O.k, so what's the verdict then fellows?.
In the Meade 7 inch Mak article below, the writer states that some OTA's were made WITHOUT counterweights so we are left in the dark here a bit.
I am waiting on a 12 inch LX200 ACF OTA which is only a week or two away.
This will be one of the most recent batches to come out of the factory, so when I get it I'll know soon enough if the weight is in there.
Either way, the removal is way too risky and voids warranty. The process is madness unless you have an older tube model that cost a lot less than new
.
Andrew, it would make sense that your C11's weight is all in the back. The main mirror, holder and focussing mechanism etc. would weigh a lot more than a thin corrector plate and secondary mirror up at the front?