Instruction manual

ManualsBrandsMeade ManualsPhotography and OpticsETX-125AT Astro

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December 2012

I have been asked many times over the years to start an online user forum. I have been using the Livefyre

"comments system" since mid-March 2012 as a "reader comments" section on my Cassiopeia Observatory

reports. In April 2012, a new "Live Forum" was added to the ETX Site. Livefyre has many nice capabilities

and it is currently free (for the features I use). If you have any problems with the comments system please

Email Me.

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limit entries to the same topics as you would for email to me. This first "Live Forum" will be for any

discussions on those topics. I have no intention to replace existing forums (ETXAstro Yahoo Group, Cloudy

Nights, etc.), so feel free to use those as alternatives.

The Forum page will be archived at the end of each month and will be available on the Forum Archive.

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mweasner

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41 MINUTES AGO

kmoorlag

Hello, I have an ETX-60, and when I look at Jupiter with a 9mm or 6mm eyepiece, I can focus it so it is nice and sharp,

and I can see the visible Jovian Moons. However, Jupiter is a bright white disk, no definition, no belts. Am I expecting too

much from this scope, or do I just need a certain filter? Any advice would be appreciated.

mweasner 6 pts

The ETX-60 is a short focal length telescope. You will want closer to about 100X to view planets better.

Keep in mind that the ETX-60 has a theoretical maximum magnification of about 120X so 100X will be

getting close to that. As you get close to the max or exceed it, objects will tend to get less sharp. You could

use a Moon Filter to reduce the glare from Jupiter's bright disk, which can help a lot in seeing cloud bands. If

Summary of content (9 pages)

PAGE 1
ETX SITE LIVE FORUM December 2012 I have been asked many times over the years to start an online user forum. I have been using the Livefyre "comments system" since mid-March 2012 as a "reader comments" section on my Cassiopeia Observatory reports. In April 2012, a new "Live Forum" was added to the ETX Site. Livefyre has many nice capabilities and it is currently free (for the features I use). If you have any problems with the comments system please Email Me.
PAGE 2
you don't have a Moon Filter wear sunglasses. The other filters which can enhance cloud bands but their use on the small refractor won't help much. Like 34 MINUTES AGO Reply kmoorlag mweasner Thanks for the quick reply. I have a moon filter, which I have tried. Perhaps the seeing wasn't so good that evening. Would a fringe killer or very very light yellow help at all? I know most filters are for bigger aperture scopes.
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AutoStar software. Only way to find out is to work through troubleshooting steps. Fix can be simple or hard. Cost can be free or a few hundred dollars, depending on what is wrong and how you decide to fix it. The #884 tripod is a good tripod, especially if you don't raise it to full height (true of most tripods). You can see many examples of ETX astrophotography on the Helpful Information: Astrophotography Gallery Archive on the ETX Site.
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EdwardMH 5 pts Looking for suggestions on where to retire (buy home) with dark skies warm weather low humidity, low crime, low cost of living...other than the moon with a space heater. I wish I could afford to move to a astronomy community like New Mexico skies but that's about $300,000 and I will be lucky to get a loan on $175,000 Like 5 DAYS AGO mweasner Reply 6 pts EdwardMH We love it where we live in southern Arizona.
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mweasner 6 pts EdwardMH Many people have successfully used a RS adapter. Adding a fuse may or may not help prevent problems. Keep in mind that any DIY power solutions (or even ones from reliable manufacturers) run the risk of frying your telescope electronics. If you are looking for a simple temporary solution, consider using the internal batteries, even rechargeable ones (which typically don't last as long as non-rechargeable internal batteries).
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mweasner 6 pts TheLivster The #494 is NOT user update-able. Even using the #506 serial cable (not easily made, unlike the #505 serial cable for the #497 AutoStar) won't let you install a fresh copy of the software. With the cable you MIGHT be able to force a RESET of the AutoStar, which MIGHT clear the error (but probably not). Since the Proc Trap 2 error occurred after a battery change, I would suggest checking the batteries; are they all inserted correctly? If so, try different batteries.
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Thanks for the reply. Yep I've trolled through all those articles but none show how to get the panel out; there's probably some really simple trick to it but I don't really want to put too much pressure on it or too many screwdriver scrapes. Like 24 DAYS AGO mweasner Reply 6 pts The battery cutoff switch is just one possible culprit. There can be many reasons why the telescope won't power on, including fried components on the circuit board.
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I will check it out, many thanks. 26 DAYS AGO Soundlogic Like Reply 5 pts Thanks for the good advise. I do not take the complexity of this scope lightly, therefore I plan on doing just as you say. I presume this may take awhile with all the up-coming holiday commitments. Suffice to say, I am really looking forward to sinking my brain and teeth into what this scope has to offer.
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A51 5 pts Tim, lucky you. I live in Spokane Valley and obviously missed it since he replied that it was sold. Congrats!!! There is currently a 45 erect prism on eBay for $40 and free shipping. Enjoy! Like 30 DAYS AGO Soundlogic Reply 5 pts Hello forum members; My name is Tim, from Hayden ID., and I just became the proud owner of a used ETX 125 today. I found it on Craigslist this morning, along with the tripod w/soft-case, hard-case and assortment of lenses and filters, I have yet to itemize.