help First telescope. Meade LX90

[Jimmystargazer]

Hi all. This is my SCT. Push fit 26mm plossl with thumb screw to hold in place.

So assume I can buy any 90° push fit and just use the thumb screw to hold in place?. Then the new eyepiece will push fit into that and thumb screw again..

I assume that's correct?.. I've held off buying anything as a tad unsure what will and what won't fit. ? Already cost me a pretty penny.. want to make the right choices.. 90° to make viewing easier then probably a 12mm eyepiece to wow the kids!.. and me ?

Cheers.

Jimmy

[JOC]

How odd to see a picture on here of a telescope like that without a right angled attachment.  I know absolutely nothing about them, but I am surprised that they can be used just as a straight through viewing telescope.

[alfingido]

You can buy a 1.25" diagonal which will push straight in the back of the scope, but to be honest, you would be better buying a 2" diagonal, I can recommend one of these.

https://www.telescopehouse.com/accessories/diagonals/diagonal-dielectric-99-quartz-lx.html

it will screw straight onto the back of your scope and allow you to use 1.25" and 2" eyepieces. The other alternative is to buy the diagonal you mentioned earlier but you will need a 2" to SCT adapter.

you also asked about eyepieces. Your 26mm eyepiece will allow you to see the bands on Jupiter, the rings of Saturn and many deep sky objects as well as crisp views of the moon and its craters. Of course, your seeing will be better if your sky is dark, wait till there is no moon to look at deep sky objects.

i have an LX90, it's the second one I have had. After selling my first one, I have had a pretty comprehensive list of other scopes including a 12" dob, 9.25 Celestron and 10" Meade LX200, but I have returned to an LX90 ACF  because I love the ease of use and views this scope gives me.

i would also recommend a few more eyepieces, if you have dark skies, get a good 9mm, otherwise 12mm is about as small as you will need, then maybe 18mm, 32mm and a wide angle 40mm. The 40mm will give you lovely rich wide field views.  

There are lots of recommendations on makes and styles of eyepieces, I have a set of Meade HD60 eyepieces and a 2" fit super wide angle 40mm Aero eyepiece that gives superb views of big areas of the sky.

i buy a lot of my stuff from FLO ( obviously) but I bought all my Meade kit from Telescopehouse. They are very knowledgeable about Meade and I had my scope fine tuned by Steve Collingwood of SC Telescopes. Both in Tonbridge in Kent and Steve is a Meade trained technician and well worth contacting if you need to get your LX90 up to scratch, or maybe just some more specialist advice.

stick with your LX90, it's a superb telescope and good luck.

 

 

[Dave In Vermont]

A good website - for all LX-series Meades - is this:

http://www.petersonengineering.com/

Unfortunately, this won't work on 8" LX-series scopes:

http://www.petersonengineering.com/EO.htm

They are available across-the-pond. But I forget who has them there - easy enough to find out though.

Have fun,

Dave

[Jimmystargazer]

On 12/04/2017 at 20:35, alfingido said:

You can buy a 1.25" diagonal which will push straight in the back of the scope, but to be honest, you would be better buying a 2" diagonal, I can recommend one of these.

https://www.telescopehouse.com/accessories/diagonals/diagonal-dielectric-99-quartz-lx.html

it will screw straight onto the back of your scope and allow you to use 1.25" and 2" eyepieces. The other alternative is to buy the diagonal you mentioned earlier but you will need a 2" to SCT adapter.

you also asked about eyepieces. Your 26mm eyepiece will allow you to see the bands on Jupiter, the rings of Saturn and many deep sky objects as well as crisp views of the moon and its craters. Of course, your seeing will be better if your sky is dark, wait till there is no moon to look at deep sky objects.

i have an LX90, it's the second one I have had. After selling my first one, I have had a pretty comprehensive list of other scopes including a 12" dob, 9.25 Celestron and 10" Meade LX200, but I have returned to an LX90 ACF  because I love the ease of use and views this scope gives me.

i would also recommend a few more eyepieces, if you have dark skies, get a good 9mm, otherwise 12mm is about as small as you will need, then maybe 18mm, 32mm and a wide angle 40mm. The 40mm will give you lovely rich wide field views.  

