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Old 10-10-2017, 04:54 PM
Numanoid (Jason)
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Lx-90 gps

Hello!

New to this Forum so please be patient if I am not following protocol!

I am absolutely a newbie to Astronomy. I was fortunate to pick up at a garage sale a MEADE LX-90 GPS. However, it never had an eyepiece or the 'controller' (?).

It came with a Viewfinder which looks like a Bintel and not the original.

So at this stage I do not even know if it is any good! Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I think that it could benefit from a good clean (internally). How best to do this? Are there specialists in Brisbane who can do this?

I would also like to purchase an eyepiece - any advice for a newbie on their first eyepiece. At this stage I just want to check if the MEADE works.

Any help, guidance will be much appreciated!

Thanks!
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Old 10-10-2017, 06:53 PM
m11 (Mel)
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Hi Numaniod,

I am no expert in sct scopes but i would recommend:
  • post some pics of the mirrors and scope itself
  • do you have a diagonal with the scope?
  • i would be wanting to test the electronics, does it power on. A handset will probably be required to test if the scope is fully operational
  • if you can get a simple low power eyepiece and have the diagonal, i would test the scope. Let it cool down as well. You can still use the scope manually. You will need to probably align the finderscope as well.
  • i would recommended to check its collimation as well.
  • i am not across people who service scts in Briabane. Maybe others will have suggestions.

Hope it helps and best of luck

One thing, enjoy the journey.

M11
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Old 10-10-2017, 07:57 PM
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gaseous (Patrick)
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Welcome Jason,

If you can get yourself and the scope into the Myer Centre, the chaps at AstroAnarchy (Level 2 I think) would be able to answer your questions. I can't say for certain if they can service it, but they'd certainly give you the advice to have a crack at it yourself. Their website shows that they stock the LX-90 model, so you would hope they could point you in the right direction.
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Old 11-10-2017, 03:31 PM
Numanoid (Jason)
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Lx-90 gps

Thanks!
Some questions as i am still learning the lingo:-

1. Diagonal. I am *guessing* that this is literally the diagonal piece that you would attach the eye piece to, right? If so yes, there is a Bintel one attached.
2. testing electronics. I will need that controller/handset (missing) right? or is there another way to test this?
3. How do i align the finderscope?
4. What is collimation?

Quote:
Originally Posted by m11 View Post
Hi Numaniod,

I am no expert in sct scopes but i would recommend:
  • post some pics of the mirrors and scope itself
  • do you have a diagonal with the scope?
  • i would be wanting to test the electronics, does it power on. A handset will probably be required to test if the scope is fully operational
  • if you can get a simple low power eyepiece and have the diagonal, i would test the scope. Let it cool down as well. You can still use the scope manually. You will need to probably align the finderscope as well.
  • i would recommended to check its collimation as well.
  • i am not across people who service scts in Briabane. Maybe others will have suggestions.

Hope it helps and best of luck

One thing, enjoy the journey.

M11
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  #5  
Old 11-10-2017, 03:33 PM
Numanoid (Jason)
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Lx-90 gps

Awesome recommendation! I'll call them.

Quote:
Originally Posted by gaseous View Post
Welcome Jason,

If you can get yourself and the scope into the Myer Centre, the chaps at AstroAnarchy (Level 2 I think) would be able to answer your questions. I can't say for certain if they can service it, but they'd certainly give you the advice to have a crack at it yourself. Their website shows that they stock the LX-90 model, so you would hope they could point you in the right direction.
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  #6  
Old 11-10-2017, 03:36 PM
Numanoid (Jason)
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Opening the LX-90 GPS

Also, can I just use regular Allen Keys to open the LX-90 GPS and take a look at its internal condition?
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  #7  
Old 11-10-2017, 04:00 PM
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doppler (Rick)
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If you do open up the scope make sure you mark the orientation of the cells with some tape so they go back in the same spot.
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Old 11-10-2017, 04:35 PM
m11 (Mel)
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Hi Numanoid,

