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Didn't need to read that great review to have bought the beast. I saw this scope two years ago at the Ceduna eclipse and knew at once I had to have it. In May this year I bought the 10" GPS version, several things in the review I don't agree with. The weight of this scope is not for the feint hearted. It is heavy, I work in the building industry and can lift "heavy weights" as a result of my bulk. Even for me it is heavy, you would not want to trip up, you would lose balance very quickly.
As for the LPI, Stuart has some obviously talent with these things, because on my first night I found that it was a real challenge. I have never got images as good as those of Stuart's first night. I think that lots of practice is required and to boot you need to use a barlow to get images of that scale.
Don't get me wrong, that was a great review and I wish that I had got off my behind to produce a review myself. Especially given that I have been here for quite some time. Nearly everything that Stuart said in the review is spot on. This is a great scope and you cannot image the joy I get from using it. The fact that it has GPS and Goto functions is what made me buy the scope in the first place. No more searching star charts for that elusive object (I have spent many years doing that, now I don't want the practice), now I just look up the object in the hand controller and hit goto.
For anyone wishing to buy this type of scope, there is the extreme cost that must be considered. And; I am not talking about the initial outlay (which is enough to take your breath away), what I am talking about is all the accessories and their associated cost. Many items are over $200.00, and can go up to and over $1000.00. Just to set up a decent astrophoto rig, you will need to expend somewhere between $2500 and $4000. That is of course if you choose to use Meade products.
Anyway, if you choose to go down this path as I did, the cost is nothing in comparison to spectacular views and the beautiful astroshots that can be obtained.
I love my scope, but wish I did not have to spend so much money.
Thanks Stuart for the review, excellent.
Paul
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