GENERAL FEEDBACK Last updated: 31 July 2007

This page is for user comments and information of a general nature or items applicable to all ETX, DSX, and DS models. Comments on accessories and feedback items appropriate to other ETX 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 and I'll post them. Please use an appropriate Subject Line on your message. Thanks.

Subject:	Battery compatment
Sent:	Monday, July 30, 2007 08:31:34
From:	S.Jegathesan (sdocjay@hotmail.com)
I own an etx90.Suddenly the battery compartment went dead.I am not able
to use the scope with auto star as a result of it.Short of sending to
meade is there any thing I can do.Thanks for the help
Jay

And:

Thanks Mike for the reply.I have used  an external power source and it
works.Just another load to carry.I usually observe for about 2 hours.I
will look into the sources you have mentioned.Much appreciated.
jay

Subject:	ETX 125 problem
Sent:	Saturday, July 28, 2007 17:05:33
From:	George Konstantopoulos ((Mobile)) (gkonst@otenet.gr)
i have an ETX 125 telescope and tonight i heard a strange low noice on
left / right motor (Azimuth), and the telescope doesn't move at all to
this axis.
 
What might have happened and how i can fix it ?
 
Best RGDS
 
George Konstantopoulos

And:

Many many thanks for your reply,

how i can look inside ? how i can open ?

do you have any photo of a service manual ? 
Best RGDS

George Konstantopoulos
AThens / Greece

Subject:	Polar aligning question
Sent:	Saturday, July 28, 2007 13:23:41
From:	frank ryan jr (franksastrophotos@gmail.com)
I have had my ETX now for over a year and only used it in Alt/Az mode.
Currently I am going through the steps in the manual to set the scope up
for polar / equatorial alignment.

I have the 'High Alt Leg' pointed North. 
The latitude set to my latitude.
The OTA pointing straight up (reads 90 deg. on the Setting Circle Wheel)

So it is now orientated like 'State 3' in the image here: 
http://www.weasner.com/etx/autostar/2004/polarhome.html 

My question is;
Is there a 'home' position for the Right Ascension? 
Because in the Alt/Az mode you must rotate the RA counterclockwise until
it 'stops'.

In the current state my RA setting circle reads '' 20 over 4 '' in line
directly above the 12v power point on the computer control panel.

The reason why I ask is I dont want to damage the RA drive if it is in
the wrong position.

I'm also having trouble imagining how the ETX tracks in Polar mode in
the current "state 3" position.
If you are to 'go -to' a star, does the OTA drop down in Declination
then travel around in Right Ascension untill it centers the object, the
just use the RA drive to track?

Sorry if this sounds redundant!

Kind Regards from rainy Ireland.

Frank Ryan Jr.

And:

Thanks for the quick reply Mike but I still don't understand!

If I rotate the ETX around in RA to the hard stop and clamp it, in this
position the OTA won't point to Polaris.

For it to do so I have to rotate to the hard stop, then rotate about a
quarter turn clockwise until the the fork arms are in such a position
that the OTA can be pointed straight up to Polaris.

Regards, Frank.

Subject:	Advice - Differents Between ETX 125 Models
Sent:	Saturday, July 28, 2007 11:32:23
From:	Tim Durham (timothycdurham@yahoo.com)
Thanks in advance. 
 
I'm considering a used ETX 125 (EC, AT, PE) but I'm not sure about the
differences (pro/cons/newer/older/preferred) between the models.  Any
advice or URL suggestions would be most appreciated.  How big a deal is
UHTC?

The ETX sounds like a nice scope to always have packed in my RV....my
dobsonian is just too big sometimes.
 
Regards,
Tim

And:

Someone local to me is selling an old style 125 with the plastic,
sheet-metal reinforced forks.  I've read on your site how to tell the
difference, but can't find any comments about potential disadvantages of
the old style.
 
Your kind advice or URL pointer is again requested.
 
Again, thank you.
Tim

Subject:	Astronomy Campgrounds
Sent:	Friday, July 27, 2007 18:42:41
From:	Steve (bullfox@comcast.net)
Two things.  Do you know of any campgrounds that are just for astronomy?
Second, You might be gratified to know that I occasionally get emails
from people asking questions about astronomy and cataract surgery, so
the posts on that subject are doing some good.