All good, most of us are still learning constantly.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Numanoid View Post
Thanks!
Some questions as i am still learning the lingo:-

1. Diagonal. I am *guessing* that this is literally the diagonal piece that you would attach the eye piece to, right? If so yes, there is a Bintel one attached. Yep that is the one.
2. testing electronics. I will need that controller/handset (missing) right?
or is there another way to test this? I believe they can take batteries but I generally run my sct on a 12 volt car battery. To test the functions on the scope I believe will require a handset. A handset would be around $100 last time I checked
3. How do i align the finderscope? I recommend point the scope which can you do manually, loosen the clutch tension wheels and knob until you see the object in your eyepiece and finderscope. The moon is usually the easiest object to align on.
4. What is collimation?
Ensuring the scope mirrors are align otherwise you get flares and not the most optimal view. With a SCT you generally need to leave it outside to temperature equalise as well. The sct has the collimation screws/knobs at the front of the scope in the middle.
https://starizona.com/acb/basics/usi...ating_sct.aspx
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  #9  
Old 11-10-2017, 04:38 PM
Numanoid (Jason)
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Opening up an LX-90 GPS

Hey thanks for this - and I did see a German/Swiss guy do exactly this on YouTube.
He said 'regular tools' but looking at my LX-90 I'm not sure if regular Allen keys will work...I've tried a few. perhaps I have wrong ones...

Quote:
Originally Posted by doppler View Post
If you do open up the scope make sure you mark the orientation of the cells with some tape so they go back in the same spot.
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  #10  
Old 11-10-2017, 04:47 PM
AndrewJ
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Gday Jason
The mount will not work without a hand controller, as 95% of the smarts for an LX90 are in the handbox.
You need to get a 497 or Audiostar type handbox.
The 497s are hard to find now, but if you can find one second hand it will work. Audiostars can be bought new but you may need to change the firmware to make it work properly with the LX90.
As to eyepieces, the std issue with most Meades is a 26mm Plossl.
Its a nice size to cover most stuff when you are beginning.

Andrew
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Old 11-10-2017, 04:47 PM
Numanoid (Jason)
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Brilliant link - thanks!
...and I learned what an SCT is into the bargain!

Quote:
Originally Posted by m11 View Post
Hi Numanoid,

All good, most of us are still learning constantly.

Ensuring the scope mirrors are align otherwise you get flares and not the most optimal view. With a SCT you generally need to leave it outside to temperature equalise as well. The sct has the collimation screws/knobs at the front of the scope in the middle.
https://starizona.com/acb/basics/usi...ating_sct.aspx
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  #12  
Old 11-10-2017, 04:55 PM
Numanoid (Jason)
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Bummer - the person I bought the scope from said they had the controller just misplaced along with the eyepiece and could never find again.

Anyway might be a dumb question, but can I use the scope without the controller ie 'manually'? I dont want to buy a controller if the scope is a wreck. So happy to buy an eyepiece first to see if it is worth investing further.
I will scour these forums to see about these pieces of kit. Any recommendations for a first eyepiece??

Quote:
Originally Posted by AndrewJ View Post
Gday Jason
The mount will not work without a hand controller, as 95% of the smarts for an LX90 are in the handbox.
You need to get a 497 or Audiostar type handbox.
The 497s are hard to find now, but if you can find one second hand it will work. Audiostars can be bought new but you may need to change the firmware to make it work properly with the LX90.
As to eyepieces, the std issue with most Meades is a 26mm Plossl.
Its a nice size to cover most stuff when you are beginning.

Andrew
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  #13  
Old 11-10-2017, 06:42 PM
AndrewJ
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Gday Jason

You cannot "operate" the scope using computer control without the Hbx.
You can release the clutches and move it manually, but it will become a pain in the bum very quickly, due to the narrow field of view.
If you can find someone local with a 497 / Audiostar controller, you could get them to hook it to your scope and see if it works.
It it does, you know the mount works and only need to buy a handbox to get a fully functioning goto scope.

