don't have the telescope yet so i'm not familiar with it yet.Mike here: To remove the ETX OTA from the fork arms you just remove four bolts (two on either side of the tube) and then carefully pry the tube adapters away from the tube. Then you can mount the ETX OTA on the LXD55 but you will need to purchase mounting rings and a dovetail adapter for the LXD GEM head. You can get those from Losmandy or ScopeStuff (links on the Astronomy Links page) or from your favorite telescope dealer. By the way, see the article "ETX-125 on a LXD75 Mount" on the Helpful Information: Telescope Tech Tips page. The LXD75 is very similar to the LXD55 mount.
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thanks mike, i jst got an email from a friend link me to this i'm so glad it wasn't what i thought before! thanks! John DalaneMike here: Yes, unlike collimating the ETX (which was not designed to be user-collimated, nor is it normally necessary), the ETX-90/105/125 OTA can be easily removed from the fork mount.
Subject: accessory holder Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2008 07:42:06 From: kevin wonders (ones19542001@yahoo.com) I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction. I saw some where, a eyepiece holder that fits between the scope and the tripod. Any help would be great. Thanks Kevin WondersMike here: See the Accessories: Tripods page for a couple. There is also a DIY one in the article "Accessories Shelf" on the Helpful Information: Telescope Tech Tips page.
Subject: mysky-update problem Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 18:48:46 From: badgr91@aol.com (badgr91@aol.com) mike, after reading your 27 July report on updating your mysky I thought i'd update mine - bad move!!! I went to the update site & went through the steps as directed. the program found the location, programmed ,remove and reinsert the SD card, verified, and stated "update completed". I restarted the mysky & the screen showed version 1.tc as before . I redid the update with the same results,(DUH). I also have the program on my laptop - same procedure-same result. I'm stuck now. even reloaded ASU ! same result no1.3, GPS still on the screen. have you had any reports or other instances of this problem? Any help out there? Thanks for your site , it's a god sent to us beginners/technically challenged souls. clear skies Art MullenMike here: Have you tried to download the UPDATE application from Meade's site and then run that version on your computer? Or were you running the older version of the UPDATE application?
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Since I don't have any idea what I'm doing-I uninstalled ALL " Meade" apps. & reentered mysky&auto-star suite ver.5.0. This is the disc that came with the Mysky. I updated the SD card, now ver. 1.2q appears. Looks like I'm going the wrong way!! Do I have to update the hand box to 43eg to get the latest mysky ver.?? I hesitate because the only time I tried to update - the hand box went blank and had to be replaced,(warranty thank goodness). Thanks for help & patientce Art MullenMike here: No, you don't have to update the AutoStar. Just run the mySKY update application. It should detect that it is an old version (assuming it IS an old version) and install the new one from Meade's site. Then it will download and install the mySKY update itself on the SD card. As I have noted in my mySKY review, I have not be able to do the update since my card reader is not recognized by Windows XP (although it works fine in Mac OS X).
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Perhaps it is a "Vista" problem?? My lap top is running on XP & desk-top Vista- so I may be twice blessed !! I'll try a new SD card just for fun!! You are truly appreciated art Mullen
Subject: ETX-125PE and remote focus Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 14:42:34 From: Steven Burkey (sjburkey@mchsi.com) I am trying to find out if it is possible to remotely focus the 125. I have the DSI 3 for a CCD camera and the F3.3 Focal reducer, I am using my computer in the house. I need to use a remote focuser with the Autostar Envisage program as I can use the focuser in the program. Is there a focuser out there that will do what I want. Steve BurkeyMike here: You should be able to control the Meade #1247 electronic focuser. However, a word of caution: the #1247 focuser is not a good fit to the PE model. I posted a tip on the Helpful Information: Telescope Tech Tips page on today's Site update which offers a modification to let it work.
Subject: cataract surgery posting Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2008 15:55:01 From: Hardy Pottinger (hardyp3@yahoo.com) I just read your posting from last year regarding your cataract surgery. I am anticipating having this done myself this fall and was wondering what effect it might have on my astronomy hobby. Thanks for your notes and encouragement! I'm looking forward to it. Cheers.. --hjpMike here: I didn't have cataract surgery. That article was by someone else; I suggest contacting the author directly. Best wishes.
