ETX-125 USER FEEDBACK
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Last updated: 23 July 2003
This page is for user comments and information specific to the Meade ETX-125EC and ETX-125AT. 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:	Brand new ETX125 DEC Gearbox failure
Sent:	Tuesday, July 22, 2003 08:26:07
From:	jaywward@gate.net (Jay Ward)
I just got a brand new ETX125-UHTC after waiting what seemed like
forever. I had it less than 30 days before the Dec motor gearbox started
making clicking sounds (like a gear was stripped) and the OTA stopped
moving.  It occured even if I loosened the Dec clutch. Called
Meade, they said send it back. No Mars for me :-

I noticed prior to this that the whole OTA would shift back and forth
between the forks when I changed direction on the Dec axis. I took a
quick peek before returning it. The stripped gear was inside the plastic
gear box. The big gear, closest to the motor, spun fine. The final
plastic gear before the worm gear shaft looked fine too. It was
something inside the black plastic gearbox (that had been over tightened
and was oozing lube) that was stripped. Way too much plastic in the gear
train if you ask me.

Jay Ward
Deerfield Beach, Florida
http://www.gate.net/~jaywward
KE4ZOG, NAR 78126, L2<
Mike here: Sorry you've had a problem. Did you check with your dealer first?

And:

Yep, B&H in NY. They said they had a 14 day return policy and I had
mine 28 days. They said I had to go back to Meade, and Meade said "too
bad, you have to pay to return it". I said "even if it's a factory
defect?" They said "that's the way the warranty reads, sorry. It will
take 2-3 weeks after they receive it."
Mike here: OK. Keep me posted.
Subject:	Celestron
Sent:	Monday, July 21, 2003 17:07:36
From:	willensdo@comcast.net (Michael Willens)
I ordered the ETX 125 UHTC because of the deal with the autostar and
tripod as well as the eyepieces back in May.

Amazon keeps changing the delivery date.

Now, Celestron has a deal with the NexStar 5i.  I wanted to find out
your opinion.

It seems like a good deal for just about the same price.

Michael Willens
Mike here: Have you checked with a telescope dealer? I don't know how Amazon's supply works. As to the NexStar 5, I compared the original model to the ETX-125EC back in 1999; you can read that article linked from the top of the current ETX-125 feedback page.

And:

Amazon is having trouble getting the ETX's (like everyone else.)

I did read the comparison.  I don't know if the stats are still correct
but it seems like the Celestron is the better one.

What do you think is the bottom line or at least the major selling
points of each?
Mike here: Each user has to decide which is the better solution to meet their needs. Each one has pluses and minuses. Since I have no direct experience with the current Celestron models I can't comment personally on them.

And:

I appreciate your thoughts.

Subject:	Mirror Shift - ETX 125
Sent:	Monday, July 21, 2003 10:51:25
From:	rmaski@pacbell.net (Rollen Maski)
I'm getting quite a bit of shift in the mirror when reversing focus
adjustment. Haven't located anything on your site about the problem. I
see Meade 4504 Mirror "Flex" Modification (10/18/00,  Don't know if this
relates to the problem, because I can't open this link. Anything else
you can direct me to? Or do you have any suggestions as to a fix?
Thanks, Rollen Maski
Mike here: Thanks for pointing out the broken external link; I'll remove it on the next Site update. On the same page (Telescope Tech Tips) there are some links for "image shift". You may or may not be able to cure the problem if excessive. The telescope may be significantly out of collimation. You may or may not want to attempt re-collimating it (see the collimation articles). Could be time to call Meade.

And:

