Meade LX200 GPS 8''


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Subject: LX-200 GPS
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.106.29)
Date: 05/04/2002 04:46:42 pm PST
buy the 10" if you can handle the weight,and add the new coatings. The 10 "needs" the super wedge &/or a scope saver plate (peterson makes a good lite one). Motors are louder than my LX-90 but more quiet than my LX-200 Mak. I use the LX 90 for road trips to areas that I have to haul it in to because its so light compared to the LX-200s . The new "hot keys" work great and saves much time from going in and out of the menu. The views of Jupiter and Saturn have been a delight(even compared to the Mak) and a big difference over the 8", but the new coating boast of adding about an inch of ap, altho i have not see the results yet. Deep sky kicks @$$ over the 8". Sharpness isnt like the 7" Mak but the deep sky views make up for it, and it splits some good stars (polars's pal is super easy and bright from the city)The elect. focus is much better than those of the ETX models, but the scope cannot be stored with it on and you must screw it on and off durring set up & tear down. I prefere the toughness of the old LX-200 dec controls over the new GPS scopes. On the GPS itself, Meade should have mounted the antenna on the fork furthest from the spotter (some times you have to get the sat lock before installing it). Not having to level the tripod is WONDERFULL. One thing, I wish I could pick the alignment stars durring the auto align proceedure as many times my views are obstructed.Think this out before buying these scopes, the easy,1 and 2 star proceedures are the same as the LX-90. Also for some reason the "high pression" mode dosent seem to work ( it slews to oddball places) which I use to focus on stars close to where I CCD image. This is no big deal and Meade says it will be worked out soon. The pointing is dead on (much better than the LX-90) and as good as their 7"Mak. On the 10" be prepared to purchase the counter weights, its front hvy with Meads dew shield. I can set this 10" up in 15 min (alt/az), in the manual mode most of the time, even with external batteries. It use very low amps and I bought a power cord from radio shack for a radar detector that plugs into my pwr pack that fits meads control panel.WATCH POLARITY! All in all, I like the 10 over the 8 because of the extra 2 inches. Maybe some won't think it's worth the extra cost(s), but I do living s/o modesto in the moderatly lit central valley of Calfornia


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Subject: Re: LX-200 GPS
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.7.27)
In Reply to: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.106.29) (Original Message)
Date: 06/03/2002 02:57:51 am PST
My LX90 when leveleled and aligned with a bubble level, and a compass will put anything in the field of my Nagler 11mm eyepiece. Meade mounts are simply incredible.


>buy the 10" if you can handle the weight,and add the new coatings. The 10 "needs" the super wedge &/or a scope saver plate (peterson makes a good lite one). Motors are louder than my LX-90 but more quiet than my LX-200 Mak. I use the LX 90 for road trips to areas that I have to haul it in to because its so light compared to the LX-200s . The new "hot keys" work great and saves much time from going in and out of the menu. The views of Jupiter and Saturn have been a delight(even compared to the Mak) and a big difference over the 8", but the new coating boast of adding about an inch of ap, altho i have not see the results yet. Deep sky kicks @$$ over the 8". Sharpness isnt like the 7" Mak but the deep sky views make up for it, and it splits some good stars (polars's pal is super easy and bright from the city)The elect. focus is much better than those of the ETX models, but the scope cannot be stored with it on and you must screw it on and off durring set up & tear down. I prefere the toughness of the old LX-200 dec controls over the new GPS scopes. On the GPS itself, Meade should have mounted the antenna on the fork furthest from the spotter (some times you have to get the sat lock before installing it). Not having to level the tripod is WONDERFULL. One thing, I wish I could pick the alignment stars durring the auto align proceedure as many times my views are obstructed.Think this out before buying these scopes, the easy,1 and 2 star proceedures are the same as the LX-90. Also for some reason the "high pression" mode dosent seem to work ( it slews to oddball places) which I use to focus on stars close to where I CCD image. This is no big deal and Meade says it will be worked out soon. The pointing is dead on (much better than the LX-90) and as good as their 7"Mak. On the 10" be prepared to purchase the counter weights, its front hvy with Meads dew shield. I can set this 10" up in 15 min (alt/az), in the manual mode most of the time, even with external batteries. It use very low amps and I bought a power cord from radio shack for a radar detector that plugs into my pwr pack that fits meads control panel.WATCH POLARITY! All in all, I like the 10 over the 8 because of the extra 2 inches. Maybe some won't think it's worth the extra cost(s), but I do living s/o modesto in the moderatly lit central valley of Calfornia


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Subject: Re: LX-200 GPS
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.197.153)
In Reply to: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.7.27) (Original Message)
Date: 08/17/2002 06:53:15 am PST
>The problem with the GPS lock i was having listed below about the 10 inch was a faulty GPS unit, and had to repaired by Meade. The scope works great and gets a lock even with buildings close by now. I have been taking it up high in Yosimite park getting great results using an STV and was able to capture the central star in the Ring Nebula for the 1st time. Great scope!



