Last updated: 31 July 2002 |
Subject: Re: my new etx-125 Sent: Monday, July 29, 2002 5:23:35 From: eddylush@btinternet.com (Eddy Lush) Well I finaly got there still aint fund polaris but the next clear night i think I have it sussed, anyway I used the last star in the basket of the big dipper at the end of the basket and got the autostar to line up! it was cool although it was getting light I just got saturn awesome! It was small but I could see the rings! Anyway witth my scope it came with a 26mm eyepiece, what sort and size and how many do you recomend I get to have general set, I would have thought I could get saturn closer and bigger. Anyway thanks for your advice as always Cheers EddyMike here: There are many eyepiece selections (see the Accessory Reviews - Eyepieces and the Buyer/New User Tips pages). I usually recommend a 2X Barlow Lens along with one other eyepiece (9mm-ish) for starters.
Subject: Re: ETX-125 purchase on holiday in the USA Sent: Monday, July 29, 2002 3:07:31 From: dadriance@engenderhealth.org (David Adriance) To: gary.culpan@virgin.net For what it's worth, I have on two occasions carried an ETX-125 from Nairobi, Kenya to New York and back, via Amsterdam (on KLM/Northwest). It was in a hard carrying case and fit snuggly into the overhead compartments. Only place where they wanted to look at it was at JFK/NY - but they were easily satisfied with the explanation. This was all pre-9/11... Good luck, D.
Subject: ETC-125EC Balance Sent: Thursday, July 25, 2002 17:59:10 From: rcwolpert@peoplepc.com (Robert Wolpert) It seems that Meade delivers the ETC-125EC considerably out of balance in the dec axis. I've been trying to locate some simple solutions for balancing the dec axis. So far, I haven't found any. I would love some hints or to be pointed in the right direction. Thanks for your help! BobMike here: There are some counterweight ideas on the Helpful Information --> Astrophotography page.
And:
Ahhh!...Thanks, Mike. I should have searched "Counterweights" rather than "Balance." Now I just need to find an easy way to melt the lead from my old scuba diving weight belt! Bob
Subject: ETX-125 purchase on holiday in the USA Sent: Wednesday, July 24, 2002 14:00:54 From: gary.culpan@virgin.net (Gary Culpan) I live in the sunny (not !) Manchester in the UK and am in the Atlanta area for a two week holiday in October. I want to purchase an ETX-125 (+ the Weasner ETX book !) in the US and bring it back over to the UK. The cost in the US is $895 as opposed to over $1500 in the UK (ridiculous prices). I plan to buy the scope and Meade soft bag and take that back on the plane with me as hand luggage. I have never actually seen an ETX in the flesh so am not sure how convenient it would be to take back as luggage. Would you recommend this ? I understand the warranty would not be applicable back in the UK so if I test the scope in the US and check the collimation then is that all that is really required ? I know there are no guarantees but I would assume the scope is very reliable. Any tips would be very welcome. Keep up the good work on the site ! Kind regards, Gary Culpan Manchester UKMike here: The ETX-125EC inside a soft (or hard) case may or may not be allowed as carry-on on some airlines. Obviously, if it is checked, the soft case would be no real protection. Check with your airline ahead of time (from the US departure side not the UK side). Generally speaking there will be no issues that you won't detect during testing in the States. However, if you plan to add an Autostar later, borrow one at the dealer and test the telescope with it.
