Thanks for the discussion, HP. You make a good case for considering the TAL scopes.

I neglected to list my own equipment when I opened this thread.
1) Teleview NP101 refractor at F/5.4 for viewing and astrophotography.
2) Celestron 100mm achromatic refractor used as a guide scope.
3) Celestron 9.25" Schmidt-Cassegrain for viewing and for astrophotography.
4) 24" Starmaster F/4.1 Newtonian reflector on a Dobsonian mount equipped with
a go-to, tracking drive. This thing's a light bucket.
5) Losmondy G-11 mount with the Gemini tracking and go-to system. Rock steady.
6) Various Nagler eyepieces
7) Fujinon 16x70 FMT-SX binoculars on a steady parallelogram mount.
8) Canon EOS Rebel digital camera (6.3megapixel)

Needless to say, I'm strung out like a research monkey. :-P

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I've been away from backyard astronomy for a long time, but recently
decided to give it another try now that I'm retired and have a lot of
time on my hands. I ordered a Meade ETX125PE before Christmas but am
still waiting for delivery. I am sorry to hear about the poor quality
HachPi mentioned, but it's all I can afford right now.

My last 'scope was a 4.5" Tasco Newtonian that I modified with a stepper
motor driven by an Apple computer. It worked pretty well and I got some
nice photos, especially Halley's Comet in the dark skies of Saudi Arabia.

Hope to see more posts in this thread, and maybe some tips for a relative
newbie.

Hi Mike,
Welcome to the thread. And welcome back to astronomy. Hope your scope comes in soon.
I hope more folks contribute to this thread. I'd have thought SETI-minded people would have telescopes. Let's stand by and see. If you have any problems or questions when your scope comes in, post 'em.
Clear skies.

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I have a Meade DS2130AT its a great scope but as HP mentioned it is very delicate. I guess you get what you pay for. The Autostar controller is broken 0 it moves left to right but not up and down. Makes it very difficult to use.
I am quite new to backyard astronomy and hope to see more posts in this thread.

One quick question - is there a way to convert the electric controller to a manual one (cheaply).

Thanks

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If you remain calm, you don't have all the facts.

> I have a Meade DS2130AT its a great scope but as HP mentioned it is very
> delicate. I guess you get what you pay for. The Autostar controller is
> broken 0 it moves left to right but not up and down. Makes it very difficult
> to use.
> I am quite new to backyard astronomy and hope to see more posts in this
> thread.
>
> One quick question - is there a way to convert the electric controller to a
> manual one (cheaply).
>
> Thanks
>


If you are interested in Meade info there is a good site at http://www.weasner.com/etx/menu.html.
You even might find a solution there for your Autostar...

Greatings from Belgium ;-))

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Hello there,

The Meade ETX-125 does have great optics. Saturns rings look beautiful through it. I never said it to be a bad scope !!!

But... it is delicate. I meant be very gentle with it. Especially do not overtighten the knobs controlling the slip of the tube. I actually did this and the screw broke. Enlarging the fissure with a microscope learned me that in the metal screw there already must have been some fissure way upon fabrication.
I really dont understand why they use such tiny screws to keep the tubus in position since the knobs to turn it on are of far greater diameter and hence the risk of overtightening really exists. Therefore I humbly thought you would be happy that I warned you in advance. Treat it like if you are walking on eggs and you will be happy with it.

Note: I was used to handle Russian scopes who are much more forgiving to sturdy handling in the field, but like always there is a trade off. The GOTO astronomy on the Meade with the Autostar controller is really a fine thing to have

Greatings from Belgium ;-))

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Thanks for the info HachPi. The weasner site is wonderful with all kinds of great info.

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If you remain calm, you don't have all the facts.

Meade ETX-125 UHTC and Orion XT-8 Dob

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Meade ETX 125

NOTE : VERY SHAKY MOUNT!

My gear is:

- Meade 127NT F8 LXD-500 reflector
- Lumex 60mm refractor
- Homemade 60mm refractor

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I currently don't have one but I'm seriously looking at a Meade LX200GPS 8 or 10 inch with CCD (so I don't have to freeze my butt of in the cold northern Canadian winters).
Would anyone have any other sugestions.I'm looking for image quality plus portability.

> I currently don't have one but I'm seriously looking at a Meade LX200GPS 8 or
> 10 inch with CCD (so I don't have to freeze my butt of in the cold northern
> Canadian winters).
> Would anyone have any other sugestions.I'm looking for image quality plus
> portability.
>

If you get a Schmidt-Cassegrain, the focal ratio will often be in the f/10 range. Consider getting a focal reducer, which will serve to widen the field-of-view and shorten photo-exposure times (whether ccd or film).
I most frequently use a Televue NP101, a refractor with about a four-inch aperature, for astrophotography. Take a look. About $3500 US.
While you're looking at Schmidt-Cassegrains, you might also want to consider the Celestron 9.25. The glass is pretty good. It seems solidly built. I think it's worth a look. Much less expensive than a premium refractor, but the refractor has some advantages, especially for astrophotography.
For serious astrophotography, and I'm frankly strung out like a research monkey, a good equitorial mount is essential. If you do photography, I wouldn't skimp on the mount. I have a Losmandy G-11 mount with a Gemini drive. Not cheap, but equal to any task I have asked of it.
Please post what you decide to get. Or ask more questions. Got to be some experienced astronomers frequenting hereabouts. And, if you haven't before, check out [www.cloudynights.com] for good discussions and info on this subject and many others.
Good luck and clear skies.
Robert

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