Calling all Meade LX90 Owners

[FredSnerd (Claude)]

Hi

I'm thinking of buying a 12" Meade LX90

But I rang Bintel today and the gentleman said they dont advise buying the 12" because the fork mount is the same one they use for the 8" and whereas the fork mount copes well with the 8" and mediocre with the 10" it does not cope well with the weight of the 12" (it struggles, I think his words were).

He said that if I wanted the 12" I should go to the LX200 or put the LX90 OTA on a EQ mount and he said for an EQ mount I shouldnt buy no less then the Losmandy G11 S ($3900).

My issue with the LX200 is the weight (I'm not getting any younger) and if I just buy the OTA and mount it on a EQ its more expensive then the LX200 full unit.

How disappoining, just when i thought I'd made my mind up.

Anyways, have any of you LX90 owners (esp owners of the 12") any ideas about any of the above. I would very much appreciate your're expert advice.

Regards to you all.

[marki]

Claude, bintel have just told you what I have been trying to say. The 12" tube is a heavy scope and needs a good mount. Some pros and cons of the 12" and G11 combo listed below.

Pros

1. scope and mount can be broken down into smaller bits (less weight).
2. G11 is a reasonably accurate mount so can be use for AP.
3. You can put other scopes besides the 12" on the mount (flexibility).
4. Good resale value and last a long time (value).
5. Stable (a must).
6. you can use the LX200 tube (mirror lock).
7. I am sure theres more but it's too early in the day.

Cons

1. Need to learn to polar align (no problem once you have practiced).
2. The mount suggested does not have goto so would need to upgrade to the system with gemini controller or use an argo navis or learn the sky .
3. It's expensive but you did say this was going to be your last scope .

I am not sure why you have your heart set on a 12" meade. If it's too expensive there are a lot of other good options out there and it would be well worth it to explore a little more.

Mark

[FredSnerd (Claude)]

Thanks Mark,

Yeah, you said it was the mount that was the issue

I think appeture wise I didnt want anything less then a 12 inch. I thought go-to would be nice given I am starting out a bit late in life (55). I think now given the complications and expense of the meade I think I'll probably go back to my original plan and get a 12in Dob with AN and Push-To

[renormalised (Carl)]

If you can't get a Meade to suit what you want, grab a Celestron CPC1100. It's 11" and only weighs 65lbs, the mount is sturdy and the difference between the 12" Meade and it won't matter all that much.

[Barrykgerdes]

Hi
Aperture fever:

View from a 12" LX200 in an observatory in the outer suburbs of Sydney was about 2 magnitudes worse than the view from an ETX-125 at the ASNSW local dark site Crago. The 12" of course was better at a dark site but it was too heavy to use regularly so it reposed always on a permanent mount in the observatory.

My advce is that if you do not have a dark permanent site for the 12" you will do far better and see more with an 8" that can be transported and easily set up at a dark site. At 75 I can no longer lift a 12" by myself but I can still handle my 10" LX200 in the field by myself. I have given up viewing from home. Crago is only half an hour away and the difference is worth the trouble.

PS I also have a 16" LB that I have only used once because I need help to transport it although I can still set it up myself.

Barry

[mozzie (Peter)]

hi claude i have a 12"lx90 its in my pod and permanent piered but for years i was useing it on a tripod the only reason its in a dome no set up time they are fine on there mounts ive the peterson equipment on mine all 2"big naglers weights to balance telrads of the front of ota and its fine its around 36kgs to lift if your not getting any younger maybe the 10" the presidant of our astromomy club has one and hes lifts his no worries soon as you go to the 200 series it gets heavy the 14"im looking at is around 75 kgs the 12" is around 48 kgs something to think about
claude someone mentioned the cpc1100 they are a nice scope a lot lighter pm me again if you like my next door neighbour is selling his starting his house if you have anymore questions re 12"just ask me
mozzie

[TheDecepticon]

I have an older LX90, pre GPS and LNT. It is the original 8", and it is a fantastic scope. I have just been confirmed as having a permanent disability in my back and I'm really restricted to what I can lift, so although this is over my weight limit, I can manage it reasonably well. And only being a few years younger than you, weight is always a consideration. One advantage of my LX90 over the Celestron, is that there is no cables to trip over or wind around the scope as it takes 'C' size batteries that last quite a while. Aperture is always a first, but also is the feasability of using it comfortably. Why not get a 12" Dob with Argo Navis and a Denver Observing Chair? That is where I'm going if I upgarde, and my 14yo son is more than big enough to help me get it outside!!