|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Long Term Reliability of Meade/Celestron SCTs
As opposed to others who might have a "Scope of the Month" approach
towards the hobby, I tend to keep for a long period of time the scopes that I buy. The majority of these are SCTs from both Celestron and Meade. The oldest I currently have is a 25 year old C8 that looks and works great. Many of the others are early to mid 90's units that are now ten years or older. Now recently I purchased a N11GPS with considerable electronics content which has all the makings of being another keeper. The question I have is how have the newer SCTs with the larger electronics content fared with age? The rule of thumb is the more complex an apparatus is, the more likely it will fail and fail often. So, how has your personal experience been in the murky world of SCT reliability? I would guess a side issue in this is how responsive and economical are Celestron and Meade in relation to repairing their products and especially their older scopes. Thanks for whatever information you can provide on this issue. TMT |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Too_Many_Tools wrote:
Now recently I purchased a N11GPS with considerable electronics content which has all the makings of being another keeper. The question I have is how have the newer SCTs with the larger electronics content fared with age? The rule of thumb is the more complex an apparatus is, the more likely it will fail and fail often. So, how has your personal experience been in the murky world of SCT reliability? Hi: As you observe, the more complex a device is, the more likely it is to fail. However, that doesn't stop us from using computers, DVD players and the other acouterments of the technological age. Certainly this is just anecdotal evidence, but still I see quite a few of the earlier LX200s on observing fields. They are still going strong a decade or more after they were purchsed. Of course, quite a few LX200s have undoubtedly bit the dust, too. One bright spot is that every new generation of computerized scope design reduces the number of components used it the electronics package, and, therefore, increases reliability. Other developments help, too. If you don't mind using a laptop with your Celestron Nexstar, you can eliminate the hand controller by using the program, Nexremote. This eliminates one common failure point for goto scopes. It also helps to always run the scope off a good DC source, and to be careful with plugs and connections. But, yes, eventually your goto scope will give up the ghost. What then? Hard to say. Neither Meade nor Celestron has had a particularly good track record when it comes to supporting no longer produced scopes. The best solution, if your aged gotoer dies, may be just to put it on a new mount. Computerized GEMs are getting better and cheaper all the time...and you may be ready for all those new features in 10 years, anyway. The bottom line, though, is that the most critical element, the OTA should still be fine. I have a 1973 Orange Tube C8 at the University that I still use on occasion, and it still presents good views. Peace, Rod |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Good discussion Rod....thanks for taking the time to write it.
I would agree...the OTA will outlast the computerized/motorized mount...as long as I don't drop the scope first *cringe*. One of the reason why I ask is that not only does it seem that one has to contend with product obselesence but also the fact that companies disappear. It is one thing when support is poor, quite another when it is gone. Judging from Astromart, I don't see alot of broken GOTOs being sold which could indicate that their lifespan is longer than shorter. Does one see many disabled GOTOs at the star parties for sale? In reference to the LX200 and Nexstar series of scopes, are the components used off the shelf or are they customized? I remember my first reaction when I saw the split ring inside the Nexstar 11GPS and thinking potential point of failure in the future. In my experience any custom component will be a pain later to replace when, not if it fails. I think of the world of computers where it is next to impossible to get many parts for machines that are older than three years old. Only as long as the used supply exists can one find what is needed. It is one of the reasons why we buy new rather than fix the old. It is also one of the reasons why discarded electronics are being such a problem in the waste stream. I understand the analogy of DVDs, VCRs and such compared to scopes but I don't know how well it holds up. Scopes are very much a niche product with extremely low volumes while consumer electronics like VCRs are measured in millions of units per year. Only in recent times have we really seen the cost reductions one sees with increased production and that is only on the lower quality scopes...the "good stuff" still costs $$$. SCTs in my opinion are an exception to this rule where consistent demand has led to amazing cost/performance benefits for the amateur community. I also have mixed feelings about having throw away scopes where once a problem occurs, it is cheaper to toss it than to fix it. I would agree the relocation of the OTA to a different mount will be a common way to salvage a dead GOTO scope in the future if support disappears or the cost to repair is excessive. Thanks again for addressing this topic, SRU |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Hi:
Too_Many_Tools wrote: Does one see many disabled GOTOs at the star parties for sale? No...I don't, anyway. In reference to the LX200 and Nexstar series of scopes, are the components used off the shelf or are they customized? I remember my first reaction when I saw the split ring inside the Nexstar 11GPS and thinking potential point of failure in the future. In my experience any custom component will be a pain later to replace when, not if it fails. Many of the components, the mechanical components used in the scope are off-the-shelf, used in the companies' other scopes, will continue to be used and available, or can be easily fabricated. Electronic components? Aye, there's the rub. Some components, ICs, etc., which were commonly available when your scope was new will, in the normal course of things, be scarce or impossible to obtain 10 years later. There's not much of a solution to that and some owners of the earlier Classic LX200s are encountering that problem now (this isn't yet a serious problem, as Meade is still repairing LX200s themselves). I think of the world of computers where it is next to impossible to get many parts for machines that are older than three years old. Only as long as the used supply exists can one find what is needed. It is one of the reasons why we buy new rather than fix the old. It is also one of the reasons why discarded electronics are being such a problem in the waste stream. Yes, see above. I would agree the relocation of the OTA to a different mount will be a common way to salvage a dead GOTO scope in the future if support disappears or the cost to repair is excessive. That's what I think. And cost is relative. You can get a new goto GEM, a good one, for about (or less) than the price of a new top-of-the-line laptop PC. And you're liable to get more years (and more fun) out of the GEM! ;-) Thanks again for addressing this topic, SRU You're welcome. ;-) |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
"The oldest I currently have is a 25 year old C8 that looks and
works great. Many of the others are early to mid 90's units that are now ten years or older." I have a 1990 Ultima C11. About 5 years ago the drive circuit died on a 105 dF Texas night. Luckily this mount had an AC synchronous motor so a simple 12V DC-120V AC @60 Hz inverter can be used to drive the motor well enough for visual observations (the only observations I do). Total repair cost $12. I think, however, the key here was the AC synchronous motor and the wedge tripod design (only 1 motor running at constant speed). Mitch |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
I had the same problem with my Ultima 8. Doc Greiner sacrificed an
extension cord and wired it direct to the AC synchronus motor. Tracks great even at ten below zero. Matt Mills wrote in message oups.com... "The oldest I currently have is a 25 year old C8 that looks and works great. Many of the others are early to mid 90's units that are now ten years or older." I have a 1990 Ultima C11. About 5 years ago the drive circuit died on a 105 dF Texas night. Luckily this mount had an AC synchronous motor so a simple 12V DC-120V AC @60 Hz inverter can be used to drive the motor well enough for visual observations (the only observations I do). Total repair cost $12. I think, however, the key here was the AC synchronous motor and the wedge tripod design (only 1 motor running at constant speed). Mitch |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
NASA Studying Russian 12-month Plan | JimO | Space Station | 99 | May 4th 04 08:31 AM |
It's been a long road ... | Jon Berndt | Space Shuttle | 60 | September 22nd 03 05:44 AM |
Long term durability/longevity? | Chuck Scappaticci | Amateur Astronomy | 5 | September 11th 03 03:04 AM |
Good coatings on SCTs; A long time coming | [email protected] | Amateur Astronomy | 12 | August 15th 03 11:27 PM |
Is exposure to lunar dust a long term health hazard for a future lunar base? | Alan Erskine | History | 4 | July 27th 03 05:21 PM |