Meade 10-inch Schmidt-Newtonian vs. ???

I have an older Meade go-to scope (the LXD-55) with their 10-inch
Schmidt-Newtonian OTA. I have never been able to get the go-to system to
work, and I'm told that others have also had problems with the LXD-55. This
may be a case of operator error, but I understand that the mount is not
sufficient for the rather heavy 10-inch Schmidt-Newtonian OTA (around 35
pounds). However, the optics of the OTA seem to be pretty good. Since I
would like to have a good, easy-to-operate go-to scope, I'm debating whether
to get a heavier go-to mount (such as the Atlas EG-G, for around $1,400) to
use with the Meade OTA, or to start over again with a new go-to scope (such
as the Celestron CP-11 for around $2,800, or one of the new Orion Dobs with
go-to capabilities). I would be using the scope primarily for visual work,
although I might like to try some imaging. - I also have a 16-inch 4.5 Dob
(with which I have logged all the Messiers), but would like to get a scope
that I could use at higher powers for planets and the like. I also have a
cheapo 5-inch refractor, around f 8, that could be used with the Atlas
mount. Another possibility might be a Dob mounted on an equatorial
platform.

My basic question is whether the Meade 10-inch OTA would be considered of
sufficient quality to justify upgrading with a heavier mount, or whether I
should consider some other options. Regarding aligning the moutn, I'm in
the Houston area, with poor seeing much of the time, and it's difficult to
even find Polaris to manage a polar alignment. - Can I avoid polar
alignment with some of the new GPS mounts? Also, the Meade 10-inch scope has
a 4.0 mirror, so it might not be suitable for higher powers, even with a
Barlow.

Suggestions, advice?

Jim Cate

On Jun 17, 12:40*pm, "Jim Cate" wrote:
I have an older Meade go-to scope (the LXD-55) with their 10-inch
Schmidt-Newtonian OTA. *I have never been able to get the go-to system to
work, and I'm told that others have also had problems with the LXD-55. *This
may be a case of operator error, but I understand that the mount is not
sufficient for the rather heavy 10-inch Schmidt-Newtonian OTA (around 35
pounds). However, the optics of the OTA seem to be pretty good. * Since I
would like to have a good, easy-to-operate go-to scope, I'm debating whether
to get a heavier go-to mount (such as the Atlas EG-G, for around $1,400) to
use with the Meade OTA, or to start over again with a new go-to scope (such
as the Celestron CP-11 for around $2,800, or one of the new Orion Dobs with
go-to capabilities). *I would be using the scope primarily for visual work,
although I might like to try some imaging. *- I also have a 16-inch 4.5 Dob
(with which I have logged all the Messiers), but would like to get a scope
that I could use at higher powers for planets and the like. *I also have a
cheapo 5-inch refractor, around f 8, that could be used with the Atlas
mount. *Another possibility might be a Dob mounted on an equatorial
platform.

My basic question is whether the Meade 10-inch OTA would be considered of
sufficient quality to justify upgrading with a heavier mount, or whether I
should consider some other options. *Regarding aligning the moutn, *I'm in
the Houston area, with poor seeing much of the time, and it's difficult to
even find *Polaris to manage a polar alignment. *- *Can I avoid polar
alignment with some of the new GPS mounts? Also, the Meade 10-inch scope has
a 4.0 mirror, so it might not be suitable for higher powers, even with a
Barlow.

Suggestions, advice?

Jim Cate

Well, the cheapest possible experiment would be to an equatorial mount
for your existing 16" dob.

The very best mounts are by Tom O...

http://www.equatorialplatforms.com/a...platforms.html

.... but there are many others out there, and this one seems to be well
thought of...

http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1097

.... or, you can a kit and build it yourself...

http://home.netcom.com/~tlsystem/cablet4.htm

.... and there are lots of other choices.

