Meade 4000 QX

[astronut]

Hi gang,;) I need some help. When the Lightbridge scopes finally arrive in OZ, I will be buying the 12" Deluxe. I havn't heard any really good reports on the Meade 2" 26mm that comes with it, on the overseas forums. Can anyone give me an opinion about them one way or another.
Are there any alternatives, that are better without spending the national budget. Thanks, John:help: :)

[Starkler]

What other extras do you get with the deluxe apart from the ball bearing azimuth bearing? I have heard mention that the standard may be the better deal and using the money saved on eyepieces etc for others better suited to this scope.

[33South]

Theres only a A$100 difference in price.

Apart from the bearings looks like a better red dot finder and the QX eypiece.

This link shows all the specs and differences.

http://www.bintel.com.au/MeadeLightbridge.html

[astronut]

There are three differences 1. 26mm 2" QX- std has 1 1/4"
2. Roller Azimuth Bearing
3. Better quality red dot finder
I've been used to F15 refractors for many years, and now will use a F5.
Is it worth replacing the Meade Eyepiece for something else. Cheers, John;)

[ausastronomer]

Hi,

I have used a Meade 26mm QX in my 10"/F5 dob and I thought it was very average. It was clearly an inferior performer to my 30mm GSO Superview and about 3 solar systems from my 27mm TV Panoptic. It may work well in slower scopes (I have heard it does) but it surely is not good at F5 and Meade would be better supplying the scope with something that at least performed reasonably at F5 like a good plossl, particularly considering the scope has a lot of positives.

CS-John B

[astronut]

Thanks John, All the forums o/s have said the same thing, but it's always good to get a local opinion.
Oh well, a bit of wheeling and dealing with Bintel is in order;) Thanks John

[ving]

similar to what i have heard about the qx, fine at high f/ratios but not so crash hot in fast scopes... still if you end up with it i'd be interested in your view. :)

[astronut]

It's a deal Dave, John:)

[ving]

i wonder how it would perform at f/6 :confuse3: