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DS MODELS USER FEEDBACK
Last updated: 29 September 2001
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DS MODELS USER FEEDBACK |
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: DS-127 Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2001 10:46:31 From: neil@wci.ab.ca (N.Armstrong) It turns out that other DS users have had a similar problem with their telescopes.(not having the altitude mechanism work) There may be a solution but it involves adding washers and taking the mechanism apart. I bought it new, and I'm not taking the telescope apart. I paid money to the dealer, I expect a new one. regards
Subject: [DS] #493 on eq mount? Sent: Monday, September 24, 2001 8:58:07 From: flamorce@dataradio.com (Frederic Lamorce) I know there's different version of the DS series, the standard one on altaz mount, but some versions like the 4504 or the DS114AT sold at cosco come on a EQ mount, looking like a EQ2 mount. I was wondering, owning a standard EQ3 mount, if I could buy the #493 (motors+autostar) and install them on my EQ3 mount to have a GOTO system, if it could work? Anyone tried it? Frdric.
Subject: DS-127 Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2001 17:24:13 From: neil@wci.ab.ca (N.Armstrong) I had to return my DS-127 to the store where I bought it. The "alt" control would not move the tube up or down. The motor was turning alright but the gear to move the tube just kept on spinning. Who else has had this problem? Neil
Subject: re: DS-127 Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2001 12:33:04 From: rseymour@wolfenet.com (richard seymour) To: neil@wci.ab.ca For DS- users, there's also an Egroup: http://www.egroups.com/messages/meade-ds (it's mentioned in Mike's Links page, but so are 300 other things...) (and that's actually a "yahoogroup", (YaHoo bought Egroups) but the link works...) There are a number of other Yahoogroups which discuss DS- and Autostarry things... any one of which may carry some specific gem of information which makes -your- life better... but which can lead to too-many-hours before the screen, too few under the stars. have fun --dick (with an ETX90 and an ETX70.... but being sorely temped by an LXD...)
Subject: DS-127 Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2001 9:02:52 From: neil@wci.ab.ca (N.Armstrong) I bought a DS-127 and had a look last night. Really spectacular. Way more power than the ETX-70. I will be watching the "DS" postings and Autostar postings on the web site. Just not sure what to do with the old ETX. Any suggestions? What do you do with your ETX's? Bye for now. NeilMike here: I have three ETX models. I have uses for all three.
Subject: question Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2001 8:31:48 From: bwiddoss@mediaone.net (Beth & James Widdoss) I found your page on the web (by accident actually) and it looks like you and your page users are very knowledgable about telescopes. So I was wondering if you could take a minute and respond to a few questions that I have. These questions mind you come from someone who has NO experience what so ever with telescopes but I am interested in buying one. I saw one advertised on heartlandamerica.com for $199.00 it is called a Meade 60x700mm Autostar Telescope they say the suggested retail is $799.00 and the model number they gave me was 11061-497. Of course this sounds like a good deal but do you really think it is. I don't want to spend alot of money and $200.00 is about all I want to pay right now especially with the economy after last weeks attack.So if you could give me so advice I would greatly appreciate it. If this is not a good deal then maybe you could give me your opinion on what I could buy to get started. Also are there any good cd,s that could help me with the beginning of locating and identifing some stars and planets. Any help would be appreciated. James Widdoss May God Bless AmericaMike here: I believe this is really a Meade DS scope, with a different name. I haven't priced it from a real telescope dealer but I doubt it retails for $800. There is nothing wrong with a 60mm refractor with a 700mm focal length, which is what you're looking at, but I suggest you check out a real telescope dealer (several are listed on the Astronomy Links page on my ETX Site).
Subject: help!!! Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2001 9:46:42 From: armonroy@prodigy.net.mx (Armando Monroy) Hi!! I just bought a DS127 last month. I have no experience at telescopes but thought it eas going to be easy if following instructions properly. Unfortunately, after six weeks I still can get an image. The telescope includes both 25 mm and 9 mm lenses and I hoped it was enough to begin with planets and the moon. Ive seen all your recommendations for new users and I still dont know if I need another kind of lenses (Barlow) or devices to have a successfully starting. I need simple hints!!!Mike here: I'm not certain where you may be experiencing difficulties. When you use the 25mm eyepiece, are you saying you can not see the Moon through the telescope or it is out of focus? Or are you saying that you need help with the GOTO system?
And:
The point is that if I try to watch Mars (for example) it is the same image I get that if I were using binoculars, I mean, Im not expecting to watch as it were as close as my nose is but I was hoping to start with clear images and all I catch (in case of Mars) is a big red point in the sky. Am I doing something wrong? Is it the collimination system? This days have been cloudy so I cant tell you about the moon, but I want to ask you for a big favor, can you send me a photo of any planet or star that Im supposed to watch with this telescope with the lenses I described you in last e-mail? This will help me to have a better dimension of what I must watch at it. Thanks...Mike here: Now I understand. You are expecting more than the telescope can deliver. This is a common error, not helped but the marketing materials from manufacturers. Mars, and most planets, will appear as small dots at low magnification. You really need to get over 100x to get reasonable views. Unfortunately, Mars has passed its closest approach to Earth until 2003 so it will not yield good views until then. I don't have the DS127 so can't supply any photos through it; perhaps another user will do that for you. I suggest you start with the Moon and if you get up after midnight, you can see Saturn and then Jupiter low in the eastern sky.
