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Last updated: 22 January 2002
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Last updated: 22 January 2002 |
Subject: Re: ETX 105 and the Autostar #497 Sent: Monday, January 21, 2002 3:43:12 From: rosen@pixmix.a.se (Peter Rosn) etx@me.com wrote: > The current download at Meade's site will add the ETX-105EC but until you > do that, select ETX-125EC. Don't forget to TRAIN the drives. Also, keep > in mind that the more accurate the HOME position and the initial settings > in the Autostar (Date/Time/Location and Daylight Savings) the more > accurate the initial alignment star placement. And remember that using a > compass to locate North may result in errors due to the magnetic > variation between True North and Magnetic North (in some locations). Thank you for your quick and correct answer. Your site and help is invaluable. I was able to download the upgrade to my Autostar and the 105 showed up. I could not find this information on Meade's site. They stated that the upgrade would add the LXD55 line of telescopes but not a word on the ETX 105. The reason might be that it has been included in every new Autostar sold in the States for some time, but it is a major lack of information for European users. I have not been able to test the calibration and tracking yet as the weather is going from bad to worse! My previous version of Autostar remebered the last entered date when restarted. This version starts every session at 01 Jan 2000 (2001?). Is it supposed to be so? I am a photographer and would also like to be able to use the optical tube as a telephoto lens without the fork. Are you supposed to be able to easily take of the tube from the fork, and if possible, how is it done? Best regards / Peter Rosn -- Pixmix - Peter Rosn Alsngatan 12 116 41 Stockholm SwedenMike here: Glad you got the update. I haven't seen that date problem. As to removing the ETX-105EC from the forks, I don't know if you can do that or not. The ETX-90 and ETX-105EC can be removed by loosening the four screws (two on each site) where the tube adapters attach to the tube.
Subject: Re: ETX-105EC Accessories Sent: Friday, January 18, 2002 1:32:09 From: pstorvik@yahoo.com (Philip Storvik) Tom Weaver recently posted a question concerning hard cases for the 105. OPT has them for $99 I believe it is. Cheers, Philip Storvik
Subject: ETX 105 and the Autostar #497 Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2002 10:16:57 From: rosen@pixmix.a.se (Peter Rosn) I bought an ETX 105 in Paris around X-mas but they were out of Autostar at that moment. As I live in Stockholm, Sweden I found the Autostar in a shop here but it does not seem to work properly regarding the Align function. It seem to miss the setup stars by maybee 45. The ETX 105 (too new) is not in the database of my Autostar so I have tried the settings of the 90 and 125. This will of course only work if the drives are similar! There seems to be no update to download for older Autostars #497 from the Meades site to make them work with the 105. Any clue to what I am missing? Best regards PeterMike here: The current download at Meade's site will add the ETX-105EC but until you do that, select ETX-125EC. Don't forget to TRAIN the drives. Also, keep in mind that the more accurate the HOME position and the initial settings in the Autostar (Date/Time/Location and Daylight Savings) the more accurate the initial alignment star placement. And remember that using a compass to locate North may result in errors due to the magnetic variation between True North and Magnetic North (in some locations).
Subject: ETX 105 / #1244 focuser Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2002 12:47:59 From: bdickson@mweb.co.za (Bruce Dickson) I reported a problem with the ETX 105 and the specified #1244 focusser a while back. Here is Meade's response. I'm going to try attach some surgical tubing onto the focuser shaft to provide some isolation from finger shake. Regards Bruce Meade Instruments Corporation 6001 Oak Canyon, Irvine, Ca. 92618-5200 (949) 451-1450 Fax (949) 451-1560 www.meade.com Mr. Dickson, Though I still don't have a complete solution for you, it is apparent that your #1244 focuser will not be at all usable with your telescope. I suggest returning it to the place of purchase for a refund. Once a solution is reached, you can opt to re-purchase at that time. Thank you for your patience and I apologize for this inconvenience. Best regards,
Subject: ETX-105 and Meade focuser Sent: Friday, January 11, 2002 16:50:48 From: gilliland@adelphia.net (Jim Gilliland) Just a quick note to confirm what others have reported. The Meade 1244 focuser that is claimed to work with the 105 in fact does not work. It will physically fit onto the 105, but the focusing gears will not engage. I'll be returning mine to the store. I may buy a flexible focus cable until Meade gets the problem worked out.
