christurner
member
Reged: 06/24/08
Posts: 68
Loc: Nova Scotia, Canada
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Ok, I am getting tired of this...
1 - cannot get it to find stuff.
2 - been through it 100 times...
3 - a few questions. What should the GPS offsetr be. It was default at 13, I heard somewhere it should be 0???
4 - everytime I start the scope the Time on autostar say 8pm.. Is this correct??? should it not have some capability to keep internal time everytime I turn it on...??
5 - I am close to selling this thing...:(
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Chris and Family
Nova Scotia, Canada
Dark Sky Country
Platforms:
Meade LX200 ACF 12"
newstar 5.1" reflector
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NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 12070
Loc: Rockford Illinois
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Offset to Zero, although this is only seconds, and wouldn't account for much goto accuracy.
The scope should know the time once it gets the GPS reading. After it finishes it's thing, go into the handset and check the time. Compare with your local time. It should be either right, or off by 1 hour (If this is the case, your Time Zone is wrong (Daylight savings)).
FIRST thing you should do with the scope is Calibrate sensors, and Train drives. Train drives on a TERRESTRIAL object, far away. When doing it, only move the scope back to position without passing and reversing (You'll understand when you do it). If you pass and need to reverse, start again.
Last ditch effort would be to open the base, locate the small "Quarter sized" battery on the board, pull it out and check it with a meter to see if it's good, or dead. Replace if needed.
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Neo... (Jeff)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
 Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
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AstroTay
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/10/06
Posts: 946
Loc: Toronto, Canada
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Chris....is there an Astronomy Club in Nova Scotia? Do you have access to any other Amateur in the area? This might be a consideration as more experienced guys would be able to help and setup your scope for you.
Cheers.
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Meade 10"LX200R w UHTC "Ocean Liner Anne" + wireless Autostar II 
DSI Pro w CCD Color Filter Set
Celestron NexStar 102 SLT "SteamShip Anne"
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 Binoculars "Can-U Anne"
*New* Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D DSLR Camera Now Moded 
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Spoonsize
Vendor/Clothing
Reged: 08/27/04
Posts: 2184
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Set the scope up with the control panel facing south and with the OTA close to level and facing north.
Turn it on and let it do it's thing until you are sure it is finished.
Use the manual and the handbox to do a reset. After you push the reset button, and once again you are sure the handbox is finished, turn the scope off.
Reset the position of the OTA facing north and level if necessary. Turn the scope back on, let it find itself and level and find north, then push 0. The handbox and scope does NOT respond very quickly. After you push 0, set the handbox down and go have a cup of coffee. When you get back, it should be ready to do an alignment.
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Steve Durham
www.margesmonograms.com
(Marge made me do it)
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christurner
member
Reged: 06/24/08
Posts: 68
Loc: Nova Scotia, Canada
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Hi all, thank you for your comments. I appreciate them all.. Will try to get local help as suggested... thanks again...
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Chris and Family
Nova Scotia, Canada
Dark Sky Country
Platforms:
Meade LX200 ACF 12"
newstar 5.1" reflector
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christurner
member
Reged: 06/24/08
Posts: 68
Loc: Nova Scotia, Canada
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So Jeff, If I turn on the scope and choose 0 for align and let it do it's thing, and then check the time, it should read local time as I have daylight set to yes (as we are in daylight savings now here in Nocva Scotia....
If the scope says 8pm, then the battery is toast?????
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Chris and Family
Nova Scotia, Canada
Dark Sky Country
Platforms:
Meade LX200 ACF 12"
newstar 5.1" reflector
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AstroTay
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/10/06
Posts: 946
Loc: Toronto, Canada
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Quote:
So Jeff, If I turn on the scope and choose 0 for align and let it do it's thing, and then check the time, it should read local time as I have daylight set to yes (as we are in daylight savings now here in Nocva Scotia....
If the scope says 8pm, then the battery is toast?????
Chris....don't let the time be your nemesis. Leave the scope alone for awhile. There is a whole lot more you have to do when doing a RESET. You will have to CALIBRATE SENSORS all over again then do your AUTOALIGN.
Like I said....you really need to contact a local club....go here
http://halifax.rasc.ca/
or here
http://www.sji.ca/rasc/
You need someone with hands on experience to assist. They can tell you if the scope is a dud. You will then have to return it thru your local shop to Meade.
