Filter
Top Products
- 9 -
GETTING STARTED
Parts List
ETX telescopes are assembled virtually
complete at the Meade factory. 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.
• Super Plössl (SP) 26mm eyepiece,
packed in a plastic storage container.
• 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 during shipment.
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
Assembly of all three of the ETX model telescopes requires eight user-supplied AA-size batteries and the
following steps:
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. Slide and snap the
cover back in place. Return the telescope
to an upright position.
Insert an Eyepiece
Remove the SP 26mm 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.
Plug in the Handbox
Be certain that the power switch on the
Computer Control panel (10A, Fig. 1) is in
the OFF position. Plug the coil cord of the
Electronic Controller into the HBX port
(10C, Fig. 1).
Attach the Viewfinder
ETX-90EC: 8 x 21mm Viewfinder: Slide
the eyepiece end of the viewfinder through
the front of the viewfinder bracket (1, Fig.
5).
ETX-105EC or 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. 5).
Unthread the six alignment screws slightly
to fit the viewfinder through the bracket.
With the viewfinder in place, tighten the six
alignment screws to a firm feel only against
the viewfinder tube.
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.
2
5
1
3
6
4
TIPS
FOR BEGINNERS
Join an Astronomy Club
Attend a Star Party
One fun way to learn about astronomy is to join an
astronomy club. Check your local newspaper,
school, library, or telescope dealer/store to find out
if there’s a club in your area.
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.
Not only will you be able to see examples of their
art, but you may even be able to pick up some
“tricks of the trade” to try out on your ETX
telescope. See page 18 for more information about
photography with the ETX.
Many groups also hold regularly scheduled Star
Parties at which you can check out and observe
with many different telescopes and other pieces of
astronomical equipment. Magazines such as Sky &
Telescope and Astronomy print schedules for many
popular Star Parties around the United States and
Canada.