>My LX90 when leveleled and aligned with a bubble level, and a compass will put anything in the field of my Nagler 11mm eyepiece. Meade mounts are simply incredible.
>
>
>>buy the 10" if you can handle the weight,and add the new coatings. The 10 "needs" the super wedge &/or a scope saver plate (peterson makes a good lite one). Motors are louder than my LX-90 but more quiet than my LX-200 Mak. I use the LX 90 for road trips to areas that I have to haul it in to because its so light compared to the LX-200s . The new "hot keys" work great and saves much time from going in and out of the menu. The views of Jupiter and Saturn have been a delight(even compared to the Mak) and a big difference over the 8", but the new coating boast of adding about an inch of ap, altho i have not see the results yet. Deep sky kicks @$$ over the 8". Sharpness isnt like the 7" Mak but the deep sky views make up for it, and it splits some good stars (polars's pal is super easy and bright from the city)The elect. focus is much better than those of the ETX models, but the scope cannot be stored with it on and you must screw it on and off durring set up & tear down. I prefere the toughness of the old LX-200 dec controls over the new GPS scopes. On the GPS itself, Meade should have mounted the antenna on the fork furthest from the spotter (some times you have to get the sat lock before installing it). Not having to level the tripod is WONDERFULL. One thing, I wish I could pick the alignment stars durring the auto align proceedure as many times my views are obstructed.Think this out before buying these scopes, the easy,1 and 2 star proceedures are the same as the LX-90. Also for some reason the "high pression" mode dosent seem to work ( it slews to oddball places) which I use to focus on stars close to where I CCD image. This is no big deal and Meade says it will be worked out soon. The pointing is dead on (much better than the LX-90) and as good as their 7"Mak. On the 10" be prepared to purchase the counter weights, its front hvy with Meads dew shield. I can set this 10" up in 15 min (alt/az), in the manual mode most of the time, even with external batteries. It use very low amps and I bought a power cord from radio shack for a radar detector that plugs into my pwr pack that fits meads control panel.WATCH POLARITY! All in all, I like the 10 over the 8 because of the extra 2 inches. Maybe some won't think it's worth the extra cost(s), but I do living s/o modesto in the moderatly lit central valley of Calfornia


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Subject: LX200
By: astromaniac
Date: 10/12/2003 05:04:36 am PST
Just to add in, Meade has now discontinued the LX200GPS series for the new LX200SMT. Basically all it adds is a LPI, Autoguider suite and better motors, for a couple hundred dollars more.


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Subject: Re: LX-200 GPS vs Mak
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.217.13)
In Reply to: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.197.153) (Original Message)
Date: 03/31/2004 10:37:08 pm PST
Hello,
Good review.
I am interested in getting an 8"LX200 GPS, but wonder if I should get a 7" Mak instead.
Can I ask if the Mak you refer to is a Meade 7". If so, how does it compare optically with the 8"SCT.
I know the Mak will be better, but is it like 10% better or 100% better than the SCT?
Also have you tried the Mak with an f6.3 reducer? i.e. would it be reasonable, optically, at its reduced f10?
Lothar.


>The problem with the GPS lock i was having listed below about the 10 inch was a faulty GPS unit, and had to repaired by Meade. The scope works great and gets a lock even with buildings close by now. I have been taking it up high in Yosimite park getting great results using an STV and was able to capture the central star in the Ring Nebula for the 1st time. Great scope!
>
>
>
>>My LX90 when leveleled and aligned with a bubble level, and a compass will put anything in the field of my Nagler 11mm eyepiece. Meade mounts are simply incredible.
>>
>>
>>>buy the 10" if you can handle the weight,and add the new coatings. The 10 "needs" the super wedge &/or a scope saver plate (peterson makes a good lite one). Motors are louder than my LX-90 but more quiet than my LX-200 Mak. I use the LX 90 for road trips to areas that I have to haul it in to because its so light compared to the LX-200s . The new "hot keys" work great and saves much time from going in and out of the menu. The views of Jupiter and Saturn have been a delight(even compared to the Mak) and a big difference over the 8", but the new coating boast of adding about an inch of ap, altho i have not see the results yet. Deep sky kicks @$$ over the 8". Sharpness isnt like the 7" Mak but the deep sky views make up for it, and it splits some good stars (polars's pal is super easy and bright from the city)The elect. focus is much better than those of the ETX models, but the scope cannot be stored with it on and you must screw it on and off durring set up & tear down. I prefere the toughness of the old LX-200 dec controls over the new GPS scopes. On the GPS itself, Meade should have mounted the antenna on the fork furthest from the spotter (some times you have to get the sat lock before installing it). Not having to level the tripod is WONDERFULL. One thing, I wish I could pick the alignment stars durring the auto align proceedure as many times my views are obstructed.Think this out before buying these scopes, the easy,1 and 2 star proceedures are the same as the LX-90. Also for some reason the "high pression" mode dosent seem to work ( it slews to oddball places) which I use to focus on stars close to where I CCD image. This is no big deal and Meade says it will be worked out soon. The pointing is dead on (much better than the LX-90) and as good as their 7"Mak. On the 10" be prepared to purchase the counter weights, its front hvy with Meads dew shield. I can set this 10" up in 15 min (alt/az), in the manual mode most of the time, even with external batteries. It use very low amps and I bought a power cord from radio shack for a radar detector that plugs into my pwr pack that fits meads control panel.WATCH POLARITY! All in all, I like the 10 over the 8 because of the extra 2 inches. Maybe some won't think it's worth the extra cost(s), but I do living s/o modesto in the moderatly lit central valley of Calfornia


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