Meade ETX 125 Backpack Observatory Part 2 - Proper Alignment - How to Setup

No. 2 on how to not get frustrated if you are new to setting up this telescope. View this as an alternative to the official Meade Video which is a little too basic for my taste.
So enjoy, always clear skies and lots of fun!
Also check out my other parts of this series:
Part one: Flexibility for day and night
• Meade ETX 125 Backpack...
Part three: Blood moon (lunar eclipse)
• Meade ETX 125 Backpack...
Part four: Planets and Birds
• Meade ETX 125 Backpack...
Part five: iphone 11 night mode
• Meade ETX 125 Backpack...
Part six: Slewing with AutoStar - Nebulae and Star Clusters
• Meade ETX 125 Backpack...

[@jturtle8305]

I thought the leg in front of the latitude bar was supposed to face north on the tripod and not the other way around. Does that even matter as long as the actual telescope base is pointing north?

[@agermangineer]

Exactly. But I think the leg is supposed to point north, when you tilt the tripod plate toward Polaris. But I never do that, so it doesn’t matter for the Alt-Az alignment.

[@auletjohnast03638]

🔵THE MUSIC IN THE BACKGROUND MAKES IT HARD TO HEAR THE PERSON.🔴

[@adgorn1]

Thanks for these very helpful tips. (I inherited an ETX125PE and am working to get it up and running.) I just want to be clear: the auto alignment procedure in the manual (pg 17) does not seem to mention the need to level the tripod nor point the leg due north since it seems to be doing those things automatically, right? But you say it is of value to set it level and point north anyway, correct? Also, I see that there is an AutoStar updater 6.1 on Meade's site but unclear from the cables I have whether I can (or should) do that. Do you have any advice or can you show?

[@agermangineer]

Sounds to me like you have a much more recent edition of the ETX. Mine is already... quite old (approx. from 2004) and therefore much less independent than what you describe. Ironically my manual also doesn’t say anything about the alignment with the tripod. It was an old Meade video, that gave me that instruction. The newer versions of the ETX have the Computer control on the bracket-horns instead of the base (like mine). My guess is that’s why the newer versions just need to be pointed north and level... and you’re all set. Oh... and that‘s the first time I’ve heard of an Autostar update. Sounds intriguing, but I have no idea how to upload that to the ETX... so far every eclipse and other events (except recently discovered comets of course) have always been spot-on on the Autostar. Hope that helps. 😬

[@juiceroc]

What's the eyepiece you are using there?

[@agermangineer]

Hi, sorry for the delay: a Soligor PE-32mm and a Baader Hyperion 13 mm eyepiece.

[@davidbrandenburg8029]

how about showing us how to focus it before we buy?, I don't see how you focus this thing.

[@agermangineer]

David Brandenburg, well fortunately I’m not selling. And believe it or not it does focus; see the little silver dot next to the eyepiece at about 0:08? That’s your focus!

[@nomas8983]

How bout asking nicely, u little prick...dummy

[@alfredoduraningenieroscons60]

Hello. Excellent video. I have a question for you... How can I configure my Meade tripod considering that my city is located at 10° North latitude? Thanks in advance. Greetings !

[@Pomdaddy]

Hi first Thank You! I have an old ETX 90 that looks like your's and you are so right. I did not have great results and the instructions are also lacking, however after your video I can successfully enjoy my scope. I have spent a lot of time looking for instructional videos and your series tops them all! Somehow they did not show up easily on You Tube right away. Thanks again.

[@agermangineer]

Hi Frank, that makes it all worth while! Thanx! 😀

[@Shinobi117]

Hello. When you rotate the base CCW till it stops and rotate CW, I thought the fork with the sinching knob was suppose to stop at the control panel instead the other fork shown in the video. Sorry I'm a noob. What's happening to me is when my scope begins to slew for the 2nd alignment star it reaches a dead end (stops rotating even though I hear the motors still trying to slow the scope). I'm sure I'm doing something wrong here.

[@agermangineer]

I’d say so... but in this case: trial and error. Switching directions, sides etc. and you should crack that thing (not literally).

[@Shinobi117]

@@agermangineer I think I got it. Thank you.

[@agermangineer]

@@Shinobi117 sweeeet! 😀👍🏻

[@000jupiter000]

Do you need to adjust the altitude on the tripod or is that just for equatorial alignment?

[@agermangineer]

The altitude? Not really. I mean the tripod ist best set up with the mounting screws due north-south and perfectly level! That's it. Hope this helps.

[@ahmadalbab135]

Can i apply same method to etx80 tripod?

[@agermangineer]

My guess is yes... 🙂

[@ahmadalbab135]

@@agermangineer ok, many thanks. Im going to try it. Btw, ur explanation in the video is much easier to understand.

[@agermangineer]

@@ahmadalbab135 thank you! That is very much appreciated! 😀👋🏻