So essentially the same price as the Lightbridge 16", for essentially the same item. Or does it have features that the Meade doesn't?
Surely the triangular trusses of the LB would give superior stiffness to the three straight posts of the GSO.
Can you adjust those alt bearings to alter the balance of the OTA?
Hey hey!
Looks like it. Lets hope the designers foresaw a desired adjustment range that might include non gso made eyepieces and other kit that people might want to hang off the uta.
On the downside, how on earth do you fit an alt encoder for dsc to that bearing?
I also notice a better looking 18 point design floatation for the primary.
that isnt a pretty design!! be a bugger to get a shroud to fit as well. though the mirror box does look more compact - might get that one through the door?
I think its great they thought about the balance issues, which I have found to be the weakest aspect of the 16LB. It will be interesting to see how the parallel tripod leg struts go in terms of stability, but I can't imagine that it would be released if unstable, given that they have obviously thought about the setup in some detail.
Perhaps a pity that the rings and struts weren't painted black, given that this is one mod many people make for the 16LB.
Can just echo others concerns about the three struts for stability. However, the mirror cell actually looks like it is truely floating which is a big improvement on the Lightbridge's and the bearing adjustment is a great move in the right direction.
The `truss' seems an unusual choice. It came about because ( and this is hearsay ) Meade put a legal stop to GS's plans to release their own LightBridge clone, even though GS are the manufacturers of the Lightbridge..
Just an opinion, but I'd have to (personally) consign that to real "hearsay": trusses aren't copyright; if memory serves me the fella that came up with them's bin daid along time (centuries and centuries I think!)
In today's world not much more than a different coloured paint dodges patent!
Just an opinion, but I'd have to (personally) consign that to real "hearsay": trusses aren't copyright;
Doubtless Meade order 1000's of these scopes at a time from GS and no doubt looked dimly at the manufacturer of the Lightbridge, releasing their own model a little cheaper clearly using most of the same components that were probably developed for Meades own instrument.
The three pole tube makes the gesture that at least on the surface this is not just a rebadged Meade, though on closer examination it shares most of the same components, with a few minor changes.
Perhaps they could have used the this lead time to evaluate public perception and user feedback from the Meade to improve their instrument. I'm sure feedback from the IIS Forum alone would have pointed them in the right direction .
Perhaps they could have used the this lead time to evaluate public perception and user feedback from the Meade to improve their instrument. I'm sure feedback from the IIS Forum alone would have pointed them in the right direction .
Looks like they heard your comments Mark about the poor mirror cell design on the LB
Looks like a strut designed LB alright. Cant really call it a truss design. I
dont like the look of the altitude bearings either too small in my opinion.
Still another 16"er under $3000.00 it's all good in the end I guess.
Along with the others I'm concerned with the rigidity of the parallel struts, only the stiffness of the struts and mounting will prevent twisting of the upper secondary/viewfinder, although some descretely placed bracing (wires perhaps) to give some triangulation would fix that.
although some descretely placed bracing (wires perhaps) to give some triangulation would fix that.
It looks if you were to do that, strut to strut. It would or could possibly cross
the light path. I think stiffness will come with how deep and snug the struts
sit in there seats.
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