C9.25 vs GSO RC 8" vs VC200L vs 8" LX200-ACF

[rat156]

Originally Posted by dpastern

Stuart - Google is your friend. Use it. You'll find lots of complaints about Meade optics and quality of service.

I did use google, looked for "Meade poor optics", Several pages of stuff, none until the bottom of the sixth page actually mentioned poor scope optics, infact many of them were lauding the R scope optics. Some were complaining about mechanical issues with the mount (fork), but you specifically mentioned the optics were rubbish. Any mount problems are a mute point in this discussion as the question was about the OTA. Again I ask you to post some links to the (numerous) complaints about Meade's optics. Quality of service is a completely different issue, but in Aus we have some of the best techs in the world, others have already covered this aspect.

Originally Posted by dpastern

True, you'll probably find complaints about other manufacturers as well. It seems that Meade users are a bit like Apple users - they just can't seem to like criticism of their iconic brand.

Anyways, that's it for me.

Dave

Probably would find complaints about other manufacturers, but didn't go looking. Meade users, like Apple users (yep I'm one of those as well), and Alfa Romeo owners (four of them...) don't like UNFOUNDED critisism of the products. I'll happily watch Jeremy Clarkson slam old Alfas because of the poor electrics, usually noting that I have had similar problems, and yes Toyotas and BMWs usually don't suffer from similar problems, but then he usually goes on to say why he'd still buy one and I understand that as well. Same goes for Macs and Meades, if there's something wrong with them I'll acknowledge that, but when people just say "Macs are toys" or "Meade's optics are rubbish" as a blanket statement I'll get on my high horse and ask for proof of the statement, is this unfair? Am I getting my knickers in a twist? I think not. So I'll continue to stick up for the brand, but will always admit if there's something wrong with the scope/computer/car, there's no point in deluding yourself.

Cheers
Stuart

[TrevorW]

Ok people read this about Meade very interesting

http://www.meade.com/nasdaq/pdf/2008_10k.pdf

Cheers

[rat156]

Sevety four pages Trevor, is there a summary?

From my brief readings it sounds like Meade have paid off their debts and have $9M in the bank, but are operating at a $17M/annum loss.

Hardly GM, why doesn't Obama bail them out?

Cheers
Stuart

[coldspace]

Originally Posted by rat156

Please note that mine's a 10" RCX, which is f/8. The focal length is equivalent to an 8" f/10 LX200ACF type scope, but of course the light gathering power is greater.

I've also attached a Jupiter pic I took last year, during the one moment of good seeing I got, taken @ f/24. Also added an M104 pic and an Eta Carina Nebula pic taken at f/8.

Cheers
Stuart

Very nice images there Stuart.
I rather like the Jupiter shot.
I can't wait to finish my observatory so I can get my LX200R 12 out more often.
Back on service in Australia,
My Meade diagonal had a very slight rattle in the mirror in it after it was about 14 months old after I had been lugging it around the SEQ and my back yard many times so it probally just got knocked or something,
I packed it in a box sent it down to Michael and Don in sydney Bintel via post and 2 days later it arrived fixed with new ring around the tube free of charge even though it was out of warranty, they even covered the $20 express post cost. Thumbs up to top notch service.

But they are smart, because I am about to spend another 5K with them now I am about to start my observatory.

Regards Matt.

[Nifty (Nev)]

Hello all
One question
Is Meade the Microsoft of astronomy?
I intend to by a LX200 OTA anyway and mount it on my EQ6 PRO

Cheers
Nev

[troypiggo (Troy)]

Originally Posted by Nifty

Is Meade the Microsoft of astronomy?

No.

[rat156]

Originally Posted by Nifty

Hello all
One question
Is Meade the Microsoft of astronomy?
I intend to by a LX200 OTA anyway and mount it on my EQ6 PRO

Cheers
Nev

No their CEO isn't a multi-billionaire!

There are some parallels though...

Cheers
Stuart

[rat156]

Originally Posted by coldspace

Very nice images there Stuart.
I rather like the Jupiter shot.
I can't wait to finish my observatory so I can get my LX200R 12 out more often.
Back on service in Australia,
My Meade diagonal had a very slight rattle in the mirror in it after it was about 14 months old after I had been lugging it around the SEQ and my back yard many times so it probally just got knocked or something,
I packed it in a box sent it down to Michael and Don in sydney Bintel via post and 2 days later it arrived fixed with new ring around the tube free of charge even though it was out of warranty, they even covered the $20 express post cost. Thumbs up to top notch service.

But they are smart, because I am about to spend another 5K with them now I am about to start my observatory.

Regards Matt.

Yeah Matt, an observatory should be second on anyones astronomy list.

First you need a scope or maybe bino's.

Next on the list for scope owners should be a permanent setup if possible.

