Meade LXD55 AR-6

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Meade LXD55 AR-6
Big and beautiful. A true bargain in todays market. Goto very accurate when time is taken to properly set up scope and two star align. Top of cradle ring assy has three tapped holes for adding accessories. Mount will have no problem carrying OTA for visual and CCD. Don't know yet about how it will handle windy conditions. Get a wooden tripod and new diagonal. Visual performance on par with the best of the Syntas' and Celestrons. Will add Chromacor next. You can't go wrong with this package. Highly recommended. I will post more visual notes in the near future.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:8 Mount:9 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=110995

Meade LXD55 AR-6
For the money, this is a magnificent instrument. First, it is very, very impressive to look at when set up. The optics are exceptional, providing crisp, well defined views of planets, double stars, star clusters, and planetary nebula. While chromatic aberration is visible on bright objects, it is not objectionable. The german equatorial mount is very solid. Even the tripod, while probably the weakest part of the system, is ok if you use vibration suppression pads. GOTO accuracy is very good if you carefully align to the celestial pole.

If you want a big refractor with good optics, GOTO capability, and imposing looks at a bargain price, this is it!

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 Mount:9 Ease of Use:8 Value:10
Weight: 7 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=139311

Meade LXD55 AR-6
Just got the scope this weekend. Setup took about twenty minutes. The scope looks truly impressive & beautiful! I tested
it over the weekend with only the 26mm Plossl supplied &
found the images to be exceptionally sharp. I'm content with
the dioganal that is supplied. I found the tripod to be acceptable,
but I must add there was no wind to contend with. The "GOTO"
operation was smooth & relatively quiet(even in the fast mode).
I can't wait 'til I receive my "4000 Plossl" set in about 30 days!
I'll let you know how those perform ASAP. Bottom line: it's well
worth the money. A lot of scope bar none!

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:8 Mount:8 Ease of Use:9 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=163649

Meade LXD55 AR-6
Can't vote on Optics yet since haven't had good First Light opportunity yet. However, see my 12/12/02 message on inbitial impressions of the LXD55-AR6.
Regards,
VaRon

Overall Rating: 8
Mount:9 Ease of Use:7 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=164571

Meade LXD55 AR-6
Subject: LXD55 - AR-6
By: VaRon
Date: 12/12/2002 06:21:59 AM PST
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just received my AR-6 a few days ago via UPS. Having a Nexstar 11 SCT for almost a year, I decided to order the AR-6 for the following reasons: 1) Have a fairly substantial scope that would be a little more portable for field use, star parties, etc. (although, I can now readily handle field setups of the N11), 2) Have another scope for visual observing while my N11 would be in use for imaging, 3) Always wanted a nice size, quality Refractor, 4) Wanted to personaly compare Meades Autostar to Celestrons GoTo system, 5) Read few reviews which pretty much all said that for the price of an LXD55-AR6, you get a lot of scope with decent optics.

Of course, since I received the AR6 last week, the weather hasn't co-operated for First Light yet ! So, these are my initial impressions of the AR6:
1) Arrived in (2) boxes which did not show any serious outside damage from shipment handling.
2) All components were packed very well in thick, pre-formed styrofoam.
3) None of the components unpacked showed any physical or cosmetic damage.
4) Nothing was missing.
5) Using the Meade manual as a guide, assembly of Tripod, Eq. Mount, OTA and Finder went fairly easy and smooth. No problems with mating component fit, bolt holes lining up, etc.
6) When making Latitude adjustment, a ball end on one of the T-Handle screws popped off. Had to apply somne Loc-Tite to keep it attached.
7) The assembled scope is VERY impressive in appearance. The tripod doesn't seem to be as flimsy as I was led to believe from some other reviews but then I only had the legs extended about 6" and there weren't any winds in my living room. If vibrations become a problem, will try using my N11 Vibration Suppresion pads. And, eventually hope to also have the capability of a permanent pier mount.
8) The Dew/Light shield furnished appears ridiculously short to be effective. Have already got a flexible, longer (about 12") dew shield.
9) Some have criticized the AR-6 for the use of too much plastic. Other than the plastic housing for the diagonal prism (which I'll probably replace or use my N11 diagonal) and the focus assembly (which seems to be adequately smooth operating) the Eq. mount, tripod, OTA cradle and OTA itself are all metal, quality in appearance and appear to be more than adequate and durable.
10) The motor drives (in faster slew speeds) are considerably nosier than the N11 drives. However, in the tracking slew speeds, are much quieter and practicly unaudible.
11) Can operate on furnished battery pack which uses 8 "D" size batteries that should last up to 40 hours use time making a little more flexible for field use.
12) Seems to be quite a few more steps in setting up for field observing than the N11 (with the std. Alt.-Az mount): Leveling Tripod (a built-in bubble level would have been nice), Polar aligning (with a neat polar alignment illuminated reticle), Initializing Autostar, Training the drive, checking Axis alignment, etc. (N11 now takes me no more than 5-10 minutes to set up and align).
13) Autostar hand control operation seems to be a little more complex than the N11 however, it has considerably more capabilities such as: tracking asteroids, comets, satellites (all in hand control database), event listings such as Sunrise, Sun set, Moonrise, Moonset, moon phases, meteor showers and eclipses, built in glossary, a number of alarm and timer settings, spiral slewing object search (good when your setup might not be as precise as it could be).

