GeorgeMc
journeyman
Reged: 02/05/09
Posts: 8
Loc: Belleville, NJ
|
|
I had my ETX-125PE in my hands exactly 1 month today. Used it about 4 times. Starting hearing a loud clicking noise when I was setting it up one night. Did everything to try and correct according to the manual, (resetting, etc)
It turns out the motor was defective and will not turn right. So I contacted the supplier where I purchased it from, and they kindy directed me to Meade's customer service. Meade had contacted me via email and telephone and set up for the scope to be repaired at their expense  . Just bummed out cuz the weather is getting better, and I have no scope for 4-6 weeks.
ugh
|
JT5
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/08/07
Posts: 576
Loc: Ozarks of Missouri
|
|
Rejoice, you are not alone. I ran into finder issues only two weeks after receiving my scope. My scope has been back for about a month now and working great now with a new finder. However, the finder is not aligned close enough to locate objects in the field of view and I found info in the manual that indicates that it is not uncommon, but a spiral search feature that should mitigate the issue. All I need now is some clear skies to try it out. Those did not come with the scope %$&#@!!
John
--------------------
My wife shares my love of the night skies and tolerates all of my other hobbies.
Televue Pronto w/Starbeam pointer and Televue tripod
Meade 2045D, ETX-125PE, 12" Lightbridge
Celestron: 7Amp PowerTank, 15X70mm binoculars
Meade, Swan and Televue Lenses (33, 26, 20, 15 & 9mm), Televue Barlow
Catsperch Observing Chair
Member: Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri
Edited by JT5 (03/20/09 08:58 AM)
|
Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3606
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
|
|
A new motor will fix it-- you can solve the finder not aligned issue by buying a low cost Rigel Quickfinder-- and using it instead of the stock finder. That's what I did.
Picture of ETX90 with Rigel Quickfinder mounted--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/boatman1/2145341118/
http://www.ehow.com/how_4785613_rigel-quickfinder-instead-of-finderscope.html article on Quickfinder
--------------------
LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, SV 80/9D & M4 mount, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, 20x80 binoculars, SV-BV3s-- www.texasastro.org
"Great minds discuss ideas;Average minds discuss events;Small minds discuss people." Unknown
|
teskridg
sage
Reged: 01/15/08
Posts: 278
Loc: PA
|
|
Quote:
Rejoice, you are not alone. I ran into finder issues only two weeks after receiving my scope. My scope has been back for about a month now and working great now with a new finder. However, the finder is not aligned close enough to locate objects in the field of view and I found info in the manual that indicates that it is not uncommon, but a spiral search feature that should mitigate the issue. All I need now is some clear skies to try it out. Those did not come with the scope %$&#@!!
John
Forget the finders that come with these scopes; buy a Telrad or a Rigel Quickfinder. I found these are not only more than adequate for alignment purposes, but also easy to use for starhopping if you want to bypass the goto.
--------------------
Tim Eskridge
CPC 800
Scopebuggy
Burgess Binoviewer Model 24
8mm Radian
11mm Nagler
15mm GTO
20mm Burgess binolite and Stellar
26mm Meade SP Series 4000
30mm Vixen NPL
|
JT5
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/08/07
Posts: 576
Loc: Ozarks of Missouri
|
|
Joe and Tim.
Thanks for the suggestions on alternate finders.
I bought the ETX-125PE primarily for its go to capability to use for star parties I host locally for my neighbors in a gated community. The computer aided go-to seems like a nice feature rather than manual pointing with the rigel or other options.
If I really wanted to put a different finder on the ETX, I already have a StarBeam finder on my Televue Pronto that pops on and off easily and can be used with or without the 90 degree mirror. I also have a red dot finder on the Lightbridge that could also be used just as easily.
I just really want to try the automatic spiral search feature before I give up that easily. All I need is a clear night.
Clear skies to all.
John
--------------------
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
|
Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3606
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
|
|
JT5-- it should not be making a "clicking" sound-- the spiral search works just fine when the object is just outside the field of view--
Hope Meade fixes it for you--
Clear Skies-
--------------------
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
|
GeorgeMc
journeyman
Reged: 02/05/09
Posts: 8
Loc: Belleville, NJ
|
|
From what Meade/Vincent Sanchez had told me, it is under warranty so all I had to do was pack it up, include a copy of the invoice and ship it back to them. Prob the best customer service I've seen in a very long time from a manufacturer.
Regarding the "clicking noise" it didn't matter what I did with it in any position. It just did not move right.
I've had my eye on the Antares 12.5x80mm or 8x50mm right angle correct image finder for a while now. I gotta find me a scopeshop somewhere that's close to me to and see them or any other one that you fine people are suggesting.
|
JT5
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/08/07
Posts: 576
Loc: Ozarks of Missouri
|
|
Joe...No clicking noise in my scope.
I spoke to Meade the other day about the offset between the RDFinder and optical tube (even after I had the finder pushed to the limit with the adjusting screws. Meade suggested removing (very carefully) the screws and springs and move them around. They implied this frequently corrects the problem. The internal fiber optic cable that carries the "light" from the laser diode to the output port on the finder (aimed at the lens) is my major concern in trying their suggestion. I thought I was being careful in doing this with the original RDF and ripped the fiber optic cable loose from the top section.
Meade did graciously replace the red dot finder at no cost. But it cost me six weeks without the scope.
