Oh man, I just killed my Autostar controller...

[toc]

A cautionary tale - The LCD display of the 497 hand controller is very easy to crack..My controller had been getting rather dusty and dirty, and the buttons more than a little sticky, so I decided to take it apart and clean the muck from the keys. Alas it looks like I have shattered the LCD display :(.

The controller still makes that annoying buzz when it is powered up, but the display is toast.

Anyone have a spare one :lol:

[Astroman]

Geez thats no good TOC. Hope you get a new one soon.

[Roger Davis]

Sorry to hear that, if I find anything I'll let you know.

[janoskiss]

Not as funny as you might think. They seem to pop up 2nd hand quite frequently.

[toc]

Bintel sell them new for over $300... (*splutter*) But there are at least 4 on ebay for about 1/2 to 1/3 rd of the that price.

the other option is to try and replace the LCD display.

Or, perhaps its time to blow 2K+ on a EQ6+SynScan :whistle:

[ving]

you know you want to toc.... go for it :D

[toc]

I do - but then the grim reality of some of my unpaid bills hits home :rofl:

[nightsky]

G'day
Have you looked on Ebay?? check this bloke out
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7611459944&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:AU:75
I like this bit
NON-UNITED STATES BIDDERS PLEASE NOTE: I will send items to any country. I will send them stating that they are an unsolicited gift. If your country, though, decides that you must pay any kind of import tax, it is your own responsibility to pay these. I am not responsible for paying anything.Please email me with any questions before bidding.
Good Luck
NightSky
P.S. Here is the web page for the Auststar and the "Buy it now" $99:99US +postage
about $134 Aus
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7611459854&sspagename=ADME:L:RTQ:AU:1

[rat156]

Hi Toc,

I dropped mine on the driveway whilst packing up one night, cracked the display. I asked nicely, and someone had a bad 497 controller, which uses the same LCD, cost me a bottle of plonk.

Try the Melbourne Meade Yahoo group, that's where I got mine from. Also try the other Meade LX yahoo groups.

Cheers
Stuart.

[toc]

Thanks - Hopefully Ill have a new one in a week or three - I just got one for about 80USD on ebay. Ill be a lot more careful with this one! :lol:

[Astroman]

Keep it in the box and go buy an EQ6 :D

[nightsky]

Basil!!!!
:rofl:

[toc]

Not for a while :( My car needs some major money spent on it. Had to get new tyres on Friday, which sent me back $400. I hate it when unimportant stuff like cars, school fees, and insurance get in the way of spending money on telescopes and camera gear ;)

Besides, ill wait until Synta get a new handset out for their Sin Scan.