Subject: ETX-105 & Electric Focuser Sent: Saturday, January 5, 2002 13:55:22 From: beruberu@freesurf.ch (Philippe HAAKE) Yes the flexifocus is nice, and much better than the original button... but if you don't mind you can have something much better.... the JMI InstaFocus MOTOFOCUS for Meade ETX-90/90EC and 125EC 99$ and the fexifocus is already 35$. You can buy it at scoptronix or directly from Jim's mobile (the same price). That motofocus is really GREAT!!! much better than the meade one (I think!!) you can always use it even if the battery are out... It is very smooth.... and very easy to ajust the focus... That's what you have to buy.... You will not regrett it.... Have a nice day.... Best Greetings From SWITZERLAND Phil ICQ 3128404 http://astroclub.net/sag/index.html http://astroclub.net/sag/ephemeride/index.html http://community.webshots.com/user/beruberu1 beruberu@freesurf.ch
Subject: ETX-105 & Electric Focuser Sent: Thursday, January 3, 2002 23:15:11 From: CraigBobchin@sbcglobal.net (Craig M. Bobchin) I was given the 105 as an X-mas gift and have to say based on my limited use of the scope, it is a well made piece of equipment. This coming from a guy who's last scope was a TASCO 60mm Refractor (25 or so years ago). I've already gotten a few extra EPs and filters, not to mention a Barlow lens. Both the Moon and Jupiter (so far the only thing's I've been able to see due to Cloudy weather)are magnificent. I went to get the 1244 focuser and was told by the owner of the shop I went to (Scope City in Costa Mesa, CA) that it does not fit the 105, just the 90. We tried it on a 105 and discovered that yes it fits, but poorly and does not focus well at all. The 1247 does not fit the 105 in any way shape or form. I'm thinking of getting either JMI's istafocus MOTORFOCUS or the Scopetronix FlexiFocus cable. Do you or anyone else have any experoence with either of these two items with the 105? Thanks CraigMike here: The FlexiFocus will work well with any ETX. As to the JMI product, I've not seen any comments about it.
Subject: ETX-105EC Accessories Sent: Wednesday, January 2, 2002 21:28:24 From: Tom_Weaver@prodigy.net (Tom Weaver) Looking for a hard case for the ETX-105EC. Where can I find one? Thanks for your help, Tom WeaverMike here: I don't recall seeing one yet for the ETX-105EC but the -125 cases at JMI and Shutan and probably the other case dealers shown on the Astronomy Links page or on the Accessory Reviews - Cases page should work. Or you can check with them about -105 cases. Let me know if you learn anything.
Subject: ETX 105 with #1247 Electric focuser Sent: Wednesday, January 2, 2002 12:35:14 From: michael2608@home.com (Michael Wood) First off, I would like to express my appreciation for your wonderful site. I use it daily. I know that there have been a lot of questions regarding the #1244 and the #1247 electric focuser and the ETX-105. Today I purchased the #1247 electronic focuser for my 105 and wanted to report that the #1247 electric focuser DOES NOT work on the 105. When mounted like the instructions say ( mounted in the hole above and to the left of the focus shaft ). The focus shaft does not line up with the hole wear the gear is. Basically the focuser housing is too large. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. If you know of a way to make it work, I would really like to know. Thanks, Mike
Subject: ETX105EC or NexStar4 ? Sent: Wednesday, January 2, 2002 12:08:29 From: firegrizzly@hotmail.com (Fire Grizzly) I am thinking of getting a nice portable scope which I believed I will use the most. Catadioptric scopes seems to be the ideal choice. I am now narrowing down my choices to either a ETX105EC or NexStar4. ETX105 looks charming but sales people keep telling me the NexStar is better built with aluminum parts than plastic. NexStar4 is slightly less expensive with the computer included. But the look and popularity of the ETXs really attract me. Please help me out in the decision. Regards, GrizzlyMike here: I have no direct experience with the NexStar4. I only compared the NexStar5 to the ETX-125EC. The ETX-105 is redesigned from the earlier ETX models and so is improved.
And:
Thanks for the quick response. Is there any plan on doing a comparison review of NexStar4 and ETX105 since both these scopes are newer and will be popular for their better prices too ... More people like me will be asking for this.Mike here: I'd be happy to do a comparison. Just ask Meade and Celestron to send one for evaluation.
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