Without First Light yet, I am very satisfied with what I've got for $895 ! Of course the next big step is to get some photons into the scope and see if I'll continue to be satisfied. Will report on results of First Light whenever that will be.

Regards,
VaRon

Overall Rating: 8
Mount:7 Ease of Use:6 Value:9
Weight: 11 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=164979

Meade LXD55 AR-6
Great Telescope for the Money. Views are top notch, Not Apo, but very very good. Get a bigger Tripod and some top eyepieces and you will love this scope.

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:8 Mount:7 Ease of Use:6 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=203861

Meade LXD55 AR-6
The AR-6 is a BIG scope; not exactly a grab-n-go scope, but it is portable. Mine came packed very well and was impressive at first glance. The dew shield and diagonal that come with scope can be tossed out right away. I bought the 12" Astrozap dew shield and it is much better for dew prevention and stray light.

There is some minimal false color, but only on bright objects. The false color seems to be a little less than my AT1010 which is surprising. Planetary views are quite nice as well as decent for DSO's. My optics are perfectly collimated, but are adjustable unlike the AR-5. The mount is a little weak for the scope, but it does work ok. I suggest buying a new tripod if you plan on keeping the mount.

This is a good buy if you aren't too finicky about everything. The scope is everything a beginner and intermediate would need. Add some patience for getting used to the mount and it should be a success for you.

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:9 Mount:8 Ease of Use:8 Value:9
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=246751

Meade LXD55 AR-6
After purchasing the Meade AR6 and getting familiar with the LXD55 mount and the achro refractor I feel I can now give my impressions. The refractor has clear views up to 150X after that the false color began to rear its ugly head. I added a Orion V block filter and was then able to easly push the mags to 250X via a Televue 4.8 nagler. Could see the icecap on Mars. I was impressed, considering the humidity outside and the breeze. The LXD55 is a good value considering the meager price, im going to use it to mount my 94mm APO as well as the 6" achro should be perfect for that! The focuser is usual Meade tho a notch above the lower scopes. I mean it works fine just nothing to brag about. The scope could use more baffling as well as the focuser but at this price its not happening. Frankly its best use has been on Mars and deep sky period. Jupiter didnt look great as I had hoped it was washed out in contrast and showed only 2 bands, maybe it was my dark sky site time of the yr as Jupiter was low in the sky? Anyway, For $900 I think it cant be beat, the go-to LXD55 EQ alone is worth the price and the mount can handle multiple types of OTAs! The A6 OTA can always be sold if you want an APO instead lateron and cant handle the false color anymore. I am also using a Celestron binoviewer with matching eyepieces of the series 4000 with no probs coming to focus at all which many will be glad to hear. The binoviewer is being used with 2 V blocker filters 1 for ea. eyepiece. Its the best way to use this refractor hands down especially on Mars and deep skys period. The large 6" aperature can handle the slightly dimmer views provided by the binoviewer trust me. Its also a beautiful daylight scope( pretty to just look at). Tho that dosent have any bearings on the quality of the nite views. Anyway, Ill eventually probably sell the OTA and replace it with a large APO when my ship comes in but until then im happy with it as long as I also use the V block filters as well. Your milage may vary but if this is your first achro its a good deal and you wont regret it, Meade also has great customer relations so fear not if you do get a lemon as thay will fix it for you. Astroman41

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:8 Mount:9 Ease of Use:8 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=260761

Meade LXD55 AR-6
Mount is inadequate for a 6" size scope if you expect to look
at planets or use high magnification. Short focal length requires
excellent quality oculars in order to get good views.
Optics are fairly good (much better than I expected)
but with a slight purple tinge. A minus-violet filter solves this
problem cheaply.
I had problems getting used to Autostar and was never very
satisfied with it - finally sold it and bought an Astrophysics 440
which is MUCH steadier (and expensive).

Overall Rating: 6
Optics:7 Mount:5 Ease of Use:6 Value:7
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=323621

Meade LXD55 AR-6
I have had my AR-6 for about 2-1/2 years now. I mount it on an Atlas Go-To GEM, and use a very solid Astrosky Eliminator tripod. That IMHO is the minimum for acceptable vibration control, and it works very well. I also changed the focuser to the Wyorock Crayford, and focusing now is a pleasure. With these changes, I consider my modified AR-6 to give excellent, vibration free views. Last weekend I had Saturn at 342X, and it was spectacular (The seeing was exceptionally good for the DC area that night). Bottom line - with a good mount, a better focuser, and careful attention to collimation, the AR-6 can give excellent performance for a very reasonable price.

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:8 Ease of Use:8 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=576275

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