
Dealing with RA Tracking Problems
#1
Posted 04 October 2004 - 11:42 AM
#2
Posted 10 October 2004 - 10:08 PM
#3
Posted 11 October 2004 - 11:00 AM
The link to the Microstar drive corrector page doesnt seem to be working?
Here is another link to the Microstar drive corrector page ..
http://www.weasner.c...microstar1.html
#4
Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*
Posted 12 October 2004 - 12:19 PM
I've been struggling over the course of several nights to get my ETX-125EC to track correctly for long-exposure photography. The tracking error seems to be in only one axis, namely, RA. Unfortunately, adjusting the tracking speed with the controller still doesn't create very satisfying results.
Now, I've been spoilt by using professional astro facilities for photography before I got my personal scope, and wanted to see if anyone else had problems with the ETX models having less-than-precise clock drives, or if I was just being picky.
#6
Posted 23 April 2005 - 12:53 PM
- n2dpsky and Pedro724 like this
#7
Posted 12 August 2005 - 12:43 AM
#8
Posted 12 August 2005 - 10:03 PM
- starryskyn likes this
#9
Posted 24 August 2006 - 02:03 PM
tracking was jerky as the object would drift out from the center of view and then snap back to the center with a clicking noise eminating from the drive base. time will only tell how long their turn-around will be in returning the etx. after i receive the etx i plan on sending it our for supercharging and really start enjoying the precision tracking that this scope is capable of.
knowing what i know about meade's after sales support, i will be going elsewhere for that next upgrade (subliminal message ORION).
i think meade should heed my read and others should follow up with either their satisfaction, or dissatisfaction, with meade support.
- Highlander78 likes this
#10
Posted 18 November 2007 - 07:44 PM
I think the supercharging involves replace factory gear Lubricant with a quality Lithium Lubricant plus optical adjustments..

#11
Posted 27 February 2008 - 08:12 PM
The drive problem arises from two places... the basic drive mechanism and the time it takes the scope to respond to guiding corrections.
The first problem is (I think) dominated by the worm wheel which is about 38mm diameter - this is way too small to achieve ~2 arcsec tracking which you need for open loop imaging. It's also possible that the gearbox introduces a lot of periodic error - but there is no mechanism for correcting this.
The second problem relates to the control bandwidth. This might be specific to my scope (or how it's set up) but I can't get the delay down to less than several seconds. This is generally not going to help correcting your drive.
A final observation might be useful - you can gain a lot against drive problems by using a focal length reducer. Depending on your chip size, reducing to f/5 _may_ be possible, and f/10 probably is. This will reduce the exposure (9x at f/5, 2x at f/10.)
Clearest
Bruce, Toronto
Modified LX200/12, FLT110, ETX105
#12
Posted 28 November 2009 - 04:30 PM
Ok, next. The way they MEADE, that is, has the bottom RA motors and such is really like a TOY in the DS2114. It is so very imprecise, it is amazing that it works like it does.
I was very shocked as I opened up the AZ motor section.
I am having the same problem with once the star or object is in the eyepiece, all of a sudden the thing takes off. YES, it DOES have to do with the center bolt on mine. I am SURE that there is a TORQUE setting for this bolt. Too tight and you will have problems with the tracking-jerking-taking off by itself. But, it is what it is. This was bought at SAM's Club for under $300. So for a scope just to start out with learning the sky, I guess it is not too bad. THE OTA is fine. It is the drive mechanism that is like a TOY.
Donnie
#13
Posted 28 November 2009 - 04:52 PM
If you search around for "Nytecam" he has taken some exceptional ETX astro-photos. I believe he now has it mounted on his LX200 telescope.
Clear Skies!
#14
Posted 28 November 2009 - 11:07 PM
thanks goodness.
Donnie
#15
Posted 10 March 2010 - 11:40 AM
You CANNOT do long term sky tracking with a stock ETX. This is a fool's errand. Not trying to be harsh but it's just not made to do this. It's fine for visual or for SHORT say 8-20 second exposures stacked using various software.
If you search around for "Nytecam" he has taken some exceptional ETX astro-photos. I believe he now has it mounted on his LX200 telescope.
Clear Skies!
I have gotten consistent 30second images using the ETX and imaging with a 300mm camera piggybacked. I have also gotten enough 27 second images with the DSI pro II and the meade focal reducer with extention tube to get a great image of orion See Thread Here
I have also gotten some 30 second images without the extention tube attached. I noticed that in about 1 of 4 or 5 images there is some tracking error causing blurring of stars so far. I have taken a couple of exposures at 45 seconds and both had no trailing so you really have to be patient as the gears have to be in the right spot for them to turn out good. Also, having the camera track and make corrections is something I haven't gotten to work well yet as the scope is really slow to react to corrections. Does anyone have any "predictions" on how long an exposure can be taken and if proper guiding can be done with a supercharged scope?
#16
Posted 21 November 2010 - 10:54 PM
#17
Posted 29 March 2012 - 01:02 PM
hope it helps. I can lock the RA with two fingers. When assembled, the scope spins from side to side with no slop and no vertical movement. Like I said, you will not belive the difference for just $20. "VXB.com"
- Space Wanderer likes this
#18
Posted 29 March 2012 - 02:41 PM
#19
Posted 29 March 2012 - 03:03 PM
http://www.weasner.c...earing_mod.html
Going to try and run pec and see what happens.
#20
Posted 29 March 2012 - 03:58 PM
#21
Posted 30 March 2012 - 09:56 AM
#22
Posted 30 March 2012 - 01:41 PM
#23
Posted 31 March 2012 - 10:33 AM
#24
Posted 31 March 2012 - 01:04 PM
- Space Wanderer likes this
#25
Posted 14 June 2016 - 10:54 AM
I recently acquired a used LXD-55 mount on which I have an 8" Orion reflector. Initially both RA and DEC worked fine. However now I hear the RA motor running when commanded by
the 497 controller. but there is no motion. I have fooled with the RA lock but nothing seems to make it slew. I am thinking perhaps a gear is loose from its shaft or something
Thought I would take of the cover and have a look. I notice to allen-head bolts accessed from behind the control panel. Are those that two that would allow the control panel to come
off so I can see the drive gears?
Thanks for suggestions,
4bob