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Last updated: 29 February 2008
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Last updated: 29 February 2008 |
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: ETX-90 broken Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2008 12:28:07 From: John Brogan (brogan_stix@msn.com) Hello, I have an ETX90-EC that has a broken vertical declination part. I pulled the scope tube off and found that the plastic part that connects the tube to the clutch is broken. After a little internet searching I came across an article about your ETX supercharge fix that can rectify this problem and also possibly quiet the motor and more. I would be very interested in sending this scope to you for the fix if still available. Please send details. I love the scope and am highly motivated to get it operating again. Thank you, John Brogan Spokane, WAMike here: For the "Supercharge" Tune-up Service you need to contact Dr. Clay Sherrod directly. There are details on the service and other info on the ETX Supercharge page linked from my ETX Site home page. Or you can checkout the link "Astro Hut Right Tube Adapter Replacement (ETX-90EC/AT only)" on the Astronomy Links page or if you want to try a repair yourself see the articles "ETX DEC knob fix" and "ETX-90EC DEC fix" on the Helpful Information: Telescope Tech Tips page.
Subject: MySky Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 21:50:44 From: wayne hale (waynehale@mac.com) Wonder if you have had any problems with your MySky? Mine started acting up after being put away for a couple months, batteries removed. I used the old updater program to update the card, probably a big mistake. It would start to find the GPS satellites but never finish. Trying to set it up manually would fail, you could enter the date, time and location but then it would just freeze. I see on the Meade website, there was a new updater available so I downloaded and installed it and tried updating the card again. Update program runs much faster than the old one but now my unit freezes at the inital start up screen, says "Starting mySky Version 1.2tc and there it sits until I power it off again??? May have to haul the unit over to OPT and see if they have any good ideas. Wayne HaleMike here: See my mySKY review on the Accessory Reviews: Showcase Products page. I detail the good and bad experiences. I also experienced the same problem when I moved and had the unit packed (with the batteries removed). Plus I detail a new problem there.
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Read your notes on your mySKY experience, pretty much the same as mine. It was fairly cold outside tonight when I first noticed the problem with the unit saying it was doing a GPS find and alignment but it never finished, the "done" screen would appear but pressing the button corresponding to Done just started the unit over again. I also downloaded the latest updater, have 1.2tc also but it just freezes at the startup screen. Put in fresh batteries, same problem and the unit was back at normal room temperature. Will call OPT and see if they have any ideas or will exchange the unit for me since I purchased it there or may have to ship it back to Meade? Will let you know how it goes. Wayne
Subject: New online night sky atlas Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 21:09:04 From: Gill Couto (gillcouto@cox.net) Please add a link to my chart-making website on your astronomy links page, thanks! Nice work, now I just might get an ETX. http://skyatlas.rgbstore.com/ Gill Couto Astronomy enthusiast gillcouto@cox.net
Subject: Telescope ad Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 09:12:00 From: Bill (wpf7111@sbcglobal.net) Thought that you might be interested in the interesting responses that I have received from the Ad that I placed on your site a few weeks ago. Got 3 emailed responses. All three were what I would call "African Scams". They would send me over-amount checks to cash, and then their "deliveryman" would pick up the goods and also the excess funds from their check!. They must have lots of time on their hands to play with this nonsense. I am still waiting for a real purchaser.Regards,wpfMike here: Yeah, some jerks out there. That's why I have posted an "Online Buying Warnings" page. I wonder if their mothers would be proud of them.
Subject: Meade Etx 125 Help! :( Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 08:58:37 From: luke welsby (lukewelsby@googlemail.com) i recently purchased a second hand etx-125 (about a week ago) I have had it set up running beautifully untill this afternoon. I got in from work and fancied a quick scout of the mountains before the sun went down and noticed i was able to slew left and right but not up and down.....I then noticed that when i turned the scope counter clockwise there appeared to be no hard stop. I am totally gutted and would hope there is an easy solution to this. Please get me out of this rut as its the first clear skies we have had here in a long time this evening! Much appreciated, LukeMike here: First on the horizontal hard stops; could you rotate the telescope MORE than twice around? The hard stops are slightly less than two full rotations apart. As to the vertical movement, when you raise the OTA and lock the vertical axis, does the OTA stay put or does it want to fall back down?
