New LX90's from Meade

[johnit]

FYI:

The LX90 is now available in 10" and 12"

Regards Johnit
12 X 50 Binos

[trufflehunter (Wayne Robinson)]

I've always said if they made a 10" I'd buy it. I bought the 8" only weeks ago!

Them's the breaks! Thanks for the info.

Astronomics have them for sale. prices are very reasonable:

http://www.astronomics.com/main/cate...EEC3E01/Page/1

Makes me wonder if they're phasing out the LX200 line and going 'down' to the LX90 and 'up' to the RCX. Just a thought. Probably wrong.

[acropolite (Phil)]

Bugger......

[JohnH]

I cannot find any info on these new models as yet on the Meade site, I am interested because I want to upgrade from my ETX90 to something 8" or better that is suitable for astrophotography of DSOs, the LX90 seems to fit the bill.

I was also thinking about the LX75 SC or possibly the 8" LX200 but the latter is a bit of a budget buster. While on the subject of Meade - what is the 7" LX200 MC best suited for - it seems the odd man out?

[Jonathan]

Looks interesting. I'm thinking of getting a bigger scope in the next few months this may be an option. Haven't seen a price in Oz yet. What's the big difference between LX90 and LX200 apart from the cost?

Originally posted by JohnH
While on the subject of Meade - what is the 7" LX200 MC best suited for - it seems the odd man out?

I'd also like to know, they're about the same price as the much bigger and more popular 10" LX200.

[Rohan]

LX200 have a inbuilt GPS. personnally for my needs that is a waste as a) if your scope is permanatly mounted in an observatory its practically useless b) exact location coordinates are not the be all and end all of setting your scope up right and c) a hand held stand alone GPS (prices start at $150) is so much more useful then one in the telescope. With a hand held one you can take it anywhere, navigate in the car to your dark site etc.

The accessory ports are also on the non moving base in the LX200 models where as they are on the fork arm in the LX90. Their might be some other differences but thats the main one.

[JohnH]

I have done some further checking - the local Meade dealers in Sydney that I have spoken to claim that there has been no official announcement of the larger LX90s.

The 7" MC's main claim to fame is very long focal length (2000mm and f15) quite what this makes it good for is unclear, and it's high cost makes this scope a real oddball. Anybody out there got one or know someone who has who might comment?

Lastly the main advantages of the LX200 over the 90 that I can see that are relevant to photography (my interest) are the accuracy of the mount and the mirror lock/microfocus. I am not sure that this justifies the $1000+ cost difference though.

I am seriously looking into the LX75 8" SCT also though I have heard tales that the mount is not as accurate as the LX90s...

[beren]

Theres also the ....

*LX200 has larger worm gears/bearings/fork arms
*LX200 has a database of 145000 objects the lx90 30223
*LX200 has 185 drive speeds/2000 tracking rates {from .01x sideral to 8 degrees a second , LX90 has nine selectable speeds from 1x sideral to 6.5degrees a second.
*LX200 has both electric and manual slow motion control functions on both axis the LX90 only has electric , if the electrics fail the scope is rendered unusable
*Lx200 has a 7 port control panel {the lx90 does have a addon }
*Lx200 has a primary mirror lock and a 4 speed microfocuser
*Lx200 has pec training/smart drive {think the latest firmware for the Lx90 has provision for pec training }
* For scope control via a pc the Lx90 requires a optional connector cable , comes with the Lx200 package

Its up to the buyer to judge the value from either package , for a person with astrophotography in mind the heavier mount and added features of the Lx200 would be more important, the lx90 represents a balance between price/performance and potential astroimaging

Meade Mak review links.....
http://www.scopereviews.com/page1e.html

http://www.cloudynights.com/reviews/meademak.htm

http://www.cloudynights.com/premium2/telescopes.htm
http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/entry.ph...=12&entryid=13

[acropolite (Phil)]

Stuart has hit the nail right on the head, it's a balance, buy the best you can afford, remember you'll never say you wish you'd bought a cheaper one..... The accuracy advantages of the LX200 largely disappear with autoguiding with something like guidedog. The LX90 performs quite nicely as an astrophotraphy mount. see http://www.users.bigpond.com/lansma/art_autoguiding.htm for details and pics. The LX90 comes standard with the Autostar suite and connection cable so can be driven from the p.c. without any additional equipment. The LX200 has larger forks for better clearance. The OTA on the 8 inch LX90 is identical to that of the equivalent LX200. The 10 inch LX90 is advertised already on some US sites. One thing I didn't realise is that the 10 inch has a larger hole in the mirror and is more suited to 2 inch diagonals and larger EP's than the either of the 8 inches. The LX200 can also be fitted with the new wireless remote which would be nice. That said, I think the LX90 will challenge me for a while yet and maybe when I've exhausted it's capabilities I'll trade up.

[Jonathan]

Thanks for the comparison info. It will help me when it comes time for a new scope.