There are lots of recommendations on makes and styles of eyepieces, I have a set of Meade HD60 eyepieces and a 2" fit super wide angle 40mm Aero eyepiece that gives superb views of big areas of the sky.

i buy a lot of my stuff from FLO ( obviously) but I bought all my Meade kit from Telescopehouse. They are very knowledgeable about Meade and I had my scope fine tuned by Steve Collingwood of SC Telescopes. Both in Tonbridge in Kent and Steve is a Meade trained technician and well worth contacting if you need to get your LX90 up to scratch, or maybe just some more specialist advice.

stick with your LX90, it's a superb telescope and good luck.

 

 

Thank you such much for your input..

Can't wait to get a diagonal, New eye piece and a clear nights sky!

[Jimmystargazer]

On 12/04/2017 at 20:35, alfingido said:

You can buy a 1.25" diagonal which will push straight in the back of the scope, but to be honest, you would be better buying a 2" diagonal, I can recommend one of these.

https://www.telescopehouse.com/accessories/diagonals/diagonal-dielectric-99-quartz-lx.html

it will screw straight onto the back of your scope and allow you to use 1.25" and 2" eyepieces. The other alternative is to buy the diagonal you mentioned earlier but you will need a 2" to SCT adapter.

you also asked about eyepieces. Your 26mm eyepiece will allow you to see the bands on Jupiter, the rings of Saturn and many deep sky objects as well as crisp views of the moon and its craters. Of course, your seeing will be better if your sky is dark, wait till there is no moon to look at deep sky objects.

i have an LX90, it's the second one I have had. After selling my first one, I have had a pretty comprehensive list of other scopes including a 12" dob, 9.25 Celestron and 10" Meade LX200, but I have returned to an LX90 ACF  because I love the ease of use and views this scope gives me.

i would also recommend a few more eyepieces, if you have dark skies, get a good 9mm, otherwise 12mm is about as small as you will need, then maybe 18mm, 32mm and a wide angle 40mm. The 40mm will give you lovely rich wide field views.  

There are lots of recommendations on makes and styles of eyepieces, I have a set of Meade HD60 eyepieces and a 2" fit super wide angle 40mm Aero eyepiece that gives superb views of big areas of the sky.

i buy a lot of my stuff from FLO ( obviously) but I bought all my Meade kit from Telescopehouse. They are very knowledgeable about Meade and I had my scope fine tuned by Steve Collingwood of SC Telescopes. Both in Tonbridge in Kent and Steve is a Meade trained technician and well worth contacting if you need to get your LX90 up to scratch, or maybe just some more specialist advice.

stick with your LX90, it's a superb telescope and good luck.

 

 

Hey...

Would this do the same job... Just cheaper?

https://www.altairastro.com/altair-2-meade-celestron-sct-dielectric-diagonal-99-reflective-coating.html?cat=255

 Looks like it will.. Will then give me more to buy a 12mm eyepiece too.

Cheers

Jimmy

[Jimmystargazer]

On 12/04/2017 at 20:35, alfingido said:

You can buy a 1.25" diagonal which will push straight in the back of the scope, but to be honest, you would be better buying a 2" diagonal, I can recommend one of these.

https://www.telescopehouse.com/accessories/diagonals/diagonal-dielectric-99-quartz-lx.html

it will screw straight onto the back of your scope and allow you to use 1.25" and 2" eyepieces. The other alternative is to buy the diagonal you mentioned earlier but you will need a 2" to SCT adapter.

you also asked about eyepieces. Your 26mm eyepiece will allow you to see the bands on Jupiter, the rings of Saturn and many deep sky objects as well as crisp views of the moon and its craters. Of course, your seeing will be better if your sky is dark, wait till there is no moon to look at deep sky objects.

i have an LX90, it's the second one I have had. After selling my first one, I have had a pretty comprehensive list of other scopes including a 12" dob, 9.25 Celestron and 10" Meade LX200, but I have returned to an LX90 ACF  because I love the ease of use and views this scope gives me.

i would also recommend a few more eyepieces, if you have dark skies, get a good 9mm, otherwise 12mm is about as small as you will need, then maybe 18mm, 32mm and a wide angle 40mm. The 40mm will give you lovely rich wide field views.  

