Meade LX200 GPS

Rodstar (Rod) · #1 28-01-2005, 10:36 PM

Now that I have cancelled my order for a Celestron 11 (see thread re Dave's LX200 for sale), I am fishing for other game. In particular, I am considering the LX200.

All those with intimate knowledge of the LX200, what do I need to know, pros and cons, before giving in the to the spell of the Mighty Meade?

I am particularly concerned about its weight, and having to lug it around. I have a big car, so transportation from A to B isn't the problem, its carrying it in and out into the backyard.

How does the 10" compare with the 12"? I am an absolute lunatic to even consider the 12??!!

Rodstar

Astro_Guy · #2 28-01-2005, 10:41 PM

Not to further confuse anyone, but Celestron just announced a new line of GPS equipped Schmidt-Cassegrains within the last 24 hours. The details are posted on their website. Note the significant drop in price!

gaa_ian (Ian) · #3 29-01-2005, 12:06 AM

Hi Rodstar
As a number of people have noted the Meade LX-90 has near the performance of some 10" scopes due to it's excellent optics.
Our club has a LX-90 & it is not to hard for one person to transport & set up.
Me Im a Dob lover

, 5 Min's & I'm set up & observing while SCT's & EQ mounts are only 1/2 set up, same at the end of a long late observing night.
If I was buying now it would be a 12" GSO Dob

[1ponders] (Paul) · #4 29-01-2005, 03:39 PM

I use both a Celestron C11 (on a losmandy G11) and an LX200GPS 8" whenever the clouds let me.

I'd hate to have to lug that 11" around on a regular basis. The 8" is no problem, though helping Striker set up his 10" the first time had me wondering how long it would be before he blew his foo foo valve lugging it around

And unless Celestron have come up with a mirror lock I'll stick with the meade. Downright painfull trying to line an image up on the ToUcam with the Celestron's image jumping all over the place as you focus. The Meade mirror lock and microfocuser is fantastic in this respect.

Hard to decide on the image quality. The Celestron certainly seems brighter (plus higher magnification for the same lense) but my personal feeling is my meade gives a sharper image (again using the same lense).

I you get the 10" then make yourself a "springy thingy" or get the guiding bracket for mounting. The fixed central bolt idea in the meade is a poor design and makes for very nervous mounting at times.

Hope this helps

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #5 29-01-2005, 03:57 PM

Nice looking scope Astro-Guy (NewCelestron) but as you said yourself - Meade and Celestron will not send to Australia. By the time it gets to the shops here and we buy local, they will cost a bloody fortune!

So much for the 'significant drop in price!'

Striker (Tony) · #6 29-01-2005, 04:07 PM

Regarding price factor between the Meade and Celestron..you get alot more for your money with the meade...celestron is just too expensive here in Australia.....but very similar priced to the Meade overseas.....

I honestly dont find the meade 10" to hard to carry around but I am looking at getting a case like Aragorns just to make it a little easier......lifting into the boot instead of trying to lug around a box which is hard to handle with 1 person.

You will be happy with either!

Its good to find shops that actualy sell both Meade and celestron like Star Optics on the Gold coast...it was intersesting to find when I was asking for prices between the Meade and Celestron they sell 10 Meades to 1 Celestron.....that pretty much answered my question>

westsky · #7 29-01-2005, 04:15 PM

Anybody want to know how to get a Celestron scope from the US to OZ saving a few thousand in the process , just PM me.
Sorry I won't tell in an open forum you never know who's watching :-))

David.

westsky · #8 29-01-2005, 04:19 PM

This may apply to Meade also, I 'm not sure I bought the Celestron.

rumples riot · #9 29-01-2005, 06:03 PM

Good things about the Lx200 10"

Good views with the UHTC optics, it does make a difference.
Like Paul said, the mirror lock and microfocusor are great.
Data base for the Meade is extensive for Goto.
Sotware packages are also good. More than happy with the optics so far, despite some frustrations.

