Meade LX850 Starlock: Is this a good buy?

[Star Hunter]

Are there any LX850 mount users out there, that can chime in with their pros and cons of this mount?

Is it cracked up to what it's suppose to be and do?

If you had the $$$'s would you buy it and why?

Thanks,

J

[brian nordstrom]

:question: Bit of an un-known down these parts and I remember when they first come out there was a big HOO-HA on Cloudy nites about the lack of QC on the first batches ( quite bad actually ) but I beileve thy are well sorted now and tho rare a very capable mount in the mid/heavy weight ( 40kg capacity ) mount's arena .

Would I buy one :question::question: , In a heart beat !! , they tick all the boxes for me but sadly unless I win Lotto its a dream .

Did I mention they are typical Meade !!! sexy as hell .;) .

Brian.

[toc]

I dunno, these days plate solving software has reduced the need for systems like starlock, so you are really paying for something that will probably become obsolete in a few years, unless you really don't want to use a laptop.

IMHO I would look at something like a Mesu200.

[brian nordstrom]

:question: 12k ??? ouch !! , twice the price ,,, really have to win Lotto now :D .

If the LX850 was set up in an observatory ( where it should be ) it would make no difference as it would be set up as a unit ready to go on boot up no matter what the technology .

Brian.

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Who sells the LX850 mount here? Only place I found online that was selling had it at about 11k.

[Avoman1]

Tasco is the new importer/wholesaler. So any Meade distributor can order one. I recently learnt this when looking for parts for an LX 850. These mounts are a beast to setup and break down and the tripod is not the easiest to level as it is big and heavy. Works well for it's purpose though. The mounting plate is also very strong and easy to use. As for starlock as can not really comment as the second hand LX850 I purchased needs a new starlock scope which I now have but have not had the time to test it. I purchased this setup as it is " ideal for beginners ". I'm not so sure about that!