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Last updated: 30 September 2007
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Last updated: 30 September 2007 |
This page is for user comments and information specific to the Meade ETX-90RA (originally known as the "ETX Astro"), the ETX-90EC, and the ETX-90AT. 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: Looking at an ETX 90mm Sent: Saturday, September 29, 2007 11:05:07 From: Rick Seal (rick@diamondclubs.com) I have the opportunity to purchase a Meade ETX 90mm spotting scope( must be older model, don't have the number). I assume that is a telescope also. The price is 250.00 and it comes with some extra lenses and what not. I am new to all of this but I don't want to be fooled into thinking I can see things that will be impossible with this scope. The only difference I can discover between this one and the new ETX 90 is that this one does not have fork mounting and is not go-to. Is this a decent scope and should I expect to be able to see planets, dso's, etc. Thank you in advance for your help. Rick SealMike here: The telescope tube and optics are the same ETX 90mm as the ETX-90RA, ETX-90EC, ETX-90AT, and ETX-90PE models. You will want a sturdy tripod to mount it to avoid vibrations. To track the sky movement (really a requirement at high magnifications) you will want an "equatorial" mount. There are many tripod tips on the Helpful Information: Telescope Tech Tips page. As to what you will be able to see with the ETX-90 see the Helpful Information: Buyer/New User Tips page and the Helpful Information: User Observations page.
Subject: Declination lock Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2007 12:29:43 From: gavindavies@tinyworld.co.uk (gavindavies@tinyworld.co.uk) Firstly, thanks for a great site. I've been consulting your site for a few years now and find it an invaluable source of information and tips (I own an ETX 90 RA). Tonight I made the fatal error of inviting the kids next door to view the moon through my scope. I took all precautions but as is almost guaranteed I had a small mishap. One of the kids fell from the chair she was standing on and to catch her balance she grabbed onto the eyepiece. The dec lock was on but she still managed to pull the scope down through about 45 degrees of dec. It seems fine, but I would just like to know if it is likely that this has done any damage to the dec lock. Thanks Beat regards Gavin DaviesMike here: The lock is a friction style of lock so I doubt that any damage was done. You could check by turning the DEC axis knob from one end of its run to the other with the axis locked. If it turns smoothly and the scope travels smoothly you are OK.
Subject: New ETX-90 Owner. Question on Tripod Mount. Sent: Sunday, September 2, 2007 19:57:40 From: Steve Seufert (java_seuf@yahoo.com) What a great site! Glad I found it. Just bought my first telescope, the original EtX-90 Astro with a tracking motor only, in the base. I see how to set the incline/lattitiude using the supplied table-top legs but I want to mount this on my heavy duty photo tripod. My question is when mounted on a photo tripod that does'nt have any scales on it, how would I set the inclination to the correct lattitude of my location so the tracking motor somewhat works? I'm thinking a inclonometer that I used to use to set large satellite dishes may work? I can see you are a busy man and appreciate your response. Steve SeufertMike here: You can use any device that shows degrees from 0 to 90. Just hold it so that 90 is horizontal and 0 is vertical, and tilt the panhead until you have the base tilted to your latitude. Alternatively you could point the fork arms towards Polaris, the North Star (assuming you live in the Northern Hemisphere).
And:
Thanks for the quick reply! Steve
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