USER OBSERVATIONS Last updated: 5 December 2005

Subject:	DSX-125 New User Report
Sent:	Sunday, September 4, 2005 12:18:16
From:	SpiritHDMC@aol.com (SpiritHDMC@aol.com)
First off, your site has been a tremendous help!  I have never even
looked through a telescope until a few weeks ago and I'm 40 years old! 
I was so impressed by the views through the NGC-70 that I purchased at
Wal-Mart, that I went on a hunt for a "bigger, better" telescope.  I
purchased the Meade DSX-125 from the Meade Factory Outlet (EBay Store). 
Yes, I've had my share of problems!  There is no information out there
on this set up.  Here is some of the key information that I've
discovered since I've purchased this scope.  This may help many people
who are looking for information on this particular scope and looking for
help:

1.  It uses an ETX125AT Telescope but don't be confused!  It is not the
typical ETX model! It is mounted on a DS2114 mount assembly!  So, if
you're having problems with the AutoStar, alignment process, or leveling
- the ETX125 information is used only as a reference!

2.  The power source is 12V though it uses a 9V connector.  I used a
small tool box that has an upper tray.  I used foam to pad my eyepieces
in the top and placed two 6V Flashlight batteries in the bottom.  I
connected the batteries in series.  One wire goes from positive to
negative, then you run the other positive and negative to your scope.  I
took apart a broken kids toy and used the 9V connector.  You have to
reverse the positive and negative on the plug for your cable so that it
matches the connector of the scope.  I will use this for field
observations for now - since the 8 AA batteries died after only one
night of use.  Also, this can be hooked into a car battery or a marine
battery.  I will be making another connection cable using a cigarette
lighter adaptor.  I'm placing a 1500MA fuse in line just in case.

3.  Slop - and lots of it!  If you remove the battery cover and the
batteries, you will see a single bolt in the center - 9/16.  Once your
telescope is mounted to the tripod, check to see if there is any play on
this horizontal axis.  If so, tighten snug but don't over tighten.  Just
get the slop out!  NOTICE:  Everywhere I see people complaining that
their telescope will not move in altitude!  You have to tighten the hand
knob fairly tight.  Tighter than I believe it should be!  It messed up
my first alignment and I had to start from scratch.  So, test the motors
completely each time you set this guy up!

I still haven't had a good viewing night!  I've been able to watch Mars
each evening and that's been the best and only part of it.  There's
other problems to deal with and (hopefully) will be solved this evening.
 DEW!  This can kill a night of observation!  It can also build enough
frustration that you want to kick the thing over!  Don't do it!  Anyway,
I plan to follow other's advice and pay a visit to a hobby store to get
some "Flexi-Foam" and Velcro.  I am going to fashion a 6" long dew
shield.  To assist in dew removal, I have found an old Christmas present
- one of those really cheap ones that you hate to get!  Well, I hung on
to them and they may actually pay off!  They are called "Hot Hands-2". 
They are small packets that heat when exposed to air.  They are used as
hand warmers.  I ride motorcycles and someone thought I could slip these
in my gloves to keep my hands warm while riding.  Wrong!  Anyway, I will
try placing one on the top of my scope just over the collector tonight
and let you know how it goes.  You can get a box of these for about
$4.00!  I will also place one in my tool box, top shelf in hopes of
keeping the eyepieces above the dew point.

I just can't figure out why Meade did such a pitiful job on this
telescope!  For example, if leveling and North settings are so
important, why isn't there a level and compass on this thing?  I had a
cheap camera tripod that even had a level on it!  Too bad I sold it! 
Even the NGC-70 has a bubble level and compass installed on it for
$148.00 at Wal-Mart!  I used a cheap compass and paid the price!  It
just has a single "pointer" and it sticks!  I'm sure there's most of my
alignment problems right there!  Also, I've been using a rather large
torpedo level.  Nowhere to really put this thing!  So, Home Depot it is
today to find a compass and level.  I order an alignment tool from
Scopetronics - I believe.  Two weeks and it's not here!  So, I'll flip a
few more bucks for instant gratification!

Also, I saw a neat Drive Training example on the Yahoo discussion forum.
Try taping (securely) a lazer pointer to your telescope.  Make a
bullseye with a piece of paper.  Place it on a wall about 20 feet away
and at about a 45 degree angle.  Align the lazer to the bullseye and
start training your drives!  There's no need to even look through the
eyepiece!  This can even be done inside if you're anxious to get the job
done!

