astronomer2002

Peter,

Did you ever sort out the issue with your 16 inch Meade F8 ACF?  I am struggling to replace a RCX 14 which, being effectively open tubed, has a degraded main mirror which has defied successful re-coating. Whilst I prefer the optics in the RCX to the Meade 14 ACF F10, that I also have, the mirrors in the ACF have not deteriorated, are not much younger than the  ACF and live in the same dome as the RCX. I conclude the closed tube may be better for keeping the (un-recoatable) optics in good shape and so am looking at the 16 inch ACF F8 as a replacement for both.

I originally intended to replace the RCX with the F10 ACF but the star images are smaller in the RCX and the field of view flatter. I have kept the ACF just in case the RCX totally dies.

Regards

Ian B