jgraham
Postmaster
Reged: 12/02/04
Posts: 6758
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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To have a telescope do all the things the LS does all by itself is pretty amazing now that we're hearing that it actually works. In a prior life I wrote software to get computers to automatically detect, mark, and integrate peaks in chromatographic data and I was amazed at how complex the logic had to be to get a computer to do something we find obvious; it's a credit to how we easily process visual information. If I recall right my LNT only takes about 3 minutes to align itself and ask be to center the first alignment star; so the LNT is almost an LS with respect to its alignment logic (minus all the other nifty stuff), but with me doing the hard part. For the LS to locate the right alignment star and center it on its own is pretty slick. It'll be interesting to hear how long it actually takes, but even 10-15 minutes isn't bad for a completely automatic set up. Even with my LNT I just tell it to start the alignment process, then go inside and finish bringing out my gear and by the time I'm ready to go so is the scope.
Neat stuff.
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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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brianshodge
member
Reged: 05/15/09
Posts: 27
Loc: Long Beach, California
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What I think would be interesting to find out is just how many stars the LS can align itself to. When I did my alignment with it over the weekend it chose Arcturus, Dubhe and Spica in that order. Dubhe was obstructed each time. One attempt of four alignments was successful. The three other attempts using the LS ended when it could not successfully align on Spica. So that is only three stars that it used for its procedure before it gave up. Does anyone have information on what stars your scope used?
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LX90 ACF 8"
ETX-LS 6"
Meade DSI II
Canon Rebel XSI
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pkingroch
newbie
Reged: 04/30/09
Posts: 3
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If the scope fails in aligning itself, can you align it manually?
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brianshodge
member
Reged: 05/15/09
Posts: 27
Loc: Long Beach, California
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pkingroch,
Yes, you can still use other alignment methods.
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LX90 ACF 8"
ETX-LS 6"
Meade DSI II
Canon Rebel XSI
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pepper
journeyman
Reged: 06/17/09
Posts: 9
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I remember it being in the 8 minute range but I guess we'll know for sure when someone tests it
anyone use the SD card slot, as I bought a SD card and does not fit in the slot? I read on the website it sometimes says micro SD, but micro sd seems way to small to me ?
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nytecam
Postmaster
Reged: 08/20/05
Posts: 5750
Loc: London UK
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Quote:
but even 10-15 minutes isn't bad for a completely automatic set up.
I'd hope it's quicker than that - I'd be totally bored after 5min and all that wasted battery power NOT viewing  Glad I've learnt my way around the sky but most buyers of this scope wont 
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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
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AlexDJ30
sage
Reged: 09/02/08
Posts: 276
Loc: Monterrey, Mexico
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WEll i dont know if the LS uses SD card or Micro SD...micro SD cards are the ones uses by a lot of cell phones..
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Equipment:
- ETX 125 AT
- C6 ASGT
- WO 66mm SD
- 2.5X ED Barlow, 8-24mm Zoom Eyepice
- Canon EOS Rebel XSi
- Celestron Nextimagen
- Orion Starshoot CCD cam
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DeWittJ
newbie
Reged: 06/25/09
Posts: 3
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Morning! This is my first post and I wanted to comment on the ETX LS. By the way, I just started and this is my first scope. I have watch others try to align and when I saw the hype on the LS I got one. Came packaged well and easy to assemble. First time I turned it on, it aligned with two stars and when I wanted to see Jupiter it slewed dead center. It usually takes about 6-8 minutes and hooking up with the 4 required GPS birds is the hold up. Being a newbie at this, I really like this scope. I just wonder what kind of pics it will take if and when I get smart enough and experienced enough to try out a CCD camera? Love this site, full of great info for a begineer like me.
Thanks for letting me in!
r/
Jim
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necoma
journeyman
Reged: 06/13/09
Posts: 5
Loc: Zwolle / The Netherlands
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Hi Jim,
(I'm from the Netherlands). Is it possible to see Jupiter on this time on your location ?
