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INTRODUCTION
A Meade ETXAstro Telescope is an extremely versatile, high-
resolution imaging system that, with advanced features similar
to larger and more specialized telescopes, can be used by
casual observers and serious astronomers alike. Wi t h
pushbutton controls, automatic tracking of celestial objects (with
one of the optional tripods), and diffraction-limited imaging, an
ETX telescope may be all the telescope ever required by many
terrestrial and astronomical observers.
As a first telescope, the ETX-90EC or ETX-125EC reveals
nature in an ever-expanding level of detail: observe the feather
structure of a bird from 50 yards or study the rings of the planet
Saturn from a distance of 800 million miles. Beyond the Solar
System observe nebulae, star clusters, galaxies, and other
deep-sky objects. Both telescopes are instruments fully capable
of growing with your interest.
Your Meade ETX Astro Telescope is one of the most
revolutionary telescope systems ever developed. Read this
manual thoroughly to take full advantage of the telescope's
numerous advanced features.
This manual provides instructions for the following products:
• ETX-90EC Astro Telescope
• ETX-125EC Astro Telescope
The Electronic Controller
Control of both ETX model telescopes is through pushbutton
operation of the standard-equipment Electronic Controller
(Fig. 2). Nearly all functions of the telescope are accomplished
through the Electronic Controller with just a few button pushes:
• Move the telescope on two axes
(up-and-down or left-and-right) at
any of 4 drive speeds for precise
tracking
of
astronomical
terrestrial objects.
• Mount the telescope in the polar
mode for fully automatic tracking
of celestial objects using the
optional #880 (ETX–90EC), #881
(ETX-125EC) Table Tripod, or
#883 Deluxe Field Tripod (see
O P T I O N A L AC C E S S O R I E S, page
17).
• When in the polar mode, switch
the motor drive between northern
and Southern Hemisphere oper-
ation for observing from any-
where in the world.
A detailed description of the functions and operation of the
Electronic Controller is found in E l e c t ronic Contro l l e r
Functions, page 6.
Parts List
In keeping with the ETX philosophy of elegant simplicity, an ETX
telescope is virtually completely assembled at the Meade
f a c t o r y. Getting the telescope ready for first observations
requires only a few minutes. When first opening the packing
box, note carefully the following parts:
• The ETX Astro Telescope with fork-mount system.
• Electronic Controller with attached coil cord.
• Viewfinder, packed in a separate small box.
• Super Plössl (SP) 26mm eyepiece, packed in a plastic
storage container, in a separate small box.
• Hex-wrench set (2 wrenches), packed with the manual.
The viewfinder is packed separately from the main telescope to
avoid the possibility of the viewfinder slipping in its bracket and
scratching the viewfinder tube during shipment.
Chapter 1: GETTING STARTED
or
Fig.2: Electronic
Controller.
z
Assembly Instructions
Assembly of both ETX model telescopes requires eight (user-
supplied) AA-size batteries and the following steps:
1. a. ETX-90EC 8 x 21 mm Viewfinder: Slide the eyepiece end
of the viewfinder through the front of the viewfinder
bracket (1, Fig. 3).
1
ETX-90EC Viewfinder
ETX-125EC Right-Angle Viewfinder
Fig.3: Installation of the Viewfinder.
b. ETX-125EC 8 x 25mm Right-Angle Viewfinder: Slide the
front cell end of the right-angle viewfinder through the rear
of the viewfinder bracket (2, Fig. 3).
You may need to unthread the six alignment screws slightly
to fit the viewfinder through the bracket. With the viewfinder
in place, tighten (to a firm feel only) the six alignment screws
against the viewfinder tube. To align the viewfinder, see page
8.
2. Remove the SP26mm eyepiece (1, Fig. 1) from its container
and place it in the eyepiece holder (4, Fig. 1). Tighten the
thumbscrew (3, Fig. 1) to a firm feel only.
3. The telescope's battery compartment (6, Fig. 4) is at the
bottom of the drive base. Place the telescope securely on its
side as shown in Fig. 4. Open the battery compartment by
simultaneously depressing the two release latches (4, Fig. 4)
and pulling the battery cover (5, Fig. 4) away from the drive
base. Insert eight AA-size batteries into the battery
compartment, oriented as shown on the battery mounting
board. Put the cover back in place.
4. Place the telescope in an upright position on a flat surface.
Be certain that the power switch on the computer control
panel (1, Fig. 5) is in the OFF position. Plug the coil cord for
the Electronic Controller into the HBX port (3, Fig. 5).
6
5
Fig.4: Bottom view of an ETX showing eight AA-size
batteries mounted inside the battery compartment.
(1) High-latitude tripod leg hole; (2) Drive base;
(3) Alternate tripod leg hole; (4) Release latches;
(5) Battery compartment cover; (6) Battery compartment.
Basic assembly of either ETX model is now complete.
CHAPTER
2
1
2
3
4
5
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