A couple of Questions:  How can you accurately figure the AZ
Percentages?  I've read the information but I'm still confused if I need
to go up or down!  I'll center the object and "boom" the telescope wants
to go somewhere else when I'm done!  Hopefully, tightening the base will
assist in this as well - it was sloppy!  I could move it probably 20
degrees just by pressing lightly on the mount!  How can I get the
"jitters" out of the focusing knob?  It jumps around everywhere when I
use a 12.4mm or 9mm eyepiece!  Just the slightest touch slings Mars out
of the FOV.  Lastly, thanks again for providing the information on this
website!  You have a vast library and it's very thrilling to read and
study.
 
Sincerely,
Ricky Anderson
Jackson, TN

Subject:	DSX-125 Follow Up
Sent:	Friday, September 23, 2005 09:46:38
From:	SpiritHDMC@aol.com (SpiritHDMC@aol.com)
After completely leveling every item on this telescope - I've had near
perfect "Go-To's".  With the purchase of a dew shield and Kendrick
heater, I no longer have the vampire of the night sucking the life out
of my observations!

First real night out - after several disappointments - I aligned with
Polaris and adjusted my magnetic compass.  The two stars selected for
alignment were in the 26MM eyepiece.  After centering them, away we
went.  I'm very new to this!  So, I selected a couple of items that I
knew in the sky to check the alignment.  Vega being one, BOOM.  Almost
dead center of the eyepiece!  After a couple of successful slews, I
selected Mars.  I checked out Mars for at least an hour.  It's so bright
and high in the sky right now.  Can't wait until October!  I selected
"Solar System" from the AutoStar menu to see what was out tonight.  I
got a good peek at Neptune but was unsuccessful at finding Uranus.  Not
too much excitement there but it was a good feeling and brought out a
smile.  Then I selected Saturn. . ."Beep"  Rises at 2:48 AM.  Just
another hour.  I toured many of the "Tonight's Best".  Great slewing! 
The first look at the Double Cluster was fantastic through the new
Celestron 32MM that came with the hard case set I had just received! 
NOTE:  I first had magnification mania!  I wanted 6MM, 4 MM, and 2MM
eyepieces to really zoom in on stuff.  Boy, was I wrong!  You get such a
better view with the larger eyepieces!  Finally, 2:50 AM!  I had to
attempt a look at Saturn!  My very first peek at our ringed neighbor. 
The sky was lit in the East by a nearby town and there was nothing
visible in that direction.  I was prepared for a disappointment.  I
placed the 32 MM eyepiece in and selected Saturn.  The telescope slewed
and then beeped.  I wasn't expecting anything to be visible at this time
but I lowered my head to the eyepiece.  WOW!  I was stunned!  Without
even having to touch the focus, Saturn stood out proudly.  My heart
pounded!  Tears came to my eyes!  "My God!  It's really out there!", I
said to myself.  The feeling that came upon me was incredible.  I wasn't
prepared for this at all.  Up until this point, I had only seen the
Moon, Mars, Venus, and Neptune through the eyepiece.  I was captured by
Mars right away.  Nothing prepared me for Saturn.  Sure, I had seen all
the pictures but I knew that pictures and telescope views were not even
close.  However, in this case, they are close!  I could see the rings
standing out perfectly even in the 32 MM eyepiece.  The 2X barlow
brought it in closer and clear as a bell.  I also noticed a small,
gleaming object just off to the side.  I'm sure it was Titan.  I used
several different magnifications but I returned several times to the 32
MM.  As Saturn climbed higher in the sky, the view became even better -
even with a 98% Moon glaring overhead!  I left Saturn for a little
while, since I had such success finding objects tonight.  I selected the
Great Orion Nebula.  It was unmistakable in the eyepiece.  No, there was
no color like I had hoped.  The books I've read prepared me for that. 
However, The gas clouds were very visible.  Once again, with a bright
Moon shining overhead!  Again, I used several eyepieces but returned to
the 32 MM.  I never thought that I would prefer the lower magnification
so well!  It just captures the entire scene so well and the view is
crystal clear with no blurring at the edges!  Great Telescope?  Great
Eyepiece?  Absolutely a GREAT view!  I then selected the Andromeda
Galaxy.  Again, a perfect slew (I had selected High Precision prior). 
Not much detail here.  The Moon was putting a strain on everything! 
Yet, I was able to make out the shape.  It appeared as a distant "cloud"
through the eyepiece.  Yet, again - with the 32 MM.  I used higher power
but was not able to clear the image at all.  Disappointed?  Not at all! 
Not a bad night even with a near full moon, fog settling in, and an
orange glow from the city lights.  Not too bad for first light - the
fourth or fifth time around!  HA!