Tip: First look on a comp. program (f.i. Stellarium) what you can see ! (You have buy a great telescope !)
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DeWittJ
newbie
Reged: 06/25/09
Posts: 3
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Necoma,
I live on the southwest coast of the US and Jupiter is very good at this time. Been to your country many times and I loved it.
r/
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4494
Loc: Sunny California
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Quote:
15 to 20 minutes. I can align my 6se in under 5 minutes and I'm never in any hurry.
Instead of the job being done at the flick of the L.S, it seems to be a case of the job just beginning to be done.
That said, I hope the ETX-LS is a success. I think a healthy Meade is better all round for amateur astronomy in general.
Peter.
The reason must be acquiring GPS. I found with Meade's My Sky as well as Celestron's Sky Scout that it took forever to get GPS. They need to use that same quality GPS circuitry that's included in navigation devices. The ones in two cars I've leased grabbed GPS and were up and running so fast I couldn't detect any time lost.
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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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drprovi57
super member
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 121
Loc: Virgina USA
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I timed it the other night - took 12min (the 15-20min was over estimated. my bad). The 12 min is the time that I placed it on the patio and turned on the switch - recall the scope does several functions: establish GPS (varies depending on obstacles and clear view of the satellites), finds level, finds north, then proceeds to perform an accurate 2-star alignment via ccd images (taking multiple images). During this entire time I am sitting on my chair smoking a good cigar and studying my notes to determine what objects to look at in the evening. I had it out the other night - moon crescent looked very good, as well as several open clusters and m51. The goto's remain accurate within my 22MM TV over entire sky. One can do better - but for me, it is more than good enough. I hope to get some DSLR images soon - working on some adapter issues with my camera
Jason
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Jason
Lovettsville, VA US
[url=http://homepage.mac.com/jprovi57/Jason_Astro_Images/[/url]
RC 14.5"
TMB 130SS
TMB 92SS L
Meade 6" ETX-LS ACF
iOptron Tower
Paramount ME
SBIG STL11000
10' Homedome
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Peter9
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/30/08
Posts: 806
Loc: Yorkshire - Born & Bred
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Glad it's working out for you Jason. Sound like most new owners are happy with it. That's good not only for the lads and lasses that buy it but, as I said in my earlier post, good for this wonderful hobby of ours too.
Enjoy your new ETX-LS.
Peter.
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Some of the pleasure I get from life I owe to Astronomy.
Astronomy does not owe me a thing.
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Nexstar 8se
150mm Helios Newton Reflector EQ 3 G.E.M.
6.3mm 10mm Plossls. Celestron 25mm & 40mm E.Ps. 8mm x 24mm Baader Hyperion Zoom. 2x Barlow. 9x50 R.A.C.I Finderscope. G.L.P and Bracket. Dew Shield. Home made Solar filter. Home made H.C Holder.(Great Asset). Maplin's 12V 17ah Auto Start Unit.
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4494
Loc: Sunny California
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Well, from the time I switch it on, input the correct time, date and then choose which alignment procedure I want to use, go with it and then have the readout inform me it's aligned, it runs about three minutes with my Nexstar 6SE. Granted, it's a bother to do it, but since during a typical evening of viewing I must move the scope around my backyard to avoid objects going behind the trees, I'd be spending over an hour getting the LS aligned. I sometimes change positions four or fives times in a single evening. I guess I could buy a chainsaw...
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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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teskridg
sage
Reged: 01/15/08
Posts: 279
Loc: PA
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Be careful with that cigar! If you ever contemplate selling your telescope on the used market, there are any number of sensitive potential buyers (not me- I love the smell of tobacco products!) who have posted strongly about the absorbed aroma of the cancerous leaf. I believe the smell can be expurgated with mild solvents.
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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
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drprovi57
super member
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 121
Loc: Virgina USA
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Tim.. good point, I keep my cigar smoking far away from my telescopes, I do not want to add any more to the natural pollution that my scopes accumulate.