And:

We are going to Jack Newton's astronomy bed and breakfast in Canada in
September.  I know of several other astronomy bed and breakfasts, but no
campgrounds.  I wonder if there would be much interest in something like
that?

Subject:	Meade Customer Support
Sent:	Friday, July 27, 2007 14:09:04
From:	Jim Shamus Bryers (Shamus@musician.org)
Has anyone else tried to contact Meade Customer Support lately?  I am
having a very difficult time getting a hold of anybody.  One time I got
the operator who just put me back on hold.  If you hold long enough you
get disconnected.  They dont even have an email address listed on their
web site.  Makes me think twice about ever dealing with them again.
Jim "Shamus" Bryers

And:

Thanks for the offer, but I recently had to purchase a new 497 Autostar from
them.  When I went to try it, the Dec motors dont work.  They work fine
with the simple standard controller.  I think I tried everything
possible but still cant get it to work.  So I am trying to get a hold of
someone overthere to get a new one.

You said that there are companies that are worse, but I dont see how
much worse Meade can get.

Jim "Shamus" Bryers

Subject:	EXT 90 EC DRIVE GEAR BOX
Sent:	Thursday, July 26, 2007 14:56:36
From:	Chuck Rames (crames.1@netzero.net)
Hello Mike, you have a wonderful website.
 
Long story long we purchased the referenced scope in 2005. It is out of
warranty. We have not been able to use it until recently. When we set it
up the other day, the horizontal, (not the barrel up/down) made a
ratcheting sound with no movement. Something stripped, we surmised. I
took it to Anacortes to have it looked at, but they do no repairs. Upon
getting home, I took the base plate off and immediately noticed that the
top of the gear box was cracked. Evidently, a gear had jumped the gear
race, and had stripped after cracking the plastic top. I removed and
inspected and noticed that a couple of the cheesy plastic gears were
indeed stripped. I epoxied the top back together, dressed the gear teeth
that were damaged, and reassembled the affair. It worked for about two
minutes of slow slew testing. Then it did the same thing. Meade wants me
to send the whole scope back to them, whereupon they will order the same
cheesy assembly from china who knows how long that will take. They also
said the I could get a new aftermarket gear box with brass gears from
Peterson, but I went to pererson and it's only for the lx200.

Ultimately, my question is  where can I get a new box and gears,
preferably not the oem affair that came with the scope, or even an oem
without having to send my scope to meade, as I was not too happy about
my customer support experience with them, and they will not sell repair
components.

Thank you so much for your answer. We want to use our scope !!!
 
Chuck Rames
Bellingham, WA

And:

Thanks again, and we'll keep reading your site !!!

Chuck

Subject:	focus knob on ETX 90
Sent:	Wednesday, July 25, 2007 18:08:04
From:	Robert Jones OD (bobvacation@comcast.net)
Hello, I was looking for some help on fixing a friends ETX 90.

The scope is about 1 year old and has never been used.   We opened it up
and noticed that the focus knob did not do anything, it was as if it was
not connected, very little resistance when turning it.  We thought that
maybe the knob was not fastened to the shaft so we took the knob off the
shaft.  Guess what happened?  We heard a clunk, it was the sound of the
shaft dropping inside the scope.

We put away thinking we could send it back under warranty.  Well a
divorce and year later my friend found the scope in the basement.  I
told him I would try to fix it for him.

Is there a guide for the ETX 90 on how to fix the focus knob?  I saw one
on an older 70 model but it does not look like his 90.

I called Meade for a schematic but they don't have one.

The tiny bolts that hold it together are very small and some do not look
to be standard allen wrench heads.

When I tilt the scopes objective down I can hear the focus shaft sliding
and the primary mirror actually rachets forward to the front.

It looks like I just need to take the tube off the forks then the back
off the tube.  Just wondering how difficult it is.  I am a computer geek
and have built PCs but not any scopes.  I figured it can't be that hard
but I thought I would ask first.

