kowen
member
Reged: 09/05/03
Posts: 84
Loc: southeast Louisiana, USA
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Anyone else bit on this? I don't have an SCT, at this price I just got off the phone with them and ordered one  , should ship a week from now, a special buy of their last run. I ordered the AC&12vt adapter with it also.
A nice Christmas this year...
Kerry
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Gargoyle
super member
Reged: 03/13/08
Posts: 137
Loc: Long Island, New York
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I saw this last night.... thought it would be a great scope for my neighbor, but he's away so I can't confirm if he wants it. Great price.....
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Meade 8" f/10 LX90 GPS
Meade 10" LX200-R on permanent pier
MoonLite CS 2" Focuser
ETX-125 PE
StellarVue SV80ED(Blue)and F50M2 Finder Scope
DSI ProII
DSI III
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Jaimo!
super member
Reged: 10/11/07
Posts: 117
Loc: New Jersey / 40° North
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This was discussed in the Cats & Casses section:
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/2810036/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1
I can't wait for mine to get here, this is the first time I've been this excited at Christmas since I was a kid...
Jaimo!
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• Celestron Ultima 8, f/10
• Meade ETX-125/AT, f/15
• WO ZenithStar 66 SD APO, f/5.9
• Zeiss 50/540 ATM Refractor, f/10.8
• Bunch of Plossls, a few Orthos, some SWA & UWA...
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polaristom
super member
Reged: 12/17/07
Posts: 157
Loc: Alaska
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Can you believe it, what a deal. I bought one of the 125PE for $299. I can't wait. I had a 125AT about four years ago and wished I had never sold it. Great grab and go or camping scope. I'm going to buy a 1.25 erecting prism and use it as a spotting scope.
This is just too good a deal to pass up.
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Jason Rader
member
Reged: 12/06/08
Posts: 50
Loc: Douglasville, GA
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I just ordered mine today! It'll be a great compliment to the etx-70 the kids are getting for Christmas. It was too good of a price to pass up. The Dob will have to wait.
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ETX-70AT(For the kids)
ETX-125AT(Delivered 1/7/09!)
Meade 26mm 400 Series Plossl
Meade 25mm MA
Meade 9mm MA
Criterion A.R. 18mm(No idea what this is except it's an 18mm)
Criterion Ortho 6mm(Ditto)
Criterion A.R. 9mm(Ditto)
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13810
Loc: CyberSpace
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Congratz on your ETX-125AT ... 
Remember to check the 497 Autostar Firmware version during power up.. 
How To Upgrade Your Autostar
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Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's 
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13810
Loc: CyberSpace
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Weasner's Mighty ETX Site
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Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's
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DMRandall
newbie
Reged: 12/25/08
Posts: 4
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I have a 125AT coming from them. Opted for the non-tripod version, will have to use the 884 from my 90PE. Much as I love my 90PE, I'm anxious to have a stronger / brighter scope for doing some astrophotography. Does anyone who has received one of the 'reconditioned' AT's know whether it's new, or essentially new? I'm more asking out of curiousity. Whatever the scope's condition, considering I paid retail for my 90PE a few years ago, I'm just so happy to fulfill a bit of aperture fever for such a deal.
Dave
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pullin-gs
member
Reged: 11/18/07
Posts: 41
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All sold out except for the 125AT WITHOUT tripod.
You can add a separate tripod which brings the price up to $550 including shipping.
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Jaimo!
super member
Reged: 10/11/07
Posts: 117
Loc: New Jersey / 40° North
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Quote:
All sold out except for the 125AT WITHOUT tripod.
You can add a separate tripod which brings the price up to $550 including shipping.
If you keep your eyes open, on the used market you can typically pick up the Meade #884 tripod for ~$100 or less...
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• Celestron Ultima 8, f/10
• Meade ETX-125/AT, f/15
• WO ZenithStar 66 SD APO, f/5.9
• Zeiss 50/540 ATM Refractor, f/10.8
• Bunch of Plossls, a few Orthos, some SWA & UWA...
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Jason Rader
member
Reged: 12/06/08
Posts: 50
Loc: Douglasville, GA
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It shipped today! Very excited as I can't wait to compare it to the ETX-70 we gave the kids for Christmas.
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ETX-70AT(For the kids)
ETX-125AT(Delivered 1/7/09!)
Meade 26mm 400 Series Plossl
Meade 25mm MA
Meade 9mm MA
Criterion A.R. 18mm(No idea what this is except it's an 18mm)
Criterion Ortho 6mm(Ditto)
Criterion A.R. 9mm(Ditto)
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kowen
member
Reged: 09/05/03
Posts: 84
Loc: southeast Louisiana, USA
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Mine shipped 12/30 also, perhaps a Saturday delivery with FedEx delivery? 
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Kerry
XT4.5, XT8
C60 f15, SP C80 f11.7 and another C60 on the way (Vixen made refractors), Meade 60f15, Mayflower 60 f11.7
ETX 125 UHTC
Canon G3
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13810
Loc: CyberSpace
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Anyone receive the ETX-125 from Anacortes ... 
Was it the deal of the century..
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Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's
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Jaimo!
super member
Reged: 10/11/07
Posts: 117
Loc: New Jersey / 40° North
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Quote:
All sold out except for the 125AT WITHOUT tripod.
You can add a separate tripod which brings the price up to $550 including shipping.
The 125AT with tripod seems to be available again...
http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.aspx?p_id=14692&store_id=
Jaimo!
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• Celestron Ultima 8, f/10
• Meade ETX-125/AT, f/15
• WO ZenithStar 66 SD APO, f/5.9
• Zeiss 50/540 ATM Refractor, f/10.8
• Bunch of Plossls, a few Orthos, some SWA & UWA...
Edited by Jaimo! (01/01/09 08:16 PM)
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13810
Loc: CyberSpace
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Quote:
Quote:
All sold out except for the 125AT WITHOUT tripod.
You can add a separate tripod which brings the price up to $550 including shipping.
The 125AT with tripod seems to be available again...
http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.aspx?p_id=14692&store_id=
Jaimo!
Meade is selling all remaining ETX AT/PE motor mounts. This would indicate the ETX PE line might be discontinued.. 
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Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's
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polaristom
super member
Reged: 12/17/07
Posts: 157
Loc: Alaska
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I just checked the Fed Ex web-site and mine is in town and scheduled to be delivered tomorrow. The local astronomy club has a star party scheduled tomorrow night, I can't wait. Problem is it's -20 f outside right now. Should be a short party - LOL. I'll let you know when I get it and what the condition of the refurbished scope is.
Edited by polaristom (01/02/09 12:50 AM)
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13810
Loc: CyberSpace
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Quote:
I just checked the Fed Ex web-site and mine is in town and scheduled to be delivered tomorrow. The local astronomy club has a star party scheduled tomorrow night, I can't wait. Problem is it's -20 f outside right now. Should be a short party - LOL. I'll let you know when I get it and what the condition of the refurbished scope is.
Hi polaristom
I don't use my ETX-125AT when the temperature is 55F or lower..Because of the additional strain on the PTFE gears and motors..
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Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's
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jgraham
Postmaster
Reged: 12/02/04
Posts: 6760
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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If your mount seems to be straining at temperature below 55F I'd suspect the battery. I'll look up the Tg of PTFE, but it's got to be well below 0F. The grease in the bearings could be an issue, but not that warm.
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-John
================================================
Homebuilt scopes from 4.25-16.5"
Meade LXD75-N6/SN6/SC8, DSX-90, ETX-60BB, ETX-125PE, DS-2130
Orion StarBlast, BinoViewers, Coronado PST
Rebel XT/XTi, DSI Pro (I, II, & III), DSI, LPI, Electronic Eyepiece, Phillips SPC900NC
Tasco 60mm Refractors
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Binosman
member
Reged: 12/13/08
Posts: 39
Loc: SouthEast
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Quote:
I just checked the Fed Ex web-site and mine is in town and scheduled to be delivered tomorrow. The local astronomy club has a star party scheduled tomorrow night, I can't wait. Problem is it's -20 f outside right now. Should be a short party - LOL. I'll let you know when I get it and what the condition of the refurbished scope is.
Did you get it today?
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Apogee 80ED (on order)
LXD 55 GOTO
PierPod
Canon 300D
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polaristom
super member
Reged: 12/17/07
Posts: 157
Loc: Alaska
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NO!!! The fed Ex guy said he thought our office would be closed today blah blah blah. I was so bummed out. But it cooled down today. At the star party it was an unbelievable -32f. Nobody even set up scope it was so cold. That's even cold for this part of Alaska.
I told Mr. Fed Ex that we were working Monday and I wanted no excuses.
Hopefully it will warm up.
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JT5
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/08/07
Posts: 582
Loc: Ozarks of Missouri
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How do you rotate the dome of an igloo? Personally, I would stay inside and pray for warmer weather so that I can observe in comfort.
John 
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My wife shares my love of the night skies and tolerates all of my other hobbies.
Televue Pronto w/Starbeam pointer and Televue tripod
Meade 2045D, ETX-125PE, 12" Lightbridge
Celestron: 7Amp PowerTank, 15X70mm binoculars
Meade, Swan and Televue Lenses (33, 26, 20, 15 & 9mm), Televue Barlow
Catsperch Observing Chair
Member: Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri
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phansson
newbie
Reged: 01/02/09
Posts: 4
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I just purchased one of these from anacortes. Looking forward to receiving it.
This will be my first telescope.....