A great deal of preparation came into play to get here!  Leveling the
scope was one of the biggest things.  The ETX125 paired with the DS2000
mount wasn't an engineers delight from my point of view.  However, with
a little tweaking on the leveling, I'm finally having some rewarding
experiences.  My major disappointments are gone - hopefully!  I hade to
request some rubber mounts that were missing from the motor base that
sits inside the tripod.  I was pleased that Meade sent them to me
without question and without any charges.  I was missing one and they
sent me six!  Where the scope itself attaches to the mount arm, I had to
place several shims under the scope to get a true level.  The scope was
cocked to one side for some reason.

Performance Update:  I purchased a 12V 22 Amp Hour portable battery
booster at Wal-Mart for $60.  It has two cigarette lighter adaptors and
jumper cables.  It comes with an AC cord for charging as well as a 12V
adaptor for car charging.  I also purchased a 12V cigarette lighter
extension cord from Wal-Mart for $4!  I cut the female end off and
soldered a 9V connector stolen from an old clock radio to the end. 
After three nights of viewing, hours upon hours of constant slewing, I
still have a high charge on this battery!  Wonderful!!  Also, upgraded
to the latest version of software for the AutoStar from the Meade
website.  Everything went well.  The download was successful and there
was no need for a reset.

Experienced People:  Tell me. . .is using Barlows a good idea?  I have
found that using the 32 MM eyepiece and a 2X Barlow gives me a wider
field of view, crisper image, and better eye relief than using a 15 MM
eyepiece.  I wear glasses and the eye relief on the 32 MM is fantastic. 
Should I invest in a 3X, 4X, or even a 5X Barlow?  This would give me a
complete range using only one eyepiece!  Besides, the Celestron 32 MM
seems to be a fantastic eyepiece.
 
Thanks,
Ricky Anderson

Subject:	Final DSX-125 Report
Sent:	Saturday, December 3, 2005 11:21:32
From:	SpiritHDMC@aol.com (SpiritHDMC@aol.com)
I truly appreciate this website!  The information is invaluable!

As for my DSX-125, I've made just a couple of additional changes.  I
soldered a new cigarette lighter adapter to the 9V connector and I use a
12V jump start package from Wal-Mart.  Tons of power for long viewing
sessions.  Also, purchased heaters from Scopetronics!  A must have in
the damp area I live in.

With Winter here, the new sites are grand indeed.  The crisp, clear
skies open up a whole new world, literally, for viewing.  With a fully
charged power system and heaters in place, The views are grand.  Also,
with a little time spend on leveling and North alignment, the goto's are
near perfect.  This little scope is fantastic.  I've been able to view
the planets in great detail.  Saturn and it's rings stand out
majestically!  Mars and it's red surface is grand and you can get a
glimpse of the polar ice caps.  Uranus is visible and a blue / gray disk
and definitely seen as a planet.  I'm anxiously awaiting the earlier
arrival of Jupiter in the night sky.  Venus puts on quite a display in
early evening.  Seeing it go through it's phases is a unique site to
see.

The Great Orion Nebula stands out as a great fog bank in this telescope.
 Best viewed with a 32 MM eyepiece.  I was amazed!  Bigger isn't better!
 I've seen the Ring nebula bright and clear as well - even without any
nebula filters.  The Andromeda Galaxy eluded me for some time.  Now,
with near perfect gotos and a clear sky, I wonder how I ever missed it!!
 Spend some time here.  With a little time and light adjusted eyes, you
can see more detail than I ever thought possible.  I'm anxiously
awaiting early spring to get a better look of other galaxies out there 
- spring is when we're looking through the least amount of "dust" from
our own Milky Way.  If the views are this great now, I simply can't
wait.

Hey folks, HEATERS!  I was so disappointed in the DSX-125 at first.  Dew
killed my viewing sessions every single night!  Even with a dew shield,
a few hours and I was done for!  Taking my shirt tail and scrubbing the
lens was a serious thought running through my mind!  I bought the
Kendrick heater controller and heaters from Scopetronics.  Best money
I've spent thus far!  Forget about eyepieces, photography stuff, and
accessories.  Get a heater!  I also recommend a heater for the spotter
scope.  That's next on the list for me.  Once the spotter is dead, it's
difficult to take a look at what else is in your field of view. 
Besides, centering the alignment stars is almost impossible during
alignment.  I've used this scope at 25 degrees and no fog or icing -
though I spent many trips inside to warm myself!

This is a great starter / advanced scope.  For the price, I say starter
- for the views, I say advanced.  I do want to expand in the future.  I
want to get one of the new Meade SCT - perhaps the LX200 GPS 8" or 10"
but that will be a while because of cost.

Here's wishing everyone great views and new finds.
 
Sincerely,
Ricky Anderson

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