Subject: RA lock problem on my new 125 Sent: Saturday, July 20, 2002 16:30:46 From: dionimiranda@hotmail.com It's funny. I work in a hospital as a medical interpreter and it took me a while to figure out that certain medical conditions which seemed unexpectedly common through my experience there, seemed only so because it is in fact A HOSPITAL, as opposed to a random sample of the general population. This is exactly the rationale that I managed to apply to get over my fear of buying an ETX scope after reading through all the problems that many ETX owners and visitors of the website seem to have experienced (along with the out-of-the-factory work that their telescopes often seem to need, not only to maximize the scopes' performance, but to get them to do what they're "supposed" to do according to Meade) - "It's an ETX website! Of course people will write about their problems and negative experiences!" The hospital analogy worked well, and I ordered the new ETX-125 w/ UHTC coatings. Guess what? Lo and behold, the RA clamp doesn't work! I can't believe it. So "hello" to Mike, fellow ETX owners, and visitors. Here's my first query: The RA clamp came positioned all the way to the right (facing forward from behind the scope) when taken out of the box. I noticed that the scope didn't move along its horizontal axis, so I assumed that "clamp to the right" means "locked". (If you come to a new house and find that a light is on and its switch is in "x" position, you assume that "x" position means "ON" position). Think again! After sweating to "unlock" (or so I thought I was doing - I was, in fact, tightening the heck out of whatever is in there!) the RA lock by struggling to bring the clamp to the extreme left, I finally made it, but the axis was still locked; the scope still wouldn't rotate in azimuth. Later on, I read that Right=Unlocked and Left=Locked. Can you imagine? That's like someone telling you that the light you clearly saw was ON, was, in fact, OFF! Now the clamp is part tight, part loose, and completely useless left to right or right to left. Since you can't get the horizontal lock unlocked, the scope cannot be set in home position for either Alt/Az or Eq use. I'm sending it to Dr. Clay for a Supercharge on Aug. 1 regardless of what I am or am not able to fix, but I'd like to enjoy and get to know the scope and Autostar for the next 10 days before it goes from Boston to Arkansas. Could someone give me a diagnosis and offer some suggestion as to how to fix the problem? Is there a risk of entangling the motor wires due to a horizontal axis that cannot be manually engaged? Any feedback greatly appreciated. Hanging in there, DioniMike here: Using a "doctor" analogy, a "Medical School book" (the ETX manual) says "Loosen the horizontal lock counterclockwise to unlock the telescope, enabling it to be freely rotated by hand about the horizontal axis. Tightening the horizontal lock clockwise prevents the telescope from being rotated manually, but engages the horizontal motor drive clutch for Electronic Controller operation." However, during an internship the doctor learns that some patients (telescopes) need a slight "adjustment" of some internal or external part. This is learned through experience. So, if your reading of the ETX manual differs from actual experience, see the tip "I can not move the Right Ascension (azimuth) lever enough to fully engage the lock." on the FAQ page for repositioning the lock lever.
And an update:
Thanks for the prompt response, and please pardon the slightly 'abrasive' tone of my frustration. I read the FAQ and fixed the problem by repositioning the RA lever as you suggested - Don't know where I'd be without your website. I should have mentioned that I got some incredible views the other night of M13; I didn't expect to see some of its stars resolved from the middle of Boston, but there they were. Quick question: Since the horizontal axis came locked, but with its lever in the 'unlocked' position (extreme right), I applied, as I mentioned, an enormous amount of force unknowingly tightening the screw clockwise (thinking I was actually unlocking the horizontal axis). Do you think I might've rotated (clockwise) the metal 'tube' in which that screw sits? And if so, is it in any way consequential? (I even noticed some grinding along the top of the metal tube from my using excesive force in tightening the screw). I appreciate your effort and patience with the inexperienced Cheers, DioniMike here: Glad that tip solved the problem. As to any damage you may have caused, it is possible you could have a deformity now. If you still plan to still send the telescope to Clay, he can likely correct it.
Subject: update - when it rains, it pours Sent: Thursday, July 18, 2002 21:52:13 From: Carolandmike00@aol.com Well we finally got a break in the weather and I took out my scope to check the collimation. It's a little off. I have contacted Meade and for $75.00 plus shipping they will clean, repair and re-collimate my scope. Right now it is livable seeing how I'm half blind anyway with bad astigmatism and need to wear glasses. It may be several weeks before I can send the scope off but I will update upon its return. I'm curious about their customer service, I've never dealt with them before so I do not know how long of a turn around they can achieve. Until then, clear skies Mike in TexasMike here: Turnaround time depends upon workload at the time of receipt of your telescope. Could be short or could be several weeks.
