This page is for comments and user feedback about ETX telescopes. ETX models discussed on this page include the ETX-60/70/80/90/105/125 (EC, AT, BB, Premier Edition). This page also includes comments and feedback of a general nature. Comments on accessories and feedback items appropriate to the ETX-90RA, DSX, 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 for posting. Please use an appropriate Subject Line on your message per the Site Email Etiquette. Thanks. Remember, tips described on this site may invalidate the warranty on your telescope or accessories. Neither the submitter nor myself are responsible for any damage caused by using any contributed tips.

Subject:	Right Ascention Lock Handle @884 Speader Tray
Sent:	Tuesday, February 26, 2013 08:58:43
From:	michael m (michael2272272000@yahoo.com)
How is the cold weather there? It's cold and warm here in Southern
Indiana. I bought a 2005 ETX125 from a lady in Tampa on Craig's List
that needs a right ascension lock handle and the 884 tripod needs a
spreader tray.  Do you know where i might purchase these items? I
appreciate your help.
michael marion
salem, indiana

And:

Thanks Mike
I did't think of looking for a mod. Thanks a lot.
mike marion

Subject:	Meade 12mm reticle eyepiece
Sent:	Sunday, February 24, 2013 05:24:24
From:	Neil Goddard (neil_mi16@hotmail.com)
I was doing a search on the internet for the Meade 12mm reticle eyepiece
and I stumbled across your site. I wonder if you might be able to assist
me with something? I have recently purchased the reticle eyepiece that
has the adjustment screws:
http://www.telescopehouse.com/acatalog/Meade_9mm_Illuminated_Reticle_Eyepiece__Wireless_.html

As mentioned above, I actually have the 12mm model. I've noticed that
the crosshairs are not dead center in the FOV. Turning the adjustment
screws moves the entire FOV and the crosshairs at the same time - this
is of course for positioning onto a guide star. However, I would have
though that the crosshairs should be aligned centrally in the FOV in the
first place?

I've attached some images from each orientation of the eyepiece, the
mis-alignment is more obvious in some positions than others.

I just wondered if you had any thoughts or experience on this as I think
the eyepiece may be faulty.

Thanks for any input!

Kind regards
Neil

And:

Thanks for your input. If you're after one with adjustment screws, I'll
probably be selling this one very soon :)

Subject:	Dying ETX 125
Sent:	Monday, February 18, 2013 01:31:33
From:	edward von delelis (delelis_edwardvon@yahoo.com)
Sorry to bother again but a friend borrowed my etx for a trip, he told
me that the mirror fell off inside the tube but he was able to return
it, i did a star test and saw that it was miscolliamated already.

I started remove the corrector lens and remove the mirror for cleaning,
but I can not anymore put back the mirror inside, any tip? I feel that
it seriously diminished the performance of the scope. And i am upset. 

thanks

Von Delelis
http://paperchalkdustandstars.wordpress.com/

And:

Primary mirror, he told me that he placed it facing downward (ota only)
so the screw loosen up and eventually fell off.  I disassembled it last
night since its collimation was off already.   

And:

Yes its all fit together now.  Thanks, but artifacts are everywhere on
the mirror and corrector lens. Does not feel the same anymore 
 
Von Delelis

Subject:	Can not find this item anywhere. Any advice?
Sent:	Tuesday, February 12, 2013 07:33:22
From:	Phillip W. Byrd (phillipbyrd@earthlink.net)
I am looking for a viewfinder bracket for a Meade telescope, Model:
ETX-125EC Astro.

I do not need the viewfinder itself, just the bracket that slides into
the telescope and holds the viewfinder.

I have contacted Meade, which refers me to retailers. I have contacted
about 10 retailers, all of whom tell me they do not stock this item.

I don't know what else to do.     Any suggestions?

Thank you.

Phillip Byrd

And:

Thank you.

Phillip Byrd

Subject:	Lithium supplies
Sent:	Monday, February 11, 2013 16:49:52
From:	mamonett@comcast.net (mamonett@comcast.net)
A post was done on Cloudynights about a new product from Starizona . Its
a lithium power supply for the 125.
I can't post photos there so maybe you you will help and let me attach
them here and refer them to your site.

My LI-ION batter pack (seen in the photo below) is much smaller and
lighter than a conventional power supply, and it could be even smaller
and lighter than a commercial product with DIY. (do it yourself).

Thank You

Mike Amonett

STARIZONA POWER PACK 2" @ $129.00

Subject:	bolt holes underneath my ETX125
Sent:	Friday, February 8, 2013 02:37:15
From:	CHRISTOPHER MANCRIEF (c.mancrief@btinternet.com)
Thanks for your website. Have been reading it for several months and am
still learning lots.

