Optimization of drive performance is critical for imaging.  But even visual observation can be adversely effected because software can’t fully compensate for excessive mechanical backlash. Or when a drive is hanging with one mounting screw.

Meade’s scope drives are capable of exceptional performance but they rarely achieve the level of precision inherent in the design.  There can be a significant problem associated with factory level adjustments, assembly, and installation.  

As an example of an adjustment – Since 2006 Meade has been using precisely machined brass transfer gears, but that precision counts for nothing unless they’re properly meshed.  Meade’s assembly line has no way of adjusting for proper mesh and they ship with some gears that are barely cogging (just touching tip of tooth to tip of tooth).  A Peterson invented modification will reset transfer gears to a critical 100% mesh.

The Buck’s Tune-Up kit is a minimal cost way to achieve all of the mechanical performance that your drives are capable of.  It contains upgrade parts and a 17 photo-illustrated pages of inspections and adjustments.

The Tune-Up kit comes in two different versions: The Standard version is for 8″ thru 12″ SCTs, while the Big Scope version is for the 14″ scopes and for any sized RCX400.

No one step will take your scope all the way to 1 or 2 arc-second tracking performance, but this tune-up is the largest single mechanical step that you can take in this direction. 

nstallation of this kit will:

1)  improve the drive precision in both RA and DEC drives, reducing or eliminating transfer gear backlash. 

 2) correct other misaligned drive components, improving drive precision and eliminating the chance of incurring drive damage due to this misalignment. We’re always hearing back from folks who’ve discovered loose screws or stripped screws, extra pieces of metal floating around in the gear grease, gears that are only cogging instead of meshing, drives that are misadjusted, etc.