Cheers
Stuart

[Paul Haese]

Just a suggestion here. Maybe we should get back to the intent of the thread and talk about which scopes are best for Troy??

I think the point has been well made about the Meade optics. If we want to discuss that, why not start another thread on that particular topic?

[rat156]

Agreed Paul, though I think the discussion on Meade quality of optics and service in Australia is valid for the original intent of the question i.e. which one of these scopes do you recommend and why?

The discussion on observatories should probably wait until AFTER he's bought a scope.

Cheers
Stuart

[troypiggo (Troy)]

Thanks for reeling it back in, Paul. I was about to suggest the same thing.

I'm not buying in the very near future. Still researching, so happy for this discussion to chug along and more opinions to float in

BTW I have had a very kind offer from a very kind IIS member to borrow his C8 to see what it can do. What a great community.

[RobF (Rob)]

Originally Posted by troypiggo

This would be a boring thread if everyone agreed on the same scope, wouldn't it.

Cheer Troy. Glad you're considering all possibilities at this stage.

I forgot to mention I like PCs more than Macs too...
(where's the emoticon for throwing petrol on fire...!)

[coldspace]

Originally Posted by troypiggo

Thanks for reeling it back in, Paul. I was about to suggest the same thing.

I'm not buying in the very near future. Still researching, so happy for this discussion to chug along and more opinions to float in

BTW I have had a very kind offer from a very kind IIS member to borrow his C8 to see what it can do. What a great community.

Agreed, and trying to stay on topic look at all options and make the best choice for you and your needs.

Alot of people buy a certain scope use it for a little bit then find it does not really suit their needs so you can just sell it and buy another one if this happens.

Its always holden versus ford when this starts up, but it usually brings up some really good facts on things.
Good luck with your research.

Matt.

[Bolts_Tweed (Mark)]

Gday Troy

You make a really good point re the loan of the C8 (exceptionally kind of the gentleman or lady and what amateur astronomy should be like). If you get the chance to get to Leyburn on one of the new moon weekends my mates & I can offer yu the chance to put your DSLR on a lot of the scopes you are considering and physically see how they go photographically and what you prefer. As far as I know there is no Vixen to try but all the others are there as well as a wide range of Apos from 80 to 127 and i am sure most people will let you take an image (most of the guys and girls have Canon set ups so it wont be too much drama).

I notice you are in Brisbane - Leyburn is 45 minutes south west of Toowoomba. The only problem is that my 10" ACF is on order - hopefully will be here by next moon but if not you may have to wait till next month. I have a couple of good Apos and a C8 on an EQ6 available now but you might want to wait to try the Meade as well.

PM me if you are interested.

MB

[CometGuy]

As a matter of interest, does anyone know what the weight of the Meade 8" ACF OTA is?

I'm going through a similiar comparsion for a relative at the moment.

Terry

[dpastern (Dave Pastern)]

Originally Posted by rat156

Sevety four pages Trevor, is there a summary?

From my brief readings it sounds like Meade have paid off their debts and have $9M in the bank, but are operating at a $17M/annum loss.

Hardly GM, why doesn't Obama bail them out?

Cheers
Stuart

OT - why should the public monies be used to bail out failed businesses? Sorry, but I'm completely against this. No one bails out the average guy when life gets tough for him. Certainly not governments and businesses.

What the current US government has done is horrendous - it's basically sent a huge message to the banks etc that it's OK to screw up, we'll bail you out. Sorry, but it's morally apprehensible imho. One word covers it all:

responsibility

Dave

[dpastern (Dave Pastern)]

Mark, Troy knows about Leyburn and has been out there before (his avatar was taken out there), I'm yet to get out there to the dark skies though.

The C8 (and offers to test other scopes) are damn good ideas.

Dave

[TrevorW]

Dave it's all well and good to take a simplistic view however it's about jobs and the big picture

Social and economic outcomes of such decisions

Meade only has 250 full time employees so they've got buckley's of being propped up

Bank of America 16500 Citicorp 25000 GM 111000

Agreed it sucks but when so many jobs are at stake and the lives of potentially quadtriple that number taking is associated businesses that would also fail and the family member affected and the potential for welfare recipients, crime, domestic violence, alcohol and drug related issues what else morally can they do

[Bolts_Tweed (Mark)]

Ahhhh now I think I know who it is. Thanks Dave. You've got hate these usernames - I just want to shout my name's Mark Bolton and I live at .......... - joking.

Offer stands but and I hope to meet you out there one day mate


MB

[marki]

Wow Troy so far you have offers to play with a C8 and a LX200 10". All you need now is to buddy up with a vixen and GSO owner and your set . If you can try them all in the context with which you want to use them you will soon find out which suits your purposes best. Somehow think in the end that you may want one of each .

Mark