Meade LX200 problems

I've just passed the six month point with my new 12" and have been having
problems.

First, the focuser's cord ripped out of the socket the first night I had it
up. I had to pay the return postage but did get another one. No apology
from Meade I will also note, making me wary of further contact.

Second, the images have been unremarkable. Frankly I have seller's remorse
for unloading my 8" manual newt. Mars was big; but there was no surface
distinction. I was under the impression that there were sand storms there;
imagine my surprise when I read in the press there were none!

Third, the automatic alignment has been difficult enough to leave me
puzzled. This leaves the go goto system off (and more often, off wildly
with not even one axis on).

Fourth, last night I kept getting "motor stalled" readings which put the
caput on the night's observing. This when I have used it maybe 4-5 hours
total. How long do your batteries last? Unless the system switched on in
the box while awaiting a clear night...

I might be able to go further, but I sense the reader's eyes glazing over.

Mike wrote in message:
I've just passed the six month point with my new 12" and have been having
problems.

Mike,

I heartily recommend that you join the LX200GPS group on Yahoo. There's a
lot of very informed and helpful people there and I'm sure you'll get things
working in short order. By the way, if you're using the 8 'C' cells for
power, you're VERY lucky to have gotten 4 or 5 hours out of it. Most -
including me - use some much higher reserve power source. The auto 'Jump
Start' batteries are a favorite, but I strongly prefer a deep cycle marine
battery and I've had no difficulty since using one. Mine is a 125 Amp/hour
unit that I got from a local AutoZone store. To get the power to the scope,
visit www.scopestuff.com and order one of their units...there are other
methods, but none cheaper nor faster to get going.

Dave Jessie

"Mike" wrote in message
...
I've just passed the six month point with my new 12" and have been having
problems.

First, the focuser's cord ripped out of the socket the first night I had
it
up. I had to pay the return postage but did get another one. No apology
from Meade I will also note, making me wary of further contact.
Why did it 'rip out of the socket'?. They probably felt it was 'user error',
but if they have said they'll replace it, you should pursue it. Having a
poor response, makes it _more_ essential that you maintain contact.

Second, the images have been unremarkable. Frankly I have seller's
remorse
for unloading my 8" manual newt. Mars was big; but there was no surface
distinction. I was under the impression that there were sand storms
there;
imagine my surprise when I read in the press there were none!
To get really good planetary images, requires good seeing, and very critical
collimation. You should check this. At high magnifications, a tiny
collimation error will destroy fine detail, while the number of nights that
really allow good seeing to give fine planetary detail, can usually be
counted on one hand in a year...

Third, the automatic alignment has been difficult enough to leave me
puzzled. This leaves the go goto system off (and more often, off wildly
with not even one axis on).
Normally a 'calibrate sensors' will fix this. You should be very careful on
an align (use a high magnification eyepiece, and make sure the stars are
exactly centred), and then perform this step. Also try to ensure that the
last movement you make during this alignment, is in the same direction that
the scope approached the star.

Fourth, last night I kept getting "motor stalled" readings which put the
caput on the night's observing. This when I have used it maybe 4-5 hours
total. How long do your batteries last? Unless the system switched on in
the box while awaiting a clear night...
If you are using the internal batteries, stop. These are just about OK, for
one or two night's if you are _very_ lucky (less if the conditions are
really cold). An external power pack will make the scope run better, and be
vastly cheaper...

I might be able to go further, but I sense the reader's eyes glazing over.