I would like to add a counterbalance of some sort to my ETX125 and have
seen several options here that attach underneath the tube between the
arms, using the 2 existing threaded holes. I think the thread size of
these holes is possibly 1/4 x 20 which is not an easy size to get here
in the UK as we are metric. I have tried screwing in a "bolt" from a
flash gun adapter that attaches to the tripod mount on my Nikon D7000
but it seems slightly loose. Can you confirm that this is the correct
size please, or advise otherwise if possible?

Chris Mancrief

Subject:	ETX125 clutch fix
Sent:	Wednesday, February 6, 2013 23:29:57
From:	Sai Lam (saibaby74@hotmail.com)
I was trying to find a fix for the clutch lock on my ETX125 on you site
and could not find it.  The clutch lock on the azimuth fully locks at
half turn (in the middle).  There's still some space left but it would
not go any further.  I know there's 3 screws at the bottom with rubber
covers. But once I get the base open.  How would I go about fixing the
clutch lock to default.  When I spin the scope around there is a bump at
somewhere near every half turns...feels like something is bumping into
something. I've read somewhere and I dont remember where that it was
some extra screws in there or something.  Thanks

And:

On my ETX60..the level goes from one end to the other to lock and
loosen.   But on the ETX125 its only half way..there's half more space
to go but it wouldnt go any further.

And:

Ahh ok.. I just thought it matters..but guess not.  Thank you Mike

Subject:	Repairs to a Meade ETX 70 and 90
Sent:	Monday, February 4, 2013 06:06:09
From:	Richard Gill (richardgillb23@hotmail.co.uk)
I was wondering if you can help, there seems to be no email address to
contact Meade direct, so was wondering if you can help? My ETX 70 has
had the plastic bolt sheared on the RHS as you look down the scope (I
understand this is a common problem?), which locks it in the vertical
plane and was wondering if there is an easy way to fix this, get a
replacement. I also have an old ETX 90EC, where the vertical motor has
stopped working, is there an easy DIY fix for this also. By the way I
live in the UK.
 
Many thanks
 
Richard Gill

And:

Great response, many thanks for your help. I will have a look

Richard Gill

Subject:	ETX 90 EC DEC Drift error
Sent:	Sunday, February 3, 2013 10:52:47
From:	GoodmanFandM (goodmanf@q.com)
Hello Mike. As always, thank you for you amazing site and time spent
keeping it viable.
What steps do I take to correct a DEC drift that shows up as follows:
1. Non-Autostar hand control (Speed, In/Out and Mode controls)
2. Polar mount setup manually leveled and closely polar aligned
3. 18mm Celestron eyepiece
4. Mount is closely counter-balanced(trial and error)
5. A test star, in the Southeast(I am in the Norther hemisphere-Colorado
Springs) drifts slowly, straight upwards, in the EP field of view. The
star is approximately 30 degrees above the horizon.
6. The RA seems to track well (stays at center of EP after adjusting the
tracking speed)
7. I do not know if further tripod, north facing, leg length
adjustments, or better Polar alignment will correct the error
I have always, and will continue, to appreciate your site and your assistance.
Gratefully Yours-Fred

And:

Thanks for the amazingly fast reply.
I do the Polar Alignment as follows:
1. Center Polaris, in the eyepiece.
2. Slew scope to another star(as previously written)
3. watch for RA/DEC drift and move the wedge mount axis to keep the star
from RA drifting(also adjusted RA speed as previously mentioned).
4. I then make  wedge mount axis adjustments and/or north facing leg
length adjustments to minimize DEC drift.
4. I am able to stop all RA(or horizontal in my EP) drift.
I have not found an article, on any website, simple enough for me to
perform a drift alignment. Which article, in your opinion, is the most
straight forward?
Additional info: my LAT is 38.8 degrees and the wedge is set to the
complement of 51.2 degrees.
Thanks again for you help.

And:

Thank you for the link. I will study and apply the techniques, weather
permitting.
Blessings, clear skies and hopefully (especially for you) new celestial
discoveries.
Fred

Subject:	Etx-60 "motor unit failure"
Sent:	Friday, February 1, 2013 23:59:02
From:	Mr. Riley (mriley.mr@gmail.com)
Movement in the alt direction is fine, motor in the az direction wasn't
spinning at all. I took it apart and tested the power to the az motor
against the working alt motor, and I have concluded that the az motor
itself is bad. I am going to replace it but I am having a hard time
finding what type of motor to replace it with. Any help would be greatly
appreciated.

Thanks Mike Riley.

Sent from my iPad

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