Inexpensive mount for a Meade ETX telescope

[@capnrob97]

Thanks for the idea! I just bought an ETX-70 on eBay, I will pick up one of these stools and chairs at walmart.

[@steveclark5206]

You’re welcome, and enjoy your new telescope. I picked up a heavy duty tripod used for construction and surveying and am starting to modify it to use with my ETX. I’m going to keep the stool and chair setup to use when the big tripod would be difficult to transport.

[@gregorys6838]

Meade offers an adapter plate that will allow the ETX to mount on to the old classic LX200 tripod. Much less flexure.

[@steveclark5206]

Thanks for the heads up. I tried finding Meade tripods that would work but they were discontinued and hard to find. The couple of used ones I found were $200-$300 shipped. Ouch. I’ll check out Meade’s site for adapters and see if it’s possible to use it on a contractors-style tripod.

[@steveclark5206]

PARTS LIST: Stool/Stand for telescope: Walmart Mainstays folding stool ($12). Just remove the padded seat cover, it’s held on by some plastic serrated plugs so just pull up on it and it will come right off. The nice thing is that there is already a hole made in the dead center of the stool top so you can mount your telescope. Walmart Mainstays also has an light and inexpensive metal folding chair ($10) that is the perfect height to sit on and look through the eyepiece of your telescope. I’m 5’10, my wife is 5’3” and my daughters are 5’4 and 5’ and we are all comfortable with the chair height. Apache 4800 Hard sided carry case from Harbor Freight ($44 with coupon). www.harborfreight.com/4800-weatherproof-protective-case-x-large-64250.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiMTcwMTA5MzQiLCJza3UiOiI2NDI1MCIsImlzIjoiNDMuOTkifQ Meade ETX tripod adapter ($25) off eBay from seller: achungauction Don’t be confused by the video, the mount doesn’t come with the handheld computer, it just comes with a mounting arm for it. Sorry for any confusion. Here’s the sellers description- Photo Tripod Adapter for/fits Meade ETX 60/70/80/90/125 Telescopes Seller Description: Converts single bolt tripod(1/4"-20 thread) to accept Meade ETX series dual bolt base using 3D printed parts. Without a suitable adaptor readily available for my ETX60 grab-n-go telescope, I wanted something that looked nicer, and less expensive than what Meade has available. The bolts are included, and spare bolts, if lost, can be easily replaced from Lowe's. I created this for my own enjoyment, then, later, for a few friends who wanted one. It is constructed with an internal aluminum bar(for strength), surrounded by a 3D printed casing(exterior for aesthetics). With EYEPIECE HOLDER AND CONTROLLER HOLDER ACCESSORY! Manufacturers Info: Adaptor base, converts two bolt telescope to one bolt tripod. This is 3D PRINTED PLASTIC, surface imperfections is normal, it is fused layered plastic. Compatible with etx60 etx70 etx80 etx90 etx125. And most standard tripods(1/4"-20 thread) . Each piece takes about 20 hours print time, and a little more time to construct and packaged for immediate shipping! PLA material, ABS material, Aluminum parts all included. Minimal assembly, ready to use. Fits all etx bases with the two bolt holes, adapting it to one bolt hole tripod. 3D printed and hand assembled in Pennsylvania, USA. Constructed using PLA plastic and ABS plastic. * I’d recommend getting a few extra 1/4 x 20 thread knob screws from Lowe’s or Home Depot, something like this: www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-Replacement-Knobs/4757889 While at Lowe’s/HD, get a couple of metal domed washers (also called cymbal or cup washers) to place under the screw you’ll go up from below the top of the stool in order to mount the telescope securely. It helps take up some space so you don’t have to screw the knob bolt in so far to tighten everything up. They only cost about 30 cents each and are easier to use than stacking normal flat washer together. They look like this but are A LOT cheaper: www.google.com/shopping/product/1?q=cup+washer+metal&client=safari&hl=en&biw=768&bih=950&tbs=vw:l,ss:44&prds=num:1,of:1,epd:9934472039763195173,paur:ClkAsKraXyJlK9rTJZdzJ3CsoRzlv_m4RRcyg30iDMMTMJdjUmjlRQthwRS6xeAUZGXT9TTOBU8Jk70WN7uUXNUrFVNHZ_8YaUwh7vAGm3PGFFgJ-Pm4ES8SBhIZAFPVH72WBvnOiat3HqhuCUJroNG7YCuOZg,prmr:1,pid:9934472039763195173,cs:1

[@steveclark5206]

I know this seems like an odd (and possibly pointless) video about how to mount the ETX series or any other tabletop style of telescopes, but I had a hard time finding any info online when I searched the topic. It’s very unlikely that anyone who buys an inexpensive telescope like I did for $30 is going to turn around and spend $200+ on a Meade 884 or a heavy duty camera tripod and then another $150 on a Pelican hard case. I couldn’t find any alternatives online, so that’s why I went and figured out some cheap and effective options. I hope it helps someone.

[@tderuvo]

very nice video - thx. I have the same telescope - do you have a link to the hard case?

[@steveclark5206]

Tony DeRuvo Right below in the parts list post is a link to the case at Harbor Freight. They usually have sale coupons online for either the case or 20% off.