Best case scenario...the scope works and a club member can teach you to use the scope and show you the night sky.
Walla....you have a friend for life.
Clear Skies.
--------------------
Meade 10"LX200R w UHTC "Ocean Liner Anne" + wireless Autostar II
DSI Pro w CCD Color Filter Set
Celestron NexStar 102 SLT "SteamShip Anne"
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 Binoculars "Can-U Anne"
*New* Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D DSLR Camera Now Moded
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christurner
member
Reged: 06/24/08
Posts: 68
Loc: Nova Scotia, Canada
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astrotay, you are inspiring... I appreciate that so much...
Here is something interesting, when i turn the scope on and do nothin but check the time, the time says 08:00 pm, however if i then do an align automatic and let it do its stuff, then check the time then it is correct. Does this make sense???
And I have an astronomy friend coming over next weekend to give me a hand... once again, another life humbling experience... hmmm. astronomy is teaching me patience, thanks to all...
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Chris and Family
Nova Scotia, Canada
Dark Sky Country
Platforms:
Meade LX200 ACF 12"
newstar 5.1" reflector
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christurner
member
Reged: 06/24/08
Posts: 68
Loc: Nova Scotia, Canada
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The scope should know the time once it gets the GPS reading. After it finishes it's thing, go into the handset and check the time. Compare with your local time. It should be either right, or off by 1 hour (If this is the case, your Time Zone is wrong (Daylight savings)).
Hi Jeff, So I did this and the time appears correct after the GPS fix.. I feel better about that part now.. thank you...
The other question I have is around calibrating sensors and training drives... I WILL DO THIS FOR SURE.... If I did not do it, should say Jupiter be at least in the viewfinder? Now its at least two 2 handwidths away..... Maybe the difference will be made up by calibrating sensors and training.. thoughts???
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Chris and Family
Nova Scotia, Canada
Dark Sky Country
Platforms:
Meade LX200 ACF 12"
newstar 5.1" reflector
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NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 12070
Loc: Rockford Illinois
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The closer your alignment procedures are, and your calibration and training are, your GoTo's will be more and more accurate.
You ARE using a reticle EP for your alignement, right? Even SLIGHTLY off center on alignments will add up and make the calculations off on the scope. So GoTo's will be off also.
Once everything is aligned and setup right, you should at LEAST get the planets in the finder with the GoTo's, if not within the EP views.
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Neo... (Jeff)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
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Steve Hopkins
super member
Reged: 03/20/07
Posts: 155
Loc: Manitoba Canada
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My LX200R 12 did the same thing its says 8:00 PM but once the GPS is linked you hold down the MODE key for three seconds and you get RA and Dec coordinates scroll down and it shows the location and "Proper" time.
Once the GPS is linked it does adjust the time internally that how I found out my daylight saving time was on.
I was and hour out when I pressed the Mode key, I adjusted it and no more problems. Every time I hold down the mode key the time and location is exact and slewing to targets is a lot better
This is from Page Ten of the Manual Note: If MODE is pressed and held for two seconds or more, information about
the telescope's status displays. When the status displays, press the Scroll keys
(7, Fig. 2) to display the following information:
• Right Ascension and Declination (astronomical) coordinates
• Altitude (vertical) and Azimuth (horizontal) coordinates
• Local Time and Local Sidereal Time (LST)
• Timer and Alarm Status
• Date
• Site coordinates
• Battery status
Press MODE again to return to the previous menu.
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WinterView Observatory 12'x16'ft Roll-Off
Meade 12" LX200R (His)
Celestron CPC 9.25 (Her's)
Meade Series 5000 UWA (Complete Set)
Meade Series 5000 Plossl's (Complete Set)
Two sets of Denk 21's with Vaults
One set of Denk 14's with Vaults
Two sets of Denk II Binoveiwers (His & Hers)
Two Power & Switch Diagonals with Filter Switch
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Joseph Gillman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/06/05
Posts: 2342
Loc: Boothwyn, PA
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Don't leave the scope for a coffee nreak while it auto aligns. Especially if you have the habit of leaving the microfocuser cable plugged in!  *been there done that)
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Meade RCX400 30cm --
People dont like when I stick up for Meade but they're just jealous of my RCX 
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PGW Steve
professor emeritus
Reged: 10/03/06
Posts: 545
Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
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Agree with the calibrate sensors. My 10"R used to be lost till I did this. Do it BEFORE you do the alignment sequence, but after you have trained the drives.
