Anonymous
Unregistered
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Two years ago I bought a NexStar 4 for use as a portable scope. I kept it for just 5 months before selling it to get an ETX-125. I wanted more aperture, and did not care for the N4's dismal tracking.
Now it's two years later. The ETX-125 is gone. My efforts to get a good portable GOTO scope that I can sit on a table top led to an ETX-90PE, which has exhibited serious quality control issues (currently at the factory for a second time).
So I just ordered another NexStar 4 - I have a new Celestron hand controller on loan, and this *should* correct the tracking problem - we'll see.
So, in a few weeks, I'll be setting the ETX and the NexStar side by side and see which one I'll keep. The NexStar 4's are no longer made, so I also wanted to give it another try before they become unavailable.
Isn't there a cheaper hobby I can take up?
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Kenny2004
Vendor - Icodome
Reged: 08/17/04
Posts: 1688
Loc: Toronto, Canada
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John,
You're getting another scope?!?!!! 
So after the comparison you might get rid of your ETX-90PE?? By the way, did you get it back from Meade yet?
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http://www.icodome.com
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Quote:
John,
You're getting another scope?!?!!!
So after the comparison you might get rid of your ETX-90PE?? By the way, did you get it back from Meade yet?
One of the two scopes will have to go. My ETX is at the factory again (second trip). I have lost a lot of confidence in Meade's quality, so if the NexStar 4 works okay, I may sell the ETX. Of course, my big fear is not parting with either one! One thing I do plan on doing before selling any is lining up the ETX, the DSX, and the N4 to see just how much of a difference 90-105-125 aperture makes in observing.
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Kenny2004
Vendor - Icodome
Reged: 08/17/04
Posts: 1688
Loc: Toronto, Canada
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After reading so much QA issues with Meade, I'm very hesitant just as well.
I can't wait to hear your firsthand report on the differences in aperature. Only you can do that 'cause you have so many scopes 
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http://www.icodome.com
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Well, price wise it's not a folly. Digital Photo had these brand new for $399. About two days after I placed my order, the price went up to about $440.
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Bob Griffiths
Getting Grouchy
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 10103
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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John: My wife just walked by & looked at the screen whwn I was reading your 1st post....the one where you asked if there was an inexpensive hobby....
SHE Burst out laughing !
She commented that she hoped my new found interest in the Stars would be nowhere near as expensive as my other 2 hobbies... (restoring Corvettes and making furniture)...
Maybe I should just give this hobby up now...
Nah...having too much fun and learning new things every day..
Bob G.
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CPC1100
Nexstar 8i + GPS & Rays Brackets
Denk S1 power switch
Orion 100 mm Refractor
Meade LXD 55 ...AR-5 127 mm Refractor
Gerbring heated clothing in the winter
Exploradome Observatory S.I.E. (Smiling Irish Eyes)
39*21'03" N
77*28'12" W
The sky over my head....
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Wheeeee! The NexSatr 4GT came in today. And guess what? When I turn it on, it starts slewing in azimuth all by itself - what a smart little telescope! Anyway, I am convinced I am jinxed when it comes to telescope purchases. So like it's little competitor, the Meade ETX-90PE that's in the factory for a second time, this little bugger will be on its way to the factory too.
Maybe it's either time to find another hobby, or stop buying cheap telecopes!
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b1gred
Enginerd
Reged: 04/01/04
Posts: 16902
Loc: Castle Rock, CO 6677' MSL
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Before you send it back, there are a couple of things you might want to check.
1) Power source, what were you using and was it fully charged?
2) Were the power connections tight?
3) Were the controller connections right
4) Were any buttons pushed or "jammed" during shipping?
Some of the NexStar scopes are VERY sensitive to proper voltage.
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"Dark Skies & Great Viewing"
RandyR / W0RDR
GPS 9.25 XLT/Sky Align /FeatherTouch
TV85 w/FeatherTouch
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Thanks Randy. I get the same results with both a Celestron AC adapter and a Celestron Power Tank. I've tried two different hand controllers (the one that came with the scope and the new Sky Align model), and checked the controller connections - no change.
Strangely, the very first time I powered it on, all was well. It's after I turned it on the second time things deteriorated badly. While it's slewing, if I start pressing keys to auto align it, it will attempt to align - it will move in altitude, stop in azimuth, and at that point the hand controller freezes up. I am suspecting a bad motor control board.
I also suspect this was a returned scope. I bought it from DigitalFoto.Com - price was lower than most resellers. There was no warranty card with the scope, and the red dot finder was missing the dovetail. I had a similar experience with Adorama a few years ago when I bought my first NexStar 4 - suspected returned scope.
