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shelley
member
Reged: 03/08/09
Posts: 54
Loc: Massachusetts, USA
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Hi, I am new to Cloudy nights, earlier today I purchased a used ETX-125EC and was wondering if there is an easy (or not so easy) way to collimate this scope. I did a few searches on Google but so far I have not been able to find any info on collimating Mak-CT..
The person who I bought it from said the scope has been sitting in a closet for over 6 years, what is the likelyhood that its out of alignment? - Oh yeah I am just getting into astronomy so I am not very experienced with telescopes.
Thanks..!
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Zhumell Z10 deluxe Dobsonian-
Meade ETX-125EC Maksutov Cassegrain-
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brianb11213
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/25/09
Posts: 2090
Loc: 55.215N 6.554W
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Leave it alone, these scopes are not designed to be collimated by users. In any case, with Maks, the secondary is simply an aluminized spot & cannot be adjusted independently of the corrector plate.
If the scope shows symmetric images of a star just inside & outside focus in a high power eyepiece it is collimated well enough. Going out of collimation is not likely unless the scope has been dismantled or subjected to a heavy impact.
Edited by brianb11213 (05/17/09 04:05 AM)
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Rob_G
sage
Reged: 10/12/06
Posts: 247
Loc: Syracuse, NY
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Brian is absolutely right. The scope should not need to be collimated. If it does, then you'll need to send it in for repair. But don't worry. I'm sure it is fine. Meade Maks have their share of problems, but those problems are usually not related to the optics.
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Rob
Bausch & Lomb Legacy 10x50
Meade ETX 125-AT
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JT5
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/08/07
Posts: 576
Loc: Ozarks of Missouri
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Shelly, a Mak is not like a Dobson or other reflector that requires frequent collimation.
They hold collimation extremely well for extremely long periods of time. As indicated by BrianB and Rob DO NOT EVEN TRY. They are great small, portable, high power instruments to use and enjoy.
I hope you have also checked for local Astronomy clubs in your area in Massachusetts.
I lived in Mass and RI for about 35 years before I retired and returned to Missouri. Now I get to enjoy seeing the MilkyWay on any clear night from my back yard overlooking a 54 acre lake and two golf courses nearby including a championship course within 3 miles. Golf today, telescopes tonight.
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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shelley
member
Reged: 03/08/09
Posts: 54
Loc: Massachusetts, USA
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Great to know that Maks don't need collimation or at least not often. I will not touch it!  The reason I asked is because I couln't help to insert my laser collimator to see if I got a centered returned beam and I didn't it was way off but I don't even know if this is the correct way to check for collimation on a Mak.
Since it was cloudy I set the scope on my deck and looked a roof about 1,000 ft away and was able to observe great detail on the roof tiles so all the optics seem to be fine for daytime observing. I can't wait for tomorrow night when it clears up.
Oh the optics seem a little dusty - the front glass cover needs cleaning it has a lot of finger prints on it, also
the focuser looks dusty on the inside where the right angle is.
any recommendations on the best way to clean it?
Thanks..!
John, sounds like you live on a great location for golf and astronomy!,
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Zhumell Z10 deluxe Dobsonian-
Meade ETX-125EC Maksutov Cassegrain-
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4561
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Quote:
Hi, I am new to Cloudy nights, earlier today I purchased a used ETX-125EC and was wondering if there is an easy (or not so easy) way to collimate this scope. I did a few searches on Google but so far I have not been able to find any info on collimating Mak-CT..
The person who I bought it from said the scope has been sitting in a closet for over 6 years, what is the likelyhood that its out of alignment? - Oh yeah I am just getting into astronomy so I am not very experienced with telescopes.
Thanks..!
It is possible to collimate them, but it ain't fun. For someone new to telescopes the possibilities for disaster would be real.
First step is to verify that it is in or out of collimation.
Observe the diffraction rings of a just slightly out of focus star (Polaris is good) in the center of a high power eyepiece. Are the rings concentric, like a little bullseye? I'll bet they are, and if they are no collimation is required.
