help me spend my money

[digby dart]

I too have been looking at buying a new rid for some time now.

From my perspective the Vixen SXD would certainly seem a nice compromise. Maybe with a lx200r 10" tube. Both Meade and Vixen are competitively priced here in Australia. Most of the other brands seem to be distributed by companies more interested in profiteering from the current healthy exchange rate.

It's a pity a fork mount on a wedge doesn't track as well as a eq mount. The Meade LX ranges are really good value at the moment and the locally made 'Hans Superior Wedge" looks a beauty. Meade accessories are also readily available and for the most part reasonably priced.

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

I suppose there doesn't seem to be anyone here who has actually any experience with the SXD especially for imaging

Over on the Sphinx yahoo forum there is at least one user who said that while it is capable for astroimaging, it is not as fit for that purpose as a Losmandy G8..this may be again may be one person's view

as for Meade, I hope they pull out of their current well documented problems but the prognosis doesn't look good for them -on current course and speed of course

http://biz.yahoo.com/pz/071101/130402.html?printer=1

[digby dart]

Thankz for the link seeker. I didn't know all that.