Subject: focus knob Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2008 13:05:51 From: JayJay Clayton (solargenes@gmail.com) hi.. have a slight problem with my focus knob... i had attached a cable extender but i didn't like the way it worked.. when turning it to the left, it felt really loose; when turning it clockwise, it felt too tight, so I took it off and put the original knob back on. However, I still have the same problem..counterclockwise feels loose, clockwise feels too tight.. Looking forward to any suggestions. seems like every time i do something to address an issue, I create at least one additional issue.. : ) by the way, had talked to you earlier about putting together a solar power supply.. i got the vw solar panel clay suggested from ebay and will pick up the jumpstart battery this weekend. will let you know how it all works out when i'm done with it..provided i don't fry my telescope. : ) Many thanksMike here: Is there excessive "image shift" when turning the focus knob? If so, the article "ETX Focus Shift" on the Helpful Information: Telescope Tech Tips page may help.
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it isn't the image shift, it's a difference in tension when turning one way as opposed to the other..that didn't exist until i added the extender cable. many thanks.Mike here: Glad to hear there isn't any image shift. That means the primary mirror is moving as it should during focusing. I was worried that it was shifting. So the next step would be to check the shaft itself (per that article I mentioned). I doubt that adding the focus cable would have caused any problem.
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I think it's time to send it in for a supercharge.. along with the focus knob issue, there's some backlash / jerkiness going on ..would be way in over my head dealing with those issues. many thanks.Mike here: Dr. Clay can take care of you! Keep me posted!
Subject: Plossl vs. "Super Plossl" eyepieces
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 11:38:50
From: Kevin S. Ladin (kslmd@cox.net)
Firstly, I just want to thank you sincerely for developing and
maintaining this wonderful website. You can't imagine how helpful and
informative it has been to me as a novice ETX-125PE user. My previous
scope was an Orion 6" Dobsonian reflector. What a difference! From
what I've seen so far, the ETX blows away the Orion in essentially every
area, even with its slightly smaller aperture.
My reason for emailing you is to figure out the difference (if any)
between the terms "Plossl" and "Super Plossl". I just purchased the
Meade 4000 series eyepiece set along with the purchase of my new
ETX-125PE telescope. I received a $100 discount on the eyepiece set by
doing so. Problem is, they are listed on the Adorama website as
"Plossl", not "Super Plossl". Is there a significant difference between
the two and if so, did I make a mistake purchasing the set. I believe
it also comes with a set of four filters and a 2X Barlow.
Look forward to hearing back from you. Thanks once again.
Sincerely,
Kevin S. Ladin, M.D.
Mike here: As I noted back in 2003 (discovered by searching the ETX Site for "super plossl"), "Well, in general the Super Plossls are better but the difference is somewhat in the eye of the beholder. Depending upon how you use your ETX-90, under what conditions, and what your expectations are, low-end eyepieces may work just as well as higher priced eyepieces. You may see more coma or be out-of-focus at the field edge but if that doesn't bother you then why pay for something better. On the other hand, keep in mind that the weakest link in your optics will show up in your views. The ETX-90 optics are pretty high quality and can benefit from better eyepieces." You should be OK with the eyepiece set. As to the Barlow Lens, if it is a "shorty-style" then it will work fine with the ETX.
Subject: Meade ETX Telescope Serial Number Location?? Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 08:15:51 From: Osmonson (ozservices@comcast.net) I am trying to find out what the serial number is on my Meade ETX telescope, would anyone know where to find this Serial Number?? Thank you!Mike here: Some models didn't have serial numbers. But check inside the battery compartment or on the bottom of the base. Alternatively, if you have the brown shipping box, look on a label there.
Subject: Meade DS-2090AT-TC Review - THANK YOU Sent: Saturday, August 23, 2008 12:16:20 From: Richard Willingham (explora@att.net) I purchased the DS2090 from Costco in the wild hope that the mount would be sturdy enough to hang my homemade 6" RFT on it since I do not have the time to build a proper mount. Since you gauged the mount as flimsy its going back to Costco unopened. Thanks for saving me the time of testing it. Two questions 1. Any suggestions for a mount for the RFT that would be inexpensive and sturdy? 2. I purchased the 50th C-8 to be manufactured in February of 1971. Are you aware of any collector item markets for oldies like this or is it just an old scope without aniti-reflection coatings? Thank you for your time. Richard WillinghamMike here: Well, you will have to define "inexpensive". Sturdy mounts for large telescopes usually cost a few hundred dollars. And then you have to add on mounting rings or adapters. But you could check out Vixen or Orion mounts. If you want a GOTO system, check out the LXD55 (used) or LXD75 mounts, which can use an AutoStar. As to selling the telescope, I'm sure there will be someone who would want it; checkout Astromart.com.
