63 replies to this topic

[deSitter]

I'm dipping my feet in slowly. It's a strange little machine but looks well made except for the plastic ABS mount.

I'm trying to research if there is a piece missing from the mount.

 

Want to be careful & not have it come crashing down or out.

 

From what I read the originals had nylon gears which was later upgraded to metal.

 

I first need to know how to move it & tighten it which seem to be by the plastic knobs on the side.

 

Photo of rear

Meade ETXback red.jpg

 

Section of plastic with no cover

Meade ETX side red green.jpg

 

I found manuals for the later version but was looking for this one. Still the manual focus & how to secure & move the tube should be in those.

Just was busy yesterday going through everything.

I put the manual on my Google Drive here - please download by tomorrow, thanks.

 

https://drive.google...?usp=drive_link

 

-drl

[Universe XY]

wow, forgot about this site.  One of the earliest observation reports on there is mine, brings back old memories.  

 

http://www.weasner.c...tips/night.html

 

I still have the scope but it’s now deforked with a Wegat back.  Very sharp and competitive with a Questar.
 

https://wegatoptical.com/shop/

Revisiting... Great Info. Thanks

 

I have a screw missing from the finder scope which is more like a ep. Really small light thing made in China.

I guess the eye piece holder screw is the same as the finder. I'll have to check. It could have ven fell off in the box but did not see it or hear it rattle around but it's nylon so might be silent. Will have to check the box again as it seems you have to libe up the finder with the screws & if one is missing it might not be as precise?

 

Q. What is the size of the eyepiece holder screw?
A. By my measurements the eyepiece clamp screw used on ETX telescopes is a metric screw 3MM dia. by 0.5MM thread pitch. [from Forrest Lundberg]

[Universe XY]

I put the manual on my Google Drive here - please download by tomorrow, thanks.

 

https://drive.google...?usp=drive_link

 

-drl

Downloaded. I seem to have had it. Maybe I downloaded it off of CN last week?

My google search was only coming up with the EC & mine has a few knobs & handles that they don't have...

 

Thanks so much!!! Now I have a solid place to start.

 

Finally figured out what the other knobs were for

10 RA slow motion control

11 RA lock

16 Dec slow motion control

21 Dec Lock

Edited by Universe XY, 04 February 2025 - 05:37 PM.

[Rick-T137]

I don't think there's anything missing on the one side of the mount. Likely there's an "extra" part on the other side because that's where the Dec slow motion control is, and that side needs a clutch or other such mechanism to allow it to work. The opposite side is just holding the telescope tube.

 

Is there any play in where the OTA joins the mount? If not, I think you're fine.

[Universe XY]

Do NOT use that Barlow! One, it is likely junk, and two, it may crash into the flip mirror and leave a nasty gash.

 

-drl

Trashed it. It was plastic & looked like a toy...a dangerous toy!!! 

[Universe XY]

I don't think there's anything missing on the one side of the mount. Likely there's an "extra" part on the other side because that's where the Dec slow motion control is, and that side needs a clutch or other such mechanism to allow it to work. The opposite side is just holding the telescope tube.

 

Is there any play in where the OTA joins the mount? If not, I think you're fine.

Didn't notice anything but have not adjusted anything. The tube moves up & down & stays steady.

[Drainpipeviewer]

Came yesterday afternoon.

Looks to be in good shape.

Just trying to look everything over & would like to find a manual.

The focus & whatever are just small 1/2 inch knobs that look like aluminum. Tube body is nice heavy aluminum & the plate on the bottom is thick steel. No battery door...have to remove 3 screws. Plastic however is most of the mounting & that's it's weakness.

Traveled well & luckily the big lens is pristine. Front lens cover is heavy screw on metal cap. 

Have to try not to tighten it to tight. I had a hard time unscrewing it as the lens in the tube barrel was loosening. Just some things that need tweaking.

 

The stock eyepiece was rattling & was giving me heart break but I researched CN. Took it apart, It just needed a retaining collar screwed tighter & found it's common & with some help from kind CN.

CN gave me support & so happy it was an easy fix.

 

https://www.cloudyni...000-ser-taiwan/

 

I didn't want to jinx it until I tried it out but yes, it finally got here & thankfully seems to have traveled well. It shipped in its original box inside an outer box. Was padded well. Seller packed it well.

 

Threw out that long 3X barlow. It was the worst plastic tube you ever saw.

I was surprised that the 5X Svony barlow looks well made.

The other 2 small ep are usable but nothing special.

 

Hopefully I can figure it out & test it tonight, The motor works but would not use it. The battery panel was clean with no sign of leakage. Well taken care of. 

 

26mm Plossl rubber is pliable & its made in Taiwan. Must be a 1996 ETX the first year.