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Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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Arthur Dent
Galactic Hitch-Hiker
Reged: 10/23/08
Posts: 1177
Loc: South Yorkshire, UK
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Hi Shelley
You have made a good purchase there - the ETX-125 EC is a great little scope (I have its baby brother, the 105 EC).
Cleaning the corrector plate is best done as rarely and as carefully as possible. Whatever you do, read the link below FIRST.
This site tells you how to clean the corrector.
As far as the flip mirror goes, anyone know of a "safe" way to do this? Personally, I think I'd leave it well alone unless it was verging on the unusable. I would think (because it is surface-silvered) that a dirty flip mirror is more problematic.
Art
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If I like it, the wife says that we can't afford it!
=======================================================
Meade ETX105 (a nice "Grab & Go" scope) & Celestron NexStar 6SE with Bob's Knobs.
Various EP's from 6mm to 26mm, Baader Hyperion 8-24mm Zoom, a 2x Barlow, 2" diagonal and 7Ah PowerTank.
MRF and Antares 8x50 RACI finder scope - both for the 6SE's OTA, whilst the ETX gets a plain RDF.
Canon EOS 400D DSLR (un-modded) and SPC900 webcam. Finally climbing the AP Learning Curve!
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Mak2007
sage
Reged: 06/24/07
Posts: 356
Loc: MD
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Hi Shelley,
I am also newbie, with 2 years of enjoyment of my ETX-125. I also agree with the others, don't try to collimate it. For sure your ETX is fine. The Maksutov design is very robust and don't need special maintenance. This was one of the conditions that Dimitri Maksutov was looking at when he designed it; he wanted to produce a rugged telescope for schools ( link)
You may want to take a look to Mike Weasner's website , here you will find all the information that you need about the ETX. You can also ask him questions about this or other issues.
Finally, I don't know how much set up you have for the ETX, but at least for me, probably one of the most essentials accessories you need is a dew shield. There are cheap ones available in the market that will do the work.
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10x50 Nikon Action Ex
ETX-125PE
L. Henzl Konig 24mm, 16mm Brandon, 12/9/7/5mm TMB Supermonocentrics
For my wife: 24mm Hyperion, 12/8.5 Pentax XF
My workhorses: 32/24/16/12(Zebra) U.O. Konig II
Barlows 2x TV, 2.8x Klee
"Don't worry about what telescope you own, or its quality. Just get out under the night sky, and enjoy God's wondrous universe." Thomas M. Back
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CounterWeight
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/05/08
Posts: 1290
Loc: PDX chronoplast
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I'd say forgo all the testing... unless your experienced star testing and etc on the scope type - and skip to doing the visual, in focus, test. That's the one that really matters If all not well then you'll have something to shoot at. Second the dew/light shield suggestion and you can make your own with construction paper and tape for very little time and $$
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- 
CGE (Frankenmount mod.)
Onyx 80ED, Tak FS-128 #02058, TEC APO160ED #030
CCD: Orion SSPDSCIv2, SSI3, SSAG
diags, ep's, tubes, filters, Binocs
My CN Image Gallery
Experience is a difficult teacher, it gives the test first, and gives the lesson later
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13787
Loc: CyberSpace
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Final Collimation of the ETX optics is performed while the OTA is assembled at the Meade factory.. 
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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: 6751
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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Yep, the telescope was aligned at the factory and set by fixing the alignment screws with adhesive. To get to the screws you have to take the telescope apart. Also, laser collimators don't work with MCT's and SCT's, the only easy way to check the alignment is with a star test. The good news is I've never seen an ETX that was out of alignment, so chances are you're in good shape.
Enjoy the 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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Arthur Dent
Galactic Hitch-Hiker
Reged: 10/23/08
Posts: 1177
Loc: South Yorkshire, UK
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Shelley
A further thought.
How are you powering your scope? GoTo scopes simply EAT alkaline cells, so either use a REGULATED 12V mains adapter OR a 12V battery pack - like Celestron/SkyWatcher's Power Tank.
When the voltage dips much below 12v, GoTo scopes become somewhat erratic in their operation.
Art
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If I like it, the wife says that we can't afford it!
