Meade etx-90ec user manual

Page Meade Customer Service Friday. In the unlikely event that the ETX requires factory servicing or repairs, write or call the Meade Customer Service Department first, before returning the telescope to the factory, giving full particulars as to the nature of the problem, as well as your name, address, and daytime telephone number. Page Telescope Specifications Secondary mirror obstruction dia. Dec: 3. To determine the latitude of an observing site not listed on the chart, locate the city closest to your site.

You too can enjoy exploring the universe simply by following a few pointers on a roadmap to the stars. First, find the Big Dipper, which is part of the constellation Ursa Major. Meade will repair or replace a product, or part thereof, found by Meade to be defective, provided the defective part is returned to Meade, freight-prepaid, with proof of purchase.

Part no. This manual is also suitable for: Etxec. Print page 1 Print document 28 pages. Rename the bookmark. Delete bookmark? Cancel Delete. Delete from my manuals? Sign In OR. Don't have an account? Sign up! For the ultimate viewing experience, become familiar with the features of your ETX telescope and the functions of the Electronic Controller.

Upon completing this chapter make first observations of a simple land object several hundred yards in the distance— perhaps a telephone pole or a building. Locate objects first in the viewfinder before viewing them in the main telescope see Aligning the Viewfinder, page 8. Practice focusing on the object using the focus knob 9, Fig. To move the telescope using the Electronic Controller:. Insert a low-power eyepiece e. If the controller is already on the slowest slew speed light 4 , pressing the SPEED key cycles back to the highest speed light 1.

Slew speeds are signified by the indicator lights 2, Fig. OUT Key 6, Fig. IN Key 7, Fig. Unthread the metal dust cap from the front lens of the telescope counterclockwise , and the ETX may now be used for terrestrial land observing. NOTE:The dust cap should be replaced after each observing session and the power turned off to the telescope.

Verify that. Verify that the power switch 1, Fig. Plug in the Electronic Controller coil cord 4, Fig. Flip the power switch to ON. The power indicator light 5, Fig. Press any key on the Electronic Controller and the telescope slews momentarily in the vertical and horizontal directions to test the motors.

When the test is complete, light 1 comes on steady;. Use the four arrow keys 1, Fig. Fine-adjust the position of the object with the Electronic Controller arrow keys so that it is centered in the viewfinder. This procedure does not work if one of the mode screws has been removed see Using the Mode Screws, page Both ETX model viewfinders are factory pre-focused to objects located at infinity.

Individual eye variations may require that the viewfinder be re-focused. To check the focus look through the viewfinder. Point the viewfinder at a distant terrestrial land object such as a telephone pole or light pole. If the viewfinder image is not in sharp focus, follow the procedure for your type of telescope. If the viewfinder is mounted in the viewfinder bracket 5,Fig. Loosen the knurled lock-ring 2, Fig. Unthread this ring counterclockwise , as seen from the eyepiece-end of the viewfinder by several turns.

Look through the viewfinder and focus on a distant object. Slowly rotate the front lens cell in one direction or the other, until the object appears sharp. One or two rotations of the lens may have a significant effect on image focus. Place the viewfinder into the viewfinder bracket on the main. Gently tighten the six alignment screws. Proceed with Aligning the Viewfinder. Turn the focus ring 2, Fig. In order for the viewfinder to be useful, it must first be aligned with the main telescope, so that both the viewfinder and the main telescope are pointing at precisely the same location.

To align the viewfinder follow this procedure:. The viewfinder bracket 5, Fig. Turn the three rear alignment screws 6, Fig.

NOTE: Do not overtighten the alignment screws. When tightening one screw it may be necessary to loosen one or both of the two other alignment screws. Using the SP26mm eyepiece, point the main telescope at some easy-to-find, well-defined land object, such as the top of a telephone pole. While looking through the viewfinder, turn one or more of the three front viewfinder alignment screws 4, Fig. The viewfinder is now aligned to the main telescope.

Unless the alignment screws are disturbed or the viewfinder jarred, the viewfinder should remain aligned indefinitely. To locate any object, terrestrial or astronomical, first center the object in the crosshairs of the viewfinder; the object should also then be centered in the field of view of the main telescope.

Observing Tip : If higher observing magnifications are intended, first locate, center, and focus the object using a lowpower eyepiece e. Remove the lowpower eyepiece and replace it with a higher-power e yepiece; the object should still be centered in the field of view. Objects are much easier to locate and center at lower powers; higher powers are employed simply by changing eyepieces. Both ETX model telescopes can be used for immediate observation right out of the box. However, becoming familiar with the fundamentals of a telescope makes subsequent viewing easier and more rewarding.

The smaller the focal length, the higher the magnification. Low power eyepieces offer a wide field of view, bright high-contrast images, and eye relief during long observing sessions. To find an object with a telescope it is always best to start with a low power eyepiece such as the SP 26mm supplied with both ETX models. When the object is located and centered in the eyepiece, switch to a higher power eyepiece to enlarge the image as much as practical for prevailing seeing conditions.

