View Full Version here: : 16" LB in Meade Catalogue
astronut
16-09-2006, 08:47 AM
Well after all the hype about the Meade 16" Lightbridge, will it or won't it be released. Here is the NEW MEADE CATALOGUE with the 16" taking pride of place. It's an F4.5 with a 1829mm focal length, making it 30cm taller than the 12". Here is the link to the catalogue. http://www.meade.com/catalog/catalog_pdf/03_LightBridge.pdf (http://www.meade.com/catalog/catalog_pdf/03_LightBridge.pdf) :thumbsup:
Starkler
16-09-2006, 09:21 AM
It weighs 128lb ! :scared2:
Where is all that weight in the Lightbridge?
spacezebra
16-09-2006, 09:41 AM
Whoa its official then John
I still loooooovvveeee my 12" and happy to wait until Anna and I build the 20"!
Cheers Petra
astronut
16-09-2006, 10:00 AM
Geoff, I think you'll find that most of the extra weight is in the mirror and rocker box.
I agree with you Petra I love my 12", I don't know about having to haul the extra 25kg around. But, all that extra light gathering ability?
I would need a one step, ladder to view at the zenith.
Oh well, I'll wait for our club's 30", hopefully next year.:lol:
wonder how much they are gunna be?
astronut
16-09-2006, 10:20 AM
David, that is the final piece of the jigsaw, I don't see them being more than $3000.
From the pictures I've seen, the owners of these scopes will have to make the same mods I've made to mine. Oh well, at least it's easier finding them now than when I started. :lol:
CoombellKid
16-09-2006, 02:39 PM
I'm keen!!! it'll do until I can afford a 25" or 30" no worries!!! only because
one day I know I'm gonna grow out of the 16". Wow! all I can say is maybe
Lee let the cat out of the bag to early and now Meade managed the deal.
John, no more than $3k? well Bintel will prolly have the rights to distribute Lee
was quoting $2499.00 So I reckon they wont be below $3500.00 if that's
the case.
I think I would prefer to buy the 16" mirror and build my own.
regards,CS
Rob
CoombellKid
16-09-2006, 02:49 PM
Seeing a few of Peter Reed's impressive creations, I dont think your new
scope is going to weight much less if not more:eyepop: however I'd be willing
to swap ya! fer a new LB 16" :P
regards,CS
Rob
h0ughy
16-09-2006, 05:51 PM
hope still exists ...........after all this time!!!
mick pinner
16-09-2006, 06:31 PM
how much is a good quality 16" mirror worth?
Starkler
17-09-2006, 01:27 AM
3-4k
CoombellKid
17-09-2006, 02:14 PM
arrrrrgh go another k and get the 18" : )
regards,CS sunny days
Rob
Astroman
17-09-2006, 04:09 PM
an 18" what Rob?
:P
iceman
19-09-2006, 06:13 AM
Mike Smith has confirmed that Bintel will be getting (and selling) the 16" Meade Lightbridge, but he's not releasing prices as yet (working out shipping).
Very very interesting!
Any idea when they'll be available?
iceman
19-09-2006, 06:51 AM
He didn't say, but I imagine in the next few weeks. They're being launched at some show in Germany soon.
rmcpb
19-09-2006, 08:17 AM
Now, just to wait for all those unwanted 12" GSOs to find their way into the Buy and Sell forum :)
Seriously though its great news to have a scope that is getting into the big range that is affordable for most people.
JimmyH155
19-09-2006, 11:50 AM
That's splendid news for all you young and fit people out there. For me, (knocking 61) I'll stick with my 12" beauty - it is as heavy as I can handle, even just lugging it out of the shed 20 metres (thats in 2 pieces, the bottom swivvelling bit and the tube/mirror combo. ) WOW . Also, getting the stripped down 12" scope into my Kia Shuma is quite a challenge, bearing in mind 2 passengers, suitcases, food, wife's stuff. A 16 inch would be impossible in my car, I fancy! :)
rmcpb
19-09-2006, 02:32 PM
How do you get SWMBO's stuff into your car AND your astro gear. Mine just pulls rank and heaves it out for that extra change of clothes that NEVER get used :doh:
spacezebra
19-09-2006, 03:50 PM
I tend to agree that the weight is going to be a factor to consider - and I would be interested to see how portable it is compared to the 12".
I'll stick to my 12" for the moment.
Cheers Petra
spudrick
19-09-2006, 10:35 PM
Lee Andrews just confirmed he will have the GSO 16" Received email today to let me know he is now taking orders no further details yet. :D hopefully i am now 1st cab off the rank.
iceman
20-09-2006, 06:26 AM
Wow! Brave man placing an order sight unseen!
Will be interesting to see how the GSO's differ from the Meade LB.
CoombellKid
20-09-2006, 07:05 AM
Arrrrrhh! this is good news!!! the LB will have something to complete with
price-wise....
I wonder if GSO will be selling the 16" mirrors to ATM'ers
regards,CS
Rob
PS: Have confirmed the missus wants one!!! either the LB or GSO version,
But I am working on the possibility of a 18" or 20" homemade option.
spudrick
20-09-2006, 09:10 AM
UPDATE
Received email this morning from Lee
"Hi Terry, Yes, it is $2399. It will be a kind of truss tube design - using three curved vertical metal slats, like fence palings."
So looks like GSO are going in hard on price.
The design sounds like a solid tube with some sections missing.
No ETA yet
JimmyH155
20-09-2006, 10:19 AM
Yes rmcpb, its a battle alright with SWMBO, I just have to turn on the persuasion and fortunately I'm bigger than her! Last trip up the mountain we took enough food for a week, (for 2 nights) and yes, clothes clothes clothes "NO, I can only wear one anorak at a time.....";)
sounds a bit weird to me... i'd love to see a pic of it.
and to the person who months ago said the 16" would never happen legally, i have this for you ----> :P
h0ughy
20-09-2006, 01:08 PM
to think that thread I started over 1 1/2 years ago finally almost a result..................might have to find it and identify the culprit;)
Starkler
20-09-2006, 02:58 PM
That person wasnt me, but still i wont count chickens before they hatch. :whistle:
hmm... you certaimly have a guilty look on your face ;)
Starkler
20-09-2006, 05:11 PM
Lol nope, im taking a punt and paying over 2x as much for a premium scope, and hoping that its 2x as good ;)
CoombellKid
20-09-2006, 08:18 PM
Hmmmm, yes Ving the GSO version sounds a lil tacky. But hey if they work
alright then who cares. However that being said the LB does have a nice
look about it.
Anyways lets hope they will sell the mirrors! I may just get that twin 16"
bino's after all! : ))))))
regards,CS sunny days
Rob
mick pinner
20-09-2006, 09:25 PM
l was the person who said it will not happen, what l said was that GSO would not be releasing their truss tubes in the Meade Lightbridge configuration and this would now seem to be the case as they have said it will be an alternative design.
they were never going to release the copy of the Lightbridge due to copyright issues.
they never even got a smaller version off the 16" of the ground as they announced several times.
astronut
29-09-2006, 10:16 AM
Anacortes Telescope supplies in the U.S. have the price of the 16" set at $1999US. that converts at .75centsAUS to about $2665AUD.
With some of the critical mods that were made to the 12" the extras on the 16" should be approx $80 for the new springs and (both sec & prim) collimation knobs. The only other needed extra is a shroud.
If you can handle the extra weight 60kg for the 16" and 35-40kg for the 12" you will receive as a bonus 77% more light.:D
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