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A-P 1200GTO - On the list for a Mach1GTO
14" LX200R OTA
FSQ106ED Tak .75 reducer +1.6 extender
WO Megrez 80mm 600mm triplet APO
WO ZenithStar 66 Triplet ED APO
EQ 6 PRO, HEQ-5 PRO
Astrotrac TT320, Manfrotto 475&488
DSI PRO II W/filters, Orion SSAG
Hutech 40D and Unmodded EOS 40D
16-35mm f2.8L II, 24-70mm f2.8L,70-200mm f2.8L IS 300mmf4.L, 400mmf5.6L
31T5,22T4,13E,9T6,8E,5T6,3.5T6
5’X8’ Wells Cargo trailer to haul it in!!!
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amstel78
sage
Reged: 12/21/07
Posts: 334
Loc: Manhattan
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Make sure you're facing magnetic north, not celestial north.
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-James
http://jamespaulsarte.com
Meade 8" LX200R
Mallincam Hyper+ Color
Orion ST-80A / iOptron GPS
Orion 100mm f/6 short tube
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NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 12070
Loc: Rockford Illinois
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Quote:
Make sure you're facing magnetic north, not celestial north.
Backwards... Celestial north is where you want it aligned. Magnetic north can be off by as much as 10 degrees depending on where you live.
--------------------
Neo... (Jeff)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
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Spoonsize
Vendor/Clothing
Reged: 08/27/04
Posts: 2184
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Don't get me wrong...I fully understand a need to calibrate sensors AND train the drives.
However, it is my impression that the new scope assemblies labeled "ACF", especially those that are brand new, should not need the procedures in order to align and track successfully. Like all the previous versions of the Goto LX200's there is a learning curve to climb even more so with the newer versions. It is fairly easy to get ahead of oneself with the ACF, mainly IMHO due to the slow response time from the handpaddle. It's pretty easy to press "0" and when nothing happens right away think there might be something amiss and start pressing other buttons. Been there, done that. I've also been in situations where the ONLY remedy was to do a reset, turn the scope off and start again. There has been NO need for me to retrain the drives, NOR calibrate after doing a reset with this ACF.
Your results may vary, I just wanted to straighten out what I perceived to be some misinterpretations of my earlier post.
Thanks,
Steve
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AstroTay
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/10/06
Posts: 946
Loc: Toronto, Canada
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Actually if you do a RESET....you should CALIBRATE SENSORS again. A RESET sets the scope back to factory settings and it thinks its back at the Meade factory. Actually...when a RESET is done...you have to tell the scope that it is a 8", 10" etc scope back again along with the Focal Length.
At least that is the procedure I go thru.
Clear Skies.
--------------------
Meade 10"LX200R w UHTC "Ocean Liner Anne" + wireless Autostar II
DSI Pro w CCD Color Filter Set
Celestron NexStar 102 SLT "SteamShip Anne"
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 Binoculars "Can-U Anne"
*New* Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D DSLR Camera Now Moded
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Kolenka
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/01/08
Posts: 600
Loc: Seattle Area, WA, USA
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AstroTay is right. When you reset, you must re-run the following at a minimum:
- Calibrate Drives
- Train Drives
- Calibrate Sensors (at night)
All the previous calibration data is wiped in a reset, and so it needs to be set again. The drive training makes sure that the scope actually slews 6 degrees when it wants to slew 6 (instead of too much or too little), and the calibrate sensors actually calibrates the magnetic compass in the scope. Without that being calibrated, an alt/az auto-align will always be off to some degree, because it didn't convert the reading for magnetic north into true north correctly.
--------------------
Meade 10" LX200R
Orion 80ED
Nagler 7T6, 9T6, 13T6, 17T4, 26T5
Canon XSi (Modded), TIS DMK 31AF03
Northwest Astro Photoblog
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amstel78
sage
Reged: 12/21/07
Posts: 334
Loc: Manhattan
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Quote:
Quote:
Make sure you're facing magnetic north, not celestial north.