Best Wishes

Hey Mike! Strange message. It is the kind of message written by a newbie
but you seem to have some experience.
First, I am curious as to what Meade should apologize for? You broke the
cord, not them. I have had my LX200 for over a year as have my two friends
with LX200s and none of us have broken the cord! That is because we keep
alert and watch our expensive equipment to make sure we do not damage it
through our own leglegence. I think it was nice of Meade to give you a new
cable without question.
As to your alignment and goto problems, you need adequate power! The little
battery pack is worthless for
anything but quick testing.
Get one of the car jump start battery packs for in the
field use and an AC power supply of at least three amps at 12volts for at
home use and you will not have any further problems.
If you want to see more detail on mars you have to use a CCD camera to take
some photos. Your eye is not sensitive enough to see such details. All the
images you see in magazines and on the internet are just that, images taken
with cameras. No one sees that kind of detail with the naked eye. I am
glad to see you did not blame Meade for the lack of sand storms!
Try, Try again
George
"Mike" wrote in message
...
I've just passed the six month point with my new 12" and have been having
problems.

First, the focuser's cord ripped out of the socket the first night I had
it
up. I had to pay the return postage but did get another one. No apology
from Meade I will also note, making me wary of further contact.

Second, the images have been unremarkable. Frankly I have seller's
remorse
for unloading my 8" manual newt. Mars was big; but there was no surface
distinction. I was under the impression that there were sand storms
there;
imagine my surprise when I read in the press there were none!

Third, the automatic alignment has been difficult enough to leave me
puzzled. This leaves the go goto system off (and more often, off wildly
with not even one axis on).

Fourth, last night I kept getting "motor stalled" readings which put the
caput on the night's observing. This when I have used it maybe 4-5 hours
total. How long do your batteries last? Unless the system switched on in
the box while awaiting a clear night...

I might be able to go further, but I sense the reader's eyes glazing over.

"Dave Jessie" wrote in message
...

Mike,

I heartily recommend that you join the LX200GPS group on Yahoo. There's a
lot of very informed and helpful people there and I'm sure you'll get
things
working in short order. By the way, if you're using the 8 'C' cells for
power, you're VERY lucky to have gotten 4 or 5 hours out of it. Most -
including me - use some much higher reserve power source. The auto 'Jump
Start' batteries are a favorite, but I strongly prefer a deep cycle marine
battery and I've had no difficulty since using one. Mine is a 125
Amp/hour
unit that I got from a local AutoZone store. To get the power to the
scope,
visit www.scopestuff.com and order one of their units...there are other
methods, but none cheaper nor faster to get going.

Dave Jessie

Will do. The battery I get from an auto store. From scope stuff would I be
ordering a cable, converter and/or supply?

Mike wrote in message:
Will do. The battery I get from an auto store. From scope stuff would I
be
ordering a cable, converter and/or supply?

Hi again, Mike,

Here's the link to the cable you require to power your LX200GPS from an auto
(or marine) battery:

http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_cig1.htm

and if for some bizarre reason that link doesn't work, here's the
description - directly from his web site:

$12.00 - #CC12 - Fused 12VDC Power Adapter Cable

It's nicer (and less expensive!) than the one MEADE sells. It has an inline
fuse, which you should make sure has a 2.5Amp fast-blo fuse. They're
available from Radio Shack. By the way, the price includes free shipping.

He (Jim Henson - a heck of a nice guy) also sells a regulated power supply
that converts 110V AC to 12V DC and includes the proper plug - in case you
want to power the scope from house current.

Keep in mind that the older LX200 Classics (NOT the newer GPS versions)
required 18 Volts. ScopeStuff also sells a converter to convert 12V DC
(from the deep cycle marine battery) to 18 VDC, but that's ONLY for the
LX200 Classics, NOT the GPS version that you have.

Dave

"Mike" wrote in
:

I've just passed the six month point with my new 12" and have been
having problems.

First, the focuser's cord ripped out of the socket the first night I
had it up. I had to pay the return postage but did get another one.
No apology from Meade I will also note, making me wary of further
contact.

Well that sounds more like rough handling, or was the cord or socket
actually faulty? Did it get caught on something?


Second, the images have been unremarkable. Frankly I have seller's
remorse for unloading my 8" manual newt. Mars was big; but there was
no surface distinction. I was under the impression that there were
sand storms there; imagine my surprise when I read in the press there
were none!