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dbx
sage
Reged: 02/13/08
Posts: 209
Loc: Orange County, CA
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sweet! I also got one and to say for your first scope, this definitely will not fail you. I used to own a meade LX90 (1st gen) and I like to think these as 1 minor step down in size and 500 steps in portability. ~cheers and welcome
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Scopes:
Z10 Dob
Vixen A80SS F5 Refractor
Eyepieces:
Orion Stratus 17mm
TV Ethos 13mm
TV powermate 2.5x
TV 16mm NT5
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CharlesStG
sage
Reged: 01/01/06
Posts: 246
Loc: Kansas USA
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Unbelieveable deal! Got in for a couple of these. Well, maybe a few. OK, so I bought 7 of them -- one way to increase my club membership, I suppose - lol.  I am already pretty happy with a couple of strange looking ETXs I have from an abandoned Meade/Terabeam partnership controlled by Dob-DriverII/PC link. Pics attached for the curious.
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Charles
2X Meade/Terabeam ETX-125 variants w/DDII Control
One more Meade ETX-125AT UHTC
Just one APM/TMB 80/480 LZOS Super APO, FT Focuser
Working on 8"f/12 D&G folded bino-refractor
Denk binoviewers until work is done on above
Still working on elevated observatory/spaceship
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4494
Loc: Sunny California
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Now there's an ETX I could embrace!
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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RRPG
sage
Reged: 01/26/08
Posts: 362
Loc: 42° 25'50" 123° 19'00"
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KEWL, an observation, so much time and engineering for an ETX mount, yes, it is a thing of beauty, and wow, beautiful mount, prototype, thousands invested, its a tank, form follows function,missle tracking function, whoosh, nice collectors scope(s).What no 497 controller? I only wish I had access to a machine shop to build one myself. Thanks for the pictures
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Peter
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8 in HO Truss Dob
8 in. Skywatcher SCT
C102XLT
ETX 90 EC
C80ED
CG5-GT
WIP: 14 inch HO Truss Dob
Canon 450D Xsi
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RRPG
sage
Reged: 01/26/08
Posts: 362
Loc: 42° 25'50" 123° 19'00"
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I just bought one also, now the long wait begins and then the rain and overcast should start.... as expected.
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Peter
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8 in HO Truss Dob
8 in. Skywatcher SCT
C102XLT
ETX 90 EC
C80ED
CG5-GT
WIP: 14 inch HO Truss Dob
Canon 450D Xsi
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CharlesStG
sage
Reged: 01/01/06
Posts: 246
Loc: Kansas USA
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Peter, Thanks for the cudos. Just goes to show that Meade CAN engineer a cost-no-object mount if given enough money. Enough in this case was a whopping $20,000. per mount, I am told including Honeywell encoders, tilt-out-spring-loaded stainless worm gears to allow instant changes in alt and az, and geared Lin stepper motors which work nice with the Dob Driver II controller, but I am thinking about retrofitting one of these mounts to work with Meade servo motors and the 497. Stability and tracking are quite something with these mounts machined of solid 1" thick aluminum with really fine, oversized bearings. I can focus by hand without ANY image shake (there is no "settling time") and even rest my left hand on the tube at 150X - no problem. The star images I compared one evening to my quite perfect Questar 3.5 and the stars were tinier and SO much brighter in the Meade that I decided to make this my luggage travel scope with Pelican case and just sold the Questar which is a very fine instrument, like my Breitling watch. But this Meade is, like you say, built like a tank, and the Questar isn't. I prefer tanks. Meade made somewhere between 50 and 100 of these mounts, I believe. Terabeam also paid somewhere between $1,200. and $2,000. for the OTAs. The project which was some kind of last mile laser communications for ?? (military?) was abandoned for cost reasons, I am told and replaced by microwave technology. I bought two of these mounts from Thane Grooms who got the last 37 mounts from Terabeam and bought the last two OTAs Jim Wegat had retrofitted with custom backplate with 2" SCT threads. I needed a close-fitting diagonal, so I found a couple of Russian 2" which are just right. I plan to compare the 125AT UHTC optics with these and honestly hope at least one or two of the 7 I just bought are as good and will let you know, if interested. Anyway, tanks alot. A pic of its backyard home (nearly complete) attached.
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Charles
2X Meade/Terabeam ETX-125 variants w/DDII Control
One more Meade ETX-125AT UHTC
Just one APM/TMB 80/480 LZOS Super APO, FT Focuser
Working on 8"f/12 D&G folded bino-refractor
Denk binoviewers until work is done on above
Still working on elevated observatory/spaceship
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4494
Loc: Sunny California
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WOW!!!!!   
But what do your neighbors say?
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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CharlesStG
sage
Reged: 01/01/06
Posts: 246
Loc: Kansas USA
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On one side of me the men can't wait to be invited to use it and on the other a classy lady doesn't much like it, but it's not finished and will look much nicer when all white with the center pier painted and finished (only at the bottom) to look like a Delta Rocket (kids will love it! - like me - lol) 
--------------------
Charles
2X Meade/Terabeam ETX-125 variants w/DDII Control
One more Meade ETX-125AT UHTC
Just one APM/TMB 80/480 LZOS Super APO, FT Focuser
Working on 8"f/12 D&G folded bino-refractor
Denk binoviewers until work is done on above
Still working on elevated observatory/spaceship
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polaristom
super member
Reged: 12/17/07
Posts: 157
Loc: Alaska
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Hey Hey, The Fed Ex guy just dropped off my new 125PE. Looks like it made it thru the mail just fine. Should be clear tonight, I'll give you all a first light report either later tonight or tomorrow.
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yock1960
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/22/08
Posts: 980
Loc: SW Ohio, USA
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That's exactly what I need! Sadly, the local government would probably consider it a treehouse.....and those are not allowed!
Steve
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LXD75 GEM
Orion Starblast 4.5" Imaging Reflector
William Optics Zenithstar 66 SD APO
Meade DSI II OSC
Meade DSI III OSC
Orion Starshoot Autoguider
Televue Powermate 2.5x
Discovery 6" Dobsonian
Nikon Action Extreme 10x50's
Gallery
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Jaimo!
super member
Reged: 10/11/07
Posts: 117
Loc: New Jersey / 40° North
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Charles,
How much concrete in in that pier? and/or how much does it weigh? That thing is huge...
Jaimo!
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• Celestron Ultima 8, f/10
• Meade ETX-125/AT, f/15
• WO ZenithStar 66 SD APO, f/5.9
• Zeiss 50/540 ATM Refractor, f/10.8
• Bunch of Plossls, a few Orthos, some SWA & UWA...
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13810
Loc: CyberSpace
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Quote:
Hey Hey, The Fed Ex guy just dropped off my new 125PE. Looks like it made it thru the mail just fine. Should be clear tonight, I'll give you all a first light report either later tonight or tomorrow.
Well, it's time to chime in and show us your new ETX-125AT/PE ...
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Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's
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CharlesStG
sage
Reged: 01/01/06
Posts: 246
Loc: Kansas USA
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Hi Jaimo!, Well, the block in the ground which was poured first is 5'x5'x4'deep. The pier itself is 22' tall of which 12' is 30" diameter and the last 10' is 20" diameter. I got away with doing a single pour 22' high which so impressed the guy who sold me the sonotubes that he drove over from quite some distance to see how I did it as he never believed it possible without suffering a blow-out. Came out perfect - dead level and strong enough to support a bridge -- all 4500 psi concrete, fiber reinforced with air and rebar top to bottom. Concrete weight is about 28,000 lbs including the support block in the ground.
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Charles
2X Meade/Terabeam ETX-125 variants w/DDII Control
One more Meade ETX-125AT UHTC
Just one APM/TMB 80/480 LZOS Super APO, FT Focuser
Working on 8"f/12 D&G folded bino-refractor
Denk binoviewers until work is done on above
Still working on elevated observatory/spaceship
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RRPG
sage
Reged: 01/26/08
Posts: 362
Loc: 42° 25'50" 123° 19'00"
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Sorry to say I just got my email stating that they canceled my order as there were no more in stock. That made me very sad, as I thought I would get one of the last ones. My timing was poor to say the least.
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Peter
--------------------
8 in HO Truss Dob
8 in. Skywatcher SCT
C102XLT
ETX 90 EC
C80ED
CG5-GT
WIP: 14 inch HO Truss Dob
Canon 450D Xsi
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Jason Rader
member
Reged: 12/06/08
Posts: 50
Loc: Douglasville, GA
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Quote:
Sorry to say I just got my email stating that they canceled my order as there were no more in stock. That made me very sad, as I thought I would get one of the last ones. My timing was poor to say the least.
Sorry to hear that Peter. Hopefully that kind of deal will pop up again.
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ETX-70AT(For the kids)
ETX-125AT(Delivered 1/7/09!)
Meade 26mm 400 Series Plossl
Meade 25mm MA
Meade 9mm MA
Criterion A.R. 18mm(No idea what this is except it's an 18mm)
Criterion Ortho 6mm(Ditto)
Criterion A.R. 9mm(Ditto)
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Steve C.
super member
Reged: 01/24/08
Posts: 103
Loc: Sugar Land, TX
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I picked mine up today, assembled it and tested it out the front door on a street sign. It works. 
The new telescope curse works too. Cloudy skies -- maybe tomorrow a test on the moon and the Autostar.
--------------------
Steve Clayworth
Astro-Physics 130 EDT F/8
Celestron 9.25 NexStar GPS
Celestron C-11
Celestron C-8 Classic
Meader ETX 125AT
Tele Vue Pronto
G-11 Gemini
5mm Radian, 8mm Ethos, 9mm Nagler Type 1, 17mm and 24mm Baader Hyperion, 40mm Meade Plossl, 20mm TV Plossl, 1.8x TV Barlow
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25198
Loc: NE Ohio
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I hope there's a glitch in the Fedex tracking system. Mine is shown as arriving at the Portland, OR Fedex facility on the 31st - but no further entries are displayed. It is shown as scheduled for delivery today but there's no indication that it ever made it out of Oregon.
