First Light Report LX200GPS

[Sausageman]

Well it was a mixed evening due to cloud, but my Son and I did manage to get a view of Mars and the Orion Nebula.
Venus was too low in the sky, behind some trees in my backyard, and I didn't have the finder scope aligned correctly, but I will fix that problem today during daylight.
I was impressed with the view through both the Tele Vue 32mm and 11mm ep's.
Due to the cloud cover, we couldn't complete the auto-alignment sequence correctly, so we just went to the goto function.
For some reason, the goto Venus ended up pointing due South, but could find Mars easily. It also pointed us at Neptune, but we couldn't find it in the scope.
I just read about the spiral search funtion, I wish I had read that last night, but was too eager to get out there.
I will take us a while to figure out how to operate it efficiently.
Time for a note book to start recording the details.
Overall, despite the clouds, we had a great time.

Mike

[Dennis]

Hi Mike

Sounds like you and the young fella had a great night - glad you enjoyed your first light experience. What a lovely way to end the year eh, with a brand, spanking new ripper of a 'scope!!!

Cheers

Dennis

[Sausageman]

Thanks Dennis,

We did have a great time, We are looking forward to learning more about using the telescope and getting better results if the weather is kinder to us of course.
After Lostock, I hope to be able to start some photography, but I have a lot to learn before then.
I also made a batch of real sausages to celebrate the occasion, that we put on the BBQ, they were great too.
I will be taking the scope to work when I am on night shift, and will try and recruit more astronuts. I have converted a few already.

Mike

[Truscott]

Giday Mike,

Kirk here, Just wondering how you are finding the new scope ? I am looking at purchasing the exact same size and all. Does it live up to your expectations for the $$ spent, and if not too rude a question may I ask how much you you did pay and where you aquired said LX200GPS 10".
Cheers Kirk

[[1ponders]]

Good onya, good to see you enjoying your new meade. Once you got the hang of driving it I can almost guarantee you'll love it. Give me a yell when you start mucking around with the wedge for photography. There are a couple of little tricks that will make life a lot easier.

Kirk I had the 8" lx200gps and loved it. I then sold it to iddon and he loves it ( at least that's what his wife tells me :lol: ) I still have a meade 8" ota but mounted on a Losmandy mount as I've found it easier than the meade for astrophotography which is my main interest. Doesn't mean the meade is any slouch, just different and for my mind a bit limiting (can't image effectively near the pole using a dslr. Not enough swing through room)

[Robert_T]

Hi Mike, sounds great fun. Did it come with an LPI, they're a great intro into astrophotography via planetary and lunar imaging and can even take 15 sec exposures which is enough to capture brighter star clusters etc


enjoy:)

[Sausageman]

Hey Kirk,
Welcome to Ice in Space.
The Queensland weather is preventing much Astronomy at the moment. It is the wet season here, so we should know better than to buy new gear.
But yes, I have only been able to set it up twice, but had great times with it both times.
I bought it from Bintel in Sydney, with a few extra EP's and a Barlow. Check out the "for sale" threads, there are a couple for sale.
I paid $6,000 for what I bought, so the items for sale are priced about right.

I can't give you a definative answer about performance of the new scope yet as I have only used it twice, but from what I have seen, it is excellant.
Thanks to Houghy,I think, I bought the 10" model, it is right on the weight limit for me to pick up.
The 12" would be too much for one person, unless you are big and fit. I only wiegh 70Kg.
One thing that I learned right away though, is to set up the tripod really low, it makes things much easier to fit the scope. Keep the height around waist level as that is as high as I can lift the scope.
I also erect the tripod and use a spirit level on it before putting the scope on it.
I don't know if it helps with the auto-levelling sequence, but I feel better doing it, and the scope tracks OK.
I will learn more at Lostock, so if you are coming, you will be welcome to check out my gear, and listen to the advice. If you don't go, send me an email and I will pass on my newly acquired knowledge.

Mike

[Sausageman]

Hey Robert T'

My LX200 didn't come with an LPI.
Should I query Bintel?
There was 2 minor problems, One of the star finder scope alignment plastic screws was broken, and the 2" to 1.25" adapter locking screw didnt work, it was smaller than the theads in the housing.

Mike

[Robert_T]

you could ask Bintel, I know at least one other dealer was offering the LPI as part of the LX200 package. cheers,

[rumples riot]

Mike Glad you enjoyed your first session with your new scope. The Lx200 has many great features that will give you hours of fun. Good size to get your child sucked into the hobby also.

Kirk, I have a Lx200 10"GPS for sale which has a JMI hard case for travel and few other extras, only 20 months old, in perfect condition and I only want $4400 for it. Thats over 7000 worth for a great price. PM me if your interested.

Sorry Mike for the intrusion, need to sell the scope.

[Sausageman]

You are welcome Paul,

I would love to buy just the hard case, but I couldn't take it away from the scope.
I will make one instead.
I need to make something that I can handle on my own, the scope and box that it came in is very bulky and heavy and very awkward to move on one's own.
I will invent something to move it around, maybe like an ambulance gurney, that can be wheeled around and just pushed into the station wagon.

I hope you sell the scope soon.

Regards

Mike

[Rodstar]

I bought mine from Bintel too, and the LPI was part of the package. With that I got the standard 26mm MEade Plossl, and a 2 inch diagonal. $5,200, puchased in Feb 05, so prices may have moved on.