Thanks!

Bob..

And:

Yes hindsight is 20/20 for sure.  Do you really think we even read the
directions?  He was so excited that he just had to set it up and use it
before anything as rational as reading the docs.   The 45 degree upward
tilt was never read but through some pain will now be remembered :)  Now
the directions are lost (He has no idea where they are)  Flying blind on
this one.

I think I will take some digital photos of this project and send them up
to your site (If it all works out, knock on wood)

Thanks for the help.

Bob......

And:

Mike, do you know if Meade uses metric or american allen sizes?  I need
to purchase some small ones for the project.

Thanks!

Subject:	mySKY
Sent:	Tuesday, July 24, 2007 09:42:05
From:	Niels Peter Ditlefsen (k66@mail.tele.dk)
Thanks again for your indispensable site!!
Have you received  "mySKY" for reviewing?
If not yet,   when do you expect it to happen?
Kind Regards
Niels Peter
56.1N / 10.5E

Subject:	ETX Eyepiece lock screws
Sent:	Monday, July 23, 2007 17:42:14
From:	AlSiratPub@aol.com (AlSiratPub@aol.com)
I love your site and my ETX-90. Both are part of my observing resources
upon which I have come to rely. Mental health requires such pleasures.

Unfortunately, I managed to drop the eyepiece lock screw into our rather
deep lawn in the middle of a Lunar session last night. Groping, a red
flashlight, and a magnet all failed to locate the item. Do you know what
thread this is?

I found a flat-top guitar bridge adjustment screw that fit perfectly,
though I don't know the origin of the guitar (old junk drawer). The
screw measured 0.115" outer diameter with 42 TPI. That could be a 4-42
but that seems a strange thread to encounter.

As these screws seem easy to lose the issue may have been addressed
before. I could not locate a reference.

Since the old guitar bridge adjuster had a screw on each end, I have one
on the scope and a spare. I would prefer to have a few more on hand.
Just in case I manage to unwind a little too far, again.

Best regards, 

R.G. Rienks,
Astronomical League Member-At-Large

And:

Thanks for the reply.

RGR

Subject:	power supply
Sent:	Monday, July 23, 2007 08:22:11
From:	Henrik van Holthoon (henrik.van.holthoon@wanadoo.fr)
Most AC/DC power supplies give a higher voltage when not charged as your
voltage meter draws very small current I guess 1 to 2 mA (2/1000 A) you
get a higher then rated output voltage, the moment you draw a reasonable
current the voltage will drop down to near stated voltage. Checking at
the shop another power supply unloaded (no current) will not help you.

I advise to use a battery pack 12 V they are safe and give clean power
and no transients.

Regards Henrik

Subject:	Re: ETX Motor
Sent:	Sunday, July 22, 2007 15:51:53
From:	P. Clay Sherrod (drclay@tcworks.net)
You have your hands full....the newer ETX are "customer protected" with
this large metal disk, which also serves to prevent wires from becoming
engaged in the gear teeth.  The large disk can only be removed with a
very large vise grip plier and many times it is necessary to apply some
direct heat to the very center of the disk WITHOUT getting the wires
hot....if you damage the wires going through the disk, you have damaged
the DEC operation.  That black disk is superglued as well as screwed
onto the center axle post and is going to be very difficult to remove;
Meade has a special tool and technique just for removing the device.

Dr. Clay
-------------
Arkansas Sky Observatories
Harvard MPC/ H43 (Conway)
Harvard MPC/ H41 (Petit Jean Mountain)
Harvard MPC/ H45 (Petit Jean Mtn. South)
http://www.arksky.org/

Subject:	Fork Mount
Sent:	Friday, July 20, 2007 06:11:57
From:	Frank Kessler (fkessler@4imprint.com)
Do you know of any place where I can purchase the fork mount for the
ETX-125? My OTA is fine but my fork mount melted in a house fire L Any
help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Thanks,
 
Frank Kessler

Subject:	ETX Motor
Sent:	Wednesday, July 18, 2007 12:33:34
From:	shaer ilan (ishaer12@yahoo.com)
About two months ago I asked you what to do with the problem we have
with our ETX and in the end it was worked out that we need a new RA
Motor Assembly.