Bad things:

Heavy piece of equipment, not something that you can just sling around, I am about 92 kg (and dropping) and this is still a heavy scope. The twelve is a two man lift if you read the manual. The centre pin is a real pain also. Balancing a scope that cost 6K while trying to line up the hole is poor thinking on Meades behalf. The Wedge should not be an optional extra, it should come with the scope with the option to fit it. UHTC coating on corrector collects dirt and pollen like a magnet.

Would I buy this scope again? Absolutely but only after I got a 6 " Takahashi. Seriously the 10 is enough scope for your needs. gets most targets and you will be surprised what you can see with it even in light polluted skies.

Rodstar (Rod) · #10 29-01-2005, 10:51 PM

Thanks for all of those comments....It is amazing who is looking at this site, I even had a PM from a dealer from the US who gave his "off the record" comments which for obvious reasons I cannot repeat.

I took the plunge today with a 10" LX200 from Bintel....got a great price with a bit of haggling, and they threw in an upgrade 2"diagonal and 2" 30mm eyepiece at no extra charge. Delivery date is THIS WEDNESDAY. Sorry for those in NSW - probably means showers until the second week of Feb at least.

Will put in a field report after first night's viewing.

Rodstar

rumples riot · #11 30-01-2005, 02:27 AM

Excellent and welcome to the Lx200 club.

Rodstar (Rod) · #12 30-01-2005, 08:33 AM

Thanks Paul H.

I am glad that I will be part of the local LX200 community to exchange ideas. I think if I'd gone with the Celestron I would have been a little isolated (Cleestron 11 mostly used in the US where prices are a but more sensible). I'll let you know how the first night's viewing goes. I'll probably have to call upon the IceinSpace forum help with set-up, being a bit of a techno-phobe !

Rodstar

rumples riot · #13 30-01-2005, 10:30 AM

No probs, just don't drop the scope.

Striker (Tony) · #14 30-01-2005, 11:05 AM

Nice one Rodstar.....

I know what you mean about who reads the forums.....I have had 2 emails from overseas company wanting to supply a product that i was looking for at the time......

You will be happy with your LX200........Celstrons are great aswell.....shame they have so much of a mark up here in OZ....

On the subject of Dropping the scope....is the best place to buy the Guide Plate for the LX200 series at Bintel...anyone know how much they are or have better prices?

Dave47tuc (David) · #15 30-01-2005, 11:58 AM

Well done Rod on your new scope

You will find they are so much fun to use

Get a Petersons Mounting Assistant 11 plate ASAP. This will make mounting the scope so much easier.

Another must have is Bob's Knobs, did you
get them?

One eyepiece you should get

is the 12mm Nagler

This eyepiece is just the best mid power one you can get.
212x @ .386deg/ 23'. Just great on the Planets, Moon.
It's my must use on Globular Clusters.

I'm sure if you have any ? on useing this scope, there plenty of people useing them on this forum

Best.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #16 30-01-2005, 12:13 PM

Hey Hey. Welcome to the group Rod.

I see that the GS Dob FAQ postings are going strong, maybe it's getting towards time to get an LX 90 and 200 one going. God knows I needed as much advice as I could get when I got mine. All the additional information sent to me by my supplier was great but I had to wade through it to find what I wanted. A site like this then would have helped the frustration immensely. CN and Astr.com were great but they just don't have that Aussie flavour

rumples riot · #17 30-01-2005, 02:49 PM

Agreed a thread on Lx200's would be good, there are lots of things that are not covered in the manual. Differing experiences give lots of guidance.

iceman (Mike) · #18 30-01-2005, 07:09 PM

Agreed, it's up to you guys to get the ball rolling, as I don't own one of those puppies.
Rod will be able to help by providing the noob input and questions, and you guys with the answers

Rodstar (Rod) · #19 30-01-2005, 07:43 PM

I suspect we'll spend most of our time discussing how far superior LX200s are to Dobs.....

Rodstar

Striker (Tony) · #20 30-01-2005, 08:18 PM

Shhhh...we don't want those Dob owners to feel inferior......lol