Backwards... Celestial north is where you want it aligned. Magnetic north can be off by as much as 10 degrees depending on where you live.
It didn't work for me that way. I tried aligning to celestial north (OTA pointed towards Polaris), and my LX200R was way off in terms of target acquisition. Realign using magnetic north, and everything worked fine. Accuracy was within a couple of arc seconds.
Mind you, I'm just referring to the positioning of the base. I would calibrate sesnors to Polaris as accurately as possible.
--------------------
-James
http://jamespaulsarte.com
Meade 8" LX200R
Mallincam Hyper+ Color
Orion ST-80A / iOptron GPS
Orion 100mm f/6 short tube
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NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 12070
Loc: Rockford Illinois
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Make sure you're facing magnetic north, not celestial north.
Backwards... Celestial north is where you want it aligned. Magnetic north can be off by as much as 10 degrees depending on where you live.
It didn't work for me that way. I tried aligning to celestial north (OTA pointed towards Polaris), and my LX200R was way off in terms of target acquisition. Realign using magnetic north, and everything worked fine. Accuracy was within a couple of arc seconds.
Mind you, I'm just referring to the positioning of the base. I would calibrate sesnors to Polaris as accurately as possible.
Odd since the Magnetic Declination of Manhattan is 13° 10' West... Meaning that if you use a compas to set up the scope, your actually 13 degrees OFF from the celestial pole.
And remember, Polaris is NOT the celestial pole... It's just close.
You can check your declination offset here:
http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomagmodels/struts/calcDeclination
Also, referring to the base, yeah... You want the faceplate facing roughly south... But since we're talking about alignment in this thread, you stating "Facing magnetic north" is a bit deceiving... This is why I jumped in, trying to clear that up.
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Neo... (Jeff)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
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christurner
member
Reged: 06/24/08
Posts: 68
Loc: Nova Scotia, Canada
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man you guys are good,,, and you know wha't scary. I'm starting to understand what was said...
--------------------
Chris and Family
Nova Scotia, Canada
Dark Sky Country
Platforms:
Meade LX200 ACF 12"
newstar 5.1" reflector
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safetychain
member
Reged: 10/07/08
Posts: 24
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Greetings, I am a 1st time shopper for a telescope and am considering a Meade 12" LX200 ACF as a potential best bang for the buck.
The scope will be used at home and will make a couple trips a year to the grand parents home a few hours away.
Myself, my partner and our 3 kids, ages 7, 14 & 15 will be the users. None of us have any past experience with a scope.
Image quality, range and ease of use I believe will be paramount to keeping their interest.
Any thoughts if I am looking at the right scope or should I be considering alternatives.
Thank you in advance from Eastern Canada.
Troy
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Joseph Gillman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/06/05
Posts: 2342
Loc: Boothwyn, PA
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Troy. Yes. Consider something smaller! The 8" or 10" will be much easier to set up and take down or take on long trips to grandma's house!
--------------------
Meade RCX400 30cm --
People dont like when I stick up for Meade but they're just jealous of my RCX
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Spoonsize
Vendor/Clothing
Reged: 08/27/04
Posts: 2184
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That is one school of thought, Joseph, and if I were in business to sell telescopes I'd want you on my sales staff.
Me? I like to suggest the opposite. That a person purchase the biggest and most expensive telescope they can manage. For MOST of us, shortly after our initial purchase, aperture fever kicks in, and some of us will run right out and purchase a larger scope while others will suffer with the disease until they can afford to purchase the cure.
While a 12 inch telescope is a tad on the hefty side, and does take up more room during transportation, it looks like there are suitable family members to help setup and teardown of the Telescope. So, it is my opinion that the larger scope, if affordable is the better choice.
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Steve Durham
www.margesmonograms.com
(Marge made me do it)
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NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 12070
Loc: Rockford Illinois
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It's been said a lot here on CN...
"The best telescope is the one that gets USED!"
Those words are quite important to remember. I'll give you MY example.
I had that original feeling to spend MOST of my budget on the biggest, more complex system I could get at the time... I got a 10" LX200. Since getting it, I've had it out and used it only about 20 or so times... I've had it for almost 4 years now!