There are lots of recommendations on makes and styles of eyepieces, I have a set of Meade HD60 eyepieces and a 2" fit super wide angle 40mm Aero eyepiece that gives superb views of big areas of the sky.

i buy a lot of my stuff from FLO ( obviously) but I bought all my Meade kit from Telescopehouse. They are very knowledgeable about Meade and I had my scope fine tuned by Steve Collingwood of SC Telescopes. Both in Tonbridge in Kent and Steve is a Meade trained technician and well worth contacting if you need to get your LX90 up to scratch, or maybe just some more specialist advice.

stick with your LX90, it's a superb telescope and good luck.

 

 

Would this be a good buy?

https://www.altairastro.com/dewzapper-dew-heater-for-7-8-telescope-celestron-nexstar-8-evolution-meade-8-skywatcher-180-mak-87cm-length-20w.html

Do I need a collar as well or just this?Cheers

Jimmy

[Jimmystargazer]

On 12/04/2017 at 20:35, alfingido said:

You can buy a 1.25" diagonal which will push straight in the back of the scope, but to be honest, you would be better buying a 2" diagonal, I can recommend one of these.

https://www.telescopehouse.com/accessories/diagonals/diagonal-dielectric-99-quartz-lx.html

it will screw straight onto the back of your scope and allow you to use 1.25" and 2" eyepieces. The other alternative is to buy the diagonal you mentioned earlier but you will need a 2" to SCT adapter.

you also asked about eyepieces. Your 26mm eyepiece will allow you to see the bands on Jupiter, the rings of Saturn and many deep sky objects as well as crisp views of the moon and its craters. Of course, your seeing will be better if your sky is dark, wait till there is no moon to look at deep sky objects.

i have an LX90, it's the second one I have had. After selling my first one, I have had a pretty comprehensive list of other scopes including a 12" dob, 9.25 Celestron and 10" Meade LX200, but I have returned to an LX90 ACF  because I love the ease of use and views this scope gives me.

i would also recommend a few more eyepieces, if you have dark skies, get a good 9mm, otherwise 12mm is about as small as you will need, then maybe 18mm, 32mm and a wide angle 40mm. The 40mm will give you lovely rich wide field views.  

There are lots of recommendations on makes and styles of eyepieces, I have a set of Meade HD60 eyepieces and a 2" fit super wide angle 40mm Aero eyepiece that gives superb views of big areas of the sky.

i buy a lot of my stuff from FLO ( obviously) but I bought all my Meade kit from Telescopehouse. They are very knowledgeable about Meade and I had my scope fine tuned by Steve Collingwood of SC Telescopes. Both in Tonbridge in Kent and Steve is a Meade trained technician and well worth contacting if you need to get your LX90 up to scratch, or maybe just some more specialist advice.

stick with your LX90, it's a superb telescope and good luck.

 

 

Hey. Is this a totally stupid purchase?

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/FMC-1-25-SPL-Plossl-Eyepiece-6mm-12mm-25mm-48-Degree-4-Element-2x-Barlow-Sets-/361927907939?hash=item5444959a63%3Ag%3A1zYAAOSw2gxYx0j2&_trkparms=pageci%3Ab21a62ff-209c-11e7-b55d-74dbd180314f%7Cparentrq%3A6989ff9415b0a357ebae6c9afffd22a6%7Ciid%3A24

Jimmy

[Dave In Vermont]

Buying sets of eyepieces is a common error many beginners make. This as you may find some useful, while others wind-up collecting dust.

Advice: Wait until you have used the scope on various targets to see what you like, and what eyepiece (s) you like and want to go in which direction for magnification.

Last Analysis: Go slowly - for now. Don't buy a set of one type which many of may never be used.

You'll get there with maybe two for now.

Dave

[Alan64]

7 hours ago, Jimmystargazer said:

Hey...

Would this do the same job... Just cheaper?

https://www.altairastro.com/altair-2-meade-celestron-sct-dielectric-diagonal-99-reflective-coating.html?cat=255

 Looks like it will.. Will then give me more to buy a 12mm eyepiece too.

Cheers

Jimmy

That one may just screw onto the visual-back, and without having to get this, and as I had mentioned before...

https://www.telescopehouse.com/accessories/meade-lx/meade-sct-thread-to-2-adapter.html

You would need that adaptor, however, if you got a standard push-fit 2" diagonal.

It's best to build up an eventual set of eyepieces, one or two at a time.  The quality of a barlow is just as important as that of an eyepiece.  Don't get the cheapest ones that you can scrounge up, but you don't have to break the Bank of England, either.