\Paul A

Jim Cate wrote:

I have an older Meade go-to scope (the LXD-55) with their 10-inch
Schmidt-Newtonian OTA. I have never been able to get the go-to system to
work, and I'm told that others have also had problems with the LXD-55. This
may be a case of operator error, but I understand that the mount is not
sufficient for the rather heavy 10-inch Schmidt-Newtonian OTA (around 35
pounds). However, the optics of the OTA seem to be pretty good. Since I
would like to have a good, easy-to-operate go-to scope, I'm debating whether
to get a heavier go-to mount (such as the Atlas EG-G, for around $1,400) to
use with the Meade OTA, or to start over again with a new go-to scope (such
as the Celestron CP-11 for around $2,800, or one of the new Orion Dobs with
go-to capabilities). I would be using the scope primarily for visual work,
although I might like to try some imaging. - I also have a 16-inch 4.5 Dob
(with which I have logged all the Messiers), but would like to get a scope
that I could use at higher powers for planets and the like. I also have a
cheapo 5-inch refractor, around f 8, that could be used with the Atlas
mount. Another possibility might be a Dob mounted on an equatorial
platform.

My basic question is whether the Meade 10-inch OTA would be considered of
sufficient quality to justify upgrading with a heavier mount, or whether I
should consider some other options.

The quality of the optics would make that decision for me.


Regarding aligning the moutn, I'm in
the Houston area, with poor seeing much of the time, and it's difficult to
even find Polaris to manage a polar alignment. - Can I avoid polar
alignment with some of the new GPS mounts? Also, the Meade 10-inch scope has
a 4.0 mirror, so it might not be suitable for higher powers, even with a
Barlow.

Suggestions, advice?

Jim Cate

"Jim Cate" wrote in message
...
I have an older Meade go-to scope (the LXD-55) with their 10-inch
Schmidt-Newtonian OTA. I have never been able to get the go-to system to
work, and I'm told that others have also had problems with the LXD-55.
This may be a case of operator error, but I understand that the mount is
not sufficient for the rather heavy 10-inch Schmidt-Newtonian OTA (around
35 pounds). However, the optics of the OTA seem to be pretty good. Since
I would like to have a good, easy-to-operate go-to scope, I'm debating
whether to get a heavier go-to mount (such as the Atlas EG-G, for around
$1,400) to use with the Meade OTA, or to start over again with a new go-to
scope (such as the Celestron CP-11 for around $2,800, or one of the new
Orion Dobs with go-to capabilities). I would be using the scope primarily
for visual work, although I might like to try some imaging. - I also have
a 16-inch 4.5 Dob (with which I have logged all the Messiers), but would
like to get a scope that I could use at higher powers for planets and the
like. I also have a cheapo 5-inch refractor, around f 8, that could be
used with the Atlas mount. Another possibility might be a Dob mounted on
an equatorial platform.

My basic question is whether the Meade 10-inch OTA would be considered of
sufficient quality to justify upgrading with a heavier mount, or whether I
should consider some other options.

I notice that Orion is coming out with several go-to Dobs (8-inch, 10-inch,
and 12-inch) in a few weeks. The 12-inch
(f 4.9) will sell for around $1,600 If it works reliably, and if the
optics are decent, that may be a good compromise.

Jim

On Jun 17, 2:40*pm, "Jim Cate" wrote:

My basic question is whether the Meade 10-inch OTA would be considered of
sufficient quality to justify upgrading with a heavier mount, or whether I
should consider some other options. *Regarding aligning the moutn, *I'm in
the Houston area, with poor seeing much of the time, and it's difficult to
even find *Polaris to manage a polar alignment. *- *Can I avoid polar
alignment with some of the new GPS mounts? Also, the Meade 10-inch scope has
a 4.0 mirror, so it might not be suitable for higher powers, even with a
Barlow.

Suggestions, advice?

Jim Cate

The 10-inch SNT OTA is almost always very good optically. It's a real
standout for widefield viewing, and quite a bit of good imaging has
been done with it. It does need _at a minimum_ an Atlas - EQ6 _or
better_.

