Meade parts impossible to get

[BlackWidow (Mardy)]

I have been trying to get my Autostar 11 handbox working for 1 1/2 years. I got so frustrated with the Adelaide Optical Centre I ended up trying to repair my handbox with a repair kit from WES Electronics. Bintel have tried to help by selling me a used membrane that turned out to be worse than my original one. They don't have new handboxes in stock and wont for another 5 weeks. From past experience with Meade parts, that is short for.. We have no idea... I love my telescope, but Meade support is very very poor here in Australia.

I would love to get a new handbox, does anyone know where I might get one? Autostar11'

It also took just over a year to get a mead field de-rotator repaired under warranty. Meade have not bad scopes, and really bad everything else


Mardy

[Poita (Peter)]

What is wrong with the existing one? I may be able to repair it or modify it for you.

[BlackWidow (Mardy)]

Thanks Peter. I have got it going of sorts buy using a pad repair kit from WES. The trouble is that over time small parts of the coating falls off and causes the button press to stay on. Then I have to open and clean it again. I have tried to get a new membrane but have had no luck. Now I have decided to just get a new handbox and be done with it. Don't seem to be able to get one of them either. It should not be this hard to get parts.




Regards
Mardy

[Poita (Peter)]

I was thinking that it would be possible to replace the membrane assembly with actual buttons.

Alternatively I have a special conductive paint that is used specifically for refurbishing rubber membrane type keypads, I use it to repair ageing commander phone systems and it works very well.
I'd be willing to have a go at repairing it for you if you could do without it for a week.

Otherwise, can you replace it with one of these?
http://telescopes.net/store/telescop...and-lx400.html

[AndrewJ]

Gday Martin
OPT in the states normally stock the ASII hbxs
http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?...=autostar&st=2
They state its in stock, but dunno how true that is.
One other thing to try first.
If your Hbx is an older model, ie the contacts on the PCB are just
tinned ( vs gold flashed ), then using a soft eraser
to scrub off the oxidation that forms on em can restore the
functionality of the keys by an amazing amount.
I have to reclean mine about every 4-6mths to keep the hbx
working easily.

Andrew

[BlackWidow (Mardy)]

Thanks Andrew thats a great help... I have E-Mailed them to make sure they have the item, and if so I will purchase...

I have the contacts that are tinned or silvered and have resurfaced the contact pads twice now.. I have used a contact repair paint that works pretty well, but still fails over time.. Small fragments fall off the pads and short the contacts. Then you have to open the controller and clean it again... I have been doing this for near 2 years and think it's time just to purchase a new one and keep the old as a backup only....

I have tried every shop I can think of and the best help I got was from Bintel. They tell me that they will have stock in 5 weeks, but that just always seems to blow out or never happen based on past orders with other dealers.. I just want to get one now at any lenth...

Thanks for your assistance I will let you know how I go. I have also E-mailed Scope City in San Fran as I have purchased from them in the past.. It's a real shame that we just can't get what we need here. I would rather support our local dealers, but I am certain they are just as frustrated with Meade's poor product support.


Regards
Mardy

[mozzie (Peter)]

try astro optical supplies in sydney,or star optics in gold coast... star optics have wireless autostar II in stock.. hope that helps....

[BlackWidow (Mardy)]

We thanks for all your help. I now have an Autostar handbox on it's way. It seems that suppliers in the USA are not supposed to ship International as Meade want to protect thier overseas sellers. This part I do understand, however they don't seem to be able to support the Australian sellers with stock. This is not the first time I have had these problems. The price I have paid for the item with shipping is greater than a local supplier would have sold the itme to me IF THEY COULD GET STOCK. It make no sense other than putting me off ever purchasing another Meade Telescope in the future.. Real shame as I am happy with my scope... In total it has taken 1 1/2 years to get an outcome co's I tried to find a solution with local dealers... All of them in Australia. Bintel think they may have some in 5 weeks, but they cant be sure that they will be in the shipment... Not thier fault, they all have been very helpfull.. It's all to do with Meade...


Sigh........ Thats got that of my chest... I am still very happy that I have found a solution...