We now got our hands on one, but we seem to have a problem removing the
black cover from over the worm gear (please see attachment picture) so
that we can remove the old motor and place the new one.



How shall we do it??

Thank you for your help,

Toby

Subject:	etx finderscope
Sent:	Tuesday, July 17, 2007 17:26:53
From:	Nigeldakin@aol.com (Nigeldakin@aol.com)
i have purchased a meade etx 105 ec.......thing is i was wondering if i
could replce the original finder scope+bracket (held on by one allen
screw) with a red dot type

i dont want to be buying brackets or sticking the scope to my tube...but
a direct replacement would be simple and great
 
regards
 
nigel

Subject:	Telescope Question
Sent:	Tuesday, July 17, 2007 14:03:50
From:	Laszlo P. Bagi (laszlopbagi@comcast.net)
My name is Laszlo Bagi. I want to purchase a telescope for my 13 yo son.
Could you tell me what the difference is between the Meade ETX-125EC &
PE?

Thanks  Laszlo

Everyday I beat my own previous record for number of consecutive days I
have stayed alive

And:

Thank you for your time and information

Subject:	Re: Re: smart finder
Sent:	Sunday, July 15, 2007 09:04:42
From:	pamchewning@bellsouth.net
I did some reading on your site - great information - I realize it is
the AT - is that a problem?  Now I just have to find the right scope.

Subject:	smart finder
Sent:	Saturday, July 14, 2007 14:19:51
From:	pamchewning (pamchewning@bellsouth.net)
I recently purchased the ETX90 from a store that was going out of
business.  After a few hours of trying to figure out what I was doing, I
realized I had no "smart finder" viewing piece.  The folks at the store
didn't have a clue and since I got such a great deal I didn't press. 
Now I can't find one to buy.  Any suggestions?

And:

I was told it was the ETX90 PE - retail $699.99. - (solid blue tube)
That's what I've been going by to find information.  Any add I read for
the scope says it comes with the Smart Finder.  To the left of the top
viewing opening is a round clamp about 1 1/2" dia.  On my old scope,
this is where the spotter scope went. (the old crosshair type) I can't
find anyone that has one in stock that I can look at. Thank you for
responding. Any help is appreciated.  Thanks again.

Pam

Subject:	re: ETX 90 Problem
Sent:	Wednesday, July 11, 2007 20:05:58
From:	richard seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com)
Take off the eyepiece, remove the front cover plate.

Now look into the eyepiece hole.

You should be  seeing out the "front" of the telescope
(the round secondary mirror, surrounded by whatever's
in front of the scope, probably out of focus.)

There's a flip=lever on the lower right of the rear mirror cover.
Flip it.
That should move the "diagonal mirror" up and down...
when it's up, your view is blocked.
When it's down, the top eyepiece can see out the front.

Now remove the cover that's in the center of the rear mirror cover.
That's the "straight through" light path (for cameras).
Flip the lever again.
When the top hole is blocked, the rear hole should see through the
scope.  When the rear hole is blocked, the top hole should have
the visual pathway.

Sometimes the mirror falls off its carrier, sometimes the spring that
holds the mirror "up" and "down" (but not half-way) isn't working.

I suspect the flip mirror is the cause of your symptoms.
You can unscrew the rear screws and pull the "telescope"
away from the rear cover and work on the mirror.
You have to remove the focus knob to do that.
There are photos of opening this area in the Telescope Info
page in Mike's site.

good luck
--dick

Subject:	ETX 90 Problem
Sent:	Tuesday, July 10, 2007 11:49:09
From:	Brian (bbradshaw34@comcast.net)
I'm having a problem with my ETX 90 and was hoping you could point me in
the right direction.

There appears to be something loose in the telescope itself, at times I
can see something through it and most of the time its just blackness and
cant see any light or objects at all.

Do you know of a repair guide that's available on your site? (Do you
need more specific information about the telescope?)

I'm going to check Meade's site again but I'm uncertain if the instate
retailers also repair the scopes or not.