On Jun 19, 7:48*am, RMOLLISE wrote:
On Jun 17, 2:40*pm, "Jim Cate" wrote:

My basic question is whether the Meade 10-inch OTA would be considered of
sufficient quality to justify upgrading with a heavier mount, or whether I
should consider some other options. *Regarding aligning the moutn, *I'm in
the Houston area, with poor seeing much of the time, and it's difficult to
even find *Polaris to manage a polar alignment. *- *Can I avoid polar
alignment with some of the new GPS mounts? Also, the Meade 10-inch scope has
a 4.0 mirror, so it might not be suitable for higher powers, even with a
Barlow.

Suggestions, advice?

Jim Cate

The 10-inch SNT OTA is almost always very good optically. It's a real
standout for widefield viewing, and quite a bit of good imaging has
been done with it. It does need _at a minimum_ an Atlas - EQ6 _or
better_.


You might want to pay a visit to www.weasner.com/lxd/index.html. Mike
Weasner has a lot of useful information about getting the Meade ETX
and LXD series of scopes to work as well as advertised. Mike is one of
the good guys

On Jun 17, 3:40*pm, "Jim Cate" wrote:
I have an older Meade go-to scope (the LXD-55) with their 10-inch
Schmidt-Newtonian OTA. *I have never been able to get the go-to system to
work, and I'm told that others have also had problems with the LXD-55. *This
may be a case of operator error, but I understand that the mount is not
sufficient for the rather heavy 10-inch Schmidt-Newtonian OTA (around 35
pounds). However, the optics of the OTA seem to be pretty good. * Since I
would like to have a good, easy-to-operate go-to scope, I'm debating whether
to get a heavier go-to mount (such as the Atlas EG-G, for around $1,400) to
use with the Meade OTA, or to start over again with a new go-to scope (such
as the Celestron CP-11 for around $2,800, or one of the new Orion Dobs with
go-to capabilities). *I would be using the scope primarily for visual work,
although I might like to try some imaging. *- I also have a 16-inch 4.5 Dob
(with which I have logged all the Messiers), but would like to get a scope
that I could use at higher powers for planets and the like. *I also have a
cheapo 5-inch refractor, around f 8, that could be used with the Atlas
mount. *Another possibility might be a Dob mounted on an equatorial
platform.

My basic question is whether the Meade 10-inch OTA would be considered of
sufficient quality to justify upgrading with a heavier mount, or whether I
should consider some other options. *Regarding aligning the moutn, *I'm in
the Houston area, with poor seeing much of the time, and it's difficult to
even find *Polaris to manage a polar alignment. *- *Can I avoid polar
alignment with some of the new GPS mounts? Also, the Meade 10-inch scope has
a 4.0 mirror, so it might not be suitable for higher powers, even with a
Barlow.

Suggestions, advice?

Jim Cate


I suppose the 10" Meade S-N would be too much of a load for a
Celestron CG-5 GT mount? This would be strictly for non-critical
visual observing; I've no urge toward astrophotography.

Jim H.

"Entropy never sleeps; do y'all?"

On Jul 4, 10:43*am, "Jim H." quoted:

"Entropy never sleeps; do y'all?"

Well, while it may seem that I sleep a lot, I am actually quite
active, at the cellular level ;)

\Paul A

On Jul 4, 12:43 pm, "Jim H." wrote:
On Jun 17, 3:40 pm, "Jim Cate" wrote:



I have an older Meade go-to scope (the LXD-55) with their 10-inch
Schmidt-Newtonian OTA. I have never been able to get the go-to system to
work, and I'm told that others have also had problems with the LXD-55. This
may be a case of operator error, but I understand that the mount is not
sufficient for the rather heavy 10-inch Schmidt-Newtonian OTA (around 35
pounds). However, the optics of the OTA seem to be pretty good. Since I
would like to have a good, easy-to-operate go-to scope, I'm debating whether
to get a heavier go-to mount (such as the Atlas EG-G, for around $1,400) to
use with the Meade OTA, or to start over again with a new go-to scope (such
as the Celestron CP-11 for around $2,800, or one of the new Orion Dobs with
go-to capabilities). I would be using the scope primarily for visual work,
although I might like to try some imaging. - I also have a 16-inch 4.5 Dob
(with which I have logged all the Messiers), but would like to get a scope
that I could use at higher powers for planets and the like. I also have a
cheapo 5-inch refractor, around f 8, that could be used with the Atlas
mount. Another possibility might be a Dob mounted on an equatorial
platform.