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John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
CI-700, NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
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Lynnrb
member
Reged: 01/01/08
Posts: 54
Loc: Phoenix, Az
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I recieved my Etx-125 today. Made in China? I assumed these where assembled in Mexico with USA optics. Lynn
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pullin-gs
member
Reged: 11/18/07
Posts: 41
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Are the 125at scopes w/tripod being delivered with UHTC optics?
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Moondust
member
Reged: 11/14/06
Posts: 27
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My 125AT arrived today with the tripod. No UHTC but still a great deal.
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CharlesStG
sage
Reged: 01/01/06
Posts: 246
Loc: Kansas USA
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Whoa! Mine were shipped on Friday and were delivered to Kansas today - two business days! I better check what they charged me for shipping - lol! Yup, the boxes were flown in from Hong Kong (pricey!), but there are stickers on each saying the telescope optics and tube were "Made in USA". I wonder if the PE scopes have the same sticker on them - ? Anyone know? Anyway, relieved there're here safely - now, to start checking them out....  And yes, the stickers on the boxes say ETX-125AT with UHTC and tripod.
--------------------
Charles
2X Meade/Terabeam ETX-125 variants w/DDII Control
One more Meade ETX-125AT UHTC
Just one APM/TMB 80/480 LZOS Super APO, FT Focuser
Working on 8"f/12 D&G folded bino-refractor
Denk binoviewers until work is done on above
Still working on elevated observatory/spaceship
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25198
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
Whoa! Mine were shipped on Friday and were delivered to Kansas today - two business days!
Cool! Mine had a little farther to go (Ohio) but was shipped earlier (Tuesday). Fedex still shows it as being in Portland, though...
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John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
CI-700, NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
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CharlesStG
sage
Reged: 01/01/06
Posts: 246
Loc: Kansas USA
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John - You may want to call Fedex and get the story if you haven't already. I'd be a little concerned at this point. Also, I believe some of these were advertised with UHTC and some were not. I made sure to get the UHTC, non-refurb scopes as these also come with a one-year warranty instead of 90 days, but they're all an incredible deal for sure, coatings or not, refurb or not!
--------------------
Charles
2X Meade/Terabeam ETX-125 variants w/DDII Control
One more Meade ETX-125AT UHTC
Just one APM/TMB 80/480 LZOS Super APO, FT Focuser
Working on 8"f/12 D&G folded bino-refractor
Denk binoviewers until work is done on above
Still working on elevated observatory/spaceship
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4575
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Quote:
I recieved my Etx-125 today. Made in China? I assumed these where assembled in Mexico with USA optics. Lynn
Nope. They have been 100% Chinese for a while.
There's no detectable difference in anyway between the Chinese, Mexican, and USA scopes. In fact, the Chinese 125s are somewhat better mechanically.
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Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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Jaimo!
super member
Reged: 10/11/07
Posts: 117
Loc: New Jersey / 40° North
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Quote:
I hope there's a glitch in the Fedex tracking system. Mine is shown as arriving at the Portland, OR Fedex facility on the 31st - but no further entries are displayed. It is shown as scheduled for delivery today but there's no indication that it ever made it out of Oregon.
I'm getting the same error, but they claim it is due to be delivered tomorrow. I'll start worrying Wednesday night.
Charles, that's one impressive chunk of concrete.
Edited by Jaimo! (01/06/09 07:00 PM)
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Lynnrb
member
Reged: 01/01/08
Posts: 54
Loc: Phoenix, Az
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Rod says "Nope. They have been 100% Chinese for a while.
There's no detectable difference in anyway between the Chinese, Mexican, and USA scopes. In fact, the Chinese 125s are somewhat better mechanically."
I have heard, at least with cameras, it is not the country of origin that is important but the manufacturer. Nikon, Sony ect. Lynn
Edited by Lynnrb (01/06/09 07:09 PM)
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25198
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
I'm getting the same error, but they claim it is due to be delivered tomorrow. I'll start worrying Wednesday night.
They appear to have caught up with it. Now it shows up as being at a depot in Ohio, with delivery rescheduled for tomorrow.
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John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
CI-700, NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
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Jason Rader
member
Reged: 12/06/08
Posts: 50
Loc: Douglasville, GA
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Quote:
Quote:
I'm getting the same error, but they claim it is due to be delivered tomorrow. I'll start worrying Wednesday night.
They appear to have caught up with it. Now it shows up as being at a depot in Ohio, with delivery rescheduled for tomorrow.
Yeah, mine showed Portland forever than suddenly displayed Memphis, now Kennesaw. Should be here tomorrow!
--------------------
ETX-70AT(For the kids)
ETX-125AT(Delivered 1/7/09!)
Meade 26mm 400 Series Plossl
Meade 25mm MA
Meade 9mm MA
Criterion A.R. 18mm(No idea what this is except it's an 18mm)
Criterion Ortho 6mm(Ditto)
Criterion A.R. 9mm(Ditto)
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Binosman
member
Reged: 12/13/08
Posts: 39
Loc: SouthEast
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Same here, Burlington Wa. since Dec 30th then Portland Or. on the 31st, been there on the fedex website till just a few minutes ago, now shows Charlotte NC, Will be here tomorrow.
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Apogee 80ED (on order)
LXD 55 GOTO
PierPod
Canon 300D
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polaristom
super member
Reged: 12/17/07
Posts: 157
Loc: Alaska
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So my reconditioned 125PE was delivered yesterday and all went well except in the battery compartment there was a missing metal clip that makes contact with the end of the last battery. I called Meade today to see if they could send me a clip and they said no you must send the whole telescope back and they will replace it. I live in Alaska, it cost 100 bucks to send up here. They want me to send it back to replace a 5 cent clip. No wonder Meade is having money problems. I called Anacortes Telescope and they want me to send the a picture of the scope at the missing part and they will try to get me a replacement. I think I'll go by the local Radio Shack and look for one there. I don't think this clip even solders in, I think it just pushes over a metal connector on a circuit board.
I did have a cigarette lighter cable to plug it in and used it for about a half an hour. Seem to work fine and the scope does look slightly used but overall in great shape for being reconditioned. The optics are pristine. It was too cold to stay out very long (-25 f).
Hope you all get your scopes soon.
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CharlesStG
sage
Reged: 01/01/06
Posts: 246
Loc: Kansas USA
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Got to it late this evening, but opened one of my boxes and the ETX-125AT UHTC is brand new and UHTC, as advertised. There is a sticker on the bottom of the OTA which says UHTC and I can tell by the color of the coatings anyway. Looks beautiful! 8x25 right angle finder was a little loose - no problem a tiny allen wrench can't fix in 10 seconds and besides, I plan to replace the finder with a green laser for sure. All else seems fine and we'll start testing for optical quality and drive function tomorrow. Very pleased, so far. With the shipment of the US-made OTA from CA to China and air freight of complete scope and tripod back from China to LA, then shipment from LA to Irvine and shipment from Irvine to Anacortes, it seems Meade must have already paid about half of what I gave for this scope in shipping alone. Deal of the century? Could be. All for now - it's getting late..... 
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Charles
2X Meade/Terabeam ETX-125 variants w/DDII Control
One more Meade ETX-125AT UHTC
Just one APM/TMB 80/480 LZOS Super APO, FT Focuser
Working on 8"f/12 D&G folded bino-refractor
Denk binoviewers until work is done on above
Still working on elevated observatory/spaceship
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Steve C.
super member
Reged: 01/24/08
Posts: 103
Loc: Sugar Land, TX
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Yeah, I was wondering where the indication of the UHTC was (I'm not familiar with the color of the coatings), and found that little sticker.
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Steve Clayworth
Astro-Physics 130 EDT F/8
Celestron 9.25 NexStar GPS
Celestron C-11
Celestron C-8 Classic
Meader ETX 125AT
Tele Vue Pronto
G-11 Gemini
5mm Radian, 8mm Ethos, 9mm Nagler Type 1, 17mm and 24mm Baader Hyperion, 40mm Meade Plossl, 20mm TV Plossl, 1.8x TV Barlow
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Jaimo!
super member
Reged: 10/11/07
Posts: 117
Loc: New Jersey / 40° North
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I checked FedEx today... It should be on my front porch when I get home.
JC
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• Celestron Ultima 8, f/10
• Meade ETX-125/AT, f/15
• WO ZenithStar 66 SD APO, f/5.9
• Zeiss 50/540 ATM Refractor, f/10.8
• Bunch of Plossls, a few Orthos, some SWA & UWA...
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kowen
member
Reged: 09/05/03
Posts: 84
Loc: southeast Louisiana, USA
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Mine came in last night, these are beautiful scopes! Needless to say, I am one happy little lady. Thank you, Anacortes! I came home for supper last night (from work), my cousin had called that it came in, they left it by her steps under her carport (we use the same mailing address being next door to each other). It started drizzling-a drop here and there, by the time I got out, lifted that box to my car-is it big enough? I had to squeeze it into a Ford ZX2-did not fit in the trunk-finally got it in the front seat, got wet 'cause the rain had started. If Arlene (cousin) was watching in the window, she must have been laughing, me fighting trying to get the box in the front seat-had to recline the seat, stuffed it...I got soaked, the box was none the worse.
After I got home from work, attached it to the base, read a bit about it, I did bring it outside and had a short look at the moon, the 26 plossl seems fine. I brought out a few other eps to see the difference and how they'd perform, but had a message from a friend so I cut it short.