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I can spin the scope around continuously without any stops whatsoever. When i raise the OTA and lock the axis it stays put. This is sooo frustrating mike :(Mike here: OK, it sounds like the hard stops are broken off. There are a couple of articles on "hard stop" repair on the Helpful Information: Telescope Tech Tips page. Since the tube stays put vertically that means that the axis lock is OK. If you increase the slewing speed does the it slew? Could you be overtightening the lock? With the axis UNLOCKED can you hear the motor running when you press the UP/DOWN slew buttons?
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Thanks i shall check that out asap. It does not slew if i increase the speed or if i loosen the axis locks. With the axis lock unlucked i cannot hear any motor running, this is the same case when it is locked.Mike here: If you can not hear a motor running then it could be that a wire has been broken or a motor has failed. If you want to open the base and fork arm to check use caution so that you don't do further damage. If you want it repaired you can contact Meade (they may or may not offer to repair it) or Dr. Clay Sherrod for his "Supercharge" Tune-up service (link to the details on the ETX Site home page).
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Im having great difficulty trying to open the fork arm as the OTA is obstructing getting a clear path to the screws. Any suggestions?Mike here: You should remove the OTA before working on the fork arms. There are four screws holding the OTA to the left and right tube adapters, two screws each side. You will need an allen wrench to remove them.
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Thanks mike, Is there any possibility you could send me some direct links with a step by step guide (and even photos if possible) of how to take apart the total unit so i can see if the wire going from the bottom base to the fork is snapped. ThanksMike here: There are many articles on the Helpful Information: Telescope Tech Tips page.
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I have managed to get into the main part. I have attatched two photos that show what im looking at. I am slightly baffled at where to go next. I can see the teeth on the plastic ring have broken off but the metal pins are still intact. Could you please give me some guidence.Mike here: Since I've not had to repair one myself, I can only point to what is in those articles I mentioned earlier.
MUCH APPRECIATED!
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Hi, thanks for the reply. I managed to fix a new stopper to the ring which worked well, but as i was piecing together the mount i was testing the motors throughout to make sure everything was working ok. So im at the final stage of screwing the clutch down and i go to test the motors and i get nothing....no response from the motors. The autostar is firing up fine and i go to the easy allign where i can auto slew, but the motors are not responding. Now the strange part is, when i take the autostar out, the motors begin to spin for a second or so. I am completely baffled to as what is going on. I tried resetting the autostar with no joy. Any advice? Much appreciatedMike here: If the motors run without the AutoStar connected that is good. That means they are OK (probably). If they don't run using the AutoStar that could mean data from the AutoStar is not reaching them, which could mean a disconnected or broken wire from the jack to the circuit board in the ETX base (or something more seriously wrong with the board, like a shorted out component, perhaps from static electricity). Anyway, check the wiring.