There has been several good observations regarding the LS setup time. Especially for those that have to move the scope around during an evening of observing - I would perhaps skip the auto alignment and go with the manual one or two star alignment methods. The auto alignment method will not replace an experienced observer once GPS and level is achieved - but the "cool" factor for auto-alignment has its rewards.
There has not been much said regarding the optics, so I would be interested in other observations. I continue to be very pleased with the views - waiting the ccd images
Jason
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Jason
Lovettsville, VA US
[url=http://homepage.mac.com/jprovi57/Jason_Astro_Images/[/url]
RC 14.5"
TMB 130SS
TMB 92SS L
Meade 6" ETX-LS ACF
iOptron Tower
Paramount ME
SBIG STL11000
10' Homedome
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jgraham
Postmaster
Reged: 12/02/04
Posts: 6758
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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A quick way to re-align a scope if you have to move it is to park it before you move it and then turn the power off. After the move you start it back up in the home position, GoTo a bright star, and sync the drive. after that you should be good to go.
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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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Bob Griffiths
Postmaster
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 6575
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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Quote:
A quick way to re-align a scope if you have to move it is to park it before you move it and then turn the power off. After the move you start it back up in the home position, GoTo a bright star, and sync the drive. after that you should be good to go.
THIS WILL work...if you are lucky, but 90 percent of the time the scope will reject the Sync because the bright Star it is too far from where the scope figures it should have been based on its calculations to where it should be from the original alignemnt position...
I have had luck doing this with my Nexstar 8i by using Polaris as one of my alignment stars then hibernating the scope..power it off.. walking to the other side of the yard and without powering on the scope or moving the OTA ...center Polaris in the FOV by playing with the tripod..then wake the scope up ....
Honestly its Too much trouble ..just as easy to move the scope plop it down and do a complete 2 star alignment... I'd rather re-align then play with the tripod legs direction and height etc...
The only Meade mount I own is an LXD55(GEM). Both of my fork mounted Alt/Azm scopes are Celestrons..
So I NEVER actually tried to do this with a Meade GoTo Alt/Azm mount ...
Just do not think it will work unless you get lucky.. BUT then again who knows..it sure would have made life easier when I viewed from a backyard that resembled Sherwood Forrest
Bob G
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CPC1100
Nexstar 8i + GPS & Rays Brackets
Denk S1 power switch
Orion 100 mm Refractor
Meade LXD 55 ...AR-5 127 mm Refractor
Exploradome Observatory S.I.E. (Smiling Irish Eyes)
Gerbring Heated Motorcycle clothing in the winter
39*21'03" N
77*28'12" W
The sky over my head....
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necoma
journeyman
Reged: 06/13/09
Posts: 5
Loc: Zwolle / The Netherlands
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Quote:
There has not been much said regarding the optics, so I would be interested in other observations. I continue to be very pleased with the views -
Jason
Jason,
It's now July 14, so do you have more information about your LS ? Perhaps CCD-pictures taken with the LS ? I (we) must wait till end of August before we can get the LS in Europe ! (I come from the Netherlands). Can you tell us more about the accuracy of the alignment ? Is it only good in the environment of a alignment star ?
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drprovi57
super member
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 121
Loc: Virgina USA
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I hope to provide some CCD images this weekend (will have more time). I was going to use my Canon DSLR (but having some camera issues) - I decided to attache my SBIG STL11000 (large CCD format) to the ETX-LS to measure field flatness and image quality.
THe GOTO's are still excellent for the auto version - but can be fine-tune if user wants to. Turns out the manual alignment is as fast as the auto, so depending on the user the LS feature is a mix - more experience users my just skip the auto and go directly to the manual alignment (one or two star). The track seems good - but my CCD images will be the real test.
Jason
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Jason
Lovettsville, VA US
[url=http://homepage.mac.com/jprovi57/Jason_Astro_Images/[/url]
RC 14.5"
TMB 130SS
TMB 92SS L
Meade 6" ETX-LS ACF
iOptron Tower
Paramount ME
SBIG STL11000
10' Homedome
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