Thread: 16" lightbridge
View Single Post
  #8  
Old 29-10-2013, 07:35 PM
Graeme Bluestar (Graeme)
Registered User

Graeme Bluestar is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Oakey, Australia
Posts: 34
Hi Shaun, I have a 16" Lightbridge which I purchased when Meade was running a special deal on them some time ago. Despite being promoted as a large aperture portable instrument, I believe they are not. From memory the all up weight is around 72kg, so the only way I found it could be moved was by making a flat plywood trolley fitted with some good castors. I used this to shift it outdoors. Don't forget you still have to unload it off the trolley before use. My scope is now permanently installed on an equatorial mount. The only mechanical design issue I found was at lower altitudes there is quite a deal of movement where the trusses attach into the sockets on the upper & lower optic tubes. I overcame this by drilling and tapping some small holes and fitting some s/steel grub screws. Obviously this is not an option for you if you plan to keep it as a transportable instrument. There is a deal of coma evident in the FOV, but for my application this does not concern me. I believe this could be alleviated by using a commercially available coma corrector. For the price they really are a lot of bang for your buck!
Reply With Quote