My basic question is whether the Meade 10-inch OTA would be considered of
sufficient quality to justify upgrading with a heavier mount, or whether I
should consider some other options. Regarding aligning the moutn, I'm in
the Houston area, with poor seeing much of the time, and it's difficult to
even find Polaris to manage a polar alignment. - Can I avoid polar
alignment with some of the new GPS mounts? Also, the Meade 10-inch scope has
a 4.0 mirror, so it might not be suitable for higher powers, even with a
Barlow.

Suggestions, advice?

Jim Cate

I suppose the 10" Meade S-N would be too much of a load for a
Celestron CG-5 GT mount? This would be strictly for non-critical
visual observing; I've no urge toward astrophotography.

Jim H.

"Entropy never sleeps; do y'all?"

The LXD-55 and LXD-75 mounts that Meade sold/sell the SN-10 with are
not significantly different from the Celestron CG-5 GT mount. Settling
times will be fairly long, but the mount should be usable. Once again
www.weasner.com/lxd/index.html. is source of useful information about
the entire ETX and LXD series of scopes

On Jul 4, 2:55*pm, yourmommycalledandsaidbehave
wrote:
On Jul 4, 12:43 pm, "Jim H." wrote:



On Jun 17, 3:40 pm, "Jim Cate" wrote:

I have an older Meade go-to scope (the LXD-55) with their 10-inch
Schmidt-Newtonian OTA. *I have never been able to get the go-to system to
work, and I'm told that others have also had problems with the LXD-55.. *This
may be a case of operator error, but I understand that the mount is not
sufficient for the rather heavy 10-inch Schmidt-Newtonian OTA (around 35
pounds). However, the optics of the OTA seem to be pretty good. * Since I
would like to have a good, easy-to-operate go-to scope, I'm debating whether
to get a heavier go-to mount (such as the Atlas EG-G, for around $1,400) to
use with the Meade OTA, or to start over again with a new go-to scope (such
as the Celestron CP-11 for around $2,800, or one of the new Orion Dobs with
go-to capabilities). *I would be using the scope primarily for visual work,
although I might like to try some imaging. *- I also have a 16-inch 4.5 Dob
(with which I have logged all the Messiers), but would like to get a scope
that I could use at higher powers for planets and the like. *I also have a
cheapo 5-inch refractor, around f 8, that could be used with the Atlas
mount. *Another possibility might be a Dob mounted on an equatorial
platform.

My basic question is whether the Meade 10-inch OTA would be considered of
sufficient quality to justify upgrading with a heavier mount, or whether I
should consider some other options. *Regarding aligning the moutn, *I'm in
the Houston area, with poor seeing much of the time, and it's difficult to
even find *Polaris to manage a polar alignment. *- *Can I avoid polar
alignment with some of the new GPS mounts? Also, the Meade 10-inch scope has
a 4.0 mirror, so it might not be suitable for higher powers, even with a
Barlow.

Suggestions, advice?

Jim Cate

*I suppose the 10" Meade S-N would be too much of a load for a
Celestron CG-5 GT mount? *This would be strictly for non-critical
visual observing; I've no urge toward astrophotography.

Jim H.

"Entropy never sleeps; do y'all?"

The LXD-55 and LXD-75 mounts that Meade sold/sell the SN-10 with are
not significantly different from the Celestron CG-5 GT mount. Settling
times will be fairly long, but the mount should be usable. Once againwww.weasner.com/lxd/index.html. is source of useful information about
the entire ETX and LXD series of scopes

Thanks, Yourmommy. I appreciate the input, since one of these 10"
monsters has been lurking in my closet in its carrying bag for quite a
few years, after a series of broken and stolen mounts. I'll have to
drag it out and see if I can still wrestle it on to the top of the
CG-5. ;-)

Anyone else got any thoughts on this combo?

Jim H.

"Entropy never sleeps; do y'all?"