Weasner's Meade DS Models User Feedback

DS MODELS USER FEEDBACK

Last updated: 31 October 2005

This page is for user comments and information specific to the Meade DS telescope models. Accessories and Feedback items appropriate to the ETX models are posted on other pages as appropriate. 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:	help with polaris 114EQ-D
Sent:	Sunday, October 30, 2005 19:31:03
From:	Shahrokhi, Hossein (Shahrokhi@uhd.edu)
This may sound like a stupid question, but are we suppose to see a
circle with the three spoke like lines in our view right on top of the
image that we are looking at or are we doing something wrong.

Mike here: It sounds like you are not getting a correct focus on what you are looking at.

Subject:	Parts for my Meade DS90 Refractor Telescope
Sent:	Sunday, October 30, 2005 02:48:07
From:	Herb Gara (herbhgara@yahoo.com)
I have a 5yr old Meade DS90 refractor telescope.

I need to replace the #492 Duel Motor Electronic Control System with
motors.

Can anybody tell me where I can get one?

H.G.

Mike here: You can try Meade. If that doesn't work, try Telescope Warehouse (link on the Astronomy Links page).

Subject:	Autostar loses alignment
Sent:	Saturday, October 29, 2005 06:43:38
From:	WAYNE W (wayne@littlelikeme.com)
OK, I have a DS2130-ATS that was purchased for me as a gift two weeks
ago.  Set it up using the "easy alignment" and it starts out pretty
close to finding objects; they're at least in the field of view. 
However, after several moves I usually hear the positioning motor
whirring away on its way to the next object, but the scope isn't moving.
This only happens with the movement around the vertical axis.  Once
this takes place, the scope is waaay off.  When I tell it to "park" it
usually winds up somewhere in the neighborhood of 15  20 degrees off of
where it started.  Any ideas ?  I have a number of other grumbles, but
they pertain more to the vendor from which it was purchased than with
the scope itself.

Wayne Wendricks

Mike here: I don't have a DS so I don't know if this could be a factor but have you done a CALIBRATE MOTORS and TRAIN DRIVES?

Subject:	ds 60 motor fault on power up
Sent:	Sunday, October 23, 2005 16:18:01
From:	PatForster (patforster@comcast.net)
I got a new ds 60 from Ebay Meade Outlet....powered up with brand new
batterys(tested  them I am a electronic techincian) and  the lcd  read
out on the 494 says,"MEAD [13E] AUTO STAR," and next line is "MOTOR
FAULT". I cannot get past Motor fault to do a reset etc. Re-installed
motors a dozen times....after pressing alot of buttons..sometimes I get
the az motor to turn..no reverse.  Also during this 'fluke'  the lcd
says "UNDER CONSTRUCTION"  Motors are not bindin g etc. Thanks for any
help.
Regards,
Pat Forster

Mike here: Check the cable connections, including the pins inside the connectors and jacks. I haven't checked Meade's warranty on these Outlet purchases but perhaps a call to Meade is in order.

And:

Thanks Mike!  Pat

Subject:	Leather Washer for DS Telescopes
Sent:	Friday, October 21, 2005 09:54:28
From:	Steven R. Wassom (stevenw@mstar2.net)
I have really enjoyed the helpful info in your web pages; thanks so
much.  I just purchased a DS114ATA and would like to improve it.  I have
seen reference to a leather washer trick that improves the drive system,
but I can't seem to find it.  Can you repeat the instructions for this
procedure? I have taken the drive apart before and tried a rubber
washer, but it didn't seem to make much difference in the "feel" of the
stiffness.  Maybe I didn't put it in the right place.  Your help would
be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Mike here: Use the "Search" feature on the ETX Home Page; enter "leather" and you'll see the item in question.

Subject:	meade 114EQ-DH4 manual and user guide
Sent:	Monday, October 3, 2005 20:30:47
From:	Richard M. (sprucedgoose@msn.com)
I need direction in finding a download for the manual and user guide for
Meade 114EQ-DH4.  I am a newcomer, and just purchased a used model.
Thank you,
Richard M.

Mike here: See the FAQ page on my ETX for a link to Meade's manuals page.

Subject:	Meade 114EQ-dh4
Sent:	Saturday, October 1, 2005 18:56:33
From:	RPM (rpm007@comcast.net)
Hi..I have a the 114eq scope with apparently the 494 AutoStar
(Starfinder). I want to control it from my computer but cant find the
information. I would imagine if you could get into the handheld
controller you could then tie the cmp serial to the necesary lines...but
can't find that info..This scope is brand new otherwise I would just buy
a new one!
Any help will be appreciated.

Thank you
Richard McGuire

Mike here: If the Autostar is the #494 you need to purchase a #506 serial cable. Depending upon your computer you may also need a USB-serial adapter.

Subject:	POLARIS TELESCOPE MODEL DS 60AT MANUAL
Sent:	Saturday, October 1, 2005 08:52:22
From:	Janice Monroe (solidrock67@netzero.net)
I HAVE PURCHASD A POLARIS TELESCOPE  MODEL DS 60AT.  I HAVE LOST MY
MANUAL. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANYONE'S HELP IN LOCATING A COPY OF THE
MANUAL..

Mike here: Check the FAQ page on my ETX Site for a link to Meade's manuals page.

Subject:	Re: Terrestrail viewing with DS2114-ATS
Sent:	Wednesday, September 28, 2005 14:14:34
From:	Arthur Case (az_geezer2@msn.com)
Mike, thanks for the advice. I picked up the DS2114ATS and assembled it
and aligned the various parts today. All information available from
Meade says they make no image correction for reflectors. Left to right
reversal doesn't bother me too much, but I would like to get things
right side up for terrestrail viewing. Can you recommend where to look
for a suitable image corrector? What would it be called? Thanks.

Art Case

Mike here: Some examples can be seen on the OPT web page (www.optcorp.com); enter "erect" into the search field. Which of these will work with your telescope I can't say (but the folks at OPT should be able to). [Note, I have a relationship with OPT.]

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