Subject: Focal reducer for ETX Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 06:57:22 From: jackfox@mindspring.com (jackfox@mindspring.com) Here is a link to SmartAstronomy.com. They have a focal reducer that screws onto a 1.25" threaded eyepiece. This should help in not having to buy a LAR (Large Adapter Ring) and an expensive SCT focal reducer. It appears the focal reducer screwed on the eyepiece can go directly into the eyepiece holder or use a 1.25" visual back for prime focus use. I emailed them to ask if it will work for both CCD and visual use and the answer was yes. It claims to provide a nominal reduction of 0.5X. effectively reducing the focal length of the telescope by half. The drawback I see is when you change eyepieces, you would have to remove the focal reducer each time. I do not have one and offer this for information only. They responded to my email questions within minutes. http://yhst-1469288697390.stores.yahoo.net/fore12.html Jack Fox
Subject: Re: ETX125 Lost Alt/Dec Movement Sent: Monday, February 25, 2008 17:24:10 From: Bonnie Konowitz (BonnieK@salida-co.us) This is a follow-up on my problem that we shared numerous emails with Richard Seymour about that began on 12/31/07 about the loss of all alt/dec movement on my ETX-125. As you're aware, even with all of your assistance I was unable to pin down the problem to something that I might fix. I decided to ship the scope off to Meade based on their assurance that they would fix it. Meade informed me when the scope was received into repair on 1/15 and estimated turnaround to be about 3 weeks. I finally got the scope back on 2/22 and it seems fully functional. The only difference I notice (besides it's fixed) is that the horizontal movement is quit a bit noisier. They also fixed the additional problem with the ~180 play in the focus (for the 2nd time). They charged $165 for the repair including return shipping. Meade does not seem to have the details of what the cause was. The only info they could tell me is that under the circumstances of the malfunction they replaced all wiring and all gears for movement in all directions. Unfortunately we've had cloudy nights here in the central Colorado Rockies since getting it back and nights are predicted to stay cloudy until late in the week. So as far as a detailed checkout it will have to wait a bit. A sincere Thank You to both you and Dick for trying to help me through this. Jim Konowitz
Subject: mead 90 etx Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2008 15:44:08 From: PATRICK GARLAND (patrickgarland@btinternet.com) thank you for your helpin geting my etx going again but tonight 24 feb everything i looked at was within the 6+30 finder thats good compared to the last2 weeks where everything ilooked at was miles of tonight the etx took of on its own idone the normal startup in the home position but everything is miles away in ra/dec can you please help me again thank you so much p gMike here: Did you by any chance replace the batteries? Or have they been used a lot? Either way, do a CALIBRATE MOTOR. Also, if you haven't done a TRAIN DRIVES (on both axes) do that.
Subject: ETX question Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2008 10:12:47 From: greg63054@mesanetworks.net (greg63054@mesanetworks.net) I'm new to this but was wondering if a telrad finder can be used on a etx 125 also can binoviewers be used? GregMike here: Yes, you can use a Telrad. See the Accessory Reviews: Finderscopes page. And yes, you can use binoviewers. See the Accessory Reviews: Eyepieces page.
Subject: Oracle Observatory Sent: Friday, February 22, 2008 06:53:19 From: tomandklara (tomandklara@socal.rr.com) What are your plans with the Oracle Observatory? Are you going to install a permanent site with a dome or roll-off? Will you use a concrete or prefabricated pier? Location, layout, utilities and equipment are all things I am interested in. I do not have immediate plans to build my own observatory, but someday hope to. I would really enjoy reading about the process of designing, building, equipping and using a personal observatory. I think this would be of great interest to your readers and a great addition to your website. Thanks again for your website and I look forward to reading more about the Oracle Observatory.Mike here: I'm still researching and contemplating the design of the building. We'll be building the house first and that won't start until the house in California is sold. I have the following books which are helping:
Subject: reply to question about Meade1244 electronic focuser Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2008 03:16:04 From: Xander (xander.no@gmail.com) I'd like to draw your (and Lynne's) attention to http://www.fromus2eu.nl/ They made it their business to buy and ship stuff from the US to europe when the seller won't/can't ship abroad. I'm in no wat affiliated with them, so it's up to you to post this on your site or not.. Kind Regards, Xander
Subject: ETX 125 Problem Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2008 18:01:35 From: Karen (klattray4371@sbcglobal.net) I ordered a Meade off axis guider, but it will not fit my ETX 125. The thread is female and much too big. Do they make a adapter?Mike here: Your dealer should have told you the Meade Off-Axis Guider #777 (see in my review at http://www.weasner.com/lxd/reviews/2007/777oag.html) is for Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, not the ETX models. However, there is a SCT Accessory Adapter that can be used; you can see my comments on the Accessory Reviews: Miscellaneous page on my ETX Site.
