Lxd55

[Zuts]

Hi All,

Does anyone know anything about a LXD 55 mount. I am thinking of getting a secondhand one and am planning on mounting a small telescope (80 ED) and 300D camera for astro photography. The mount has goto and looks a bit like an EQ3.

According to meade, the mount is suitable for a 6 inch newt.

Thanks Paul

[JohnG (John)]

From everything I have ever heard of the LXD 55, I wouldn't touch one, but thats only my opinion.

I would be looking at something like the Losmandy GM-8, HEQ 5 or the HEQ 5 Pro, here is a review of that mount:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.p...44,288,0,0,1,0

It is the old saying, you get what you pay for. I am a firm believer that you should get the best possible mount you can afford, it will save you a lot of frustration in the end.

Cheers

JohnG

[chris lewis]

I have the LXD55 mount. Brought it second hand 3 years ago. It was fairly new then. I have mounted a Orion ED80, a Orion ED100 and a GSO 8 in. F/4 Newtonian on it. It handle all these 'reasonably' well. It has been generally reliable. It does occasionally 'stop' for no reason however.The LXD55 is not a good AP mount - I have tried it - its 'OK 'for short exposures. I am more of a visual observer and others may be more qualified to answer this question however.The motors are loud and the GOTO works 'O.K.' - getting polar alignment right is the tricky part.I have a EQ3 also and the LXD55 is a step up and more equal to a EQ5. It is a heavier mount and can take heavier loads then the EQ3. Meade did originally sell the 30lb. SN-10 schmidt on the LXD55 - which was at it's maximum load for that.The LXD55 has a has a chequerd history and has not proven to be the most reliable mount - the LXD75 ironed out most of the problems and has improved steel tubular legs. The LXD55 is getting old now and I would not really reccommend it, even it it was cheap - unless it had been 'reconditioned' to LXD75 specs. - which the do in the US - unsure about Australia [ I live in N.Z.].As 'JohnG' says pay for a better more modern and reliable mount that does AP well. I have a feeling if you get the LXD55 you will end up getting frustrated. Get one that he has suggested above and you will spend your time observing instead of fixing.

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

As above, I agree, LX55 is asking for a headache.

[Zuts]

Originally Posted by chris lewis

I have the LXD55 mount. Brought it second hand 3 years ago. It was fairly new then. I have mounted a Orion ED80, a Orion ED100 and a GSO 8 in. F/4 Newtonian on it. It handle all these 'reasonably' well. It has been generally reliable. It does occasionally 'stop' for no reason however.The LXD55 is not a good AP mount - I have tried it - its 'OK 'for short exposures. I am more of a visual observer and others may be more qualified to answer this question however.The motors are loud and the GOTO works 'O.K.' - getting polar alignment right is the tricky part.I have a EQ3 also and the LXD55 is a step up and more equal to a EQ5. It is a heavier mount and can take heavier loads then the EQ3. Meade did originally sell the 30lb. SN-10 schmidt on the LXD55 - which was at it's maximum load for that.The LXD55 has a has a chequerd history and has not proven to be the most reliable mount - the LXD75 ironed out most of the problems and has improved steel tubular legs. The LXD55 is getting old now and I would not really reccommend it, even it it was cheap - unless it had been 'reconditioned' to LXD75 specs. - which the do in the US - unsure about Australia [ I live in N.Z.].As 'JohnG' says pay for a better more modern and reliable mount that does AP well. I have a feeling if you get the LXD55 you will end up getting frustrated. Get one that he has suggested above and you will spend your time observing instead of fixing.

Thanks Chris,

It was on ebay, $700 for the mount and a 6 inch Schmidt Cassegrain. Sounds not too bad as i could maybe sell the scope and keep the mount. But after what everyone has said i will probably not get it.

Thanks for everyones help.