Use meade 644 flip mirror system

The flip mirror has fallen off inside the scope. This must be returned to Meade for repair. Here is their customer service phone number:

http://www.meade.com/support/index.html

This issue will be extremely hard to diagnose over the net but I'll give it a try. This is from Meade. The link to the online manual is below: http://www.meade.com/manuals/etx90ec/index.html Unable to see an image through the eyepiece:

• Confirm that the lens cover has been removed from the telescope.
• Confirm that the flip-mirror control (16, Fig. 1) is in the "up" position if using the eyepiece holder (4, Fig. 1) so that light is directed to the eyepiece (1, Fig. 1). Confirm that the flip-mirror control is in the "down" position if using the #932 Erecting Prism or doing photography with the ETX-90EC (see Telescope Controls and PHOTOGRAPHY WITH THE ETX-90EC).

It sounds like you are correct about a mechanical issue with the knob that moves the mirror. If you need a quick fix try your local camera repair or watch repair shop as the are familiar with intricate parts. The camera shop would be preferable as they know optics. Otherwise you could ship it to me and I could repair it fro you depending on the availibility of parts if parts were needed. Check my picture for my site address and get contact info there for more information.

The Meade ETX90 does NOT have small lens! It has a large curved lens in the front. and a holder for the eyepiece in the back (top). There is also a camera port in the back, and a flip lever that sends the light either straight back to a camera, or UP to the eyepiece holder.

There is an INTERNAL secondary mirror mounted on the back of the front large lens. If this fell off INSIDE, you will need to remove the front lens to fix it. NOT an easy fix as the optical alignment can get messed up when you do this.

Here is the manual for an ETX90, you should read it completely.

http://www.meade.com/manuals/TelescopeManuals/ETXtelescopes/ETX-90_105_125EC_man.pdf

and for the hand controller:
http://www.meade.com/support/etxautofaq.html

You must flip the internal mirror between the upright view port and the rear camera port. See page #6 in this manual and look at #8 on that page.

http://www.meade.com/manuals/TelescopeManuals/DSXseries/001DSXmanual.pdf

There are several telescopes all named Explorer with that model number.

What is the full brand name of your telescope?

This may help you. If your scope has MIRRORS look under REFLECTOR on the below Meade web site of manuals for one similar to your telescope. They all assemble in the same way.

If your scope has a LENS in the front look under REFRACTOR.

http://www.meade.com/manuals/index.html

Here is Meade's manual web page. Find your telescope on the page:
http://www.meade.com/manuals/index.html

Here is the manual for your telescope--

http://meade.com/manuals/TelescopeManuals/Reflectors/Meade%20114%20EQ-ASB%20manual.pdf

The mirror at the bottom should NOT be covered-- with felt? Unless this was something Meade did to protect the mirror from dust and dirt during shipping?

It is possible to repair but a major pain if you don't know the overall design.

The ETX 80 is very difficult to work on. Getting at the flip mirror requires an almost complete teardown of the telescope and its mount. If you are not experienced at repairing the ETX scopes I would not advise trying this youself. I doubt that leaving the scope in the case too long is the cause of the coating damage. It takes years for fungus to really destroy coatings. I have seen newer Meade mirrors losing their coatings prematurely and feel this is a manufacturing defect. If the scope is in warranty it should go back to Meade. If not I'd have my dealer look at it and see if Meae will make an adjustment on it.

The 'lock' is a ring gear that closes a ferrul against the draw tube to restrict its motion. It is not intended to be a hard lock. Try the Meade Advanced Users Group for further tips.
http://www.mapug-astronomy.net/