Subject: whether to buy a meade ds90ec Sent: Monday, September 17, 2001 13:21:37 From: brian_roller@hotmail.com (brian) I am new to astronomy and have saved up to buy a descent telescope. I was thinking of getting the meade ds90ec, its 499. Do you think think that this is a good choice or should I go for a dobsonian style scope . please help, I am so glad I found your site Thanks brian. ukMike here: The best telescope for you is one that comes as close as possible to doing what you want a telescope to do for you. So, you need to decide upon your requirements and expectations first. Then do the research for models that meet those and compare the results to your budget. Finally, keep in mind that the best telescope is one that gets used, not one sitting in a closet. There are basically two reasons that telescopes end up in the closet: too cumbersome to set up or it doesn't provide views that meet the user's expectation, both of which will reduce the user's interest in amateur astronomy.
Subject: re: any reviews of Meade 5" DS-2130ATE Reflector? Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2001 20:59:28 From: rseymour@wolfenet.com (richard seymour) To: richard@harrisfamily.dns2go.com As far as i can tell, that's a brand new scope model.... the "130" means it's a little bigger diameter than the DS-127 that's currently on the market. I think the price you're seeing is very good. (not that i've run around too much pricing them) The 494 Autostar is more limited than the 495/497, but if that turns out to be a problem you can -reaplce- it with the "better" models. (get 'em from eBay) Or wait until the Autostar II (two) is available. There are yahoo egroups which cover the DS- line of scopes, i doubt if anyone there has purchased a DS-2130 yet, but they'd all LOVE to hear about yours.... Try: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/meade-ds good luck --dick
Subject: Question about a Meade Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 14:10:26 From: richard@harrisfamily.dns2go.com (Richard Harris (Home Office)) Hello. Thanks for your resourceful telescope site! I have a question I thought I might confide in you about.. I have put on lay-a-way a telescope I found at Wal-Mart. -Yes I know, but check this deal out.. It's a Meade 5" DS-2130ATE Reflector with the Autostar 494 controller and alum. tripod...all for $349 My question to you IS -do you know where there are ANY reviews or anything on the Internet at all regarding this scope? I've searched, and searched -but NOTHING! I've read the Sky and Telescope reviews on the 114, but they are outdated somewhat and don't cover the new breed of Meade DS (department store) scopes.. Any help would be nice. Thanks again!Mike here: I don't recall any seeing any recent reviews of the "Digital Series" Meade telescopes.
Subject: question Sent: Sunday, September 9, 2001 0:46:35 From: ishnapp@checkpoint.com (Etay Shnapp) hello, my name is etay and i have a quesiton for you if you could help me with... i recently bought the Bresser DS-B60 telescope which is supposed to be complient with the Meade DS series since Bresser is Meade'd company.... now when i bought it i got nothing but the telescope and tripod, meaning no motors or autostar system.... while browsing though the web i noticed there are many typed of autostar like 495 or 497 etc.... and i really dony know which one work witht he bresser telescopes also.... or which ines comes WITH the motors and which dosent.... i hope you could help me with this question... Sincerly, Etay ShnappMike here: If the mount is the same as the DS series, then see the Meade product page:
And:
thank alot! now i have another question though :) will the AutoStar #497 that's designed for the ETX system work on the DS systems?? thankx etayMike here: Yes. See the Autostar Models article on the Autostar Information page for more info.
Subject: re: 494 vs 495 Autostar Sent: Tuesday, September 4, 2001 21:35:38 From: rseymour@wolfenet.com (richard seymour) To: boriken@dellepro.com one thing Mike didn't mention: if you Update the 495 with the current Updater... it turns into a full-fledged 497!! With 30,000 astronomical object database. IF "money isn't an object"... keep the 495. (how much did they charge? New 497's are $99) For that matter, a 506 cable is at least $30 to $50. (of course, if you buy, rather than build, a 505, it's not free.) Without a 506, if you eventually fill your 494's User Body database, you're stuck! There's no way to free up space in its memory, even if you delete objects... it doesn't have a garbage collection feature in its programming (the 495/497 does) good luck -dick
Subject: DS-114AT autostar/cable choices Sent: Monday, September 3, 2001 23:50:04 From: boriken@dellepro.com Greetings from warm and dry Oklahoma. Kudos on your web page, by the way!!! Got a great anniversary present this past week, a Meade DS-114-AT scope with an Autostar 494 handbox. Took me two days to decipher Meade's owners manual and work some bugs (especially setting up the 494), but it was worth it. When my wife bought the scope at a local retail store, she didn't know the 494 handbox included in the box had GOTO capability, so the salesman convinced her to buy a 495 handbox at the same store. So, now I'm holding two different handboxes (the 495 is still inside the box). I honestly don't know what to do. If money was not a problem, which unit would be easier to use, master and update? Should I keep the 494 and return the 495? Should I keep the 495? Would it really matter? What about cable choices? Which cable (505 or 506) goes with what unit (494 or 495)? I'd like to know before I go back to the store and chase the salesman down. Thanking you in advance... V.R. MartinezMike here: The #495 is easier to use than the #494 since it has a full keypad for entering numbers. With the #494 you have to use the arrow keys to scroll through numbers to enter them. Also, the #495 can be user-updated to new software; currently there are no ROM updates for the #494. Finally, the #495 uses the simple #505 cable (you can make one using the info on the Autostar Information page); the #506 cable required for the #494 includes some electronics that can not be made by the user.
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