20 Most Recent
Meade ETX-125EC (500 x 127mm) Telescope Questions & Answers
Trouble shooting
my Meade ETX-125 makes a grinding noise when I try to slew to the left and will not move. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Bill
Focus. Knob is tight
Remove the OTA from the rear cell; unscrew the focuser shaft
about half way (CCW) and remove the knob or electric focuser unit; there
are three very small hex cap screws which hold the OTA into the rear
cell; remove these and save in a tuna can or similar, because they WILL
get lost if you place on the countertop.
Once done, merely grasp the blue OTA in one hand with a rubber glove for
grip and the rear cell/fork arms in the other hand and pull gently
apart....do NOT twist while separating!
You will see where the threaded focus rod inserts into the
OTA....typically binding is causing the shifting, but most of this is
due to poor milling by Meade on some 125 models. You can improve these
imperfect models greatly, but do not expect to eliminate all focus
shift. Run the focus rod gently all the way CCW until you feel
pressure...do NOT force or you will damage. Once there apply a thick
grease, such as pure white Lithium (available in the tool dept. at
Lowes) in a very thin layer, pushing hard into the threads...do NOT
apply too much or you risk getting this stuff on the optics eventually.
Once done, put the knob on the rod temporarily and run it in and out all
the way slowly about 3-4 times. Once done, run it HALF-WAY between all
the way and all the way out and stop. At that position, turn the OTA to
about a 45-degree tilt, with corrector down and put 1-2 DROPS of 3-in-1
oil right where the threaded rod goes into the threaded rear cell of the
scope and QUICKLY run the focuser CLOCKWISE to get that thin bit of oil
into the rear cell threads.
Once done, run the threaded rod slowly all the way CW and then CCW about
2 more times.
This procedure will greatly improve the performance....NOTE: do NOT put
more than 2 drops of oil on the rod!
I am looking for someone
Contact a local Astronomy club nearby and the members will help you with the scope.
http://www.astroleague.org/societies/list/MI
Also this is the general setup for the NON- PE version of this scope.
1. Do a calibrate motors
2. Train the drives
3. Take the scope outside and level the tripod.
4. Put the scope in the HOME position (read the manual)
5. Execute a 2 star alignment and center both stars.
The vertical movement will move down but not up
The DEC gears are slipping and not engaging. You must disassemble the fork arm to fix this-- not very easy to do.
Meade will repair this if you return the scope to them. Here is their service phone line:
http://www.meade.com/support/index.html
Scope won't turn left or right. l looked inside of
Only Meade will have this part-- they MIGHT sell you one??? but usually they want you to return the scope to them. Talk to several people there including a supervisor.
Contact them here:
http://www.meade.com/support/index.html
HOW CAN I TAKE PICTURES OR VIDEO WITH MY
You can buy this device and take prime focus images using a small digital camera. Make sure the camera can take timed photos of up to 30 seconds long.
http://www.telescope.com/control/astrophotography/astrophotography-accessories/orion-steadypix-deluxe-camera-mount
I was trying to insert
No, you burned out some of the circuits on the internal power board. Meade can repair the scope but you must send it to them.
That's why I always use a 12 volt battery pack and NEVER use the 110volt adapter
http://www.meade.com/support/index.html Meade customer service.
Motor tries but cannot move on the horizontal.
You did tighten the AZ clutch? You did start from the HOME position? (turn the scope Counterclockwise to the hard stop)
Then you will either have to send it back to Meade for repairs, or open the bottom of the base, and look inside and see if the AZ worm gear is actually meshing with the motor. It could have come loose.
Meade customer service:
http://www.meade.com/support/index.html
Bought the scope about 4 years ago. Fairly light
Do a RESET on the hand controller. Re-enter Time, Date, and SITE, and CALIBRATE motors.
Also sometimes a bad hand controller cable will cause this. You can buy another cable directly from Meade. Call them here:
http://www.meade.com/support/index.html
I am trying to repair the motor drive in the fork
Your problem may not be the motor?
Is this a 497 hand controller? If it is check the TELESCOPE TYPE in the controller. It should read ETX125. You cannot just switch controllers. The controller has been TRAINED for the other scope.
To switch it you must do a RESET, Calibrate motors and then train the drives. These "values" are stored inside the hand controller. If you move it to another type of Meade telescope you must RESET and do Calibrate sensors and Training again.
The dis-assembly pictures are located on the Mighty ETX web site here:
http://www.weasner.com/etx/menu.html
I need an 8 x 25mm Right angle viewfinder for a
Many retailers sell these. The catch is to find one that will MOUNT to the ETX125. Try these two retailers:
http://www.agenaastro.com/
http://www.optcorp.com/
Call them and see what they have.
Not finding what you are looking for?