John
--------------------
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
|
Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3606
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
|
|
JT-- my LX90 did the same thing the first time I changed the battery-- fiber optic cable came off-- BUT I just went an bought a regular Telrad and use it on the LX90 and use a Rigel Quickfinder on the ETX --- I removed the springs from HELL and the finder --- now I can change the battery in about 1 minute.
Here is a picture with the Rigel Quickfinder mounted on the ETX --
http://www.flickr.com/photos/boatman1/2145341118/
--------------------
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
|
bonorden
newbie
Reged: 03/25/09
Posts: 3
|
|
My experience with Meade's customer service wasn't nearly as good as others. I recently purchased a used ETX-105PE. It looked to be in perfect condition when it arrived in the mail. However upon turning it on, the autostar detected a motor malfunction (don't remember the exact wording). I contacted Meade and the first customer service agent said that they have never made this model???? I asked for his supervisor who acknowledged they have discontinued this model and no longer provide service for it. I would have to purchase a new scope!!??!! Thinking I had nothing to lose, I opened up the bottom of the motor casing and quickly discovered the power connector came loose from one of the motors (probably during the mailing).
Back in business, but no thanks to Meade. I know this unit hasn't been manufactured in multiple years, but I believe the support should be around for a little longer than this...
|
rollout
member
Reged: 03/25/08
Posts: 85
Loc: Broken Arrow, OK
|
|
My 125PE is in the shop too. However mine was caused by the bad download from the Meade site that hammered my handset. I sent the handset back to them (2 days later Weasner's site had info on how to back it out yourself) and got a replacement (after 3 weeks).
Upon return it still wasn't right and they wanted the handset AND scope to check them both out.
I was very near the end of warranty, so I figured I'd have them check it all out anyway. Now 3 weeks into the WAIT......zzzzz
HOWEVER....silly ME...I am thinking about getting the new Meade LS (hopefully I can sell my "old" 125).
Bill
--------------------
Meade ETX-125PE
Purchased 4/7/8...I am a newbie
|
JT5
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/08/07
Posts: 576
Loc: Ozarks of Missouri
|
|
Information about Meade is more meaningful if you look at their financials, and recent history of management turnover.
John
--------------------
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
|
Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3606
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
|
|
rollout-- you could have done a FLASH LOAD on the hand controller to fix the firmware-- press the ENTER key and the Scroll Down arrow key at the same time-- this puts the controller into a "safe" load mode-- and then just upload the new firmware again.
Hope Meade has fixed the crazy firmware download using Autostar off the web---- ???? It will crash regular 497 hand controllers.
--------------------
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
|
rollout
member
Reged: 03/25/08
Posts: 85
Loc: Broken Arrow, OK
|
|
My handset wouldn't even power on after the download. At least none of the lights came on. Would ENTER SCROLL worked then?
Bill
--------------------
Meade ETX-125PE
Purchased 4/7/8...I am a newbie
|
GeorgeMc
journeyman
Reged: 02/05/09
Posts: 8
Loc: Belleville, NJ
|
|
Finally got my scope back today.. Will test out tomorrow to see if all is ok.. 
|
StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13794
Loc: CyberSpace
|
|
Quote:
My experience with Meade's customer service wasn't nearly as good as others. I recently purchased a used ETX-105PE. It looked to be in perfect condition when it arrived in the mail. However upon turning it on, the autostar detected a motor malfunction (don't remember the exact wording). I contacted Meade and the first customer service agent said that they have never made this model???? I asked for his supervisor who acknowledged they have discontinued this model and no longer provide service for it. I would have to purchase a new scope!!??!! Thinking I had nothing to lose, I opened up the bottom of the motor casing and quickly discovered the power connector came loose from one of the motors (probably during the mailing).
Back in business, but no thanks to Meade. I know this unit hasn't been manufactured in multiple years, but I believe the support should be around for a little longer than this...
I called Meade and asked if they still service the ETX-105. The Meade rep said they do service the ETX-105 but not the optics.
--------------------
Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's 
|
Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3606
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
|
|
ENTER-- Scroll down might have worked-- for a flash re-load--
Turn off the power-- hold down both keys and turn it on
--------------------
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
|
JT5
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/08/07
Posts: 576
Loc: Ozarks of Missouri
|
|
I MAY have found the problem with the LNT. One of the mounting bolts that attaches the LNT to the scope was slightly loose and allowed the LNT shift its alignment such that no amount of turning would get the red dot even close to the target. I shifted the LNT and now can get the red dot centered. This should resolve some of the pointing issue IF we could only get some clear skies. ( I did all of the tests and adjustments to date in daylight sighted on a telephone pole about 1/4 mile away.)
John
--------------------
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
|
GeorgeMc
journeyman
Reged: 02/05/09
Posts: 8
Loc: Belleville, NJ
|
|
YAY! My scope is working fine!   
|
nytecam
Postmaster
Reged: 08/20/05
Posts: 5748
Loc: London UK
|
|
is that your best title for this thread  or 'normal' speak 
--------------------
Nytecam 51N 0.1W
Meade 30cm LX200+ETX-70+e-finder+C8+Ha+CaK PSTs SBIG SGS+homebuilt spectrographs
Starlight SXVF_M9+Lodestar CCDs/Canon 300D DSLR/Fuji E550
My observatory build-ETX-70 imaging-my videos
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
[Re: 