Subject: Re: Problem with ETX 125 Sent: Friday, July 12, 2002 3:13:04 From: sherrodc@ipa.net (Clay Sherrod) To: james It just unscrews! BUT, since you have stripped out the holding threaded piece from the knob, you are going to have to carefully remove it in a fashion that most would not like to see: 1) wedge a large flat-bladed screwdriver between the setting circle and the old knob's inner surface plate; push it in as far as possible without damaging the thin setting circle; (NOTE: it helps to put a thick piece of cardboard between the screwdriver and the circle to keep it from both bending and scratching) 2) grasp the knob with your right hand and hold the screwdriver with your left; it helps to have someone else hold the telescope fork arms. 3) gently "lever" the screwdriver outward to push the knob away from the fork arms while turning hard on the knob with your other hand.....in other words, unscrew while you are forcing the knob out with the screwdriver. 4) it may take some time, but continue to do this....work it slowly and without exerting enough force to damage anything. Eventually it will break free. 5) the new knob will screw on considerably easier than the old one came off! And please attempt to not over-tighten; this is the #1 cause of damage on the ETX scopes! Glad the new knob came in and good luck with its repair! Clay ---------------------------------------- Dr. P. Clay Sherrod sherrodc@ipa.net Arkansas Sky Observatory www.arksky.org ----- Original Message ----- > Dear Clay, > > As you suggested, I called the folks at Meade and they > agreed to send me a free DEC knob. It arrived in the > mail yesterday. > If you could tell me how to remove and replace the old > one, I'd appreciate it. > > Thanks again, > Jim > > (By the way. I saw the photos you took of Saturn > slipping behind the moon. That was amazing. It was > cloudy here in Ohio that day, and I was very > disappointed I couldn't watch the action myself.) > > --- Clay Sherrodwrote: > > Jim - you have stripped out the DEC lock knob; this > > has nothing to do with > > the hard stops, which dictate how far the tube can > > rotate up and down and > > stop it from going too far; he had broken one of > > his. > > > > This is the threaded rod that is actually part of > > the large knob that you > > are attempting to turn to tighten; it is nearly > > impossible to remove once > > it has stripped out like it has. > > > > You can get a replacement from Meade (tell them the > > DEC locking knob has > > stripped - ETX 125) and when you get it, contact me > > and I will tell you how > > to REMOVE the one you have on without damaging the > > telescope (which will > > happen if you are not careful) and how to carefully > > put the other one on. > > > > Best of luck!! > > > > Clay > > ---------------------------------------- > > Dr. P. Clay Sherrod > > sherrodc@ipa.net > > Arkansas Sky Observatory > > www.arksky.org > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > Dear Dr. Sherrod, > > > > > > I hope you can give me some advice concerning a > > > problem I am having with my Meade ETX 125. On May 15, > > > 2001, you supercharged this telescope for the previous > > > owner, Michael Bogdan, who sold it to me last fall. > > > It has been a WONDERFUL experience using this scope, > > > but I'm afraid I may have over-tightened the > > > Declination clamp knob. > > > > > > In reading the report you prepared for Michael, I see > > > that you found a ``broken hard stop'' adding, ``I > > > repaired firmly, but please be careful and do not > > > over-rotate into these hard stops.'' > > > > > > Well, from the day I got the scope, I found it > > > difficult to determine exactly how much to tighten > > > this knob. I never detected the presense of anything > > > that felt like a hard stop. Instead, I would just > > > tighten it enough to stop the scope from moving freely > > > on this axis. The horizontal lock wasn't a problem, > > > of course; I'd just move the lever between the two > > > white dots you painted. > > > > > > Anyway, I've used this telescope many times, and I've > > > had a great deal of success finding objects with > > > autostar. Last night, however, at the end of my star > > > gazing session, I went to loosen the vertical lock > > > knob, and nothing happened. It would rotate, but the > > > rotation wouldn't loosen anything. > > > > > > I can force the telescope to move, so I pointed it > > > straight up and put it in the case. Today I crossed > > > my fingers and tried to loosen it again, but no luck. > > > > > > I can move the telescope up and down, but it's clear > > > that I have a problem. What should I do? Is this > > > something I can fix myself? > > > > > > Any advice would be appreciated. > > > > > > Jim