Thanks for your consideration.

Brian Bradshaw

And:

You basically can't see anything, just darkness.
Its not a fuzzy image as there is nothing I can see to even try to
focus.

Subject:	Noisy ETX 90EC
Sent:	Monday, July 9, 2007 10:42:34
From:	martyn (marweb@princes38.freeserve.co.uk)
I have purchased the above ETX90EC and found it a lovely instrument, but
are they all as noisy as this one when moving around the sky?

In England it is still light and I have to go out late and I am sure the
Neighbours are starting to have funny thoughts about the noise!!

Is a kit available , or some sort of noise reduction tips page which I
have not seen yet. I have looked at the tips but don't seem to have
found anything as yet.

Congratulations on your time and effort you give so generously to the
whole world, well done.
 
Martyn Webster
Woodhall Spa
U.K.

Subject:	ETX declination clutch
Sent:	Monday, July 9, 2007 01:42:49
From:	Ray Schmidt (rayschmidt@ozemail.com.au)
I have an ETX125 and a 14" LX200GPS, both of which I use for different
purposes. Recently I applied the Petersen Engineering EZ Clutch fix to
the LX200 which now locks very solidly with just the lightest touch on
the locking knob, while I almost have to wring the ETX's neck to get it
to hold, even after a thorough degreasing job.

Are you aware if anyone has tried to engineer a similar mod for the ETX?

I have emailed Bob Petersen about doing it, but he said that as he does
not have an ETX, he would be reluctant to take on the task.
 
Cheers,
Ray

Subject:	advice on ETX-125PE versus LXD75 SN-6 AT
Sent:	Sunday, July 8, 2007 21:22:08
From:	T N (joecool_op@yahoo.com)
I've read your ETX feedback forum but would appreciate your suggestion
as well as comparison between these two scope that I have narrowed down
to. Objective is for the family to be interested and enjoy exploring
other galaxies for a very long time.

Regards
TN

Subject:	Meade etx-125 PE
Sent:	Sunday, July 8, 2007 15:30:15
From:	chefken (chefken@chefken.com)
I have spent some time on your site and have a couple of questions. this
will be my first telescope. I am a photo buff with a collection of
lenses and am looking to get into photographing stars and plants. I
currently use a canon 30d. Your readers have mentioned several problems
on the Meade etx-125. Would this be a good first telescope or would you
personally choose another unit. My price range would go up to about
$2500.00.

thank you for your time

Kenneth Johnson

Subject:	What defines an appropriate and safe case to store an ETX-125EC ?
Sent:	Sunday, July 8, 2007 15:02:54
From:	Phil G (cphilg@ix.netcom.com)
Well, I am kinda anal about equipment so I have a Doskocil case for my
ETX90-RA that has served well for years. It is O-ringed and waterproof.
Took some custom fitting with the "pluck-out" foam.

I have the Celestron case for my Nextar5. Same story.

The thing I like about them is I can put them both in the trunk of my
Pontiac GTP and find dark sky.

Also, I can hose them off in my driveway when the spiderwebs get too
bad.

I'm a big fan of hard shell cases. I use them for all my
musical/video/camera/telescopes.

Phil

Subject:	Vertical (or Declination) lock
Sent:	Sunday, July 8, 2007 14:56:23
From:	debwesco1@comcast.net (debwesco1@comcast.net)
I see there haven't been any posts in 3 years so I hopr you are still
alive and taking questions!  We need a replacement Declination lock, and
I can't find a part on Meade's website.  Any suggestions?
 
Regards,
Wes

Subject:	MEADE ETX 105EC
Sent:	Sunday, July 8, 2007 08:56:40
From:	John O'Brien (j_of_b@hotmail.com)
I was just wondering if you've ever heard of people buying brand new
ETX's but they look slightly marked? I finally bought an ETX 105EC but
the base looks slightly scratched, theres a few marks on the edge of the
telescope near where you scew off the cap and also the inspection
sticker is a bit peely. Ive been back to the shop where it was purchesed
and the guy said its not ex display. He said its not been opened since
it was delivered.

