Focal Reducers - advice please

[Iddon]

Have Meade Lx200 8"
Contemplating a focal reducer.
I see several options:
Celestron f6.3 - $300
Meade f6.3 - $232
Un-named brand - $110 from local supplier
Does anyone know if these will all fit my Lx200 ? (ie. are the Meade/Celestron models interchangeable?)
Any opinions about the relative visual quality of these options ?

[p medcraft]

The Meade and celestron Focal reducers are interchangable but I can't speak for the unnamed brand. I am not aware of anyone criticising the relative effectiveness of either of the reducers. I have always used a Meade reducer and have owned both the 6.3 and 3.3. I am currently using the Meade 6.3 on a Celestron scope so there is proof in the pudding. One point to note is that a focal reducer needs to be spaced correctly to actually function as a reducer. In order to get a reduction to 6.3 you need to have the reducer roughly 105mm away from the CCD chip or the point of focus of the eyepiece as measured from the front surface of the focal reducer. If it is closer than this the level of reduction is lessened. The LX200 with Microfocuser works well with the reducers because it takes up so much distance but pre microfocuser scopes need to find another way to create the distance. Hope this makes sense for you.

Paul Medcraft

[Iddon]

thanks Paul - I assume then that the reducer site between the microfocusser and the scope main body ?

[p medcraft]

Exactly, given you are using a GPS scope (with Microfocuser) you have no problems.