Subject: Thank You! You saved me good money. Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 11:42:42 From: Peter (petere@tbaytel.net) I just purchased a used ETX-125 PE and noticed the handbox was seriously in need of an update. Well lo and behold, about 25% into the update the power goes out on the handbox. Try as I might I couldn't get beyond the title screen. So I called Meade and they told my to try the safe boot with the 999, so I did (about 20 times) and no go. The rep on the phone said the handbox was probably a goner and said Id have to buy a new one because they dont repair them. I placed the order and was not impressed that I had to wait almost 2 weeks to go stargazing. Then I stumbled upon your site, and found the answer (press ENTER and V scroll). Voila, the upgrade uploaded into the unit and it works fine. I truly thank you for your informative site. Peter E Thunder Bay Ont, CanadaMike here: Sometimes Meade's tech support is not all that it should be.
Subject: Ring around Moon.. Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 08:46:49 From: Ivan Dominguez (id1069@comcast.net) Ivan here, one quick question do you know why last night there was a huge ring around the moon? This is the second time I see it. By the way, I understand if you don't want to answer this question as it is unrelated to ETX have great day.=Mike here: Ice crystals in the Earth's atmosphere. For a more thorough explanation, doing a Google search for "ring around the moon" will yield many results, including this one: "http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/ask_astro/answers/970102b.html"
Subject: RE: Alt/Dec Drive problems Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2008 12:08:11 From: Mark Tumblety (marktumblety@peakconsultants.com) Sorry to be a pain! but reset, calibrate and train has made no difference, any last thoughts? Regards MarkMike here: OK. One simple potential solution is to redistribute the lubrication; unlock the axis and slowly move the telescope tube up and down full-travel, several times. If that doesn't help, you will have to try some more serious stuff. You will want to check for grease on the encoders or too much on the gears. Use caution so that you don't break anything or cut any wires.
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Thank you I will do the simple thing first, I am not sure I am up to dismantling the mount.
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I think this may be something to do with the encoder as having moved the OTA up and down through its full travel, it will not consistently respond to changes to slew speed, i.e. it travels at max only, however on switching off it responds to slow speed, can I find out how to access the encoder etc on your main website?Mike here: Check the article "Cleaning the Encoders" on the Helpful Information: Telescope Tech Tips page.
Subject: Repair EXT-125 Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2008 09:12:32 From: Suznhillman@aol.com (Suznhillman@aol.com) I am not even sure what is wrong with this telescope since it was my deceased husbands. It has a hard case and I know it was a good one but needed something repaired. I live in the Phila. area. Does anyone know where I can go to have it fixed? I want to sell it on ebay. SusanMike here: You can check your local phone book for a Meade telescope dealer. Depending on what is wrong with it a repair could cost you $75 to $200 (or more). You could also contact Meade or Dr. Clay Sherrod (for his "Supercharge" Tune-up service; the link is on the ETX Site home page). It could be cheaper to sell it as-is but you would need to specify what is wrong with it.
Subject: Meade1244 electronic focuser Sent: Friday, February 15, 2008 05:17:18 From: Lynne Carter (l813carter@hotmail.com) I have been thinking of getting an electronic focuser for my ETX 105 EC and I noticed that the meade factory outlet is selling them off at $29.99 however meade do not ship outside the USA and I live in the UK. Is it against US law for someone in the US to buy one and ship it to me? If not do you know of any person or organisation who would be willing to do this for me? I will reimburse them for all purchase and shipping costs. Thank you, Lynne Carter.Mike here: Not being a lawyer I can't answer directly. However, while it may not matter in this case due to the low cost, any item purchased in the United States for sale outside the USA is not covered by warranty.
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Thank you for the advice, i just wish we had access to such great price reductions in the UK. Keep up the good work with the site, it is very useful to novices like me. Lynne Carter.
