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Last updated: 31 July 2005
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Last updated: 31 July 2005 |
Subject: DS90ATA Manual
Sent: Friday, July 29, 2005 15:09:54
From: Bob Bils (bils@rcf.usc.edu)
Do you know where I can get an instruction manual for the DS90ATA ?
Thanks, Bob Bils
Mike here: See the FAQ page for info on manuals.
Subject: 114EQ-DH4 - in download!!! Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2005 07:11:50 From: jerry manaois (renaissance1002@yahoo.com) Hi, i'm newbie @ telescope and just purchase meade 114eq-dh4, i was try'n to train the scope aiming the light pole @ day time everythings work perfect when i was finished training it and unplug the autostar and battery not to drain power, on the next day my autostar does'nt work anymore, When i connect the autostar (c) 00 Meade [1.0] Starfinder lights up (LCD) in a few seconds the lights turn off and it shows in download in gray screen, Can you pls help me to fix my telescope, Thanks in advance.Mike here: Unfortunately there is no user installable software for the Starfinder. Contact Meade.
And:
Thanks for your quick reply, you have the best website, keep up the good work, I'll call meade tom.
Subject: Re: Meade DS114 adjustment Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2005 11:07:15 From: dbaxter67@comcast.net (dbaxter67@comcast.net) Thank you. I thought something was wrong. -- Dee Baxter, LS
Subject: Meade DS114 adjustment Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2005 20:18:45 From: dbaxter67@comcast.net (dbaxter67@comcast.net) I found your web site and thought maybe you could help me. My dad has just given me the telescope and when I set it up, I have noticed that after centering it on a star the vertical alignment will move a little. Or maybe I should say that it is a little loose. I have made sue that the knob is tight, but it just seems to have some play in it. The motor works well in both directions. Any thoughts you might have? Thanks Dee Baxter, LS IndyMike here: If you mean that you can move the telescope tube by hand, yes, that is to be expected as the locks are just friction locks. Normally you will move the telescope with the handcontroller.
Subject: Meade telescope focus question Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2005 22:44:17 From: Darrin (dalin@lingletech.com) Hi. I was wondering if you could tell me what the approximate minimum focus distance is on a meade ds-2076 telescope. In other words, how far away does an object need to be to come into focus? DarrinMike here: I don't have one but it should be in the manual.
Subject: re: Meade 4504 alignment problems Sent: Monday, July 11, 2005 22:12:17 From: Richard Seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com) I wonder if your 494 is really for the non-4504 models of telescope? Does the label around the display screen say "Starfinder" (the 4504 flavor), or does it say "Autostar"? If "Autostar", see if you have a Setup > Telescope > Telescope Model menu. If so, you won't see the 4054, and that's probably the root problem. In a Starfinder, you aren't offered a Telescope Model, since the 4504 is the only model it knows. There is a Yahoo group dedicated to the 4504, it's at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Meade4504Telescopes/ Another approach is to replace the 494 with a 497, which can be reprogrammed (via my patch kits, or simply by choosing an LXD model and changing the Ratio settings to RA=4.562963 DEC=4.562693 have fun --dick
Subject: re: Info for DS-80 Meade w/Autostar Sent: Monday, July 11, 2005 22:06:27 From: Richard Seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com) To flesh out Mike's answer, if you do NOT have a numeric keypad on your Autostar (hence, a 494), you will need a Meade 506 cable/converter to make the connection between the scope's AUX socket and the PC. Those retail for about us$30 at dealers who carry the DS-80. (or on the web). You will still require a DB-9 COM port on your PC, or the USB to serial adapter. have fun --dickAnd:
From: Edward C Hass (tahoeartisan@yahoo.com) By jove I think I undestand it.....from tahoeartisan
Subject: Info for DS-80 Meade w/Autostar Sent: Saturday, July 9, 2005 11:18:50 From: Edward C Hass (tahoeartisan@yahoo.com) The Autostar I have has a "Keypad" as part of the package with the Meade DS-80 Scope. What I can not seem to understand is what Connector Cable is required to allow my Toshiba Tecra 8100 lap top to drive the DS-80. Can this Connector Cable be purchased from most any PC Retailer or must it have been designed by Meade and then purchased thru one of thier representative companys ?Mike here: If it says "Autostar" at the top and has number keys on the keypad, then you can buy or make a #505 serial cable. If you want to make one (easy) see the cable info on the Helpful Information: Autostar Info page. Note: you will need a real RS-232 serial port on your computer; otherwise you will need to get a USB-serial converter (I've had good results with my Keyspan one on my Macintosh).
