Meade LXD55 10" SN OTA What mount?

Malcolm · #1 04-08-2018, 09:12 AM

A friend is looking to upgrade from the LXD55 Meade Autostar mount to a suitable SkyWatcher Synscan type. The OTA weighs 14.5kg and there's no additional weight such as a camera to be added, primary use is visual only.

Recommendations please. :-)

Merlin66 (Ken) · #2 04-08-2018, 09:15 AM

That weight would indicate the NEQ6pro sized mount would be appropriate.
What issues is he having with the LXD55? What does he hope to gain from an upgrade??

Malcolm · #3 04-08-2018, 10:06 AM

She hates the Autostar menu. Apparently it chooses the alignment stars, whereas in Synscan you can choose. Also there is no daytime alignment function, so there's that. Hopes to sell off the LXD55 mount. I believe she has struggled with getting her head around this mount for some years and she'd like something a bit more user friendly, and one she can control with wifi using her phone or tablet.

VPAstro (Andrew and Cam) · #4 04-08-2018, 11:15 AM

The LXD55 mount is very under powered for the SN OTA.
It is very similar to the EQ5, but only had an aluminum tripod, unless you upgraded to the LXD75.
I have one here, and it really struggles with anything over 10Kg, but I still like it and is a great portable mount for visual observations.