The problem is, after a few times setting it up, I realized just how much work it was to set up. It takes me about 45 minutes to get the scope out and set up to use, so when I peak out and see clear skies, it's not an easy trek...
Also, at the time (and still now), my main aspect was/is to do imaging. Imaging with this setup is a whole new ballgame.
If I were to do it again, with the same budget, I would have gone a completely different route and gotten myself an ED80 and ED66 mounted on a GEM (Atlas), as well as a nice Alt/Az for quick grab-n-go setups for those unexpected clear skies. And after all that, I would still have money in my budget to get several of those nice EP's that I'm STILL wanting.
That was my thoughts on what "I" would have done different... For my "Suggestion" for Troy is NOT to get the BIG SCT. Firstly, the height of the Eyepiece alone will require something to stand on for some of the kids (Unless you're raising future Basketball stars!) I know this because I often get my neighbors kids wanting to view, and the ONLY things I can show them are at the Zenith, and even then, the youngest needs to be held up to the EP by her father!
Since you're mentioning a 12" SCT, that gives a good idea of the budget you're looking at, so with that, I would suggest getting an 8-10" Dob. Nice aperture, easy to set up and use, and the eyepiece height is within reach of most children. The lower cost will enable you to get sever EP's, a good Barlow, books, etc... And still have money left over. As the kids get older, you'll know how their interest progresses, and can "Upgrade" if you so desire at that time.
--------------------
Neo... (Jeff)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
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Rick Woods
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 4301
Loc: Inner Solar System
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Troy,
Jeff is right on. That 12" is a monster. An 8" scope has so many advantages for a new astronomer:
- 8" is a serious scope, and will keep you happy literally for decades.
- It's relatively easy and quick to set up
- The hassle of setting up the 12" will really tend to sour you on astronomy.
- The 8" will store out of the way.
- If you end up losing interest, you don't have this behemoth sitting in your living room.
- You'll see all the neatest stuff really well at 8" (the Ring Nebula, the Hercules Cluster, Mars, Saturn, etc.)
- For imaging, the 8" may actually be better.
- The kids will be jazzed by it just as well as a bigger one.
- 8" will pack in the car easily for camping, etc.
- If you end up going to a larger scope, the 8" will always have a useful place in your astro-arsenel. I'd never get rid of mine!
I could go on. But do yourself a BIG favor, and believe us: as a first-ever scope, a 12" is not the way to go.
--------------------
- Rick
14" LX200GPS
8" Meade 826C
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christurner
member
Reged: 06/24/08
Posts: 68
Loc: Nova Scotia, Canada
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I have a 12" as my second scope and to be honest now that i have gotten over the learning curve it's great. HOWEVER, I have an observatory and have no intentions of moving it except for the one star party a year I go to..... also consider, since we both live in atlantic Canada, WINTER !!! .Have you ever tried manouvering such a monster with all the ice and slush we get regularlry. NOT ALOT OF FUN. If you plan on moving it around, why not consider a DOB?? And final note...as Neodidian said.. The best telescope is the one that gets USED.... as long as it's not for a clothes dryer..:)... Where in Atlantic Canada?
--------------------
Chris and Family
Nova Scotia, Canada
Dark Sky Country
Platforms:
Meade LX200 ACF 12"
newstar 5.1" reflector
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Rick Woods
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 4301
Loc: Inner Solar System
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Chris,
The only thing is, Troy is brand new at the hobby, and wants to get his kids interested. They'll get bored pretty quickly if he has trouble finding stuff with a dob. An 8" SCT with goto would help a lot in this respect. Dobs are more for folks who really want to get out and "roll their own".
--------------------
- Rick
14" LX200GPS
8" Meade 826C
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snowdragonusa
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/04/07
Posts: 637
Loc: Denver, CO
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I agree - a 6" or 8" SCT GoTo or even a 4" or 5" refractor Goto would be a great choice to start out. Not too much invested but very good views to get the family interested.
By the way... if you haven't done so already, see if there is a local Astro Club in your area and attend one of their public outreach nights with your kids. This will give you a great idea if they will be passively interested or truly engaged.
Cheers!
--------------------
Adam
12" LX200R
AT80mm piggyback
DSI Pro, DSI-C, LPI
Denver Astronomical Society
Brighton Astronomical Group
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