=======================================================
Meade ETX105 (a nice "Grab & Go" scope) & Celestron NexStar 6SE with Bob's Knobs.
Various EP's from 6mm to 26mm, Baader Hyperion 8-24mm Zoom, a 2x Barlow, 2" diagonal and 7Ah PowerTank.
MRF and Antares 8x50 RACI finder scope - both for the 6SE's OTA, whilst the ETX gets a plain RDF.
Canon EOS 400D DSLR (un-modded) and SPC900 webcam. Finally climbing the AP Learning Curve!
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shelley
member
Reged: 03/08/09
Posts: 54
Loc: Massachusetts, USA
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I haven't tried the go to feature of the scope yet, I plan on doing this later on this evening. I think I will get a 12VDC power adapter for the go to feature. In addition to the go to remote I got another one that says focus and it has joystick like controller buttons but not a display. I assume this one is for controlling the motors manually? I could not ask too many questions because the lady I bought it from knew nothing about it. The scope had belonged to her ex-husband who has been gone for a few years.
So it was a bundle of different items including some eye pieces and filters. Anyhow I appreciate the links and the info provided. I am glad we have our own dedicated ETX forum..!
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Zhumell Z10 deluxe Dobsonian-
Meade ETX-125EC Maksutov Cassegrain-
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Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3600
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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Did you get a manual with the telescope? If not-- Meade has the manuals on-line for free download here--
http://www.meade.com/manuals/index.html
You will need to TRAIN the drives before you can do accurate GOTOs -- this can be done during the daytime using a paper target(tacked to a tree or fence) a good distance away from the scope.
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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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jgraham
Postmaster
Reged: 12/02/04
Posts: 6751
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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The EC (Electronic Controller) version came with a simple hand controller that did not have any GoTo functions and I suspect that's the original controller it came with. If the other controller has a numeric keypad that either a #945 controller (and I think they're labeled that way) or a #497 (which I think is just labeled "Meade Autostar"). When the Autostar controller is added it essentially upgrades the EC version to an AT version (Autostar Telescope). So what you've got is an ETX-125EC that' been upgraded to an ETX-125AT.
Using a 120VAC/12VDC power supply or a jumpstart battery is a good idea. The ETX runs okay on the internal AA cells, but it really hums along nicely with a stable power supply.
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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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shelley
member
Reged: 03/08/09
Posts: 54
Loc: Massachusetts, USA
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Yes you are correct, I have a box with a brand new #497 autostar controller. I just tested the hand controller and it looks to be operating properly.
The Autostar initialized but just too complex to know if it is working properly. I suspect it is...
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Zhumell Z10 deluxe Dobsonian-
Meade ETX-125EC Maksutov Cassegrain-
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John Carruthers
Skiprat
Reged: 02/02/07
Posts: 2269
Loc: Kent, UK
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Excellent scope, the only problem we see regularly (apart from abuse) is with the focus mechanism when the threaded focus bezel pops out of the backplate but they're easily fixed. The optics are adjustable but just because you can doesn't mean you should. I've never seen one badly miscollimated. Take the time to train the drives and it will give years of pleasure. Did you get the tripod with it? if not they're worth getting, loads of etx extras and gadgets on the market.
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Jc
ATM 10" F6.1, 1/25th wave spec (max wavefront error +/- 1/12.6 in zone 4 of 6, sodium light )
6" F7 spec
127mm F9.4 Refractor
10 x 50 bin
ETX80 (finder)
Canon 20D
PST
DSI 1
and a curious mind
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Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3600
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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Great-- with the 497 controller you have a really nice goto scope!
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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pillguy
member
Reged: 04/25/09
Posts: 22
Loc: Houston, TX
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When was the ETX-125 EC manufactured? What range of dates?
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Nexstar 6SE
10" Meade Lightbridge
Orion Expanse 15mm EP
Shorty Barlow
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JT5
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/08/07
Posts: 576
Loc: Ozarks of Missouri
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Shelley:
No one else has mentioned it but there is a great website for ETX users that has tons of helpful information. Go to Weasner's Mighty ETX site. Be sure and read the section by Dr. Clay Sherrod.
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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