[Alan64]

On 4/12/2017 at 02:37, Jimmystargazer said:

http://www.365astronomy.com/12mm-GSO-Plossl-Eyepiece.html

 

Assume this would be a decent first buy? Or other poster has suggested 25mm, 15mm and 8mm options..

 

The 12mm will allow for a close view of the moon but will it also be useful for planets? Or would I also need to buy an 8mm option too?

cheers

jimmy

Yes, a 12mm Plossl is not bad, not bad at all.  You may not want to go with anything shorter that a 10mm however, like an 8mm, 6mm or even a 4mm, as the eye-relief will be tighter and where you'd almost have to touch your eyeball to the field-lens of the eyepiece in order to see the full field-of-view.

[Jimmystargazer]

next job is a dew shield...

https://www.altairastro.com/Kendrick-Celestron-C8-Meade-8-SCT-Dew-Shield-225-240mm.html

 

assume this is the kind of thing i need? worth buying one or better to make one myself?

cheers

jimmy

[Jimmystargazer]

Hi all.

 

Assume this is a better value option?

http://www.365astronomy.com/Dew-Shield-Lens-Shade-with-Dew-Heater-for-Celestron-8-Schmidt-Cassegrain-Telescopes-with-Controller.html

[Cosmic Geoff]

1 hour ago, Jimmystargazer said:

Assume this is a better value option?

http://www.365astronomy.com/Dew-Shield-Lens-Shade-with-Dew-Heater-for-Celestron-8-Schmidt-Cassegrain-Telescopes-with-Controller.html

I use a home-made cardboard dew shield, and no heater. Your money, your choice.

There has been discussion elsewhere about what kind of diagonal is best, and comparative surveys can be found. You can chase it up, but with a long focus telescope like a SCT you can use a prism diagonal which offers high contrast (low scatter) and has no coating to deteriorate.  Any mirror diagonal should have sufficient wavelength accuracy, but more expensive ones may offer higher reflectivity and less scatter of light.

Edited April 14, 2017 by Cosmic Geoff

[JOC]

Whilst I am sure looking at the cost that the Meade LX90 must be a top class instrument I read through this thread and for some inexplicable reason remain supremely glad that I went for the scope I did.

[michael8554]

1 hour ago, JOC said:

Whilst I am sure looking at the cost that the Meade LX90 must be a top class instrument I read through this thread and for some inexplicable reason remain supremely glad that I went for the scope I did.

Yes Joc, id be a bit wary of a scope with 3 pages of posts.

But flicking through them it seems to break down to collimation, eyepieces, and diagonals, same as any other scope - just an unusual number of opinions?

Michael

[JOC]

1 minute ago, michael8554 said:

But flicking through them it seems to break down to collimation, eyepieces, and diagonals, same as any other scope - just an unusual number of opinions?

Yes, I agree and that thought did run before I commented.  My telescope also needs collimation, and EP's, but came to me sufficiently collimated for me to play with without any initial adjustment, it also came with two perfectly adequate EP's which enabled me to get some early satisfaction and being a reflector I didn't need a diagonal.  This Meade LX90 seems to have caused its owner a certain amount of consternation and they don't appear to have to the immediacy of some satisfying use early on which I think I would have found really disappointing - I took mine outside plonked it down found the moon and went 'wow'!.  I have seem a good number of people with similar telescopes to this LX90 on there and have often admired their compact form compared to my own and I can't shake the feeling that their sheer value must make them superior instruments to my own, but I think I am still glad I wasn't swayed into considering one. - there seems far more things to consider when you buy things for them for one thing!

[Jimmystargazer]

2 hours ago, JOC said:

Yes, I agree and that thought did run before I commented.  My telescope also needs collimation, and EP's, but came to me sufficiently collimated for me to play with without any initial adjustment, it also came with two perfectly adequate EP's which enabled me to get some early satisfaction and being a reflector I didn't need a diagonal.  This Meade LX90 seems to have caused its owner a certain amount of consternation and they don't appear to have to the immediacy of some satisfying use early on which I think I would have found really disappointing - I took mine outside plonked it down found the moon and went 'wow'!.  I have seem a good number of people with similar telescopes to this LX90 on there and have often admired their compact form compared to my own and I can't shake the feeling that their sheer value must make them superior instruments to my own, but I think I am still glad I wasn't swayed into considering one. - there seems far more things to consider when you buy things for them for one thing!

Hi Joc et al.

