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jcrew
member


Reged: 08/07/08
Posts: 81
Loc: Mechanicsville, VA.
ETX90ra...interesting
      #2694436 - 10/12/08 09:35 AM

So I bought my ETX90ra over 10 years ago and used it sparingly because it was a bit of a pain (table to tripod...crazy controls for tracking...etc.). But I recently took it out again because I have found a new project on how to make it more friendly. Now, if you have helped/read my autostar posts, you know I am still learning the goto stuff, but i'm getting there (tinkering and learning is half the fun!). Anyway, if you have an old ETX90ra sitting around collecting dust because its not goto, try this link.....

http://www.weasner.com/etx/techtips/2007/etx90-ds2000.html

I found a DS2080 on ebay for $99.99. Mounted my ETX90 OTA and it seems to work pretty good. I will eventually get this Autostar thing worked out, but I am just happy that my scope is finding new life!

Anyway, thought it might help some of us poor people during these tough economic times.

Thanks,
Brad

--------------------
Mead ETXX90 on a DS-2080 mount
Orion Skyquest XT10i with a Rigel Quickfinder
40mm, 25mm, 10mm Plossl & 2x Barlow


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violini
member


Reged: 10/03/08
Posts: 24
Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
Re: ETX90ra...interesting new [Re: jcrew]
      #2694802 - 10/12/08 01:22 PM

I too am looking for a DS2000 mount and tripod. There are tripods on eBay but no mount.

--------------------
Own two poor man's Questar:ETX90 RA


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jcrew
member


Reged: 08/07/08
Posts: 81
Loc: Mechanicsville, VA.
Re: ETX90ra...interesting new [Re: violini]
      #2694931 - 10/12/08 02:43 PM

Try this link for DS mount...it is 150.00

http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=589701

Then look at this idea, but you might have to research the width of the opening between the forks.

http://www.weasner.com/etx/techtips/ds_mount.html

Hope this helps???

Thanks,
Brad

--------------------
Mead ETXX90 on a DS-2080 mount
Orion Skyquest XT10i with a Rigel Quickfinder
40mm, 25mm, 10mm Plossl & 2x Barlow


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violini
member


Reged: 10/03/08
Posts: 24
Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
Re: ETX90ra...interesting new [Re: jcrew]
      #2695007 - 10/12/08 03:44 PM

jcrew, thanks for the link. The newer DS II mount is probably more desirable such as used on DS2090 Mak and DS2130 reflecter. Anyway, I am not in a hurry. I am happy with my ETX90 RA on a photo tripod mainly for terrestrial viewing and occasional star gazing. One question I often ask myself is: why would I need the capability of viewing 14,000 objects in the sky while my little tube can only see 14. This is like in the old days the department store scopes boast only the big magnifications. The quality of the optics is more important to me; I can live without GOTO.
Also read this:

http://www.weasner.com/etx/observations/2006/ds2090.html

I think I would rather get a #884 tripod instead of flimsy DS mount.

--------------------
Own two poor man's Questar:ETX90 RA

Edited by violini (10/12/08 05:03 PM)


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jcrew
member


Reged: 08/07/08
Posts: 81
Loc: Mechanicsville, VA.
Re: ETX90ra...interesting new [Re: violini]
      #2695194 - 10/12/08 05:58 PM

Yeah, it is not a great mount, but it does satisfy me until I can get a nice Orion mount (Atlas or Sirius) with a different scope for imaging. Plus it has allowed me to dust off the ol'ETX...:). Plus after being out of the hobby for a number of years it is allowing me to get my feet wet with gotos. Anyway, I will keep my eyes peeled on ebay and see if I come across either a 2090 or 2130. Be sure to checkout astromat as well.

