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actionhac
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/09/08
Posts: 713
Loc: WA
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I purchased a used ETX125EC with a 884 deluxe mount, no hand control.
Not sure how the hand control could have been seperated from this scope considering it is very nice condition.
One possibility that did go thru my mind is that the mount has problems and with out a hand control it could not be tested, seller had no knowledge.
I can buy the standard hand control from Meade for $20.00 to see if the mount works or buy the #497 control and cross my fingers and hope that everything is ok but this one is around $100.00.
Will the #497 be compatible with my EC model? I removed the vertical lock and this is the older model without the internal metal fork. Any other way to test the drives?
I removed the battery holder and looked everything over, wiring seems fine, no burnt odors, stop is intact, gears look fine, no corrosion in the battery compartment.
My idea at time of purchase was to remove it from the fork and use it on a Unistar but now I am thinking I would like to have the goto feature from the 497, if possible.
Robert
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Arthur Dent
Galactic Hitch-Hiker
Reged: 10/23/08
Posts: 1150
Loc: South Yorkshire, UK
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Hi there ActionHac
Yes the 497 controller is compatible with the EC.
Personally, if I had a friendly astronomy shop nearby (and luckily I do) I'd ask them if you could do a quick test (take the scope & base into the shop loaded with 8x AA cells for the test).
That way, you won't even need to spend $20!
Art
--------------------
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, 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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actionhac
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/09/08
Posts: 713
Loc: WA
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Good idea, but my only astro shop has no controllers. I ordered the standard issue item from Meade for 20 thinking I should have it anyway.
I will make sure everything works and then possibly buy a 497.
I hope the mount is fine, I see that they don't have a very good reputation for reliability, but superb optics and that is most important.
I understand with the central obstruction this is about equal to a high quality 3" refractor? I find this hard to believe, that the central obstruction can make that much difference?
No image shift at high power is a welcome relief, I had this problem with the SCT I had.
Robert
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Arthur Dent
Galactic Hitch-Hiker
Reged: 10/23/08
Posts: 1150
Loc: South Yorkshire, UK
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Hi again ActionHac
What I meant was if the local astronomy shop had an ETX on display (mine did) simply ask if you can unplug the HC from the display scope and try it in yours.
If they only have boxed-up scopes, then obviously, this won't be an option.
Art
--------------------
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, 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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actionhac
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/09/08
Posts: 713
Loc: WA
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|
Hi Art. I called him after you gave me the idea and he has no ETX's new or used, good idea though. As popular as they are I have no friends with ETX's , everyone I know use refractors.
I showed it to my brother and told him it has a 75"fl. and he wanted to check my temperature.
Robert
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Arthur Dent
Galactic Hitch-Hiker
Reged: 10/23/08
Posts: 1150
Loc: South Yorkshire, UK
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The neat thing is that the scope isn't 75" in length!
I just love my ETX105 - it is such a shame that it has had a persistent problem with the RA drive (now finally fixed AFAIK). The optics are superb.
Art
--------------------
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, 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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actionhac
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/09/08
Posts: 713
Loc: WA
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I received my hand control from Meade, just the standard one that comes with the scope, mine was missing.
Both motors work in Alt-Az mode but when I go to Polar mode the tracking dosn't run which should be on all the time. And also in Polar mode when you push L or R arrow and take your finger off it keeps driving for another 15sec. Up or Down arrows ok and everything is ok in Alt-Az mode.
Any ideas?
Robert
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Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3536
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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First try it in ALT AZ mode Do a RESET on the hand controller-- then Calibrate Motors, Train the drives, make sure Time Date and Site are correct, and Daylight Savings says YES--
Go outside and do an Automatic Alignment in alt az-- then report what happens.
Tell us what version of firmware is in the 497 controller-- 43Eg is latest version.
--------------------
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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actionhac
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/09/08
Posts: 713
Loc: WA
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Hi Joe. The controller I just purchased from Meade is the one that comes with the scope,#35-4702-00, mine was missing.
Actually I purchased it this way. Not knowing the condition of the mount I thought I would buy this one first for $20.00, test the drives and then buy the #497 which apparently will work.
I'm glad I did it this way, even though the scope is in perfect condition I think it has a motor control problem, you can see the symptoms a few posts back.
Robert
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actionhac
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/09/08
Posts: 713
Loc: WA
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I think I have decided to remove the OTA from the mount and put it on a different mount.
Too bad because it is in perfect condition obviously very little use and the ALT-AZ mode works fine and Polar mode, just no tracking in polar mode, which should be on at all times.
I can't buy any parts for the mount from Meade, they want me to ship it to them and they will fix it for $175.00 and send it back. So $25.00 to ship to them for $200.00 total.
That is to much for me to spend so I want the OTA and the rest is going to be sold off if anyone is interested, along with the #884 deluxe mount.
Robert
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Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3536
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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Check a couple of these before you disassemble-- go to the Mighty ETX site and download the ETX tuneup article-
http://www.weasner.com/etx/techtips/etxtu.htm
http://www.weasner.com/etx/techtips/etx_tuneup4.html
http://www.weasner.com/etx/techtips.html
Look around inside the base for loose wires --- or any other obvious damage-- if nothing -- these articles may lead you to the issue.
--------------------
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
Edited by Joe Lalumia (06/29/09 10:26 PM)
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actionhac
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/09/08
Posts: 713
Loc: WA
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Hi Joe. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
I read the information you sent me and found the Encoder in the base covered with grease. Cleaned off the grease, now everything works perfect. The tip in the info was the runaway drives, mine was doing this.
You saved this telescope, now I can go ahead and order a #497 control, thanks.
Robert
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Arthur Dent
Galactic Hitch-Hiker
Reged: 10/23/08
Posts: 1150
Loc: South Yorkshire, UK
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Glad to hear that it was easily sorted!
Thanks for posting.
Art
--------------------
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, 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!
|
Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3536
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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|
How about that! ------------ glad we could help.
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
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