I'm fixing to plug in the Autostar, see what version it is at and update if needed. I have a serial to usb cable that I bought for a scanner ( for it's updating-never did it), so I'll use that. I am impressed with the build of the scope, looks to be very well made.
It says to hand tighten the locks on the base bottom, I'm at latitude 29, so I hope I have them tight enough, want to try equatorial viewing. We were supposed to have a hard rain yesterday, well it stopped early in the evening.
I was impressed with the inclusion of the tripod case, my telescope advertised as having UHTC, I looked under the base, yes it does, all is well!  Anyone getting extra warranty coverage, their Sky Assurance? I think I will.
One more thing, I wondered how it would be for grab & go portablity as far as weight goes and bulkiness-it is just fine! I think I do love this little scope, I'd say their's nothing little about the optics though. Can't wait to try the GOTO.
Kerry
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Kerry
XT4.5, XT8
C60 f15, SP C80 f11.7 and another C60 on the way (Vixen made refractors), Meade 60f15, Mayflower 60 f11.7
ETX 125 UHTC
Canon G3
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Jason Rader
member
Reged: 12/06/08
Posts: 50
Loc: Douglasville, GA
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Mine shows out for delivery and I'm working from home today .
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ETX-70AT(For the kids)
ETX-125AT(Delivered 1/7/09!)
Meade 26mm 400 Series Plossl
Meade 25mm MA
Meade 9mm MA
Criterion A.R. 18mm(No idea what this is except it's an 18mm)
Criterion Ortho 6mm(Ditto)
Criterion A.R. 9mm(Ditto)
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CharlesStG
sage
Reged: 01/01/06
Posts: 246
Loc: Kansas USA
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Kerry, Very, very nice (and delightfully amusing) to hear of your experience with your new scope. I, too, am impressed that they are simply as advertised. I half expected to get a refurb with marks and possibly no UHTC, scope with known problems, etc. So far, all I can say is WOWOWOWers!! I'll be doing some testing today and have a nice reference scope to compare -- a virtually perfect Meade/Terabeam ETX-125 OTA which is in the class of Questar. We'll see what these lovely ATs can do against that! Should be fun.... 
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Charles
2X Meade/Terabeam ETX-125 variants w/DDII Control
One more Meade ETX-125AT UHTC
Just one APM/TMB 80/480 LZOS Super APO, FT Focuser
Working on 8"f/12 D&G folded bino-refractor
Denk binoviewers until work is done on above
Still working on elevated observatory/spaceship
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Jason Rader
member
Reged: 12/06/08
Posts: 50
Loc: Douglasville, GA
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Mine has arrived and it is advertised. Well, except for the eyepiece set screw which is missing. No worries though, the one from the 70 should work for tonight. It's a beautiful scope though and I can't wait to try it out tonight!.
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ETX-70AT(For the kids)
ETX-125AT(Delivered 1/7/09!)
Meade 26mm 400 Series Plossl
Meade 25mm MA
Meade 9mm MA
Criterion A.R. 18mm(No idea what this is except it's an 18mm)
Criterion Ortho 6mm(Ditto)
Criterion A.R. 9mm(Ditto)
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Jaimo!
super member
Reged: 10/11/07
Posts: 117
Loc: New Jersey / 40° North
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Mine arrived this evening also! It is much larger than my ETX-90 can't wait to get it out, but of course it is 37 degrees and raining.
Once I got it in the house and put in on the tripod, it fogged up instantly because of the temperature difference. So I left the lens cap off for a few minutes. When I came back to put it back on and I found a few 2 year old finger prints near the secondary. I guess my son thought it was pretty cool too. Oh well... 
Jaimo!
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• Celestron Ultima 8, f/10
• Meade ETX-125/AT, f/15
• WO ZenithStar 66 SD APO, f/5.9
• Zeiss 50/540 ATM Refractor, f/10.8
• Bunch of Plossls, a few Orthos, some SWA & UWA...
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Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3611
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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To the person that is missing a battery clip--- I would not worry about this as they work much better with an outside 12 volt power pack-- I never use the internal batteries in mine..... just take them out... makes the scope a little bit lighter.
And the serial to usb adapter will probably work-- but in the past some of them have been shown to be not compatible-- so if you get any errors using it, probably will need another USB-Serial adapter cable. www.scopestuff.com sells one that is known to work (I have one of their cables).
Clear Skies
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LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, SV 80/9D & M4 mount, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, 20x80 binoculars, SV-BV3s-- www.texasastro.org
"Great minds discuss ideas;Average minds discuss events;Small minds discuss people." Unknown
Edited by Joe Lalumia (01/07/09 07:40 PM)
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JT5
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/08/07
Posts: 582
Loc: Ozarks of Missouri
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Lynnrb-
Mexico is correct. Give us a report on your first light.
John
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My wife shares my love of the night skies and tolerates all of my other hobbies.
Televue Pronto w/Starbeam pointer and Televue tripod
Meade 2045D, ETX-125PE, 12" Lightbridge
Celestron: 7Amp PowerTank, 15X70mm binoculars
Meade, Swan and Televue Lenses (33, 26, 20, 15 & 9mm), Televue Barlow
Catsperch Observing Chair
Member: Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13810
Loc: CyberSpace
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Quote:
When I came back to put it back on and I found a few 2 year old finger prints near the secondary. I guess my son thought it was pretty cool too. Oh well...
Jaimo!
Optics Cleaning Supplies
Free shipping from OPT until Jan 11, 2009 ...
--------------------
Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's
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Jaimo!
super member
Reged: 10/11/07
Posts: 117
Loc: New Jersey / 40° North
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Thanks Star Wars! I have a len cleaning kit, I just didn't want to have to use it before I looked through it. Although free shipping would be nice for a new PowerTank. 
Jaimo!
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• Celestron Ultima 8, f/10
• Meade ETX-125/AT, f/15
• WO ZenithStar 66 SD APO, f/5.9
• Zeiss 50/540 ATM Refractor, f/10.8
• Bunch of Plossls, a few Orthos, some SWA & UWA...
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Binosman
member
Reged: 12/13/08
Posts: 39
Loc: SouthEast
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Went out this evening to visit the daughter and fedex had not shown up at that time. Got back home tonight and the fedex man (or woman) left the box in the gravel driveway sitting upside down. Anyways, very happy it arrived and finally got it unboxed and it is brand new as advertised, with UHTC, etc.... Got it mounted on my homemade pierpod and hopefully when the weather clears will get a chance to put it through its paces. This was an unbelievable deal for this scope and I am thankful I was able to get one of the new ones.
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Apogee 80ED (on order)
LXD 55 GOTO
PierPod
Canon 300D
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kowen
member
Reged: 09/05/03
Posts: 84
Loc: southeast Louisiana, USA
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Charles,
I tried it out a few hours ago, did a simple align-I still can't believe the price. It picked Capella for 1st, Rigel for 2nd aligning stars. I had to finagle the arrows, but I'll say like you, wowee. I did the tour, it picked the Moon, tiny bit off to the right in the ep but that's okay-I lined it up then hit enter to sync, then Orion Nebula-dead center, very impressive.
It then picked Mira, a few more stars-Castor, eventually back to Capella-I split it with my 9mm Expanse-it looked good. Aldebaran, then the Double Cluster-not sure what I was looking at here, so I went get my Turn Left at Orion book.
I had Sky & Telescope's Pocket Atlas, Planetarium on the Palm outside-?anything? to help me out...I have much to learn but know a few ojects.
Gary Russell/Russell Optics has a 1.25" eyepiece, I swear it is the highest contrast, very sharp-a 15mm konig-good for the trapezium. Besides the Meade 26 plossl supplied, I brought out the 15 konig, 12.5 UO, 36 UW Rus Optic (not wide enough for this scope-I'd like an seriously wide ep for not too much $$), the 9 Expanse did great for stars, it shows very dark skies, and sharp, always pleased with this ep.
One thing, my spring for the leg spreader is missing-it may have fallen out, rolled somewhere, but I don't think so. I'll see if I can find one at the hardware store but it's okay as is for now.
I noticed one thing, I had it on battery power when I started, decided to switch to 120v. I didn't want to turn it off so I wouldn't have to re-align the little monster, so its on, I have the a.c. cord already plugged in, plug into the base and it stopped. So I shut it off, turned it back on, did another simple alignment, off I went with the above episode. Simple alignment is quick, the goto gadgetry aspect is fun. Towards the end of the tour, a few things I skipped through-a couple of times it would not slew to an object that came up. I could tell the optics were getting soft from moisture-I need to make my dew cap-so I packed it in.
I'm thinking it's okay to keep batteries in the base even though I use the a.c. cord, it's not a charging system...
--------------------
Kerry
XT4.5, XT8
C60 f15, SP C80 f11.7 and another C60 on the way (Vixen made refractors), Meade 60f15, Mayflower 60 f11.7
ETX 125 UHTC
Canon G3
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CharlesStG
sage
Reged: 01/01/06
Posts: 246
Loc: Kansas USA
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Kerry, Of course, being astronomers we rather expect each other to be night birds, but hope you're not too tired for work tomorrow (later today, lol). Great to hear of your experiences! I got sidetracked today with research for my 13 year old son as we will be building some Blu Ray diode laser pointers for fun and maybe a little profit.  If not TOO bright, I may even mount one on a scope for a finder -- puts out a lovely violet hue at a whopping 150mw which is enough power to shine though a glass of ice cold water (water temp is irrelavent, but fun for bragging rights) and still light a match on the other side!
