Meade LXD75 8" SN


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Brand and Model:Meade LXD75 8" SN
Price ($USD):1000
Type:Schmidt-Newtonian
Attributes: checked Go-To un-checked PEC
Aperture:8"
f Ratio:4
Focal Length:812
Finder:8x50
Electric Power:
Mount:Equ
Tripod:
Weight (lbs):69
Dimensions (w/h/d):
Description:Replacement of the LX55 range of scopes, with better mount and tripod. The

Vote Highlights Vote
Meade LXD75 8" SN
Bought this as an OTA for less than 500. Awesome.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:8 Ease of Use:8 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=624200


Meade LXD75 8" SN
The optics in mine are really good for a scope of this price class. The mount was broken when I received it, so it went back to Meade and customer service there is quite poor and I have since made several mount repairs myself. The focuser is trash, so plan on getting a JMI or Moonlite to bring the OTA up to speed for accurate focusing and ability to handle heavy cameras and EP's. I added a good right angle finderscope after giving myself strains trying to look through the straight through finder scope that has poor contrast anyway. This telescope would get a 10 in value and overall score if Meade would supply a decent focuser and finder scope and upgrade the QA on the mount. The plastic focuser could in no way support a binoviewer without sagging and is totally out of place on a telescope aimed at the astrophotography market. The LXD75 mount can barely handle the SN8 and is definitely undersized for the SN10. For astrophotography use, plan on upgrading to an Atlas mount if using it in any kind of wind. The LXD75 mount is OK for visual use of the scope and is quite accurate in GoTo function after you do a lot of adjusting. My scope came miscollimated, and getting it into collimation required I buy a laser collimator and spend quite a bit of time fussing with the fast f/4 optical system. You have to provide offsets to the secondary mirror because of the fast f/4 speed. You'll probably spin the secondary mirror as you tighten the collimation lock screw like I did and have to take the corrector off to get the mirror holder back into proper position. However, like a Mak-Newt it tends to stay collimated after you get it collimated, and you don't have to clean the primary mirror much as it is almost totally closed. Also, you will need a dew shield and heater strap if used in a humid environment. You have to spend an extra $500 or more if buying new parts to get everything up to speed for serious astrophotography. That's still a bargain compared to an APO refractor, and the f/4 speed blows an APO away in exposure times. There are lots of accessories for the scope and mount on the open market now. The JMI transport case is good if you need to locate to remote sites. Also, the JMI case for the mount will prevent the broken plastic motor/gear covers that plague the mount when it is roughly transported without a case. A Baader MPCC coma corrector takes out the residual coma that the Schmidt corrector only reduces by half compared to a standard Newtonian. It's easy to hit $2000 or more for the entire setup when you get the accessories that are really helpful in getting the most out of the scope. Consider the LXD75 SN8 as a basic starter kit that you custom build to suit your own needs. It's also a really good visual scope, better than an 8" SCT in optical performance, when you use it with a Tele Vue Powermate. I would suggest picking up the OTA used and mounting it on a much better mount if you are seriously into astrophotography. You can also buy the outfit new and sell the mount and come out several hundred dollars ahead of what an OTA alone would cost you, which would buy your focuser with the savings.

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:9 Mount:6 Ease of Use:8 Value:8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=559332

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