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Thanks
Subject: Chiefland Astronomy Village Star Party, 10/24/08-11/02/08 Sent: Friday, August 22, 2008 17:13:20 From: DAVID REDDY (dpreddy1@verizon.net) Chiefland Astronomy Village, located in Florida's Big Bend, is hosting a Star Party October 24 thru November 02, 2008. Chiefland boasts about 20 acres of dark observing fields, tons of electric for telescopes and some for RVs, restrooms, food, 4 vendors and some truly awesome amateur set-ups. $60 for the entire time, graduated down for less time. Preregister by Sept. 15 http://chiefland.org/ David Reddy New ETX125 owner
Subject: ETX-60,70,80 Spec Sent: Friday, August 22, 2008 13:05:50 From: psferrentino@aol.com (psferrentino@aol.com) Would you happen to know if the ETX scope has an M42x1 thread on the diagonal mount? Pete FerrentinoMike here: I don't recall it being identified as such. It is not a standard size (i.e, SCT).
Subject: Your website.... Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 15:51:26 From: Eddie (binsky@ptd.net) Your website is unbelievable! I just purchased a Meade ETX125 PE. What's the best place on your site to start for tips on setup? There is so much on your site, I'm a little overwhelmed. Thanks in advance for your help! Eddie L. Allentown, PAMike here: The place to start is the Site Guide on the ETX Site home page. Then depending on your interests you will have a better feel where to start.
Subject: how many mirrored surfaces in the ETX125 Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 12:08:24 From: JayJay Clayton (solargenes@gmail.com) Mike, how many mirrored surfaces are in the ETX125? Am still trying to find a consistent and easy way to measure position angle in double stars. If the number of surfaces is odd, (I think it is) then I think East is going to be clockwise from North. One of these days, I'll get this... : ) Thanks.Mike here: If you are using the flip mirror to direct the light up through the eyepiece hole there are 3 mirrors. Object viewed through an eyepiece in this position are reversed left to right but rightside up.
Subject: Re: Help with ETX 125 Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 05:21:04 From: Mike (Mike.radioamat@wanadoo.fr) I just came back from my holidays in the alps. I want to thank you for your help! Before living, I could repair the damages on the PCB. Mr. Henrik van Holthoon gave me the advice to make a bridge to replace the damaged track. And it worked!!! So I could use my telescope in the alps fot astro and nature observing. It was very interresting and fun! So, thank you once again! Best regards Mike
Subject: Want to Buy ETX-125-AT, being in Pakistan Sent: Monday, August 18, 2008 01:57:40 From: Humair Abbas (humair.rizvi@gmail.com) Hope you'll be doing fine up there in the "skies" :) I have been in love with the sky since ages. Just to quench my thirst, I have been surfing the net to find a good-inexpensive telescope and have decided to go for ETX-125-AT; after devouring reviews, user comments, image results etc. for more than a week. Was unable to find anyone to help me with the purchase till I came to know about your site. Need your help on following points; Is ETX-125-AT recommend for a first-time-amateur user (not particularly interested in AstroPhotography)? How to get it, being in Pakistan? Would appreciate if you can help locate some dealer/sub-delaer of Meade's products working in Pakistan. PS: I have tried to purchase it from Pakistan but only one shop (Shams Store, Super Market, Islamabad) in capital city "Islamabad", had Meade's telescopes available and that too only ETX 80-TC. Dying to put my eye on the eyepiece and be lost in the universe. Best Regards, Humair Rizvi, Model Town A, Bahawalpur, Punjab, PakistanMike here: Yes, the ETX-125AT (or the PE model, which is newer) will make a fine telescope, especially when used from dark skies. As to a dealer, check the Meade site for international dealers: http://www.meade.com/dealerlocator/international.html.
