Scott R
super member
Reged: 01/18/05
Posts: 196
Loc: Atlanta, Ga
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What is the difference between the Meade LX90GPS and the LX200R (also by Meade)? Thanks.
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A very understanding wife!!! 
TV NP101 #1689 
TV Focusmate
DiscMount DM-4
Bogen 3051 tripod
8x56 mm Orion binoculars
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JerryWise
Postmaster
Reged: 12/26/03
Posts: 9284
Loc: Lexington, SC
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Several hundred dollars depending on the model.
The LX90 features are here and the LX200R features are here. Also the LX200R have modified Richard Critter (sp?) optics.
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rmollise
Postmaster
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 12033
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What's the diff?
--The LX200R uses optimized ("aplantic") SCT optics, which Meade likes to call "Advanced Ritchey Chretien optics." These deliver a slightly flatter field, which may be of interest to imagers with big-chip cameras.
--The LX200R OTA has a mirror lock to prevent mirror flop when imaging while crossing the meridian.
--The LX200R forks are heftier.
--The LX200R drive is slighly better--perhap--and features PPEC (the 90 has PEC).
--The R's Autostar II has more objects and a few more features.
--The R has a motorized Crayford style focuser on the rear cell to go along with the mirror lock.
--The 90 has a red dot pointer--the LNT module--to go along with the finder.
--The R has GPS, but the 90 holds time and date in memory, so unless you move the scope appreciably, you won't miss GPS.
That is about it, pardner. ;-)
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Uncle Rod
Rod's Latest Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Uncle Rod's Astroblog: http://uncle-rods.blogspot.com/
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Gaz O'C
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/02/05
Posts: 1343
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Quote:
unless you move the scope appreciably, you won't miss GPS.
Some would say unless you move the scope appreciably you don't need GPS... 
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14" f4.5 Dob
10" Meade SCT
180mm f15 Mak/Cass
127mm f12 Mak/Cass
150mm f5 refractor
ED100
EQ6 Skyscan
HEQ5
EQ2
http://stargazerslounge.co.uk/
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NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 14043
Loc: Rockford Illinois
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The LX200 is geared more towards those interested in imaging, as it has the mirror lock, better motors and gears, more substantial base and forks, as well as features in the autostar...
If you're not planning on ever imaging, the LX90 is perfect. 
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Neo... (Jeff)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
 Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
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cuzimthedad
Just Be Cuz
Reged: 04/09/06
Posts: 3985
Loc: Sonoma, Northern California
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I agree with Jeff. I only bought the R to be able to grow into it later for imaging.
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Dan
The Off Fisher Lane Irregulars
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cuzimthedad
Just Be Cuz
Reged: 04/09/06
Posts: 3985
Loc: Sonoma, Northern California
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And bye the bye, welcome to CN Rod!
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Dan
The Off Fisher Lane Irregulars
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Scott R
super member
Reged: 01/18/05
Posts: 196
Loc: Atlanta, Ga
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Thanks for the info everyone! Are the forks, etc. made of metal or plastic? It seems that many scopes nowadays have lots of plastic. Especially those from China. I believe that Meade scopes are American-made (?) Can anyone tell me what, if any, parts of either of these scopes are plastic?
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A very understanding wife!!!
TV NP101 #1689
TV Focusmate
DiscMount DM-4
Bogen 3051 tripod
8x56 mm Orion binoculars
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NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 14043
Loc: Rockford Illinois
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Quote:
Thanks for the info everyone! Are the forks, etc. made of metal or plastic? It seems that many scopes nowadays have lots of plastic. Especially those from China. I believe that Meade scopes are American-made (?) Can anyone tell me what, if any, parts of either of these scopes are plastic?
Cast aluminum base and forks, with plastic cover plates so you can get to the guts of the forks... Very well made, with ribbing for added strength.
As for where made, the scopes are "Assembled" in California, but I believe the optics are overseas... (Someone is bound to correct me.)
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Neo... (Jeff)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
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NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 14043
Loc: Rockford Illinois
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Oh, and for the record, some of the BEST optics are foreign made... (Russia, China, Etc...)
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Neo... (Jeff)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
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Rick Woods
Postmaster
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 11940
Loc: Inner Solar System
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I'm pretty sure Meade makes their higher-end optics in Irvine.
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- Rick
14" LX200
Cactus Patch Observatory
"The four points of the compass be logic, knowledge, wisdom, and the unknown. Some do bow in that final direction. Others advance upon it. To bow before the one is to lose sight of the three."
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JerryWise
Postmaster
Reged: 12/26/03
Posts: 9284
Loc: Lexington, SC
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That's what they say Rick.
Quote:
MADE IN THE USA – All LX200R telescopes are made in the USA at Meade’s state-of-the-art design and manufacturing facility in Irvine, California.
(From the link I posted above.)
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Jerry
TOA 150, FS-152, 14" LX200R, AP-1200
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Starman1
Vendor (EyepiecesEtc.com)
Reged: 06/24/03
Posts: 17639
Loc: Los Angeles
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True.
As of yet, nothing above the ETX series is made in China, though some sub-assemblies on the more expensive scopes are.
Optics, though, are US-made on LX90 and up.
Though the LX90's fork arms and tripod are adequate for the 8", they are marginal for the 10" and sub-par for the 12". The LX200 is a far sturdier scope in 12" because of heavier fork arms and heavier tripod.
However, not to burst your bubble, but if visual observing is the preferred mode, the 11" Celestron CPC is only $100 more than an 8" LX200. And the 11" CPC is a very nice scope.
If you plan to image, the LX200 line becomes more practical. If visual observing is your thing, look at the Celestron CPCs.
Skip the LX90 series. They work, but the CPC is better in nearly every way.
IMO, of course.
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Don Pensack
www.EyepiecesEtc.com
12.5" Teeter/Zambuto, 5" Maksutov
Sustaining Lifetime IDA member
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