Im just curious as i cant see Meade sending out telescopes with
blemishes on them.
 
Any info is much appreciated.
 
Thanks again - John O'Brien

Subject:	Please help with ETX125
Sent:	Sunday, July 8, 2007 04:17:09
From:	SamSki001@aol.com (SamSki001@aol.com)
Hello there and sorry to bother you....  I posted a message on the
Astronomy site and someone told me to look up your site about ETX 125
model telescope.  My wife bought me this great gift about 5 years ago
and one thing lead to another and I never got around to using it, even
though I would always try to put it into my mind that I wanted to get it
out of its case and learn about it.  Well a few days after school was
out, we are both teachers, I called the 800 number to get some help, and
boy was I surprised that they really were not helpful.  So with whatever
they helped me with I was trying to use the scope last night and was
trying to align it with the auto star and then all of  a sudden the
machine was turning clockwise and it jammed and would not turn anyone
while the motor was running!   I got worried and turned it off, now it
only moves up and down, not left to right but the motor is working is it
out of gear and I tried to look at things and I could not see any more
than I could see with my own eyes, PLEASE HELP!  If you want I would
even give you my house number....
 
Sam

Subject:	ETX power
Sent:	Saturday, July 7, 2007 16:17:07
From:	Charles Jagow (chuck@jagowds.com)
I am the fellow who contacted you a couple of weeks ago about the RA
oscillation that occurs in ALT/Az but not in Polar.  I have submitted
this problem to Meade to see if they have a response as well.  I have
observed it now in several ETXs including a brand new one.

I have also found some other curious things.

The CONDOR AC/DC converter model # D12-15A that Meade is selling as the
appropriate power supply for their ETX line is a very unclean DC power
source.  I was outside with one of my ETXs that I had performed the tune
up on and it had been performing satisfactory gotos previously. 
However, this night everything was amiss, the alignment stars were 10-20
degrees off and the alignments would fail because I had to slew the
scope so far to get to the alignment stars Autostar assumed I was on the
wrong star.  I spent four or five hours fighting this and wondering what
in the blazes was different.  Then it dawned on me that I was using
power derived from AC/DC using the AC/DC adapter and the previous nights
I had been using my marine batteries for convenience.  So I went into
the garage and drug out a marine battery that was fully charged.  Turned
everything off, hooked up the battery to the ETX and away I went with
successful alignments that put the alignment stars in the field of view
on the finder scope and gotos that placed the object in the field of
view of my 12mm Nagler every time.  The same performance I had
previously experienced.  So I shut back down, hooked back up the AC/DC
adapter and tried again.  Again I was presented with horrible alignment
positioning of the stars and a failed alignment.  I shutdown again and
acquired a different AC/DC adapter, this time a brand new one.  I again
experienced very poor alignment star placement, about 10 degrees off
but, I was able to get a successful alignment.  The gotos were horrible,
never in the 12mm FOV, barely in the 32mm eyepiece FOV.  I experimented
the rest of the night with another ETX and various power sources.  I
used the marine battery, a Pyramid regulated 12 VDC bench power supply
and the AC/DC adapters each time repeating the results previously
observed.

Last Friday I borrowed a 100mhgz O-scope from work and brought it home
to look at the wave forms riding on the DC output from the various power
sources I had available for the ETXs. I found that the Condor adapters
M/N: D12-15A actually put out a 300 millivolt peak to peak 6 millisecond
saw-tooth wave riding on their DC output.  This equates to a significant
amount of noise.  I tested five other DC power sources for noise.  With
the marine battery being the cleanest with no observable noise.  The
next best was the Pyramid model PS-9KX power supply followed by a Radio
Shack regulated 3 AMP 12 VDC P/N 22-507.  Then came a regulated Radio
Shack 1 AMP12 VDC P/N 22-505 which costs twenty bucks less than the
previous unit. The second worst power supply was an old laptop power
supply I had cut the laptop plug off and replaced it with a cigarette
lighter receptacle.  The all out noisiest power supply is the Condor
model D12-15A that has been sold as a primary AC/DC adapter for ETXs
scopes.