Then, my brother-in-law, Bill, called me to tell me he got in his refurbed Anacortes 125PE UHTC yesterday which he says is indestinguishable from brand new and wanted to talk astronomy for awhile. It was overcast here until just about now, so I didn't bother to set-up.
By strangest coincidence, Bill told me he researched getting a case for his scope and wasn't too keen on $150. for the plain Meade case and ended-up getting the same make and model which I bought for myself to house my Meade/Terabeam 125 -- a Pelican model 1620. Great, great case built like a tank with solid casters, pop-up handle and LOTS of room for only a few dollars more than the Meade. I think he paid $175. with free shipping. He said it was a no-brainer to go with the Pelican. I fly with mine and basically tell the airlines to do their worst without a concern.
Good to hear about your experiences with eyepieces, too. I really should get some of those new super wides. I pretty much use matched pairs of US-made Brandon in my Denk binoviewer. For powering the 125AT, I may try batteries at first just to see how it goes, but have lots of quality 12V regulated power supplies around the house -- found one just today in a box I hadn't checked in years looking for my DobDriver roboscope cable and even found a couple of nice, new Victorinox Swiss Army watches I'd forgotten I bought -- gave them to my sons today, but my 11 year old musician isn't interested in wearing a watch, he says -- too uncomfortable while playing the flute, I guess. Oh, also spent time today fitting rubber grip pads to my Glock pistol -- need to get ready for a concealed carry course I am taking pretty soon -- can't even get any 9mm ammo around here anymore -- even all Walmarts are sold out with the new administration scare. Telescopes and ammo - need to stock up while we can -- LOL! 
Have a pleasant sleep...
--------------------
Charles
2X Meade/Terabeam ETX-125 variants w/DDII Control
One more Meade ETX-125AT UHTC
Just one APM/TMB 80/480 LZOS Super APO, FT Focuser
Working on 8"f/12 D&G folded bino-refractor
Denk binoviewers until work is done on above
Still working on elevated observatory/spaceship
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Jason Rader
member
Reged: 12/06/08
Posts: 50
Loc: Douglasville, GA
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I was able to set mine up last night and was very impressed. The moon filled the view from the included 26mm ep. Then switched to Venus and it resolved to the half-circle. Plugged in a 6mm ep that my father-n-law gave me, no idea on brand or quality, and while a little fuzzy it was much larger than we'd seen with the ETX-70. Expected of course. Finally pointed up to the Orion Nebula and I was blown away when viewing with a 9mm Meade MA ep. Very limited experience on my end but the ability to actually discern shape rather than just fuzz was spectacular to me.
Charles, know the feeling on the ammo. 9 seems to always be out at a couple of the local Walmarts around here too. Was going to get an AR-15 too but prices went sky high and I was told I'd have a 6 to 9 month wait. On the bright side, my wife was much happier spending $400 on a telescope vs 1k on a gun. Curious, is the course a requirement in Kansas? Here in GA we've managed to avoid that obstacle.
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ETX-70AT(For the kids)
ETX-125AT(Delivered 1/7/09!)
Meade 26mm 400 Series Plossl
Meade 25mm MA
Meade 9mm MA
Criterion A.R. 18mm(No idea what this is except it's an 18mm)
Criterion Ortho 6mm(Ditto)
Criterion A.R. 9mm(Ditto)
Edited by Jason Rader (01/08/09 09:22 AM)
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CharlesStG
sage
Reged: 01/01/06
Posts: 246
Loc: Kansas USA
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Jason - Nice first light report. A simple test to tell you that your optics are really fine is to simply sharp focus on a medium bright star at high power (say 300x) on a very still (no atmospheric turbulence) night. The star should be quite intense in brightness, round and surrounded by a couple of progressively fainter concentric rings which should also be round, but they may fade in and out a bit as no night is likely to have perfect seeing. Checking visible detail on Jupiter is also a nice test, but once again, only a night with best seeing will allow a good test of the optics.
Yup, we have a one-time application for concealed carry in Kansas which is pretty pricey and it requires an 8 hour course by a certified instructor. Can't say I really mind as I'd like to know more about safety anyway. Friend and I both just bought Glock 19s and I have a Lasermax internal on mine. I like to target shoot and plink and getting harder with the higher ammo prices. If Obama doesn't allow anything too rash by his minions, the prices should all come back down to more reasonable levels. Maybe
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Charles
2X Meade/Terabeam ETX-125 variants w/DDII Control
One more Meade ETX-125AT UHTC
Just one APM/TMB 80/480 LZOS Super APO, FT Focuser
Working on 8"f/12 D&G folded bino-refractor
Denk binoviewers until work is done on above
Still working on elevated observatory/spaceship
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Binosman
member
Reged: 12/13/08
Posts: 39
Loc: SouthEast
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Charles, just wanted to comment on your observatory and how nice it looks. Reminds me of those watch towers in the jungles of Vietnam, minus the spiral staircase though. Very nice construction and looks really solid.
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Apogee 80ED (on order)
LXD 55 GOTO
PierPod
Canon 300D
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CharlesStG
sage
Reged: 01/01/06
Posts: 246
Loc: Kansas USA
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Thanks Binosman - It will look much nicer when it is complete and all painted including the pier -- need a couple of warm days in winter for painting. I even have some bronze portholes to install - fun stuff. Yup, I've joked to others that it's really just a deer stand in disguise as an observatory to fool the deer.
--------------------
Charles
2X Meade/Terabeam ETX-125 variants w/DDII Control
One more Meade ETX-125AT UHTC
Just one APM/TMB 80/480 LZOS Super APO, FT Focuser
Working on 8"f/12 D&G folded bino-refractor
Denk binoviewers until work is done on above
Still working on elevated observatory/spaceship
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sooner_luvr
member
Reged: 01/05/09
Posts: 14
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Newby here...
Very disappointed I missed this great deal by 1 day. I tried to order yesterday when they showed up on their site, but they cancelled.
Anyone of anywhere else that may be closing these out?
...or any other great deals like this was?
Thank you!
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CharlesStG
sage
Reged: 01/01/06
Posts: 246
Loc: Kansas USA
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Sooner Luvr, I was told that Anacortes bought all the stock Meade had on these - over 100 scopes -- all sold very quickly.
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Charles
2X Meade/Terabeam ETX-125 variants w/DDII Control
One more Meade ETX-125AT UHTC
Just one APM/TMB 80/480 LZOS Super APO, FT Focuser
Working on 8"f/12 D&G folded bino-refractor
Denk binoviewers until work is done on above
Still working on elevated observatory/spaceship
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13810
Loc: CyberSpace
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I believe the ETX-105AT with tripod $269 is still available..
(still a nice buy)!
--------------------
Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's
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Jason Rader
member
Reged: 12/06/08
Posts: 50
Loc: Douglasville, GA
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I consider myself to be exttemely fortunate to have renewed my interest in astronomy and found this site at the time I did. A 125AT for what is essentially my first scope is a very nice way to get my feet wet. I'd been preparing myself to spend 6-700 on a nice dob but really wanted the GOTO functionality so the kids, and wife, can get more into it.
Can anyone tell that I'm still excited?
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ETX-70AT(For the kids)
ETX-125AT(Delivered 1/7/09!)
Meade 26mm 400 Series Plossl
Meade 25mm MA
Meade 9mm MA
Criterion A.R. 18mm(No idea what this is except it's an 18mm)
Criterion Ortho 6mm(Ditto)
Criterion A.R. 9mm(Ditto)
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sooner_luvr
member
Reged: 01/05/09
Posts: 14
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I agree, but I only see the 90PE for $289.
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13810
Loc: CyberSpace
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Looks like the ETX-125AT is now $999 ...
ETX deals
--------------------
Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's
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Islesfan
journeyman
Reged: 12/23/08
Posts: 5
Loc: NYC, Light Pollution Central
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This will be my first post, so first off I would like to say hello to everyone here; what a great site. I've wanted an ETX for a number of years now, and when I saw the 125AT with tripod for $329 I knew it was time. Received the scope yesterday, one week all the way across country with a holiday in between, not bad at all. So far the scope looks great and it came with the UHTC. Haven't had it out yet, cold and rainy, but so happy I was able to get in on this deal.
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8" LX200 Classic
ETX 125AT UHTC
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Jason Rader
member
Reged: 12/06/08
Posts: 50
Loc: Douglasville, GA
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Quote:
This will be my first post, so first off I would like to say hello to everyone here; what a great site. I've wanted an ETX for a number of years now, and when I saw the 125AT with tripod for $329 I knew it was time. Received the scope yesterday, one week all the way across country with a holiday in between, not bad at all. So far the scope looks great and it came with the UHTC. Haven't had it out yet, cold and rainy, but so happy I was able to get in on this deal.
Yes, we joined at an opportune time
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ETX-70AT(For the kids)
ETX-125AT(Delivered 1/7/09!)
Meade 26mm 400 Series Plossl
Meade 25mm MA
Meade 9mm MA
Criterion A.R. 18mm(No idea what this is except it's an 18mm)
Criterion Ortho 6mm(Ditto)
Criterion A.R. 9mm(Ditto)
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13810
Loc: CyberSpace
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Meade is blowing out the complete ETX AT/PE inventory...
I think it's safe to say the ETX PE line will be discontinued... 
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Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4494
Loc: Sunny California
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I think you're right. I believe they will continue to sell the refractor version. At least for the time being. But if you check out Meade's website under products you'll notice they have the DS-2080AT-LNT which in some ways is a better scope. So they might discontinue the ETX-80. Only time will tell.