Andrew
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Old 11-10-2017, 07:05 PM
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gaseous (Patrick)
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To align the finderscope, you'll need to get the scope outside and with an eyepiece installed find a stationary target at least several hundred metres away, preferably something with a small but easily recognizable feature, like a streetlight lamp or similar. Once it's centred in the eyepiece, look through your finderscope and gradually adjust the two small thumbscrews on the finderscope to get the object centred in the crosshairs. Hopefully it'll at least be in the finderscope's field of view when you first look, if not you'll need to do a little more vigorous tweaking to find the object. Once the object is centred in both the eyepiece and finderscope, you're right to go. You'll probably need to check this every time you use it.
As for the controller, if you get your scope to a telescope shop that stocks the same model, they would hopefully be able to rig one up to see if your scope works.
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Old 12-10-2017, 10:43 AM
Numanoid (Jason)
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Thanks - great advice!

Quote:
Originally Posted by AndrewJ View Post
Gday Jason

You cannot "operate" the scope using computer control without the Hbx.
You can release the clutches and move it manually, but it will become a pain in the bum very quickly, due to the narrow field of view.
If you can find someone local with a 497 / Audiostar controller, you could get them to hook it to your scope and see if it works.
It it does, you know the mount works and only need to buy a handbox to get a fully functioning goto scope.

Andrew
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Old 12-10-2017, 10:44 AM
Numanoid (Jason)
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Thank you for the "How to.." - really appreciate it!
I'll give it a go once I get an eyepiece. Any suggestions on a good general starter eyepiece?

Quote:
Originally Posted by gaseous View Post
To align the finderscope, you'll need to get the scope outside and with an eyepiece installed find a stationary target at least several hundred metres away, preferably something with a small but easily recognizable feature, like a streetlight lamp or similar. Once it's centred in the eyepiece, look through your finderscope and gradually adjust the two small thumbscrews on the finderscope to get the object centred in the crosshairs. Hopefully it'll at least be in the finderscope's field of view when you first look, if not you'll need to do a little more vigorous tweaking to find the object. Once the object is centred in both the eyepiece and finderscope, you're right to go. You'll probably need to check this every time you use it.
As for the controller, if you get your scope to a telescope shop that stocks the same model, they would hopefully be able to rig one up to see if your scope works.
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  #17  
Old 12-10-2017, 10:47 AM
m11 (Mel)
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Hi Numanoid,

Since you testing , i wouldnt spend alot. I would just get a low powered plossl due to the narrowier field of view. Maybe just get a second hand one for starters. They are some cheap ones listed for sale on this forum.

Mel

Quote:
Originally Posted by Numanoid View Post
Thank you for the "How to.." - really appreciate it!
I'll give it a go once I get an eyepiece. Any suggestions on a good general starter eyepiece?

Last edited by m11; 12-10-2017 at 11:56 AM.
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Old 12-10-2017, 12:07 PM
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gaseous (Patrick)
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Yeah don't spend much on a "tester" eyepiece. You should be able to get a new entry level skywatcher 25mm plossl for peanuts. Just don't go lashing out on anything with "Televue" written on it at this stage....
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Old 12-10-2017, 02:08 PM
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jenchris (Jennifer)
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Are you Southside?
If you arw pop down to my place and I'll take a look. I've got some bits and pieces that will render it viable (or not as the case may be).
Ill give it a clean too.
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Old 12-10-2017, 05:33 PM
Numanoid (Jason)
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I'm western 'burbs (The Gap), but heck that is a really kind offer! I would happily travel for this level of assistance!
How do we PM contact details??

Quote:
Originally Posted by jenchris View Post
Are you Southside?
If you arw pop down to my place and I'll take a look. I've got some bits and pieces that will render it viable (or not as the case may be).
Ill give it a clean too.
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