Meade SCT Lx90 or Lx 200?

[Gem]

Quick question for those wiser than me...

Is there a big difference between the LX90 and LX200 model for Meade? I was looking at a 12 inch in size.

Thanks!
ps sorry for the 1000 questions.... :thanx:

[Gem]

As a follow up... can a meade field derotator be used on both? The Meade site says for LX200 on its site. Does this mean LX200 only for field derotators?

[AndrewJ]

Gday Grant

Depends on what you want to do.

LX200 is bigger and stronger, has permanent PEC,
SmartMount, more user memory and functions,
more internal databases (and does precession )
at 12" will be much more stable on a wedge,
has better motors and gearing and a mirrorlock
But is much heavier, and more expensive.
Glass wise, both are pretty similar.

Andrew

[mozzie]

hi grant
iv'e owned both types of scopes...
i had a lx90 12" for around 4 years visual only i was able to man handle it no worries onto a tripod there around 33 kgs. it was a very good scope reliable never missed a beat the optics were fantastic but not acf...if your doing visual then i would go that..
iv'e know a 14"lx200 i went the bigger scope still visual(but maybe some SLR photography in the future)for some deeper faint fuzzies it's all about aperture when visual,why go a 14" sct for visual instead of a dobby i already had the pod and dobby's don't go to good in them and i don't have to set up each night...
the lx200 is a much heavier scope more stable pointing accuracy is excellent user friendly hand controller autostar 2 and if your doing photography that's the way i'd go on a wedge !!! and the acf optics are unbelievable pin point to the edge also with naglers:):)
so iv'e had both scopes am happy with the meade range and the dealer iv'e bought both scopes of has been fantastic and more then helpful :thumbsup:

hope this helps it's just my honest opinion

[Gem]

Thanks! Great info to hear.
Mozzie, would a field derotator have worked on the LX90, or are they only for LX200?
30kg sounds manageable and portable. It actually hadn't occurred to me that the weight difference between the two would be so much!
I was thinking of the LX90 ACF. I was also thinking of avoiding a wedge if possible, since I would be walking in and out of the house all the time - and being a dob user in the past: polar alignment scares me in the city!!
I was thinking of both visual and imaging, but usability (ie portability) is paramount.

Any more advice is much appreciated!!

[Gem]

Oh, forgot to ask... how much and how heavy is a 12 inch wedge??

I think that is now more than 1000 questions... :lol:

[mozzie]

the 12"lx90 acf for visual would be perfect easily able to move in and out of your house.don't know about astro photography but the field de rotator will fit on the rear of both scopes lx90 and lx200 and the wedge isn't that heavy for the lx90.google search there weight and info

[BlackWidow]

Hi Grant.. Just wanted to add my advice in the hope it is helpfull to you. I own an LX200 10" and have both a Wedge and a Meade 1200 Field De-Rotator. The Meade De-Rotator only works on the LX series telescopes. I lift my 10 scope around without any problems as I don't have a perm setup.

somtime when I am going to a dark site I rather use the De-Rotator as it is simple. You will get many comments about a wedge being better and not to use a De-rotator. However nearly all the comments I have had about this subject are from people that have never used one, and in most cases never even seen one. I have never seen anyone else in my group with one for that matter... I find they work very very well and you can get great results with them... they do have limitations however.. As they are bit they dont allow you to get photo directly above your head as it will hit the base of the mount. This does not really happen with a wedge. You can guide using PHD with a de-Rotator if setup correctly but you will get longer exposures with a wedge. So I pick my targets and the time of year to decide which is the best to use.. If you are wanting a simple setup that is fast and will allow you to photograph fast from your back yard, ad De-Rotator can give rewarding results. Astrophotogrphy has no bounds so you will always be given advice about what is better because their always is. Spend more money on better options and you WILL get better results. It is a dependent on you own expectations. The LX200 will allow you to do more in the long term in my opinion...


Hope this helps

Mardy

[GrampianStars]

http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=105-182-233-235-3135

Mitty Wedge :thumbsup: about $850 landed in Au
Stick with da Best!