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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CharlesStG
sage
Reged: 01/01/06
Posts: 246
Loc: Kansas USA
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Yes, could be. Anacortes has the ETX-90PE package listed at both $289. and $599. The ETX line has been a great, great run for them and it would be a shame to see the Maksutov relegated to purely Chinese brands, but this is the direction the market seems to be dictating and Meade probably needs to bow out since the market is pretty much flooded with other brands now. This price for the ETX125AT/UHTC was an absolute blow-them-out-the-door givaway. Hope what replaces it is as good or better. I remember back in the 1970s that a U.S. company named R.L. Drake had a ham radio receiver model called the 2B which was so good it was killing sales of their flagship receiver. Well, they replaced the 2B with the inferior 2C and that solved the problem and made the 2B an instant collectors piece. Maybe the ETX sales are biting a bit too hard into Meade's higher priced scope sales, maybe not. The thousands and thousands of ETXes will be around for a long time though and maybe you've just bought a collector's piece in a way...
they are almost too good - optics are A1, autostar is A1, mechanics are R2D2 - well, not quite that good, perhaps. I think someone could make a real business out of taking the mount, reverse-engineer it to be rock solid and a real super-tracking astrophotography platform like my Terabeam version, but at a reduced price by going with overseas machining. I think they would sell to those who want a Questar-type mount under their Meade steed. Mount-up, lads! 
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Charles
2X Meade/Terabeam ETX-125 variants w/DDII Control
One more Meade ETX-125AT UHTC
Just one APM/TMB 80/480 LZOS Super APO, FT Focuser
Working on 8"f/12 D&G folded bino-refractor
Denk binoviewers until work is done on above
Still working on elevated observatory/spaceship
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DMRandall
newbie
Reged: 12/25/08
Posts: 4
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First Light Report
I was fortunate enough to live close by and pick up my scope directly from Anacortes on my way out to a New Years camping trip on Whidbey Island, WA. I tried buying some of the "Guaranteed Clear Night" coupons you sometimes find at astronomy stores, but they were sold out. It would have come in handy that night, as the cloud cover was operating at full thickness.
At any rate, I updated the Autostar to the lastest version, put in fresh AA's, did a sample Easy align inside the camper and was satisfied that I should be pretty successful as soon as the sky cleared. I was greeted with a clear sunny day on January 2nd, so I took out the scope for some terrestrial viewing. Decided to do a daytime (2 pm) rough alignment (no visible stars, and no LNT to find North) with the scope sitting on a picnic table. After aligning, I pointed Autostar to GOTO the moon and manually adjusted the scope to actually point at the moon. There's something magical about the "sky blue moon" through a scope. Lots of nice, crisp craters easily visible with the 26mm eyepiece. For kicks, I decided to have the scope find Venus for me. GOTO Venus, and voila! What a wonderful surprise to see it clearly in phase at 2 in the afternoon. I shared the view with a few passers-by, also in awe at what was visible during mid-day. I put the D-SLR on the back of the scope and did my best to get crisp focus. Time to make a Hartmann mask!
I brought out the scope later that night and set it up, although the location was obstructed to the North and West with trees. Alignment was near perfect, even without having done the proper train drives exercise. Took a few pictures in Alt/AZ of M42 and Venus. Again, critical focus through a DSLR viewfinder requires a Hartmann mask, so I was left with nothing to be happy with. Moon shots however, were nice; much crisper than my ETX-90PE. I took enough so that I could practice registax-ing 5 or so images, only to find out they're too large dimensionally for registax to handle. Sigh. Next time I'll know!
My one gripe: My ETX-90PE has the original style red dot finder, which I quite like. It's out of the way from the eyepiece, and I can easily adjust it when necessary with the two set screws. The RA finder on the 125AT though is in the way when pointed vertical (just too close to the eyepiece) and when twisted to the side, just seems awkward to view through in that position. Call me a wuss, but I just don't the two ring adjustments for the finder. Anyone with an LNT unit interested in trading the LNT for RA finder? Guess it's worth asking...
I was concerned about getting a "refurbished" unit. However, my fears were unfounded. There was one surface scuff on the outside of the OTA. Otherwise, it appears perfect - factory fresh. The Autostar had the protective plastic on the display, so I suspect it is new. Wunderbar!
Summary - I'm SO VERY HAPPY with my 125AT w/UHTC. Throwing my DSLR on the back port is not concerning at all compared to my ETX-90PE. Yes, I know I'm not going to get Hubble-esque images out of my 125, but I'll definately get a lot more keepers than I've been able to get in the past. Now, let's hope for some more clear nights!
Dave
Edited by DMRandall (01/09/09 08:55 PM)
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Jason Rader
member
Reged: 12/06/08
Posts: 50
Loc: Douglasville, GA
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Pretty good night for me. Started off with the obvious, the moon, then jumped over to Venus, jumped back to the Orion Nebula, then M31 and M110, Mira, and closed out the night with the double cluster NGC 869/884. Oh yeah, also took a look at the Pleiades. Parked the scope and will try for Saturn after midnight.
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ETX-70AT(For the kids)
ETX-125AT(Delivered 1/7/09!)
Meade 26mm 400 Series Plossl
Meade 25mm MA
Meade 9mm MA
Criterion A.R. 18mm(No idea what this is except it's an 18mm)
Criterion Ortho 6mm(Ditto)
Criterion A.R. 9mm(Ditto)
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Jason Rader
member
Reged: 12/06/08
Posts: 50
Loc: Douglasville, GA
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Ok, Saturn checked and earlier than I'd planned. 9mm wasn't as sharp as the 26mm but the rings were still very discernable. Not bad considering I was looking towards Atlanta with Saturn still relatively low in the sky.
Night all!
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ETX-70AT(For the kids)
ETX-125AT(Delivered 1/7/09!)
Meade 26mm 400 Series Plossl
Meade 25mm MA
Meade 9mm MA
Criterion A.R. 18mm(No idea what this is except it's an 18mm)
Criterion Ortho 6mm(Ditto)
Criterion A.R. 9mm(Ditto)
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pullin-gs
member
Reged: 11/18/07
Posts: 41
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Got my scope today.....
I trained my scope, and everything checked out.
Sorry to say that mine is not UHTC. :-(
Could not find a sticker anywhere/under on it.
Still as screaming deal!
I talked with the seller (a phone rep) and asked why they didnt ask for more $$$ for these, knowing fair well they could have sold them all for $100 more.
His answer was suprising....he said that[owner's-name] would not gouge the price he got them, and felt that by offering them up at this low price "was the right thing to do".
I'd like say a big "THANK YOU" to the management of Anacortes for this gift. You won my business!
Cheers
Paul B.
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phansson
newbie
Reged: 01/02/09
Posts: 4
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I have a couple of questions. Remember this is my first scope so be gentle. I have unpacked and put it together but have yet to try it out yet. I have scanned the owners manual, but haven't put it to memory.
I just received the 125AT from anacortes. Great deal after looking around for scopes for the past couple of weeks.
1. I only received one eyepiece, the 26mm. Is that the only eyepiece that is supplied?
2. The declination circle, vertical lock and right acension circle graphics are all "loose" I would think that they would be locked in a certain position so they would be consistent. Is this normal?
Thank you for the input.
Edited by phansson (01/12/09 07:55 PM)
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13810
Loc: CyberSpace
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Quote:
I have a couple of questions. Remember this is my first scope so be gentle. I have unpacked and put it together but have yet to try it out yet. I have scanned the owners manual, but haven't put it to memory.
I just received the 125AT from anacortes. Great deal after looking around for scopes for the past couple of weeks.
1. I only received one eyepiece, the 26mm. Is that the only eyepiece that is supplied?
2. The declination circle, vertical lock and right acension circle graphics are all "loose" I would think that they would be locked in a certain position so they would be consistent. Is this normal?
Thank you for the input.
1) Yes one 26mm eyepiece.
2) Yes loose 'I think because the user can make adjustments'
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Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's
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phansson
newbie
Reged: 01/02/09
Posts: 4
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thanks starwars,
I was thinking about ordering a barlow lens and the update cable for the Autostar. Anything else?
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4575
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Quote:
1. I only received one eyepiece, the 26mm. Is that the only eyepiece that is supplied?
2. The declination circle, vertical lock and right acension circle graphics are all "loose" I would think that they would be locked in a certain position so they would be consistent. Is this normal?
Thank you for the input.
1. Yep, just one. But it's a fairly good one.
2. The RA circle should be free to move so you can calibrate it for use (if you should want do; don't know why you would). The Dec circle should be fixed...it should read "90" when the tube is parallel to the forks. You can tighten it down with the "knob" in the center of that fork arm. Again, why you would want to fool with an analog setting circle, I don't know.
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13810
Loc: CyberSpace
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Quote:
thanks starwars,
I was thinking about ordering a barlow lens and the update cable for the Autostar. Anything else?
Power cable
Dew shield
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Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's
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LTZ
sage
Reged: 01/01/07
Posts: 421
Loc: Arizona
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Wow, looks like I missed the Anacorte sale. Anyone know where I can get an etx125 at around this price?
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13810
Loc: CyberSpace
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Quote:
Wow, looks like I missed the Anacorte sale. Anyone know where I can get an etx125 at around this price?
Meade ETX125-EC with Autostar $348
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Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's
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LTZ
sage
Reged: 01/01/07
Posts: 421
Loc: Arizona
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Thanks Starwars. Btw, 'do you speak Bocce?'
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Zebra24601
Postmaster
Reged: 10/09/05
Posts: 11496
Loc: San Gabriel Valley, CA 91770
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"Speak it? It's like a second language. . . ." 
Couldn't resist.
