(03-25-2019, 06:11 PM)homebiscuit Wrote: (03-25-2019, 01:29 AM)Jagfan44 Wrote: What type of scope do you have? This sounds odd, but I have a total of six telescopes, even more odd, I don't know how to use them that is why I still have them.
Thanks to this thread however I took out my Meade ETX-90 and took a look at the moon. Finally was able to put some time into this and actually see the moon. I used the stock 26mm eyepiece, I had no idea that the eyepiece is the magnification piece. The next day I went out and bought two more eyepieces, 12mm and 9mm. Last night I tried the new eyepieces with my Meade ETX-125. The last time I tried the ETX-125 I could not see anything, turns out the finder and the actual scope were way off alignment so I just gave up put it away and forgot about it. After aligning both pieces during the day, we were able to see the moon in great detail, all of the little craters. I do think the 9mm is overall kill for this scope but still very enjoyable. I think this is something that I will really enjoy and I can't wait to view different objects in the sky.
Now to figure out what to do with the rest of the scopes. One of them is a higher end scope but I cannot get it to focus, it's like the focus knob just doesn't work, won't do anything. Any advice? Think I will be calling the manufacturer tomorrow to see about repairs.
Wow! Six scopes. I'm curious as to why you kept acquiring them. Regardless, you've got plenty to keep you occupied and I'm glad you're finally enjoying them. The ETX scopes you have are the catadioptric scopes I was talking about. Schmidt-Cassegrains, more specifically, but there's several different flavors of cat scopes. You have some nice scopes, and yes, if the finder scope isn't aligned then viewing becomes an exercise in futility. There's tons of information on line about how to get the most out of your scopes.
I have a Dobsonian, which is a Newtonian (a reflector scope which uses a mirror rather than lenses) on a Dobsonian mount. The name is confusing. It's big, heavy, and cumbersome and designed to view faint deep-sky objects, which is why it's called a light bucket, although I mostly use it for general viewing.
The 9 and 12mm eyepieces are high magnification and more than you would typically need. I have 15, 20, and 25mm eyepieces in 1.25" and a 2X Barlow if I really want to get close. The thing about high magnification eyepieces is that while you get closer to the object, the view is dimmer and eye relief is greatly reduced. They can be a real chore to look through for long. Go with 20mm or longer with a wide field of view. Your eyes will thank you.
Is your focuser not moving when the knob is turned? If so, it's possible you have a focuser brake that prevents adjustment if the knobs are turned. Mine has a small thumb wheel in the middle between the focuser knobs. If it's tightened down, the knobs will turn but the focuser will not move. However, I'm not familiar with the focuser on your scopes. I'm sure if you call Meade customer support, they can help you out.
One other thing. Get a concave eye patch from the drug store. For one, squinting one eye for a long period of time becomes tiring and affects focus if you want to switch eyes. Secondly, the muscle contraction from squinting one eye causes the other to partially close. If you're looking at a dim object, you want to get every bit of light coming out of the eyepiece. Plus, it gives you a reason to talk like a pirate. 
I have so many scopes because I flip things. I basically buy just about anything that I can get for below market value knowing that I will profit from it, hence the Rolex collection, I have a lot of everything and most of it is very high end. These scopes have been in the "Need to get to it" pile. They're not something that really lose value over time so I've been ok with just sitting on them. I currently have the two that I mentioned, a Meade LX90 (the one that I can't get to focus), A Daystar SR127 Solarscope, a small Orion, and my latest purchase is a beauty, it's a Pentax Classic 85. I picked it up at a yard sale for dirt cheap. These were made in the late 70's, early 80's. Well made, Japanese scope. Apparently collector's go crazy for these things. They're difficult to find a price for but it seems to be $1,000 scope all day.
When I turn the knob all the way on the LX90 eventually it will come off the thread, it seems to be no good as the focus just doesn't change. I spoke to Meade about it yesterday and they are willing to fix it for $300, so not bad considering the retail price.
Very exciting! I was able to se Jupiter last night. It was right behind the moon shining very bright. As cool as it was just a little disappointed that it was so small. Even with the 9mm and the 12mm, I could just barely make out the red lines. I suppose at different times of the year when certain objects are closer better views can be had.