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I have checked on below mentioned site, but none are from Pakistan. Anyways thanks for responding, will let you know when I get hold of ETX as am onto it. :)
Subject: re: solar power generator Sent: Sunday, August 17, 2008 16:48:39 From: richard seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com) The solar power system that link refers to has two or three (to my eyes) major deficiencies... First, the text on the first page says things like "It takes 5-8 hours to charge a dead battery; 1-3 hours to top off a weak one." However, the panel in the photo (as revealed by specs on the "tech specs" page) is only a 5.5 watt, 0.35 amp panel. If the 95 amp hour battery were indeed dead, it would take 95/0.35 hours, or 271, or over 22 days of 12 hours a day sun to recharge with that panel. For simply the purpose of running the ETX, you'd need about three hours of sun time for every hour of telescope operations with that panel. (Assume the ETX draws one ampere. Thus for one hour of operation, you'd need one ampere-hour from the battery. One ampere at 12 volts is 12 watts. So a 5.5 watt panel would take 12/5.5= 2.18 hours to replace 12 watts of energy. Solar panels have three ratings, use the watts for an "average" value. As it happens, i -use- a solar panel to keep my LX200gps battery topped up. My battery is a 17 amp hour "JumpStart" battery, sold at auto parts stores and stores like WalMart. Typical prices range from $30 to $50, depending upon sales. Mike's site has a review of a lot of them on this page: http://www.weasner.com/etx/buyer-newuser-tips/powersupplytable.html For the solar panel, i paid $22 for a 3 watt (so half the power output of the panel on that website) VW panel... Volkswagen evidently ships their cars and vans over with solar panels in the windows to keep them "alive" in the dealer's lots... and folks sell the not-sold-with-vehicle panels on ebay. A quick example shows *two* panels for $14 plus shipping as eBay item 110279101512 at www.ebay.com If you use their "search" window for "VW solar panel" you'll see dozens of auctions. The one i bought had a cigarette light plug for attaching to the car, and that fits my JumpStart's 12v output quite happily. (the example ebay item above does -not- have a cigarette plug, but they're easy to replace with one from RadioShack). Since my JumpStart has two 12v outputs, i could attach two panels. For just an ETX, a 17 amp hour battery will last you through at least one full overnight, or 3 or 4 "evening" sessions. The JumpStarts come with a plug-in-the-wall recharger, too, so you're not tied to requiring sunlight in the day to still enjoy the night. have fun --dickMike here: I have used the Celestron PowerTank (7AH model) with my ETX, LXD, and LX90 telescopes. In fact, I have used it with two telescopes at a time for several hours or one telescope and an AC inverter to power a digital camera. I've even used it at temps around freezing and it has always outlasted me in duration.
Subject: [none] Sent: Sunday, August 17, 2008 11:57:59 From: Bill VanOrden (beevo@cox.net) I think what you are experiencing with your LX90 (and my friend Ken Sikes plus two other local users) is what is now typical of Meade's product QC and Support/Repair. I am extremely good at the ETX/AutoStar scopes having had mine for many years and "fixed" a large number of them for people at star parties. I have never been able to get the ETX125PE of Ken's to work correctly and neither has Ken. Meade said the RA Lock knob was broken and also replaced something in the LNT setup. That never fixed anything and the scope came back from Meade damaged on the DEC fork arm, the pieces were just thrown in with the scope in the plastic bag. Ken is planning on stripping the OTA from the mount and has plans to throw it away as that is the value of it to him. We are consulting on another mount to put it on. My wonderful ED80 APO Triplet is the LAST SCOPE I will ever buy from Meade. The quality cannot be trusted. I almost bought one of the My Sky devices for my wife. I sure am glad I didn't make THAT mistake! Meade - Reliability - Quality - Support = InTheSewer (my opinion) Beevo (aka Bill VanOrden)Mike here: Reminder - please read the Email Etiquette page; your message was originally UNREAD as SPAM due to the missing Subject entry. Meade is addressing the quality concerns. Hopefully we'll see some improvements soon.
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I used YOUR link... ;o) I doubt they will get it corrected and if they do it will be at a point where they have lost credibility on their non-XMAS scopes. A friend in Prescott has a 16" SCT that is just terrible on the electronics. It's too bad. BeevoMike here: As I've noted before, Apple went through the similar problems back in the early-mid 1990s when the CEO at the time (Spindler) decided to try to save money by reducing the QA staff. That backfired on him (and he was eventually fired). The current Meade CEO seems to have followed a similar concept and it has backfired on him too. But hopefully, like Apple has, Meade can arise from the dead and return to its greatness.
Subject: Editorials Sent: Saturday, August 16, 2008 09:37:25 From: Bob Harris (harrisb@cfl.rr.com) I just read on the ETX yahoo site that Scopetronix is out of business. Do you know if this is true? I just placed an order (on Thursday for $55) with them, gave a credit card number, and received a receipt. Am I in trouble with this? Bob HarrisMike here: The Editorial Page on my ETX Site discusses Scopetronix.
Subject: solar power generator Sent: Friday, August 15, 2008 09:13:38 From: JayJay Clayton (solargenes@gmail.com) Hi; am wanting to get a solar power generator for my ETX125PE. I ran across this website and wanted your feedback about whether this homemade solar power generator would work or not. Or if you know of something else, would like to know that as well. http://www.rain.org/~philfear/how2solar.html Thank you as always. JulieMike here: As long as you get 12VDC and 1500mA to the ETX (with the proper polarity) you should be OK. I have seen other solar solutions powering telescopes but I don't know the manufacturers.
I dont see any possibility to remove it. There is a plastic holder that
makes impossible to pull or push it out of the case
It seems that its tighten from the other side of the big metal plate
So I have to access to the backside of the metal plate. Do
you know how to diassemble the telescope to get there? I think I have to
remove the tube and plastic covers...
Regards