The finder needed cleaning. It was a China model. Meade transitioned around this time so

luckily I got a Taiwan 26mm.

 

So far all positive but had to clean the finder. The internal coating flaked & peeled. I took out the black particles & it's clean & usable now.

 

It is a big relief. So far so good...

Meade ETX.jpeg

Meade Lens mak.jpeg

Happy to hear that you like your ETX90 so far. I also own that kind of ETX which came in the same cardboard box. Mine has a 26mm Ploessl from Japan. So maybe the are both from different producrion batches/years. I don't know If there is a serial number for the ETX90 that could be linked to the year of production.

[Universe XY]

Happy to hear that you like your ETX90 so far. I also own that kind of ETX which came in the same cardboard box. Mine has a 26mm Ploessl from Japan. So maybe the are both from different producrion batches/years. I don't know If there is a serial number for the ETX90 that could be linked to the year of production.

Darn, I wish & hoped mine was Japan but it's Taiwan. If yours is Japan it's likely the same 4 element made in Japan a year early.

When the ETX came out 95/96 they were making ep in Taiwan & maybe even China but may have used old stock.

 

Mine came w a China finder so maybe it was late 1996?

 

It is what it is at least the main part & main lens was made in USA.

 

There is another cardboard box associated with the M model I think.

[deSitter]

Darn, I wish & hoped mine was Japan but it's Taiwan. If yours is Japan it's likely the same 4 element made in Japan a year early.

When the ETX came out 95/96 they were making ep in Taiwan & maybe even China but may have used old stock.

 

Mine came w a China finder so maybe it was late 1996?

 

It is what it is at least the main part & main lens was made in USA.

 

There is another cardboard box associated with the M model I think.

The Taiwan Plossls are just fine. Taiwanese equipment started out good and has gotten progressively better.

 

-drl

[Universe XY]

Today is the first time I've gotten to see anything out of it. The small focuser on nylon threads works but everything except the tube, objective cover & base plate are really pretty much plastic.

Small aluminum barely 1/2 in focuser knob.

 

I can see some leaves on a tree about 30 feet away. They are sort of edged in a rainbow of color.

 

It's still cloudy & tonight will probably be another dud night & maybe rain tomorrow.

 

I don't think I want to put any more $ in this lenswise as in another Meade 4000 Plossl like a 9.7mm.

Anything I buy should be useful in other scopes.

 

My eye in on a TV Plossi 32mm. That should be an all around useful ep.

 

Not sure if the Meade 140 2X triplet long barlow or the Edscorp 8.4-21mm zoom are even good for this scope. I'm afraid as some have said the long barrels on these will hit the mirror???

 

Should I keep these ep's??? Were they a bad purchase & are they good for a real telescope as I am looking forward to a 8X480 f6ish refractor.

 

I'd like to test the Edscorp Zoom but how do I know how far is too far? Lined it up externally & it's really close to be near the mirror.

 

Barrel length is 51 mm below the top lip of ep.  If it sets above the mirror but close is it ok? Does the mirror move in operation?

 

Ohhh, the viewfinder is useless? Can it be focused? It's made in china 8x21mm. The manual explains how to do that. I took it apart to get the black bits out of it that had flaked so it's not prefocused anymore.

 

Manual says the ep supplied is 1/4 inch shorter than standard...Hmmm. are all series 4000 SP Plossl short? The dilemma continues with getting ep's.

 

Have to really read the manual. It's a bit overwhelming at first but getting through it.

 

Edited by Universe XY, 07 February 2025 - 12:26 AM.

[RichA]

I'd get a 32mm Plossl, for low power.  Also replace the rear cover it's missing, you can buy replacements from Scopestuff.  

[Universe XY]

I'd get a 32mm Plossl, for low power.  Also replace the rear cover it's missing, you can buy replacements from Scopestuff.  I

It's not missing, I was just trying to make sure that the long barrel zoom would not hit the mirror.

Thankfully seems to work!

 

Yeas, I agree a 32m Plossl needs to e in my arsenal...

[Jae]

Revisiting... Great Info. Thanks

 

 

I recall the manual base adjustments were rough and sticky so I cut small strips of teflon from an old mitchell fishing reel and taped them to the gap at the base.  It made the movement much smoother and very useable.

[Universe XY]

meade lens Screenshot 2025-01-27 085443.png

On closer inspection the 2 extra lens may not be Meade. I assumed not knowing the look of every part that it was original.

 

The 26mm in the eyepiece is stock but what are thes funky lens & a barlow 3X tossed im?

 

Am I going to need to buy better lens?

 

Bummed now

These are .965 in so not even correct for this 1 1/4 inch ep scope...I will have to notify this bayer.  

Edited by Universe XY, 11 February 2025 - 10:52 PM.