Meade LX200 7"


 Info  Votes  Messages  More Stats  Up One Level
image
Brand and Model:Meade LX200 7"
Price ($USD):$3295.00
Type:Maksutov-Cassegrain
Attributes: checked Go-To checked PEC
Aperture:178mm (7")
f Ratio:f/15
Focal Length:2670mm
Finder:8x50
Electric Power:18V DC (AC Adapter)
12V DC (
Mount:Fork
Tripod:Standard Field Tripod
Weight (lbs):52 lbs.
Dimensions (w/h/d):
Description:Specifications: 7" Model LX200GPS—Includes 7" Maksutov-Cassegrain optical tube assembly (D = 178mm, F = 2670mm f/15) with MgF2 coatings on the correcting lens and standard aluminum coatings on the primary and secondary mirrors (Ultra-High Transmission Coatings, available optionally); primary mirror lock; 4-speed Zero Image-Shift Microfocuser; heavy-duty fork mount, with 4"-diameter sealed polar ball bearing, quartz-microprocessor-controlled 5.75" LX worm gears on both axes, and multi-function control panel; manual and electric slow-motion controls on both axes; setting circles in RA and Dec; Autostar II control system with 3.5-Megabyte flash memory, digital readout display, permanently-programmable Smart Drive and 185-speed drive controls on both axes, High-Precision Pointing, and 145,000-object onboard celestial software library; GPS alignment system with 16-channel GPS receiver, magnetic declination compensation, and true-level and North electronic sensors; 12v DC telescope power supplied from internal battery compartments accepting 8 (user-supplied) C-cells (optional 25 ft. cords are available for powering from auto cigarette lighter plug or from 115v AC); 8x50mm viewfinder; eyepiece-holder and diagonal prism (1.25"); Series 4000 Super Plössl 26mm eyepiece; variable-height standard field tripod; operating instructions.

Meade's 7" LX200 Page
MAPUG

Vote Highlights Vote
Meade LX200 7"
This 7" Mak LX200 is an awesome scope. The optics are really nice.

The good think about the Mak is it doesn't need constant collimation like a SCT. Stars are pinpoints across the field and I've pushed the scope up over 328X on Saturn using an 8mm Celestron ortho before the image started to get soft. On the Moon I've pushed this scope to 459X using a 16mm UO Konig w/2.8X barlow. The scope would have a lot more magnification. The scopes optics are definately a cut above a SCT. It will only be beaten (slightly) by a high end refractor like AP or Tak. If you don't have $6K-$10K for one of these scopes. This Mak has given me the best views I've ever seen falling only short of the APO refractors.

The LX200 tracking and goto is good but not perfect. It won't beat out a good quality GEM for tracking but this could be more operator error than the scope itself???

The downside of this scope is the OTA is much heavier than the comparable 8" SCT. You could easily believe you were picking up a 10" or 11" SCT. If you have problems lifting things and setting them up, get a different scope.

If you don't mind the extra weight and are more interested in absolute optical performance. This is an excellent choice.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 Mount:9 Ease of Use:7 Value:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=264747


Meade LX200 7"
Although I'm more like your Fluorite Apochromat refractor kinda guy.
Sometimes though I purchase catadioptrics. This one I bought after
my LX90, because I knew that the optics could be better and the mount
a little steadier. So I bought this Mak. The night I received it,
I set it up on the roof and put it on M42. So I went down the street,
got a couple of souvlakis (greek traditional food, a bunch of vegetables
and some meat in a roll of pita bread). So I went up to my roof with my
food and tested it's tracking preformance. It was almost PERFECTLY on target.
With my last couple of telescopes, both Meades I put some trust in Meade.
Now knowing that their catadioptrics are good. Although I didn't like the 16''
SCT.
If you're serious about astrophotography and want a telescope you want to keep forever this is a good choice. I give it a 9 ( the corrector gets some dust inside once in a while).