But this one looks to be in pretty good shape - I'm going to double check collimation before sending it to Celestron, so if that's off, they can repair that as well. For a $20 shipping charge to Celestron, I think it's worth it to have them fix whatever is wrong. I really like the form factor of this scope, it feels so much more solid than the ETX, and the focus action is much smoother.
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b1gred
Enginerd
Reged: 04/01/04
Posts: 16902
Loc: Castle Rock, CO 6677' MSL
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I'm glad to know you're so patient and understanding about it. Hope you can get it fixed.
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"Dark Skies & Great Viewing"
RandyR / W0RDR
GPS 9.25 XLT/Sky Align /FeatherTouch
TV85 w/FeatherTouch
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I sent the NexStar 4 to Celestron on December 2, and got it back today, December 14. True, I live in California, but 12 days turnaround ain't bad. Although it's cloudy, everything seems to work fine. They also replaced the missing pieces - I've always had great service from Celestron, and this appears to be no exception.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Another update -
Now that my N4 works okay, I got to explore some things, and discovered that it came with an oddball version of the hand controller - version 1.07. Oddball because Celestron goofed and left out all alignment stars past Fomalhaut in the alphabet in the Two Star alignment option. This controller apparently shipped for awhile with N4's in early 2004.
So, I have to wonder - Digital Photo Club allegedly sells me a "new" N4 in late 2005 that, based on the hand controller, shipped in early 2004? More proof that this was a returned item.
Anyway, I have ordered a new controller from Celestron that, hopefully, will have Sky Align and improved tracking. Will keep you posted.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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More info - during the only clear night I was able to use the N4 before the clouds rolled in, it looked like the collimation may not be as good as I thought. Lots of caveats though - I was trained on Capella and seeing wasn't the greatest. Still, the diffraction rings weren't 100% concentric. I'll have to wait until there are clear skies and good seeing, and use Polaris for the star test. But I've been reading how to collimate these as described in Mike Swanson's NexStar book. Sure hope I don't have to do it, because it sounds like a tedious process compared to collimating an SCT.
Of course, my worst fears are coming true - I may just keep both the ETX and the N4. The ETX came back all repaired, and seems to work fine. It feels more delicate and fragile than the nearly all metal N4. So maybe I'll reserve the ETX for my own personal use, and throw the N4 at the grandkids, the dogs, and any other creature that may roughly handle a fine instrument! Not that I will allow the N4 to be abused - it's just a lot more solidly built, and much simpler to operate (no SmartFinder lens to break, no electric focuser to fuss with, and no hard stops in either azimuth or altitude to crash against).
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b1gred
Enginerd
Reged: 04/01/04
Posts: 16902
Loc: Castle Rock, CO 6677' MSL
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You might consider an "artificial star". You wouldn't have to wait for a good night, you could do the work in the comfort of an indoors location and you don't have to worry about tracking. If you can find a long dark room, so much the better, I use a very long hall at my office, just have to make sure the airconditioners are off, if they come on, the airflow causes "shimmering" of the artificial star.
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"Dark Skies & Great Viewing"
RandyR / W0RDR
GPS 9.25 XLT/Sky Align /FeatherTouch
TV85 w/FeatherTouch
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Thanks Randy! I hadn't considered that, but it sure makes a lot more sense than having to wait for a good night. Plus, it should be a lot easier to collimate the beast indoors.
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b1gred
Enginerd
Reged: 04/01/04
Posts: 16902
Loc: Castle Rock, CO 6677' MSL
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Oh yeah buddy! It's my favorite method.
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"Dark Skies & Great Viewing"
RandyR / W0RDR
GPS 9.25 XLT/Sky Align /FeatherTouch
TV85 w/FeatherTouch
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StarWars
Mr. Postmaster Man
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 22112
Loc: Frost Byte Falls <>
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The PicoStar LED and Fiber-Optic Artificial Star..
http://www.digitecoptical.com/ae-pico-star.htm
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Oh, you guys are evil! I ordered one. Digitec shipped it about 2 hours after I placed my order.
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b1gred
Enginerd
Reged: 04/01/04
Posts: 16902
Loc: Castle Rock, CO 6677' MSL
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John,
I hope nobody told you this was an inexpensive hobby...
At least NOW you don't have to wait for that perfect night to colimate...
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"Dark Skies & Great Viewing"
RandyR / W0RDR
GPS 9.25 XLT/Sky Align /FeatherTouch
TV85 w/FeatherTouch
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I received the Picostar - what a wonderful accessory! Makes me wonder how I did without one of these for so long. It really makes star testing and collimation so much easier. It also makes it easy to align a finder as well. My thanks to RandyR and Apollo11 for letting me know about these!
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