LX800 - the way of the future?

[Macavity]

I'm sure "established" astronomers will not want to chop and change between Alt-Azimuth and Equatorial modes. But I do see a general market for a mount that provides an *upgrade* path from, Alt-Azimuth (GotTo) "visual tourism" to modest (Video?) imaging. Such seems to be the (modest) desire of many a beginner...

[Ibbo!]

I bet it will still sound like a coffee grinder

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I bet it will still sound like a coffee grinder

or a cement mixer

Incidentally, I have used my EQ1 in alt-az mode as well (and posted that on SGL, so I can claim prior art;)), in particular because it would not balance in EQ mode with my 80mm scope. Works well enough in alt-az, even if vibrations do not damp out that quickly.

[Dave-Ryan]

I have no problems with Meade. I bought my 10" LX200gps over 7 years ago and it works just as well today as the day I got it.

I wish I could afford that LX800. I like the sound of Starlock.

[Whippy]

Certainly looks interesting. The LX80 and 6" SCT looks like a good price and in theory, with a reducer and Barlow could be a decent imaging all-rounder.

[Rob Severn]

Hmmm verry tempted by the new mount, I must say it does look rather slick, having said that my CG5 has given nothing less than sterling service but the new Meade is very very shiny.....

[Uranus]

$799 = £799?

799 U.S. dollars = 505.856284 British pounds

That right there is a reason NOT to buy it.

Might be cheaper to import one from other EU countries, Telescope House is a rip off using their USD/GBP conversion.

[RogerTheDodger]

plus transport, plus customs duty, plus VAT.

[Uranus]

plus transport, plus customs duty, plus VAT.

Still worth checking other suppliers outside the UK.

For the cost of shipping stuff from suppliers in the UK to me I can get on a flight and pick it up personally cheaper.

[Ben Ritchie]

I have no problems with Meade. I bought my 10" LX200gps over 7 years ago and it works just as well today as the day I got it.

Yeah, I was very fond of my LX200 GPS too - that was a very well sorted bit of kit from the "old Meade" before marketing silliness* and dodgy QC took a bit of a hold. Very much hope that the company gets back to those days.

* "Images like these your first night out", "Advanced Ritchey–Chrétien" et al.

[twotter]

I like the spec of the LX80, and I like the option of GEM/Alt-Az. Price is good, compared to a HEQ5 Pro that I've started saving for, so it will be interesting to read reviews when the LX80 comes out.

Though if Skywatcher ever get round to producing their proposed seperate Goto dob bases

[Bukko]

With the LX80 being able to carry a heavier payload than the NEQ6 (on paper, at least) and also fully featured with the Meade Autostar at £100 less, this should put downward pressure on the NEQ6 prices..

Watch this space !!

Gordon.

[Micheal]

I bet it will still sound like a coffee grinder

The modular design of this mount means you can remove the entire gear assembly box and send it to a hypertune specialist.

I was at PATS yesterday and saw the LX800 in person. Really nice looking mount but they did not have it plugged in so I could not hear it. I know my CGE-Pro is really loud in my opinion.

I think if this mount ends up being sloppy and noisy in the gears I'll spend the extra money and have it gone through by deepspaceproducts.com They do a great job. They actually were at the boot just next to the Meade booth at PATS.

BTW, there are a few videos of the LX800 up on youtube from this weekends PATS visitors.

[Merlin66]

Aren't these just a stripped down simplified version of the Meade "MAXmount" shown first in the Aug 2011 S&T????

[reddoss]

I have read all of the Mead blurb so far and can find no mention of a polar scope for the LX80.

Does it have some auto aligning processes for finding the celestial pole (like the new Celecstron CGEMs) when in the GEM mode?

[Merlin66]

With a GEM the polar axis MUST be aligned and set to the pole...human intervention.

In Alt-Az if the mount is leveled it's not critical..the software can sort things out.

[DaveS]

Didn't I read in the blurb that it had bronze worms and aluminium wheels? Not good.

Please give us a steel worm and bronze wheel.

Dave

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Didn't I read in the blurb that it had bronze worms and aluminium wheels? Not good.

Please give us a steel worm and bronze wheel.

Dave

Does not sound durable, does it.

[Peter Drew]

I made hundreds of worm and wormwheel sets during my career, the majority having aluminium wormwheels and naval brass worms, never had any reported problems with them, correct lubrication was of course important.Bronze wormwheels and steel worms are better, albeit more expensive. As far as durability is concerned, the wormwheel turns only once for every 360 turns of the worm in a 360T set.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I have heard of aluminium teeth shearing off, but only in cases of serious imbalance and overloading. Even brass and steel can fail of course.

[George]

Who wants to be a beta tester , with Meades past record on repairs & spares policy I doubt I'll be in the que.

[Doug]

Hi all

The LX80 with a 10"sct ACF from Telescope house are £2,000 SOLD OUT seem like it's going well

Doug

[JohnC]

Hi all

The LX80 with a 10"sct ACF from Telescope house are £2,000 SOLD OUT seem like it's going well

Doug

I think that in reality they have not sold any yet.

I think they may be actually awaiting stock.

Must admit i am keen to see them in the flesh.

[johninderby]

They haven't been released yet. I think the LX-80 concept will be popular, just so long as it's reliable.

Skywatcher could turn out something similar based on the Skytee 2 concept, using built-in motors with encoders and a handset that could be switched between EQ and Alt-Az.

John

[reddoss]

I was taking to a reliable astro dealer yesterday and they said that in the GEM mode the LX80's pay load was 17 Kg, it's only 35 Kg in AltZ mode which makes sence from an engeering point of view.

The dealer also said that they don't think that it comes with an ST-4 autoguiding port!