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Zebra24601
Meade 8" SCT w/UHTC * Celestron 100ED * Celestron C11 * Celestron Firstscope 80EQ
Meade LXD55 mount * Orion Sirius goto mount
Bushnell Voyager 4.5" Compact Reflector * Barska 15x70 binoculars * Galileoscope * Really cheap Tasco spotting scope
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Zebra24601
Postmaster
Reged: 10/09/05
Posts: 11496
Loc: San Gabriel Valley, CA 91770
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In answer to your original question, I could also have answered, "No, but I know where you can get an etx-60 for just a few hundred dollars more than that."
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Zebra24601
Meade 8" SCT w/UHTC * Celestron 100ED * Celestron C11 * Celestron Firstscope 80EQ
Meade LXD55 mount * Orion Sirius goto mount
Bushnell Voyager 4.5" Compact Reflector * Barska 15x70 binoculars * Galileoscope * Really cheap Tasco spotting scope
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mirage4d
member
Reged: 07/30/05
Posts: 37
Loc: Athens, GA
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I find it necessary to post my experience with who I assume to be the proprietor of this company, as I too purchased one of these refurbs, however when mine arrived it was not as advertised. I won mine in an auction on Astromart; I believe it was the last refurb they had in stock, and one this individual had planned to keep for himself apparently, but decided against it. Hence I dealt directly with the proprietor (I am sure many of you are familiar with this individual, his name seems to pop up frequently here). The scope arrived ok, though it was not as advertised. The scope had been clearly listed as the BLUE tube, both in the ad and in the associated image. But what I received was the garrish ASTRO tube.
After contacting said individual regarding the issue, his only response was:
send it back
i can use it
That's it. All I asked for was some store credit that would essentially equate to free shipping on the scope, as I am otherwise happy with the scope and have no desire to return it (on my dime I am sure).
I know this may seem like a trivial issue, and perhaps it is, but it is the principal of the thing; what I received was clearly not what was advertised, and making it right should not equate to me sending the scope back so he can use it, particularly when spending >$500 on the item.
Not trying to call anyone out here, but this is poor business ethnics at best and it needs to be duly noted.
Please be advised if you happen to deal with this individual directly.
I should mention the phone support personnel at this merchant are superb; they were very helpful regarding another issue I had with the scope.
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Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3611
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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Sorry you got the wrong color-- but remember these were close-outs -- at a very special price. I doubt that anyone really knew what color was inside the boxes..... or exactly what was being offered EXCEPT for the aperture.
Clear Skies
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LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, SV 80/9D & M4 mount, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, 20x80 binoculars, SV-BV3s-- www.texasastro.org
"Great minds discuss ideas;Average minds discuss events;Small minds discuss people." Unknown
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mirage4d
member
Reged: 07/30/05
Posts: 37
Loc: Athens, GA
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Indeed they were close outs, but the color was clearly stated in ad, see the link below. If he wasn't sure of the color, he certainly should not have put it in the ad.
http://www.astromart.com/auctions/details.asp?auction_id=4857
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Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3611
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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Yes he made a mistake on the color-- but notice that he did not open the box............ remember IN THE DARK color disappears.
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LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, SV 80/9D & M4 mount, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, 20x80 binoculars, SV-BV3s-- www.texasastro.org
"Great minds discuss ideas;Average minds discuss events;Small minds discuss people." Unknown
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pullin-gs
member
Reged: 11/18/07
Posts: 41
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BS...."IN THE DARK"
That is total *BLEEP*.
This is very simple.
The add said one thing, and the dude got another.
Clear-cut-and-dry the buyer got ripped off.
That said,
I proudly display my BLUE-TUBE scope in my house where it is openly viewable and readily available for a grab on a moments notice (went out last night cause the moon/venus were right next to each other)
No way I'd disply an ASTRO one though...thus it would get less use.
This guy got robbed plain and simple!
Who ripped you off? Call him out!
That way we all know who to avoid on sales transactions
Call him out please.
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Zebra24601
Postmaster
Reged: 10/09/05
Posts: 11496
Loc: San Gabriel Valley, CA 91770
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The color could be an issue and the proprietor's response lacked tact. But this is hardly a rip off. If the color is really objectionable and the seller is willing to pay for return shipping, that's fair redress. The question of who *would* pay return shipping was neither asked nor answered.
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Zebra24601
Meade 8" SCT w/UHTC * Celestron 100ED * Celestron C11 * Celestron Firstscope 80EQ
Meade LXD55 mount * Orion Sirius goto mount
Bushnell Voyager 4.5" Compact Reflector * Barska 15x70 binoculars * Galileoscope * Really cheap Tasco spotting scope
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Joseph Gillman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/06/05
Posts: 2784
Loc: Aston, PA
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Mountain, meet molehill.
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4494
Loc: Sunny California
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Quote:
remember IN THE DARK color disappears.
To quote Dr. Vitus Werdegast (Bela Lugosi) in the classic horror film THE BLACK CAT, "You have said something profound." 
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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mirage4d
member
Reged: 07/30/05
Posts: 37
Loc: Athens, GA
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Quote:
That way we all know who to avoid on sales transactions
Call him out please.
Sent you a PM.
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sang33ta
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/08/08
Posts: 767
Loc: UK
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When you buy a refurb you are buying something that somebody has used already and returned to the manufacturer so you should expect some discrepancies, it's kinda pot luck. If you don't like it either paint it or put it on ebay or something, someone will take it off your hands, even if it's broken!
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Hioptic 152mm f12.5 Maksutov, CG5-AGT, Meade Super Plossl Set, Casio QV-2900UX
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pullin-gs
member
Reged: 11/18/07
Posts: 41
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Refurbs often will have nicks/scratches/oddities. That is the way it is and is understandable.
However when you buy a refurbed "XYZ" and recieve a refurbed "ABC" that is bunk.
**
The seller should take it back, and refund ALL expenses (including both-way shipping and restocking). Mistakes happen, and good businesses always step up to the plate and accept responsibility. I've been in the same situation before...good businesses have always bent over backwards to keep me happy and never impose expenses on me because of their screwup.
I've also been in the same situation as the buyer here where the deal ends bad. However in my case it was from fly-by-night ebay sellers or other no-name vendors who only care about stealing a few pennies in the short term vs earning $$ in the long term from repeat customers.
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4494
Loc: Sunny California
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When I attended PATS, a vender was showing how he can custom make OTA covers with photos on them or just solid colors. They stick on and the idea is to protect the original surface. They really looked good. For the life of me I don't remember the name of the company.
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4575
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Quote:
I find it necessary to post my experience with who I assume to be the proprietor of this company, as I too purchased one of these refurbs, however when mine arrived it was not as advertised.
Let's see...the only problem was the tube color (remember, all scope tubes are black in the dark)...The err..."individual" as you refer to him had no problem taking the scope back. I would guess he might even pay shipping. Where is the DISASTER?
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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pullin-gs
member
Reged: 11/18/07
Posts: 41
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Quote:
Let's see...the only problem was the tube color (remember, all scope tubes are black in the dark)...The err..."individual" as you refer to him had no problem taking the scope back. I would guess he might even pay shipping. Where is the DISASTER?
err....dont ever recall anyone saying that the seller would pay shipping and fully refund the sales price (including shipping)..err
PS:And being dark out has what to do with getting what he paid for??
PSS:I look at my scope about 2000x more than I LOOK THROUGH it. It is stored in my living room next to my china cabinet.
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4575
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Quote:
err....dont ever recall anyone saying that the seller would pay shipping and fully refund the sales price (including shipping)..err
PS:And being dark out has what to do with getting what he paid for??
PSS:I look at my scope about 2000x more than I LOOK THROUGH it. It is stored in my living room next to my china cabinet.
I know the individual involved. Personally. He is as trustworthy a person as is in this business.
These were closeout scopes sold for a song. I'm sorry the person in question got the wrong color tube (!), but he'll get his money back and I don't think there'll be any lasting damage. No, not gettin' what you want is not fair, especially if someone wants to pose the scope next to the China closet, but at my age I have come to believe that life is not always fair:
"You Can't Always Get What You Want...But if You Try Sometimes, You Might Get What You Need."
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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mirage4d
member
Reged: 07/30/05
Posts: 37
Loc: Athens, GA
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Quote:
Yes he made a mistake on the color-- but notice that he did not open the box............ remember IN THE DARK color disappears.
It appears in light though, and aesthetics are important to me. And he did not open the box as you say - not sure why, it was open anyway as there is little box left - but to that end, why post it as the blue tube if he was uncertain?
Quote:
The color could be an issue and the proprietor's response lacked tact. But this is hardly a rip off. If the color is really objectionable and the seller is willing to pay for return shipping, that's fair redress. The question of who *would* pay return shipping was neither asked nor answered.
This is a valid point; I never asked who would pay shipping, but as you say his response should have been more professional to the extent that I shouldn't have had to ask it. That is the core issue here. This isn't a sweater or something in question here, it is an expensive precision instrument.
Quote:
I know the individual involved. Personally. He is as trustworthy a person as is in this business.
Not saying he is dishonest, no one is infallible obviously and I am certain that this was an honest mistake, I'm saying he was unprofessional in this case. "Send it back, I can use it" is not an acceptable response. I asked for store credit, if he doesn't want to do that, he should have explained to me why and offered again to take the scope back paying shipping in his first response. Actually responding to my second email would have been nice. He chose to ignore any further emails.
There is no reason to beat this one in to the ground any further; I will live with the color. Though I suspect most of you who have insinuated that I have blown this out of proportion would have reacted the same way, and if your argument is that you would never buy a refurb anyway, well, not everyone has the financial resources to buy new.
I suppose lesson the learned here for me is ask the seller to open the box and check, maybe even ask for photos.