With an SCT, collimation is critical. Focus on a star using a high power
eyepiece and see what the diffraction rings look like. If the image is
sort of boiling - (bad atmospheric conditions) don't bother trying to
collimate - you need steady conditions. Correct collimation can make a
huge difference to the image.


Third, the automatic alignment has been difficult enough to leave me
puzzled. This leaves the go goto system off (and more often, off
wildly with not even one axis on).

Are you sure you selected the correct alligment stars?



Fourth, last night I kept getting "motor stalled" readings which put
the caput on the night's observing. This when I have used it maybe
4-5 hours total. How long do your batteries last? Unless the system
switched on in the box while awaiting a clear night...


Dunno about this one. Check on the LX200 group on Yahoo.

L.


I might be able to go further, but I sense the reader's eyes glazing
over.

"Dave Jessie" wrote in message
...
Hi again, Mike,

Here's the link to the cable you require to power your LX200GPS from an
auto
(or marine) battery:

I located a deep cycle marine battery 12v 105 amp. I am in Hawaii where it
doesn't get that cold, if that makes a diff.

http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_cig1.htm

and if for some bizarre reason that link doesn't work, here's the
description - directly from his web site:

$12.00 - #CC12 - Fused 12VDC Power Adapter Cable

It's nicer (and less expensive!) than the one MEADE sells. It has an
inline
fuse, which you should make sure has a 2.5Amp fast-blo fuse.

Does Scopestuff include this usually?

They're
available from Radio Shack. By the way, the price includes free shipping.

He (Jim Henson - a heck of a nice guy) also sells a regulated power supply
that converts 110V AC to 12V DC and includes the proper plug - in case you
want to power the scope from house current.

Keep in mind that the older LX200 Classics (NOT the newer GPS versions)
required 18 Volts. ScopeStuff also sells a converter to convert 12V DC
(from the deep cycle marine battery) to 18 VDC, but that's ONLY for the
LX200 Classics, NOT the GPS version that you have.

yes.


Dave

"Llanzlan Klazmon The 15th" wrote in message
.6...
Well that sounds more like rough handling, or was the cord or socket
actually faulty? Did it get caught on something?

It hung itself on the first night out.

With an SCT, collimation is critical. Focus on a star using a high power
eyepiece and see what the diffraction rings look like. If the image is
sort of boiling - (bad atmospheric conditions) don't bother trying to
collimate - you need steady conditions. Correct collimation can make a
huge difference to the image.

The star's a perfect donut; but it's slightly off center in the field of
view.

Third, the automatic alignment has been difficult enough to leave me
puzzled. This leaves the go goto system off (and more often, off
wildly with not even one axis on).

Are you sure you selected the correct alligment stars?

No. I should get more familiar with stars like Achernar, Mirach etc.

Hi Mike,

Battery life usually depends on how big the battery is. As for the rest,
stop in at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Meade-Uncensored/ for more answers.

Clear Skies

Chuck Taylor
Do you observe the moon?
Try the Lunar Observing Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lunar-observing/
Lunar Picture of the Day http://www.lpod.org/
************************************

"Mike" wrote in message
...
I've just passed the six month point with my new 12" and have been having
problems.

First, the focuser's cord ripped out of the socket the first night I had
it
up. I had to pay the return postage but did get another one. No apology
from Meade I will also note, making me wary of further contact.

Second, the images have been unremarkable. Frankly I have seller's
remorse
for unloading my 8" manual newt. Mars was big; but there was no surface
distinction. I was under the impression that there were sand storms
there;
imagine my surprise when I read in the press there were none!

Third, the automatic alignment has been difficult enough to leave me
puzzled. This leaves the go goto system off (and more often, off wildly
with not even one axis on).

Fourth, last night I kept getting "motor stalled" readings which put the
caput on the night's observing. This when I have used it maybe 4-5 hours
total. How long do your batteries last? Unless the system switched on in
the box while awaiting a clear night...

I might be able to go further, but I sense the reader's eyes glazing over.