After finally having had enough of the problems with my 12" Meade l have finally decieded to bite the bullet and order a new scope, l have decieded on an Optical Guidance Systems scope, it is a Ritchey-Chretein 16" f/8 carbon fibre optical tube assembly, there is a waiting list but it will be worth the wait considering the hassles with the Meade, l waited a long time to finally get a Meade and to be completely honest it was not worth the wait.
l will give an appraisal on the scope after delivery.
Yep, I also ordered a new scope today - a 10" Deluxe Dob to replace my cheap Chinese 4.5" reflector. That would probably explain the weather in Sydney today and for the next 4 days or so.
Originally posted by [1ponders] Thomo you wont know yourself, (and your partner will forget what you look like as they wont be seeing much of you now ), good onya
No partner Paul. No partner = more Thomo time + more cash for eyepieces, etc
The LX 200 saga began about 2 months when as you turned it on it would constantly drive to the east and therefore just go around in circles, this problem actually stopped for a while and then it started driving south on start up, this also stopped and went back to driving east and has ever since.
I rang Bintel in Sydney and they suggested a motor and computer service kit so l got one, by the way l was quoted $500.00 over the phone, gave them my credit card number and when it arrived l was charged $595.00, after paying to have the kit fitted by an electrical engineer it would not fire up, after ringing Sydney again they told me the hand controller had to be replaced and sent me down a test controller, still doesn't work, ring back again and now they don't know what is wrong so as you can imagine l'm choc full of confidence in these guys and waiting until tomorrow for another phone call after they talk to Meade in the states.
Add all this to focuser and stability problems l really do think they are the most overrated telescope on the market.
The pier l have really is solid and when you compere the weight of the new scope on an EQ mount considering it is carbon fibre it will compere pretty favourably with the weight of the Meade and any alterations to the observatory will pale into insignificance when compared to the price of the scope itself.
The R/C scopes are awesome for imaging.. Matt Russell has one and combined with his very expensive commercial CCD camera and very high altitude where he lives, he produces some of the most fantastic astro shots i've seen.
The scope l am getting is optical tube assembly only and l will be using it primarily for imaging although l have a long way to go in that area, it will be mounted on an EQ but which one yet l am still doing research.
Mick, set up the spare room, I am moving in with you!!! You are serious adicted, man! One day, after the mortgage is cleared, I hope to follow suit.
It will great to hear your reports once the OTA arrives.
I'm surprised to hear both about the problems with Meade and with Bintel. I have found both to be fantastic. Maybe you are being punished for living south of the border?
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. Wow 16" Mick. That's serious appature.
), good onya 
That 2" diagnal really put its to scale. Will your existing pillar be able to carry it?