This may explain why so many folks have problems with their scopes,
while many others have not.  I am now only operating my ETXs off of
either my DC batteries or from my Pyramid bench power supply.
 
Just thought you might want to know.
 
v/r
Chuck Jagow
Rott'n Paws Observatory
36:46:23N - 76:13:31W

And:

When I did find the problems with the AC/DC adapter that Meade sells,
the Condor unit, I did try a reset along with calibrating motors and
retraining drives.  That did not cure the wildly bad alignment pointing
to the alignment stars and horrible gotos on the other Condor adapter.
The main point being the dirty DC coming from the AC/DC adapters and the
power supply within the ETX units not filtering for it.  It galls me to
think Meade has such good optics and then such poor execution all around
it.  It is like buying a 2 ct flawless diamond and then setting it in
tinfoil...

Now don't get me wrong, I love my little ETX probably as much as I do
any of my other scopes (10 scopes - 16" dob down to an ETX70), I just
imagine what the ETX would be like if Meade put as much effort into the
rest of the telescope as they do the optics.

v/r
Chuck Jagow

And:

I am sure the price would be reflected, but you believe it is a worthy trade
off?

Subject:	[none]
Sent:	Wednesday, July 4, 2007 16:45:55
From:	Jill STAFFELBACH (gjhk4@msn.com)
I've taken apart many things, but I am unable to figure out how to
access the azimuth gear-motor mechanism in my ETX-90. It is not slewing
properly and I want to see what's going on. I was quite surprised that I
could not find any repair info on the Internet. Can you help?
Regards,
Greg Staffelbach, Highlands Ranch, CO

Subject:	Great Book! Great Scope!
Sent:	Tuesday, July 3, 2007 23:26:54
From:	Paul Littlecoyote (ngc_7293@yahoo.com)
I just bought a copy of your ETX book. I scarcely opened it and started
to read it when it solved a devlilling problem! For a couple of years
now, I had problems getting my ETX90 to function with Autostar. It
worked for a while and then started to misbehave! Seems that it would
just "beep" at me and give me a message about a bad drive motor. I
seriously considered selling the ETX as junk. After reading that the
problem could be solved by training the drive motors - I did just that.
It worked. I just spent most of last night using Autostar to find and
track many Messier objects! I am so glad that the scope works as well as
ever. There is a little drift and slop in the gears, but I will have to
have the scope serviced anyway. Your book saved me a lot of money and
frustration! Thanx! You can bet that I'll be reading it tonight and
every night - until I finish with it! Good read too!

Maybe you can come out with one on the LXD-75?

Paul Littlecoyote
Big Bear Valley Astronomical Society
Erwin Lake Ca.
ngc_7293@yahoo.com

Subject:	What defines an appropriate and safe case to store an ETX-125EC ?
Sent:	Monday, July 2, 2007 13:53:17
From:	Kevin (kbprogrammer@comcast.net)
First and foremost I want to say Thank You for your site! It has made a
big difference for this novice telescope user.

I will try to be clear, to the point, and would like to inquire about a
case to store my ETX-125EC ... in hot and humid SW Florida. I have read
many, if not all, posts on your site (and others) and I am still
confused about how much, or how little, protection a stored telescope
needs. Articles range from storing in a shed with a blanket and tarp, to
soft bags with little foam, to hard cases that might sail across the
Gulf Of Mexico. I will not, nor would I ever, leave my telescope outside
covered with pillow case and tarp. I cannot see storing my scope in a
soft bag either. So I am down to hard cases and there are many of those
as well...to choose from. I am wondering if there is such a thing as
over-kill? Such as with the Pelican cases. They do seem far superior
than any others I have found on the net. But at a cost of $250+ vs. a
converted Craftsman tool chest for $100+ Does a telescope really need to
be enclosed in an air/water tight container? I know moisture and dust
are not friends with a telescope...but then why all the cheap cases and
outside storage articles more common with no one stating problems in
doing such? I am looking to purchase a hard case and leaning towards the
Pelican brand since they seem to offer the best, but having a hard time
justifying the cost especially since so many seem to get by with a lot
less of a case.