Subject: Meade 4504 alignment problems Sent: Wednesday, July 6, 2005 09:32:22 From: Rob Reab (RobReab@tntech.edu) I hesitate to send this because, I suspect you keep pretty busy and don't want to bother you with newbie type questions. Perhaps you can point me in the right direction, if you have the time. Some time back, I purchase a used Meade 4504 with the 494 controller off of ebay. After many attempts, I've about come to the conclusion that I've been "taken" and purchased a bad scope. I just can't get through the alignment successfully. Months ago, I frequented the newsgroups and lot's of websites trying to be sure I'm following the correct procedures. I keep pretty busy with my main job as a network support person at Tennessee Tech University and then after work with my "side business" doing computer support for small businesses and homes around town. I'll get out and have an evening with the scope get frustrated and put it away for another few weeks. I have a great interest in getting it going, but even after owning the scope for a year, I'm still a newbie because I can't get it aligned. I guess you can tell I'm frustrated because of my long-winded ranting. The short of it is, when I go through the alignment, it tells me to set it to polar north, which I do. I hit the enter key and it slews way off (not just a little) to a ridiculous direction and tells me to realign with polaris without using the hand control. I just doesn't seem reasonable. I've tried assuming this was correct and attempting to complete the process. Usually the scope ends up taking off by itself and displaying an error message. I've got my lat/long set correctly (I have a gps and mapping software that I like to play with) and have starry night to help me find stars until I get enough time with a working scope to be more familiar with the sky. Should I just call Meade to see if I should get it repaired? Should I stick to newsgroups for support? Which one(s)? I don't have a local Astronomy group to get together with. Thanks in advance, if you have time to make some suggestions! -Rob Rob ReabMike here: Did you get a manual? If not, check the Meade site for manuals (link on the FAQ page on my ETX Site). Also, have you done a CALIBRATE MOTORS and TRAIN DRIVES on the Autostar? Besides the location, check the date/time/DST setting in the Autostar.
And:
Thanks for the reply, Mike. I downloaded the pdf manual before I even received the scope and been through Meade's procedure, done the calibrate, train drives and set the date/time/dst settings. I replaced the battery pack with a dc power supply to use near the house or with an inverter when my car is nearby and have wondered if the supply is a little too high. I've been thinking of hooking the batteries back up and having another go at it. If nothing else, it will refresh my memory as to exactly what the symptoms are if I need to have it repaired or to pursue more online help. - RobMike here: Be certain to CALIBRATE MOTORS each time you change the power source, including installing fresh batteries for weak ones.
Subject: 114eq-d Sent: Sunday, July 3, 2005 19:08:55 From: Bob Wills (rawills@comcast.net) Can I purchase a motor drive for this telescope to upgrade to auto tracking?Mike here: Specifically, I am not familiar with that model and what would be required. However, see the article "Steve Bedair's "Go To" Mounts" on the Helpful Information: Autostar Info page. That may help you.
Subject: Help?
Sent: Saturday, July 2, 2005 11:42:51
From: AlaineVT123@aol.com (AlaineVT123@aol.com)
I just received a meade telestar telescope Model # DS 2130 At as a gift,
brand new from walmart. The owners manual was missing. I was told I
should be able to download one from the meade website but am having
problems can u direct me?
Lainy
Mike here: PLEASE read the Email Etiquette page on the ETX Site; your message was originally DELETED UNREAD as SPAM due to the ambiguous subject line. Thanks for understanding.
Subject: re: confused (Autostar 494/506) Sent: Friday, July 1, 2005 07:49:54 From: Richard Seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com) >> Or Make it ? ( we have 50 --50 in electronics work.. No, it is impossible to home-build a 506 cable. See: http://24.237.160.4/files/astronomy/Autostar/506_cable/ It has a programmed component which "talks" the proprietary Meade AUX port protocol. There is a 497 Autostar offered for $75 at: http://www.astrofieds.com (at least, it was there last night) You -can- home-build a 505 cable. see: http://www.weasner.com/etx/autostar/as_cable505.html have fun --dick
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