--------------------
Mead ETXX90 on a DS-2080 mount
Orion Skyquest XT10i with a Rigel Quickfinder
40mm, 25mm, 10mm Plossl & 2x Barlow


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violini
member


Reged: 10/03/08
Posts: 24
Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
Re: ETX90ra...interesting new [Re: jcrew]
      #2697804 - 10/13/08 11:46 PM

There are two DS2000 mount/tripod on eBay now. As a causal star gazer, I am happy with the old RA setup. If I want a GOTO scope, I would up-grade to ETX90PE. (I remember both mounts were listed 3 or 4 weeks ago; they didn't sell.)

--------------------
Own two poor man's Questar:ETX90 RA

Edited by violini (10/14/08 12:15 AM)


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stefanj
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 11/15/07
Posts: 1289
Loc: Western New York State
Re: ETX90ra...interesting new [Re: violini]
      #2746928 - 11/11/08 07:46 PM

I think the 2130 mount is going to be to big (ring wise as the 2130 newt is a 5.1" scope) I have one of these and I can't figure out how to mount the ETX to it (plus my daughter won't let "daddy" tear her scope apart again)

--------------------
Life is a circus- and I'm stuck in the FREAK TENT


If these are blue- it means the moon is full!
Meade ETX 90RA w/ tripod
Meade AZ 70
Meade DS 2130 AT
Zhumell 10" Dob
Zhumell Plossel EP and Filter set
Simmons 10x50 Binoculars
GLPx6
LPI


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jgraham
Postmaster
*****

Reged: 12/02/04
Posts: 5330
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
Re: ETX90ra...interesting new [Re: stefanj]
      #2747629 - 11/12/08 07:40 AM

I really liked the mount on my DS-2130, before I bought my LXD75 SN6 I even used it for some basic imaging. I made a set of spacing rings so I could mount smaller OTAs in the clam shell. I suspect you could make an 'L' bracket to replace the clamp. Eventually I cheated; I bought a DSX-90 which is an ETX-90 OTA on a DS-2000 mount. I saw that Meade is sellng the DSX-105 on WalMart's web site using the new DS-2000 Mk II mounts.

--------------------
-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), DSI, LPI, Electronic Eyepiece, Phillips SPC900NC
Tasco 60mm Refractors


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stefanj
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 11/15/07
Posts: 1289
Loc: Western New York State
Re: ETX90ra...interesting new [Re: jgraham]
      #2748234 - 11/12/08 02:53 PM

DUH Never even thought of making spacers- hmmm wonder when the daughter is spending a weekend at grandmas??? Might just have to take her scope apart one more time!

--------------------
Life is a circus- and I'm stuck in the FREAK TENT


If these are blue- it means the moon is full!
Meade ETX 90RA w/ tripod
Meade AZ 70
Meade DS 2130 AT
Zhumell 10" Dob
Zhumell Plossel EP and Filter set
Simmons 10x50 Binoculars
GLPx6
LPI


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cnstarz
professor emeritus


Reged: 12/22/07
Posts: 538
Loc: Kentucky, USA
Re: ETX90ra...interesting new [Re: stefanj]
      #2748920 - 11/12/08 09:48 PM

This may be too expensive but looks like Orion is marketing a mount like you are describing... web page
Regards,

--------------------
Matt

Apogee 50mm BB scope
ETX-60 BB
Meade 70-az
5" DIY Newt (wip)
C6-N on CG-4 GEM
Gallery


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matthew2000tx
member


Reged: 12/14/06
Posts: 84
Loc: San Antonio, TX
Re: ETX90ra...interesting new [Re: jcrew]
      #2749141 - 11/13/08 12:06 AM

This is just like the Meade DSX... the only difference is the OTA on the DSX has a differ focuser. Here is a link on my equipment page on my website: Bottom Left

--------------------
<>< Matthew R.
www.geocities.com/astro2matt
www.freegift.net

*16" Meade Lightbridge (on Order delivery Date 11/20/08)
*10.1" f/4.5 Coulter Odyessy Dobsonian
*90mm Meade DSX Mak-Cass
*60mm Meade Refractor on Sears Discoverer EQ Mount
*60mm Tasco Refractor on Tasco EQ Mount


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