Thanks for the input you've given. All input is great and joining this forum just shows me how many great astronomers there are out there with the dedication to help a new boy like me..

To clarify... I did a lot of research before buying my Meade LX90 8" SCT. I didn't want to pay the full retail price, as it was my first scope so bought mine used.. paid less than half retail price.. 

So when it arrived I had already paid a decent amount for it and it didn't come with the extras that it would have if new. 

Being a compete new comer I  had and still have pretty much no idea about using it.. hence the 3 pages of questions.. Going forwards I want to buy quality but value to really get the most from my sct. I know it has sooooo much potential and I can't wait to utilise it!

Hence the lack of diagonal, decent eps and my inability to realise the telrad was on back to front and the LNT was plugged into the wrong port.

Only by asking questions and everyone here being so helpful am I getting to grips with the whole space thing and what will make my slightly hindered amazing SCT deliver what it is capable of..

I have ordered a 2" sct star diagonal with 1 1/4 reducer plus a 60° field 12mm gso eyepiece, all thanks to input from this forum. Just pondering about the dew shield and mains power supply..

On my first use I did see the craters on the moon in amazing detail. However due to the lack of supplied diagonal and my incompetence of setting it up if wasn't a fair first use of the telescope.. hence the initial disappointment when I had read up and seen what it is capable of.

I am just awaiting delivery of the aforementioned items and a clear sky to really see what the telescope is capable of...

Watch this space...

Again... Thank you all so much for your input, time and effort in getting me to a place where I feel more comfortable with my new hobby and I can't wait to stargaze!

Cheers.

Jimmy

[Dave In Vermont]

10 hours ago, michael8554 said:

Yes Joc, id be a bit wary of a scope with 3 pages of posts.

But flicking through them it seems to break down to collimation, eyepieces, and diagonals, same as any other scope - just an unusual number of opinions?

Michael

The Meade LX-series telecopes have many fans. They can stand for some work when first purchased - or, in the case of buying a used one - checking over to see if a few upgrades are warranted. But all-in-all, Meade LX SCT's are excellent. Which explains their popularity. And explains why I've bought 2 of them - both 12" at that. They're that good.

Enjoy your Meade!

Dave

[Jimmystargazer]

On 15/04/2017 at 07:04, Dave In Vermont said:

The Meade LX-series telecopes have many fans. They can stand for some work when first purchased - or, in the case of buying a used one - checking over to see if a few upgrades are warranted. But all-in-all, Meade LX SCT's are excellent. Which explains their popularity. And explains why I've bought 2 of them - both 12" at that. They're that good.

Enjoy your Meade!

Dave

Hi Dave.

 

after a little advice please.

 

on your advice I bought a 2" dielectric diagonal with an 8mm planetary eyepiece.

 

managed to get a clear night so used it!

 

the diagonal made it so much easier to use but I think it needs setting up and collimating.

 

the image I got wasn't great. I used the 8mm on the moon and then had to revert back to the 26mm..

 

parts is of the image we're pretty clear but overall I'd say 70% off a great image.

 

just wondered what the best way forward is.. seeing that you also have a Meade sct..

 

cheers

 

jimmy

 

 

[garryblueboy]

Hi Jimmy I'd say your over powering the scope with the 8mm unless conditions are right hence the blurred images collimating is something you need to be certain with before attempting as it could make matters worse are you leaving the scope to cool around an hour , for the moon I'd say around a 15 mm would show plenty of detail possibly your 12.5 mm if seeing is good patience is the game with this hobby some nights are exceptional but generally good is all you can expect most of the time and bad on occasions 

[Mick the Lob]

Well as this is my first post I would like to thank the admins for accepting me into the fold.After many many years of wanting to own my own scope  I have finally taken the plunge and bought myself my first scope, Meade lx90 10 inch with a set of lenses had it out once and I was pleased with the results,the chap I bought it from gave me loads of help showing me how to operate it pack it away etc.Must say it is going to be a steep learning curve but I have managed to learn the rudiments looking forward to scouring the universe now.The real catylst for getting me going was a vist to Big Bend National park Texas where the stars at night truely shine out big and bright.I noticed on the way in a Telescope had been set up and there was to be a demo on the evening, this was free to attend so was a no brainer for me at least especially as the Milky Way filled the sky like I have never seen before you could say I was hook line and sinkered .Looking forward to many more dark sky's ahead.