Lower power eyepieces are recommended for terrestrial viewing. Haze, heat waves, and particulate matter in the air distort images when using higher powers. For astronomical observing a selection of several different eyepieces is recommended.

For general observing of the Moon and planets, low to medium powers are preferred. For deep-sky objects such as nebulae and galaxies, higher powers may be needed for the best view if conditions permit.

NOTE: Viewing conditions vary widely from night to night. Turbulence in the air, even on an apparently clear night, can distort images. If an image appears fuzzy and ill-defined, back off to a lower power eyepiece for a better resolved image see Fig. The magnification, or power, at which a telescope is operating is determined by two factors: the focal length of the telescope and the focal length of the e yepiece employed.

Telescope Focal Length is the distance that light travels inside the telescope before reaching a focus. Eyepiece Focal Length is the distance light travels inside the eyepiece before reaching focus. Focal length is usually printed on the side of the eyepiece.

Both ETX models are supplied with at least one eyepiece as standard-equipment. This viewfinder presents a correctly oriented image up- and-down, but is reversed left-for-right.

The ETX model viewfinders are pre-focused at the factory. Individual eye variations may require that the viewfinder be re-focused. To check the focus, point the viewfinder at a distant terrestrial land object such as a telephone pole or light pole and look through the viewfinder. If the viewfinder image is not in sharp focus, follow the procedure below that applies to your telescope model. Remove the viewfinder by slightly unthreading the six alignment screws 4 and 6, Fig.

Loosen the knurled lock-ring 2, Fig. Unthread this ring counterclockwise , as seen from the eyepiece-end of the viewfinder by several turns. Look through the viewfinder and focus on a distant object. Slowly rotate the front lens cell in one direction or the other, until the object appears sharp. One or two rotations of the lens may have a significant effect on image focus. Replace the viewfinder into the viewfinder bracket.

Gently tighten the six alignment screws. Proceed with. Turn the focus ring 2, Fig. In order for the viewfinder to be useful, it must first be aligned with the main telescope, so that both the viewfinder and the main telescope are pointing at precisely the same location.

To align the viewfinder:. Turn the three rear alignment screws of the viewfinder bracket 6, Fig. Tip: Do not overtighten the alignment screws.

When tightening one screw it may be necessary to loosen one or both of the two other alignment screws. Welcome to ManualMachine. We have sent a verification link to to complete your registration. Log In Sign Up. Forgot password? Enter your email address and check your inbox. Please check your email for further instructions.

Enter a new password. A B Remove the from its packaging and place it on a surface the eyepiece A and their appropriate positions on the tighten respective attachment screws to a only. Insert eight user-supplied AA-size batteries into the battery compartment D in the orientation. Replace the cover and return the telescope to an upright position.

See page 6, for more information. The Electronic Controller is operational. Each press slows the down one level, then cycles back to the highest 6 NOTE: Before observing, verify that the flip-mirror control 14, Fig.

Telescope Controls An important array of features and manual controls facilitates operation of an ETX telescope. Viewfinder - a. Fork Arms - Hold the optical tube in place. Computer Control Panel A. Photo Port - Attach any 35mm camera with a removable lens to this port using an optional 64ST T- Adapter or attach the Erecting Prism for correctly oriented images through the eyepiece.

Battery Compartment not shown, underneath base - Install eight user-supplied AA batteries in this compartment. See page 9 for more information. Light No. Light Status Light 2 Blinking Light 3 Off Light 4 Indicator Light Key The procedures in this manual identify the status of the four indicator lights as depicted above: on , blinking, or off.

Fast Medium Moderate Slow Fig. One fun way to learn about astronomy is to join an astronomy club. At club meetings, you will meet other astronomy enthusiasts with whom you will be able to share your discoveries. Clubs are an excellent way to learn more about observing the sky, to find out where the best observing sites are, and to compare notes about telescopes, eyepieces, filters, tripods, and so forth.

Often, club members are excellent photographers. See page 18 for more information about photography with the ETX. Parties at which you can check out and observe with many different telescopes and other pieces of astronomical equipment.

Assembly Instructions Assembly of your telescope requires the following procedures: install batteries, insert an eyepiece, attach the viewfinder, and plug in the handbox. Install the Batteries. Insert eight AA-size batteries into the battery compartment, oriented as shown on the battery mounting board.

Return the telescope to an upright position. Using The Viewfinder As with most astronomical telescopes, the ETX model telescopes present a fairly narrow field of view to the observer. ETXEC 1. Proceed with Aligning the Viewfinder. Aligning the Viewfinder In order for the viewfinder to be useful, it must first be aligned with the main telescope, so that both the viewfinder and the main telescope are pointing at precisely the same location.

To align the viewfinder: 1. You can only view or download manuals with.