by daSentinel

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=37745

>Although I'm more like your Fluorite Apochromat refractor kinda guy.
>Sometimes though I purchase catadioptrics. This one I bought after
>my LX90, because I knew that the optics could be better and the mount
>a little steadier. So I bought this Mak. The night I received it,
>I set it up on the roof and put it on M42. So I went down the street,
>got a couple of souvlakis (greek traditional food, a bunch of vegetables
>and some meat in a roll of pita bread). So I went up to my roof with my
>food and tested it's tracking preformance. It was almost PERFECTLY on target.
>With my last couple of telescopes, both Meades I put some trust in Meade.
>Now knowing that their catadioptrics are good. Although I didn't like the 16''
>SCT.
>If you're serious about astrophotography and want a telescope you want to keep forever this is a good choice. I give it a 9 ( the corrector gets some dust inside once in a while).
>
>by daSentinel

The last good souvlaki I had was in Greece in 1969. In fact I was eating one while watching Neil Armstong step out onto the moon. I was in Athens to train the Greek Special Forces in HALO .  I have been given a 7" mak by a super friend and awaiting its arrival.  Jon in Lexington, Ky

Meade LX200 7"
I bought this scope used but am very pleased with the performance. The optics are excellent for a mass produced MCT. Planets show great detail when conditions permit. Star images are near pinpoint, much better than most SCTs, but not quite like a good refractor. At F/15, deep sky objects are a bit dim and require dark skies, but it shows nice contrast and detail. It is surprisingly not just a planetary/lunar scope! I wish it was more like an F/12 however. I intend to try a focal reducer. One other issue is cool-down. Although supplied with built in fans, it takes a while for the scope to cool...sometimes never reaching perfect equilibrium. BUT...when it does...watch out for jaw dropping performance!

The LX200 electronics are superb. I have had no problems with it or my 12" LX200. If it weren't for the LX200 stability and accuracy along with nifty GOTO, there would be many other choices. However, my experience with the LX200 makes it in a class by itself.

All considered, the 7" Meade Mak LX200 is a powerful package for the price. Check out reviews on Ed Ting and Todd Gross.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=37744


Meade LX200 7"
I give this scope an 8, due to Meades dubious quality conrol. The elctronics are subject to give out mine did twice in my first two weeks of ownership. The inside of the corrector plate is dirty, which causes light scatter.

This is a good package for the price however, and make a nice scope. It takes awhile for this scope to cool down, and results in poor images until it is. If Meade took a little more pride in what they ship out, this would be a 10++.

Richard Beasley

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=37743


Meade LX200 7"
This is a great scope and a pleasure to use for the price. There is some minor image shift when focusing and star tests are not perfect, but it is as close to an APO as a LX-200 can get. Excellent on planetary and doubles with very good contrast. By being a f/15 with a focal length of 2670mm it is not a good rich field scope, but when contrast and magification with a medium eyepiece is important this is a great choice. Recommended.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=37742


Meade LX200 7"
Excellent optics, great on planets. The mount is very stable.


Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=37741


Meade LX200 7"
Good optics. It'd be a wonderful scope if Meade could reduce the secondary baffle. This is an issue, because the 27% central obtruction by diameter gives a good contrast performance, but the giant baffle makes lost in contrast and resolution, specially when the seeing isn't the best. Here Meade's team has a hard work but is possible. If they could do it with the ETX 90, so they should do the same with the 7" Mak.

Overall Rating: 7
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=37740


Meade LX200 7"
Great optics, but the poor reliability of the electronics drags my rating down. Buy with the anticipation of returning to factory for repairs.

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=37738


Meade LX200 7"
Optic like an apo, very stable,
star test; a bright star is not like an apo but a planet is.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=37737


Meade LX200 7"
Superb optics. Good mechanics and electrical so far. GoTo is dead on accurate. Only drawback so far is the loud noise of rapid slewing. Very solid mount.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=37736

[Click Here to Login]
Don't have a login? Register!