RE: ATM Meade report

["Anderson, Jay" <andeja@mail.va.gov>]

Yeah but....  don't you expect to get a usable device right out of the
box?  Maybe with a few adjustments but hell... you have had to repair it
and just about beg for parts they left out!!!   .....and you are an
ATMer... what about Joe Schmoe who is all thumbs and knows nothing about
ATMing and just wants to get involved in astronomy?
 ----------
From: gcbryan@ix.netcom.com
To: atm@shore.net
Subject: ATM Meade report
Date: Tuesday, June 17, 1997 1:13PM


This is the type of report I would like to see on this group.  It is on
the new Starfinder 8" EQ that I just received.

My telescope came missing the mounting screws for the primary mirror.
The extra set of holes for prime focus photography were not drilled into
the tube and an extra hole was drilling (as in one too many) where the
finder goes.  The clock drive runs way too fast (2 hours in 10
minutes).  The manual isn't clear.   As with most telescope in this
price range the focuser is plastic and the 25mm eyepiece is not great.

Meade said they would send screws for mounting the primary mirror.  They
sent the wrong ones.  I called back to tell them exactly what to send
and they said (via my recorder) that I was wrong.  I called back again
and they agreed that I was right and they sent the screws.  They are
sending a new clock drive.

They are responsive when it is necessary to replace defective
equipment.  I know that eventually I will get a telescope that works as
advertised.

I think in a report of this type you can see the pros and cons and can
make your own decisions based on your own circumstances.  I still like
the telescope assuming I can get everything up to speed.

Gray Bryan