Subject: When it rains, it pours. Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2002 21:17:10 From: Carolandmike00@aol.com I have been reading you web site for some time now and have been wondering why so many ETX'ers out there have problems with theirs scopes. I purchased my ETX-125 last year on Ebay and I have had no major problems with my scope...until now. I finally upgraded my mount to a JMI Megapod (wonderful mount but I''ll discuss it some other time). I have been working with it getting it setup for polar use and getting acquainted with polar mode i.e. resetting, re-calbraiting, retraining, and adjusting percentages etc. I live in San Antonio, Texas and for the past two weeks we have had rain. My part of town alone (near Helotes) had 32 inches in 5 days. Well, I have been using my scope checking out my aligning using Starry Night Pro when I notice my Focus cable (from Scope-Tronics) was very wobbly and soon discovered that somehow the focus rod has detached from the mirror block. My first thought was "Oh my" [I'm using clean language here] how do I fix this? WWW. here I come. I found under ETX Technical Tips an archive article dated 29 March 2000 form Kevin Sterling titled "Focus Shaft Fix"(http://www.weasner.com/etx/techtips/focusfix.html). His article has six steps. At step three -- remove the three hex screws from the rear so you can slide of the plastic cover-This is where I had my first heart attack. Upon removing the plastic cover, I had the tube held firmly between my legs with the lens facing down when I heard a sickly sound of the mirror sliding down the tube "Holy Cow" now what do I do? Back to the web. Referring back to Kevin's article, step four states to mark a line on the mirror block and the aluminum tube so you can register the mirror block back into the housing. He states further that if you do not, collimation might be affected. He did not mention that the mirror block unscrews counter clockwise from the tube. Before I realized that I was turning the mirror block before marking it. Very important-mark the tube. I return the block back to what I believe was the original starting point, marked it, then removed it. Using another link that I found on your site, Doc G's ETX as a guider (http;//www.mailbag.com/users/ragreiner/etxguider.html) I manage to reassemble the focuser and tube assembly. Now the big question - How's my collimation? From a slight break in the clouds I checked it out, and it looks OK but I'm going to have to wait for some really good seeing conditions for some intense star testing. I may be "Super Charging" sooner then I was planning for. Now for my Questions. 1) Both article's I used was using the ETX-90. I noticed that it had a steel bushing between the mirror block and plastic housing that the focus shaft went through. My ETX-125 did not have this - Should it have? 2) Besides being careful not to turn the focus knob in too far, is there any modification out there that would prevent accidentally doing what I did? I know this was pretty long and I value your patients. Keep up the great work and clear skies! Mike in TexasMike here: Sorry you have had a problem and that you are fixed for now. Not having disassembled my ETX-125EC I don't know about the focus housing. I wouldn't be surprised if its design was slightly different than the ETX-90. As to preventing the problem, as long as the setscrew remains tight and the shaft inplace, it should not become disconnected.
And from our resident hardware expert:
From: sherrodc@ipa.net (Clay Sherrod) Mike is lucky that more serious damage did not occur; I recommend doing the disassembly procedure he references only as a last resort; anytime the tube assembly is intruded into, the OTA should be aimed at least a little bit upward to prevent the mirror from slipping, particularly when the focus shaft is disconnected. ANYTIME the focus knob, flex focus, or gear from the electric focuser is taken off the tube MUST be pointed upward to prevent this....without a knob or other stop, the focus rod can indeed become easily disengaged from the rear cell, thereby rendering the entire assembly - and your primary mirror - loose as a goose. My words on this are very plain and to the point: do NOTHING that will require you to get inside the telescope; take all types of preventative steps to assure that you do not get in a situation where the OTA must be taken off, unscrewed, removed from the rear cell, etc. In my opinion, there are some modest tweaks that can be done with the ETX....but inside the tube assembly, unless you are a constant tinkerer and looking to create more problems than you started with, is "no man's land." Dr. Clay
Subject: New 125 Sent: Saturday, July 6, 2002 18:48:56 From: saber@dircon.co.uk (Saber Properties Limited) Has anybody reviewd the new 125 against the old, on your site or anywhere else? Cheers, SamAnd:
From: sherrodc@ipa.net (Clay Sherrod) I have a brand new UHTC 125 coming in on Monday....I will review and post of Mike Weasner's site!! Stay tuned! Clay
Subject: Thanks Sent: Tuesday, July 2, 2002 8:16:59 From: marc.baier@basler.ch Thanks for your continued help. I have now tried to make up my mind if i should get the latest ETX125C or the Nexstar 5i telescopes. If the choice would be between the old nexstar 5 and the etx125, then, based on what i have read on the internet, as well as on your site, the choice would be the ETX125 - mostly because of the much better autostar features. However, the new 5i series has a port for an autoguider, which (if i understand correctly) will enable me to use an autoguider for astrophotography, which will guide automatically (otherwise i don't know what that port would be for). From what i have read, the ETX in it's current form does not support autoguiders. Can you confirm this ? It all boils down to wether or not i should wait for the nexstar 5i to come out. Thanks so much for your guidance MarcMike here: Currently there is no autoguider announced for the ETX line. As to the accuracy of the NexStar autoguider, we'll have to wait for the user and magazine reports.
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