Meade LX10 scope

[Airconvent]

I just checked apogee and they are selling these old 8" LX10 scopes at a bargain US900+ for the normal one and $1100 for the UHTC version.
This is the only place selling this scope (I thought it was discontinued as Meade does not list it on its site.)
Can I check :

1. Is this scope an obsolete model?
2. Does it come with OR can it be used with the Autostar?
3. How is this scope compared to the LX90 and Nexstar 8 for visual use?
4. At around S$1800 excluding shipping, it seems a bargain compared with the LX90!

Thanks
Rich

[VinSnr]

I just checked apogee and they are selling these old 8" LX10 scopes at a bargain US900+ for the normal one and $1100 for the UHTC version.
This is the only place selling this scope (I thought it was discontinued as Meade does not list it on its site.)
Can I check :

1. Is this scope an obsolete model?
2. Does it come with OR can it be used with the Autostar?
3. How is this scope compared to the LX90 and Nexstar 8 for visual use?
4. At around S$1800 excluding shipping, it seems a bargain compared with the LX90!

Thanks
Rich

answers:

1) Yes..it's obsolete
2) No..you can't use with Autostar. It's not a GOTO scope.
3) Optics same. Just no GOTO and no alt-azi mode.
4) Yes..but remember it's more like the 8" Celestar. It has drives, but no GOTO. You have to use it on the wedge and I think it comes with it. Polar aligning this scope in the equator is no kidding. And I don't think it can track alt-azi mode.

Just to add. The LX-10 is to compete with the Celestar and the LX-50 is to compete with the Celestar Deluxe. They are all obsoleted. Think these scopes are at least 8-10 years back.....I remembered they hogged all the advertisement space in the mags. back then.

I remember they were also selling around that price back then.....but 10 years ago. that amount is big.

[Airconvent]

Nuts....US$900 I know its too good to be true..
Thanks for the tip, Vince Snr.
Still hoping for an 8" Goto for under US$1000...heh heh
I wished for the optics and mechanicals of the Nexstar 8 GPS but the autostar of the Meade and all for under US$1000 ! Am I too greedy?? :-)

rich

[Grievous]

Unless
1) you go without GOTO, and fully manual operation
OR
2) modify the mount with
http://www.data-plumber.com/autostarupgrade.htm

Catching on the aperture fever eh?

Charlie

[VinSnr]

Nuts....US$900 I know its too good to be true..
Thanks for the tip, Vince Snr.
Still hoping for an 8" Goto for under US$1000...heh heh
I wished for the optics and mechanicals of the Nexstar 8 GPS but the autostar of the Meade and all for under US$1000 ! Am I too greedy?? :-)

rich

nah...not that greedy really. We all want good scopes at low price....it's quite natural.

By the way, they have also one that is called LX-100. These scopes didn't realy make it, and they pull off the line pretty soon. In fact many never heard of LX-100 before....but it's history is quite interesting....

Next time tell you la...LX-100 is one of the biggest screw up..haha

[VinSnr]

Nuts....US$900 I know its too good to be true..
Thanks for the tip, Vince Snr.
Still hoping for an 8" Goto for under US$1000...heh heh
I wished for the optics and mechanicals of the Nexstar 8 GPS but the autostar of the Meade and all for under US$1000 ! Am I too greedy?? :-)

rich

rich...to think about it, the LXD55 8" SC is a GOTO for you in less than $1000

[Airconvent]

I know. But I prefer a proper forkmount and none of that clumsy equatorial configuration with counterweights. Also, I don't fancy having to send it back to the US for supercharging and finetuning....

[VinSnr]

I know. But I prefer a proper forkmount and none of that clumsy equatorial configuration with counterweights. Also, I don't fancy having to send it back to the US for supercharging and finetuning....

then sounds like only LX-90 can satisfy u.

But remember, if you choose fork-mounted, you have to somehow give up the idea of astrophotography for DSO. Unless you get the LX-200 and a field derotater