Thanks, Mike.
RM

Subject:	ETX-125 on Vixen mount
Sent:	Tuesday, July 8, 2003 01:40:08
From:	p.v.camerijk@wxs.nl (Peter van Camerijk)
I would like to show you my modified ETX 125!!!! Allthough I had good
Goto's with my Autostar I had some anoying vibrations from the motors of
the ETX. I have been using a wedge and a very sturdy tripod (from the
Synta EQ 6) but this very stabil combination induced more vibration
during high power observations (I frequently use up to 422 x for the
moon without any loss of contrast; quit good I think for this little
bleu devil wthout UHTC). Last month I came across a second hand GP mount
from Vixen. Inow use the Mighty ETX 125 in combiantion with a GP mount,
a EQ 6 tripod and the Vixen Skysensor. And man, this is an awesome
combination!!!!!! It is so sturdy and stabil. Allthough my autostar
goto's were very good, the skysensor puts the autostar to shame (i am
sorry mr. Meade). OK it is very expensive (only the skysensor costst
almost as much as a complete ETX with tripod!!!!) but it is really
fabulous and precise. All objects were in my FOV of my SWA 13,8 mm (dead
center) and only when I crossed the entire sky form east to west the
object was deadcenter in my 26 mm FOV. Not bad at all. This all happened
after I simply mounted the motors on the GP without training or aligning
the skysensor with the motors. I used the polarscope to align the mount
to polaris (with the off set to the pole) and that was it....... The
most important thing is that I can use my ETX 125 in a way that really
makes this incredible telescope perfect!!!!!! No vibration and goto's
dead on!!! Great
Clear skies
Peter van Camerijk
Holland  
ETX-125

Subject:	More ETX-125 motor failures
Sent:	Thursday, July 3, 2003 02:28:53
From:	HawaiiMacks@hawaii.rr.com (Gerald Mackaman)
I have had an identical problem w/ my new ETX-125 right out of the box.
It occurred consistently with new batteries, power supply, etc. The
longest stretch I have enjoyed auto tracking w/o the failure is about 3
minutes. It was definitely not a hard stop issue. After talking w/ the
Meade tech reps they told me to send in the unit for repair under
warranty.  Unfortunately I get to foot the bill for shipping. I'm sorry
to hear you are suffering similar woes.I wonder how many more recently
shipped units are experiencing the problem.

Best of luck.
Gerald

Subject:	ETX 125 Assembly Diagram?
Sent:	Wednesday, July 2, 2003 13:53:47
From:	snm_0102@yahoo.com (Mark)
To start with, what a great ETX web site! You have some great
information on it. Too bad Meade didn't hire you to do some of it's tech
documents.

To the point, is there a source for getting the assembly diagrams for
the Meade ETX 125?  I have recently purchased a used ETX 125 with the
newer mounts. It seems all your tune up advice is geared toward the
older model. My main problem is that my system does have way too much
grease in it, and needs to have some cleaning done. Unfortunately, I
have been unwilling to take apart the RA assembly, and unable to remove
the DEC arm and clutch. I'd like to see how things fit together before I
break something while trying to take it apart.

Any help with the new mounts would be welcome.

Keep up the great info,

Mark
Mike here: There are several articles (with photos) on the Telescope Tech Tips page.
Subject:	Sears Special
Sent:	Wednesday, July 2, 2003 09:23:25
From:	Harvey.Wong@us.mwhglobal.com
Sears Special:  Meade ETX 125EC w/Tripod/Autostar for $719.99

Subject:	Meade ETX 125EC
Sent:	Tuesday, July 1, 2003 11:13:56
From:	guydestefano@earthlink.net (Guy DeStefano)
You do a super job maintaing this website. I have a two questions
please. I am thinking about purchasing a meade ETX 125EC. The 125EC will
come without a stand/tripod, and computer driven software etc.  What is
the model number Meade tripod will I need, and what else will I need to
hookup this up to my computer. Again thanks very much.

guydestefano@earthlink.net
Mike here: If this is a used system, you might want to look at a new purchase; you'll get the Autostar #497 and #884 tripod included as standard now. Otherwise, you will need to purchase an Autostar, the tripod, and buy or make a #505 cable.

And:

Thank you very much for your prompt reply.

I took your advise, searched the net, and found at Amazon for  $894.00
shipped, I get a new ETX 125EC + the 497 software + 884 tripod. Package
not released yet, won't be delivered until the week of August 11, 2003.

One last question please, you mentioned a #505 cable. Is this the cable
I will need to hook the AutoStar directly into my laptop.  Is there
anything else you can think of that I will need to accomplish this.

If I wanted to take pictures, do you recommend a camera, and also what
cables etc will I need to do this.

Yes I am going to buy your book this week. Thanks in advance for all of
your help.

Guy
Mike here: The #505 cable is used to connect the Autostar to a serial port on a computer. Info on making the cable is on the Autostar Information page. If your computer only has USB you'll also need a serial-USB adapter. As to astrophotography, see the Accessory Reviews - Astrophotography and Helpful Information - Astrophotography pages.

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Copyright © 2003 Michael L. Weasner / etx@me.com
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