Frad76

On 03/07/2022 at 19:49, michael8554 said:

I think you need to have a good read of the Instruction Manual:

https://www.meade.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/StarNavigator-NG_InstructionManualV001a.pdf

The handset cable plugs into the HBX socket in the mount, not the Aux port.

You can't turn the handbox on or off.

You plug it in BEFORE powering the mount, and the display will start showing the startup procedure.

As described in the Instruction Manual

The "display block" is a backlit  LED display, attached to the circuit board by a flat ribbon cable.

Which is easily torn off when you split open the handbox  :-<

An operating handbox is essential as all the computing is inside it, it's not just a bunch of buttons.

Michael

Thanks for your reply again Michael, I have tried cable and power supply and nothing works, I give up.  How much should you reckon I can sell the OTA for please?

Thank you

On 02/07/2022 at 11:03, michael8554 said:

Some confusion here.

A Meade ETX 125 has a twin-fork mount.

A Meade Star Navigator NG 125 has a single-fork mount.

Which one do you have ?

"what kind of power supply shall I use as an alternative to the Celestron one for example?"

That's not much info to go on.

Doesn't matter what brand it is if the voltage, current rating, and plug are suitable:

I'd say 12 to 13.8 Volts and 3Amps should do.

An Unregulated power supply is not suitable as it could supply too-high voltage.

Plug needs to be 5.5mm x 2.5mm centre positive.

You can use an old-school telephone handset-to-telephone-base cable as an Autostar handset replacement cable.

But loads of replacement Autostar cables available online.

Firmware updates are best avoided unless you are really conversant with the process, and have the right cables.

Can easily lead to a Bricked handset.

The only useful update to recent Meade scopes was for ones with GPS, which I don't think yours has.

The 125 is an excellent scope for planetary viewing, your 12" Newt was the one for DSO's.

Michael

 

Thanks for getting back to me Michael.

I have the NG 125 single fork mount and the Autostar handset. 

I believe all this setup is from 2008 roughly.

In regards to the power supply, I am so sorry about my foggy explaination: I intended to find an alternative to the portable (and relatively expensive) Celestron Power bank. However I've found out that a small inverter for my car and a 10£ 12V power supply (3A and with 5.5x2.5mm plug) will do the job nicely for nigths out.

I have attached a picture showing the cable that I use, I believe is the same as the one that I see on 90s phones as you said.

The switch shows ON powered by the battery pack (8 Duracell) and by opening it the internal parts look dry and dust free.

However by plugging the handset there is no way to turn it on. I have opened it and the display block was apparently attached to nothing as it fell on my hand, no idea if it needs to stay that way.

Tomorrow I'll try to:

-change batteries

-change cable

-buy the above power supply

I've found out but not gone in much depth on this: I could run the scope using a laptop however the handset needs to be on for this to happen. For this I'd need a plug for the HBX port if I'm correct. 

Anyway I don't get the purpose of both plugs either on the handset and on the mount even because I have no idea of their exact function.

I'll see what will happen tomorrow!

Thanks

Hello guys, I hope everyone is well.

So I am back again after the purchase of a 12" Newtonian and an 8" Dob which I found useless in the amazing crappy UK nights. Hence I'll be selling both soon (12" is only OTA as I've sold mount and GOTO stuff).

My purpose is watching the sky as soon as I have a chance, and those 2 are far too big to get in the car and go to a decent dark spot in the few nights available here.

For this reson my decision to sell them and buy a second hand Meade ETX 125 NG which also has a goto system and send it back to where I am from. At least while on holiday I'll have clear skies 8 times out of 10.

Now the scope came with everything apart from the power supply and the HBX cable (too good to leave for only 150£)

After watching a video I've found out that the AUX cable that I have doesn't need to be plugged to the hand controller and to the mount like I tried to do, BUT it is the HBX cable that needs to be plugged in instead (which seems to me and RJ45 cable) for the hand controller to work.

My questions now are:

what kind of power supply shall I use as an alternative to the Celestron one for example? 

would a generic RJ45 cable be suitable for the job?

once all is in place would a firmware/system update be beneficial or can I leave all the stuff as it is?

Thanks for taking the time to reply to me. I hope to see something soon or I'll sell this one too and change hobby (thinking origami now) 

On 29/05/2022 at 09:53, happy-kat said:

Hope you find something from them that helps you with your push-to idea. SkyEye also has push-to function, I have used the android app I don't know if also on iOS.

Thanks, just found that app, will try this noon on my Dob and see if it works for me. Sky forecast is clear for tonight in Yorkshire. Wish me luck!

Thank you, I need to sharpen my search skills apparently! 😅

Hello everyone, I have tried to run a search but with no actual answers for my question.

I would like to roughly find objects in the sky by mounting my phone on my 8" dob and using something like SkyMap. I am not asking any kind of pint point precision obviously, only some help to mount a phone decently enough for the job.

I am just starting again and still waiting for a decent night since long time and I'd like to make things a bit easier.

Any input is more than welcome.

Thank you

Thank you very much for your useful replies guys! 

I will follow your suggestions and hopefully post a picture of "the beast" soon!

Fran

Hello everyone,

I have tried to find on the forum a solution to my question, to no avail unfortunately.

I have a 12" F5 OTA , I'v sold eq mount and the other bits it came with and I was wondering if anyone can point me out (or discourage me) on how to build a dob mount using the bar that joins the rings together, I was thinking to drill it and find a way to make an enough sturdy arm with plywood.

I am ok working out the dob base but I am not actually clear on how can I make it work on one arm (knob, teflon to be used etc)

Can a one arm mount be built or the weight will be too much counting that I am dealing with a 30ish Lbs tube please?

I am contemplating this alterantive in order to avoid buing a router just for this job and take advantage of the fact that I could make only straight cuts using a saw/circular saw.

Thank you for any reply and I am so sorry if I maybe did not explain myself correctly. English is not my first language and tech jargon is a tad difficult to grasp for me.

2 hours ago, M40 said:

Hello Frad76 and welcome to the site 👍 

Isn't that an oxymoron? 😜

Kind of LOL...been carried away by a 12".....what a beast that is!

Good day everyone. A bit weird introduction as I will be straight asking for advice due to a purchase of a scope a bit too big for my needs! Thanks for having me here!