New Guy and Need Help!

JimsZR2 · Post by **JimsZR2** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 11:21 pm

Hi all!

Im Jim and I'm located in Saint Paul.

I just bought my very first Telescope and it's a Meade ETX 125 with autostar. I was outside tonight trying my best to get Autostar to work properly and aligned but I ran into a few issues. I can't seem to get it right... I'm curious as to where I can find an extra lending hand to help me get this working correctly?

mlfj4901 · Post by **mlfj4901** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 6:12 am

Greetings,

Jim I know there are many people here that can help you...unfortunately I'm not one of them. However, if for some reason you don't find the help you want here on the discussion boards, or if you just want additional hands on help, come to a starparty.

The next starparty is Friday June 10th at Onan, you can find directions on the MAS homepage. There is also a beginner's starparty and cookout on June 11th, also at Onan.

As I said I know you'll soon have offers of help from qualified people here, but if you need/want more bring your scope on Friday or Saturday (or both

) to Onan. If you can't make it to Onan don't fret, there are three MAS starparties a month, all listed on the MAS homepage.

Good luck with your scope, I've heard a lot of positive things about them.

-matt

JimsZR2 · Post by **JimsZR2** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 10:43 am

I may try and go out tonight if the weather cooperates and try to get it setup. So basically with the AutoStar system, each time I power it up it will have to be aligned?

I will plan on being there friday night!

Kurt A. Casby · Post by **Kurt A. Casby** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 11:41 am

Hi Jim!

Is that a Chevy ZR2? Just curious about people's 'handles'.

What sort of issues did you run into? You will have to align each time you power up. That is true of almost any scope unless it is set up permanently, and even then they still have to be 'aligned' if they are computer controlled. Again, what 'issues' did you run into?

Clear Skies,
Kurt

JimsZR2 · Post by **JimsZR2** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 11:47 am

Yeah, I have a Chevy S-10 ZR2

Some of my issues were reading the directions improperly! HAHA

I did not set the scope at 0 degrees so it was way off. I was also trying to do this in the city which is a big no no because the scope could not find the two stars and I couldnt see anything in the sky except planets.

I also don't think I was facing perfectly North But I'm studying away. and hopefully tackle this next weekend!

templar4 · Post by **templar4** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 12:44 pm

Hey Jim
I'm running a Meade LXD55 8"SCT with autostar. I'm not by any means an expert but may be able to offer you some help. I'm still learning some of the nuances of the system with my scope. I'm planning on being at Onan this coming weekend with my son. Maybe we can get together.

Dan Beggs

JimsZR2 · Post by **JimsZR2** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 1:58 pm

Sounds great! I will be there!

What's a good time to arrive?

mlfj4901 · Post by **mlfj4901** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 4:16 pm

Greetings,

If Friday is clouded out at Onan we're firing up the grills at 7:00 on Saturday at Onan. Then you'd get a chance to set up your scope and hopefully take a peek at the sun through the Coronado.

-matt

JimsZR2 · Post by **JimsZR2** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 11:02 pm

Well, I just saw the weather forecast and looks to be cloudy all weekend. Keepin my hopes up for a clear night!

Starforce2 · Post by **Starforce2** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 11:16 pm

Is the autostar an EQ mount or a standard atl/az mount?

Also, where in st. paul are ya?

JimsZR2 · Post by **JimsZR2** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 11:22 pm

The stand has the EQ mount but the scope is going to be programmed for the alt/az align.

I'm actually in Maplewood/Oakdale area. Near Stillwater RD and Century Ave.

Starforce2 · Post by **Starforce2** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 11:24 pm

good grief, yur about a mile away from me. I know jack about EQ mounts. But there's always manual oberving...

JimsZR2 · Post by **JimsZR2** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 11:27 pm

Yeah, Manual surfing works, But I will get this Scope going once and for all!

Props to living nearby in the hood! LOL

Watch out for the severe weather moving in.

Starforce2 · Post by **Starforce2** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 11:37 pm

sitting on the radar display is another of my hobbies. One of these days I'm going to take a roadtrip into the path of a hurricane for the fun of it. I shoulda brought the digicam to the park today, there was a small patch of them mumatus (sp?) clouds that'd make a good weatherspy. I got a nice cloud that produced a tornado from the bluf at the atv range near the ND starparty.

JimsZR2 · Post by **JimsZR2** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 11:51 pm

I like watching the weather too! We got hit kinda hard this morning with a storm. Was not very big but sure got windy!

Starforce2 · Post by **Starforce2** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 6:12 am

all the cars in the lot had that steam blowing around, like what you see when cars go down a wet freeway at 60 or so. I saw 2 downed tress in the century/upper after rd area and the lights and gas stations were dead.

JimsZR2 · Post by **JimsZR2** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 8:20 am

Yeah, We had some minor branches come down also around here.

I guess we're in for it again tonight and friday afternoon.

Buzzygirl · Post by **Buzzygirl** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 10:02 am

My power was out yesterday morning for about 6 hours. Good thing I have battery backup in my alarm clock radio. I'm in the east metro.

Starforce2 · Post by **Starforce2** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 3:30 pm

aall my branches will probably come down in this one, or the next 20mph windy day. Usualy it survuves the first storm then looses a bunch in light wind.