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jgraham
Postmaster
Reged: 12/02/04
Posts: 6760
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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The first time I saw the astro tube in an ad I thought it looked odd. Then I bought one from one of the earlier clearance sales and after seeing it first-hand I thought it looked rather handsome. The black tube with the amber North American Nebula looks kinda neat. I love this scope!
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-John
================================================
Homebuilt scopes from 4.25-16.5"
Meade LXD75-N6/SN6/SC8, DSX-90, ETX-60BB, ETX-125PE, DS-2130
Orion StarBlast, BinoViewers, Coronado PST
Rebel XT/XTi, DSI Pro (I, II, & III), DSI, LPI, Electronic Eyepiece, Phillips SPC900NC
Tasco 60mm Refractors
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Jaimo!
super member
Reged: 10/11/07
Posts: 117
Loc: New Jersey / 40° North
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Quote:
I thought it looked rather handsome.
Me too...
It kind of reminds me, a bit, of the Questar OTA.
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• Celestron Ultima 8, f/10
• Meade ETX-125/AT, f/15
• WO ZenithStar 66 SD APO, f/5.9
• Zeiss 50/540 ATM Refractor, f/10.8
• Bunch of Plossls, a few Orthos, some SWA & UWA...
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Prima Luna
super member
Reged: 01/17/09
Posts: 112
Loc: Huntington Beach, California
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Mirage4d, I'm glad that in the end you will keep your scope. I agree that the seller's reply to you lacked any empathy but at the same time he wasn't trying to rip you off. I think it was just an honest mistake. Some people wouldn't mind but everyone has their right whether or not to place value in a choice of finish. I keep mine in my case, so it wouldn't have bothered me too much at first, and like you, I know I would had grown to ignore it - especailly after having so much fun with it!! Enjoy!
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Meade ETX-125AT w/UHTC & Tripod
Celestron Regal LX 10X42
7mm TMB Planetary
9mm TMB Planetary
26mm Meade Series 4000 Super Plössl
35mm Orion Ultrascopic
2X Barlow Orion Shorty
Aluminum Hard Carry Case 07609
TeleVue TAC-1003 Air Chair
Celestron NightVision Flashlight 93588
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Prima Luna
super member
Reged: 01/17/09
Posts: 112
Loc: Huntington Beach, California
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John,
I just love the look of your scope with the binos! I'd probably invest in some too, but I want to wait to see if this new hobby of mine is just as strong a year from now! But I'll probably get a 12" dob instead and then later get binos for the dob. Who knows?? Have fun!
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Meade ETX-125AT w/UHTC & Tripod
Celestron Regal LX 10X42
7mm TMB Planetary
9mm TMB Planetary
26mm Meade Series 4000 Super Plössl
35mm Orion Ultrascopic
2X Barlow Orion Shorty
Aluminum Hard Carry Case 07609
TeleVue TAC-1003 Air Chair
Celestron NightVision Flashlight 93588
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4575
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Quote:
[There is no reason to beat this one in to the ground any further; I will live with the color. Though I suspect most of you who have insinuated that I have blown this out of proportion would have reacted the same way,
Not this old boy. I paid well over a grand for a 125PE (with that ASTRO TUBE) a few years ago. I would have been THRILLED to pay these prices, even if the scope had a HOT PINK OTA.
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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mirage4d
member
Reged: 07/30/05
Posts: 37
Loc: Athens, GA
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Quote:
I would have been THRILLED to pay these prices, even if the scope had a HOT PINK OTA
Not really a valid argument as a hot pink OTA would be conducive to hanging fuzzy dice from your scope, and any feature allowing you to pimp your scope is inherently considered serendipitous.
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Prima Luna
super member
Reged: 01/17/09
Posts: 112
Loc: Huntington Beach, California
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Quote:
Quote:
I would have been THRILLED to pay these prices, even if the scope had a HOT PINK OTA
Not really a valid argument as a hot pink OTA would be conducive to hanging fuzzy dice from your scope, and any feature allowing you to pimp your scope is inherently considered serendipitous.
OK, what about a zebra striped OTA. How AWESOME would that be! I'd pay extra!
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Meade ETX-125AT w/UHTC & Tripod
Celestron Regal LX 10X42
7mm TMB Planetary
9mm TMB Planetary
26mm Meade Series 4000 Super Plössl
35mm Orion Ultrascopic
2X Barlow Orion Shorty
Aluminum Hard Carry Case 07609
TeleVue TAC-1003 Air Chair
Celestron NightVision Flashlight 93588
|
rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4575
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Quote:
Quote:
I would have been THRILLED to pay these prices, even if the scope had a HOT PINK OTA
Not really a valid argument as a hot pink OTA would be conducive to hanging fuzzy dice from your scope, and any feature allowing you to pimp your scope is inherently considered serendipitous.
I don't understand what you mean, but it sure sounds good.
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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mirage4d
member
Reged: 07/30/05
Posts: 37
Loc: Athens, GA
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Oh, and I was ready to let this go quietly into the night...
So this dealer saw fit to ban my account on Astromart, which, and joke's on me I guess, is heavily sponsored by his company.
This was quite obviously done out of spite; all I did here was mention the facts of the transaction as they occurred and express my displeasure with his lack of tact. Does that warrant banning my account? You guys tell me please. ...
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Billydee
super member
Reged: 01/23/08
Posts: 186
Loc: Winter Haven, FL
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I believe he owns the Company that owns AMart. That is why one needs to be careful when you pull the tail of a Lion.
Some days you eat the bear and some days the bear eats you!
You were wrong to go on and on and on. You should have just asked the man about the cost of shipping and what to do to return it. He is an Honest person and he probably would have split the cost. Now you should eMail him and tell him things got out of hand and what can you do to make it better.
Bill
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pullin-gs
member
Reged: 11/18/07
Posts: 41
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Banned your account?
Sheesh!
Business must be good over at Anacortes, cause let me tell ya, a stunt like that (even if the jokes not on me) make it all but too easy for me to take my business elsewhere.
Cheers
Pullin'
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pullin-gs
member
Reged: 11/18/07
Posts: 41
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Quote:
You were wrong to go on and on and on
It was his right....and I thank him for letting me know.
Quote:
He is an Honest person
Honest enought to misrepresent what he was selling.
...if it was an "honest mistake", he would have been all over it to make things right.
Quote:
he probably would have split the cost.
Based on what do you say this? His integrety? Heheheh.
Quote:
Now you should eMail him and tell him things got out of hand and what can you do to make it better.
Bad boy! Your on timeout! Say sorry to the dude who stole your lunch money!
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nighthawk
member
Reged: 04/20/07
Posts: 52
Loc: georgia,usa
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Your tragic story has brought great sorrow to all that have had to hear it.
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Rob_G
sage
Reged: 10/12/06
Posts: 247
Loc: Syracuse, NY
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Quote:
Your tragic story has brought great sorrow to all that have had to hear it.
--------------------
Rob
Bausch & Lomb Legacy 10x50
Meade ETX 125-AT
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tomnic
newbie
Reged: 02/03/09
Posts: 2
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Sorry to hear about your experience. Let me tell you about mine. I heard about this excellent deal around Christmas, and immediately made the order thinking it was the company's gift to the world, a belief I hold to this very day. Initially, they sent me an email saying it shipped but to a different address. I replied "that's not my address" and they immediately caught it. It arrived on time, and coincidentally my birthday (no I didn't tell them). I assembled it, sighted in the finder scope against a power transformer a block away, and on first light got some excellent viewing. Everything was perfect. Tried the autostar and got immediate results using a car battery as power supply. My only regret was not ordering a dew shield and a couple different eyepieces. I made a dew shield out of a Trader-Joe's shopping bag that works great. Bought a barlow and a Orion Expanse 9mm local for pocket change, and it works great for terrestrial viewing and the moon so far, not so good on stars. What a sweet deal. Nobody has complained of the shopping bag covering the nice blue painted tube, they think it's cute. Had I got one that was not blue I don't think I would have known the difference. Because of the shopping bag. The shopping bag makes terrestrial viewing a bit more sharp, and keeps dew from clouding the lens at night, so I have not removed it since the first night I experienced dew. Dew was never a concern to me until I bought a real telescope. In my opinion, this scope should come with some kind of dew shield or a very prominent offer to sell you one when you buy the scope. Dew has been the number one culprit to my viewing pleasures. I can stand the cold to inhuman depths, but dew on the scope just kills a night of viewing.
In conclusion, eschew the dew! But enjoy the Scope! And enjoy my first credible astrophoto out of it.
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Jason Rader
member
Reged: 12/06/08
Posts: 50
Loc: Douglasville, GA
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Quote:
Sorry to hear about your experience. Let me tell you about mine. I heard about this excellent deal around Christmas, and immediately made the order thinking it was the company's gift to the world, a belief I hold to this very day. Initially, they sent me an email saying it shipped but to a different address. I replied "that's not my address" and they immediately caught it. It arrived on time, and coincidentally my birthday (no I didn't tell them). I assembled it, sighted in the finder scope against a power transformer a block away, and on first light got some excellent viewing. Everything was perfect. Tried the autostar and got immediate results using a car battery as power supply. My only regret was not ordering a dew shield and a couple different eyepieces. I made a dew shield out of a Trader-Joe's shopping bag that works great. Bought a barlow and a Orion Expanse 9mm local for pocket change, and it works great for terrestrial viewing and the moon so far, not so good on stars. What a sweet deal. Nobody has complained of the shopping bag covering the nice blue painted tube, they think it's cute. Had I got one that was not blue I don't think I would have known the difference. Because of |
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