[SOLD] Meade LX90 10" (254mm) SCT + JMI focuser + Antares RACI illuminated + spare Audiostar

[tonybarry (Tony)]

FOR SALE

For sale is a Meade LX90 10" (254mm) GPS ACF Schmitt-Cassegrain telescope, equipped with a JMI Event Horizon motorised focuser with extra long 1" drawtube (and focus hand controller) and an Antares 80mm RACI illuminated reticle finder. The telescope is fitted with Bob's Knobs for ease of collimation, and a Bahtinov mask made by Farpoint Astro to aid in focusing. The LX-90 Autostar controller has a extra-long 1.8 metre curly cord made by ProConnect Australia.

Also coming with the telescope is the Meade 2" tube Tripod, a Level-North-Tube (LNT) module and Red-Dot Finder which I have not used, and a spare, new and unused AudioStar hand controller.

The telescope does not come with a diagonal or any eyepieces as I did not use a diagonal or any eyepieces with it. Instead I used a low light B/W videocamera, primarily for occultation recording, and also for public outreach primarily at Penrith Observatory. I am NOT selling the videocamera equipment (or timing gear for occultations) with the telescope. A prospective buyer would require their own diagonal and eyepieces to use the scope for visual observing, or a camera system to do astrophotography.

This telescope has delighted visitors to the Penrith Observatory for the past seven years (well, until Covid came along) with its rock steady views of night sky objects in the Western Sydney skies. I was easily able to obtain 30 second unguided images at f/5 (using a focal reducer with the videocamera) which delivered splendid views of the brighter galaxies and nebulae.

The only reason I am selling this telescope is due to its 24kg weight. While my back is still OK, I am conscious that I am not getting any younger, and this scope is heavy enough for me to need to take care lifting it.

The telescope is in good condition and fully operational. The mount base has some paint chips (minor), and the metal corrector cover has some scuff marks on its edge. Optically it has no blemishes and videocamera images are good. I will attach some images tomorrow.

As Sydney is presently in the grip of lockdown, I cannot actually show the scope to a prospective buyer until lockdown ends. I am putting this up on IceInSpace for expressions of interest from members of the observing community.

My expected selling price is $2300, which is a pretty good deal considering the JMI motorised focuser, the Antares RACI illuminated finder, and the spare (new) Audiostar. However, if this is sold to a junior member of an astronomy club, I will ask only $2000. I would like to support younger people entering the astronomy avocation and this might be one way to do it.

Please PM with your expression of interest, and include some way to contact you when lockdown ends.

Regards, Tony Barry
Penrith, Sydney, AUS

An IIS member has expressed interest in the scope - once normal travel is able to resume.