Subject: kit peak national observatory Sent: Friday, February 15, 2008 04:31:34 From: Steven Dang (stevedang@gmail.com) was looking at a magazine "Sky at Night" edition #31 and they had this great article about kitt Peak near you. I didnt know that they offer their telescopes to visitors. They also conduct tours or you can observe with either their 16 or 20 inch scopes. Was thinking that would be a dream excursion! Have you been their for a visit? If so would love to see any pictures you have taken from Kitt Peaks. Would be great to see it as part of your Oracle visits except with a bit of a detour :) Sorry to hear bout the thief of you equipment. website. http://www.noao.edu/kpno tel: 001 520 318 8726 reservations AOPRSVP@noao.eduMike here: Kitt Peak is a great place to visit. Not counting a visit back in 1974, I have been there three times in recent years. You can see my reports of these visits on the "Other: Just for Fun!" page on my ETX Site.
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Mike here: Thanks to your email I was prompted to scan some of the 35mm slides I took when I visited Kitt Peak in 1974. I've added them to the "Just for Fun!" page.Subject: Alt/Dec Drive problems Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2008 11:23:22 From: Mark Tumblety (marktumblety@peakconsultants.com) I have an issue with my ETX 125, all works fine until the telescope elevates to more than 45 degrees, at which point the telescope either stops or continues to travel to a point beyond 45 degrees and then stops, the only way I can rectify this is to release the mount switch it off and back on, I have checked the max elevation setting which is set at 85 degrees, I have altered this to 50, 75, nothing seems to change, any thoughts please. Mark (Bristol UK)Mike here: Have you done a CALIBRATE MOTOR and TRAIN DRIVES (both axes) on the AutoStar (assuming you are using an AutoStar to slew)?
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Yes Mike I have Calibrated Motor and Trained Drives on both axes (I am using the AutoStar)Mike here: OK, do a RESET (you will have to re-enter your Site, etc). Then do a CALIBRATE MOTOR and TRAIN DRIVES. Assuming there is no physical obstruction, doing the RESET will usually clear out any memory corruption in the AutoStar.
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Thanks Mike, will do.
Subject: Re: Meade ETX-90 Computer Control Malfunction Sent: Saturday, February 9, 2008 08:42:58 From: homeagain4@comcast.net (homeagain4@comcast.net) Thanks a million for the response. I was able to get it running again by being a little rough on the switch, which must have some corrosion(this telescope has been back and forth across the ocean). Interesting you can open the base..............I haven't been able to figure out how to do that. I'll have to look harder, Best Regards, DaleMike here: There are screws holding the bottom base plate onto the base itself.
Subject: Removing Focus Knob on ETX125PE Sent: Friday, February 8, 2008 09:39:08 From: Thomas Matthew Holl (tmh13@duke.edu) First let me say that I really appreciate you're web site as I am new to astronomy and just beginning to learn about astrophotography. It is a great resource of information and embodies the best things about the web. I am having a problem removing the set screw that holds the focusing knob on the focusing bar on my ETX-125PE telescope. It appears that either the factory has set this VERY tight and/or they have stripped out the hex wrench slot in the back of the set screw. Has anyone else reported this problem and do you have any suggestions as to how I might be able to get this know off? It will be rather difficult to install my electronic focuser with this knob still attached! I'm very sorry to learn of the recent theft of your LXD-75. I hope that it is recovered in rapid fashion undamaged. Thanks again for your help in this manner. Hope you can help. Thanks again, Matt Thomas Matthew HollMike here: The problem that most people report is that they are not getting the proper sized hex wrench far enough into the hole to actually go into the set screw. But I do recall one report where the user had to drill it out. As to the theft, recovery is getting less and less likely. I hope it all got a good home.
Subject: Meade ETX-90 Computer Control Malfunction Sent: Thursday, February 7, 2008 05:51:39 From: sandy steichen (homeagain4@comcast.net) My ETX90 computer control stopped working. I put in a fresh set of batteries(right out of the box) and there is no motor control and the LED does not light. Two questions, is there any experience out there with this happening, and is there a location in the NYC area I can get it repaired? Thanks for the help Dale SteichenMike here: No LED light would mean that the telescope is not powering on. Could be a disconnected wire someplace inside the base. You can open the base and check. Don't know about a service place in the NYC area.