I hope my question was clear enough.

Thank you.

Kevin Ball
Software Engineer

Subject:	ETX 125 arghhhhhhhhhhhhh
Sent:	Sunday, July 1, 2007 16:14:40
From:	Bob Jones (rajones111@sbcglobal.net)
A local person sold me an etx 125, and I think (thanks to you and
others) that I have it figured out. the declension (?) drive in right
arm is making a clickity clack sound and won't track or move the scope
up or down. the Horizontal (ra?) is OK and moves smoothly left and
right. Since this scope is not in warranty and I am not too good at
repairs (although willing to try) can you help me get this fixed. I saw
something about a man named CLAY who fixes them but can't contact him.
Any help would be greatly appreciated since this is my dream scope.
Thanks in advance
Bob Jones
Port Huron, Michigan.

And:

Thanks so  much.  The tube does not fall, so I can use it without the
motor drive, but it does move enough to be a bit maddening even when
locked. I will contact Dr. Sherrod. I tired to do that yesterday too,
but his email came back as undeliverable. ( I found it in an article, so
it might not be his correct one.)

I am wondering if  I could open the arm and take a look to see if it has
just been tightened too much or if I can adjust the worm gear as one of
your articles suggests.

What an awesome web site, and I am so pleased to meet you.

Thanks,
Bob Jones

And:

Thank again Will do!

Bob

Subject:	Thread Size on Rear Port
Sent:	Sunday, July 1, 2007 09:29:20
From:	Johnny Perkins (johnnyperk@mindspring.com)
I need to know what the size of the threads on the rear port of an EXT
90-105-125s. There is an adapter that is sold that changes these to SCT
standard threads to use SCT accessories. I have a differnet telescope
but believe this part will work on this scope but I just wanted to
confirm the size of the threads. If anyone can provide this
information, I would appreciate the help.
 
    Johnny

And:

I appreciate the reply. I found a post somewhere that mentioned they
were Pentax screw mount size which is m42. But I am still not sure. I
have the same problem measuring the threads. I know how big they are but
that doesn't tell me too much. Most sites that mention thread sizes use
differnet terms. I'll wait on the reply hoping someone has the means to
measure them or just knows by chance. I might call Meade and ask them on
Monday.

    Thanks,
    Johnny

Subject:	Re: Questions about ETX 125 
Sent:	Saturday, June 30, 2007 23:04:01
From:	NOSBYANDCRASH@aol.com (NOSBYANDCRASH@aol.com)
Ok Mike. Ill try again. This is a new scope out of the box. The verticle
axis lock needs to be tighened very tight to engage the clutch. The tube
doesnt move with the declination motor going unless the verticle axis
lock is tightened with alot of elbow grease. Do you take phone calls?

And:

To clear up the confusion, no matter what position the scope lies on the
declination axis(fully down and resting on the table, horizontal, 45
degrees up OR straight up. the scope will not move yy handbox slew
control OR automatically by GO to or alignemt  UNLESS  the verticle lock
is tightened very tight.  The motors turn as i can hear them  BUT  it
seens the scope slips by the clutch unless locked very tight. This is
the way it came out of the box.

And:

Mike. I called on you needing your help with my concerns. It is a well
know fact that people percieve you as an authority on the EXT scopes. I
am having a very hard time with Meade, the dealer who sold me the scope
and the scope itself. I am trying to be serious and get help with my
concerns and it seems like having this conversation is a "Whats on first
who's on second" scenario going on. Thats why I asked you if you can be
talked to directly on the phone. Mike let me know if you can or want to
answer what I asked you. If not, thats OK. I can go to my astronomy club
and ask an oldtimer or other measures.  Clear skys.

And:

From:	richard seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com)
Many people have opened up the vertical clamping mechanism
and removed excess grease to improve this problem.

There are many articles on Mike's TechTips page
http://www.weasner.com/etx/techtips.html
covering the opening of the forks and (among other steps)
removing some of the grease.

I don't have an ETX-125, so i can't specifically describe
the process, but i did a similar operation to my ETX90 and
it allowed less clamping force.

have fun
--dick

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