Subject: etx problem #2 Sent: Thursday, February 7, 2008 11:28:23 From: Karen (klattray4371@sbcglobal.net) Thank you for helping with my slew creep. The drives slew like they are full of rocks. The image bounces and the noise. How can I fix this?Mike here: Sounds like it could be a lubrication problem. Try unlocking the axes and slowly moving the telescope by hand back and forth through several rotations (hard stop to hard stop; for telescopes that have hard stops). That can redistribute the lubrication. There is also a possibility that one or more gears are broken (teeth or mount); you would have to go inside to determine that. See the Helpful Information: Telescope Tech Tips page for more info.
Subject: Re: Super Charge evaluation Sent: Wednesday, February 6, 2008 10:10:28 From: P. Clay Sherrod (drclay@tcworks.net) Hello Nikolas.... I do not discount my service since all fees are contributed directly to science outreach programs throughout the south; I do however offer discounts for some organizations and if you would be so kind as to request such on the school letterhead I would be most happy to consider it. Just for the record, a full service on the ETX telescope requires 5-6 complete days, a total of over 44 hours. The fee is very reasonable I believe. Good to hear from you. 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/ ----- Original Message ----- Hello, I have an ETX 90 EC and have read some info about your services (referred by Mike Weasner). I'm part of a large Astronomy Club in the Washington, DC area and would like to try your service. Would you consider doing a tune-up/supercharge for a dscounted or no-charge rate to benefit a local school. In return after the service is complete and all is as listed I would be more than happy to recommend your services to other club members. If you were to get even just 10 customers this would probably be worth your efforts. Let me know if there is anything we might be able to work out. Thanks for you consideration and your great website. Sincerely, NikolasMike here: All reports I have received about Dr. Clay's Supercharge have been extremely positive.
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Dr. Clay, no problem I will see what I can arrange from the school coordinator. Mike I just hadn't seen anything on the site about reviews of the service. Maybe I looked in the wrong place. Do you have a section or any feedback you could let others review? I"m sure the service is excellent however for some individuals/small groups the price is quite high...more than half the cost of the basic scope. Just trying to justify it to those who would be using it the most. Thanks in advance to both of you, Clear skies (and hopefully a successful shuttle launch tomorrow!) NickMike here: There is no specific Feedback page for the Dr. Clay's Supercharge but if you search the Site for "supercharge" you will see many pages with comments.
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The service of course is not mandatory, nor is it being forced on anyone. If your telescope is operating well, then I am the first to say that you do not need it. No need to attempt to justify something that you have doubts about. This is a service.....not a requisite. Dr. Clay
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I'm aware of that, however the ETX is suffering from slop, inaccurate tracking and other such issues that I think someone with more experience should handle. There are no damaged/missing parts...it think it just needs adjustment from poor QC before being shipped. One thing I have noticed his how loud the drive seems to be lately, is this normal? I don't remember it being so loud, especically when compared to other club members scopes such as the Nestars etc. Either way do you have and estimate of current turn-around time? Thanks again, Nick
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Every telescope is different and many are very loud....sometimes you will hear more chatter going one direction than another. Normally that is perfectly fine, but if the telescope begins to sound like it is laboring, it very likely IS laboring. The slop is something that is inherent in many ETX scopes and can be taken out if done properly....not all of it, but a great deal if not most of it. If the scope is binding (i.e., perhaps related to the sound you are now hearing) that could manifest into poor tracking...many, many things to consider. Turn time on ETX scopes if no parts are needed (although I normally keep a complete stock of parts here and charge only my cost from Meade for replacements and never a labor charge during Supercharge) is only 5-6 days before it is ready to ship back. Dr. Clay
Subject: ETX OTA removal. Sent: Wednesday, February 6, 2008 07:06:55 From: aol (Stpferris@aol.com) Sorry if I have missed this but is there a page/site that takes you through a tube removal for the ETX125Mike here: See near the bottom of the article "My ETX-90EC Experiencse" on the Helpful Information: Buyer/New User Tips page.
