Telescope Reviews: Skywatcher version of the LX80 comes to USA!!!!

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Equipment Discussions >> Mounts

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Mkofski
professor emeritus

Reged: 07/19/11

Loc: Greenfield, Indiana, USA

Re: Skywatcher version of the LX80 comes to USA!!!! new

[Re: johnpd]
#5523890 - 11/17/12 07:03 AM

Quote:

There seems to be a power requirements difference between the Skywatcher and the Orion version. Skywatcher indicates that it uses 12V DC 3A, whereas the Orion uses 12-volt DC 5A and they have an "optional" 5-amp AC-to-DC converter for it.

JohnD

I doubt that that represents any real difference. A 5 or 3A converter will probably be fine with either.

Post Extras:

ccs_hello
Postmaster

Reged: 07/03/04

AZ-EQ6 v. LX80 new

[Re: 7lx200gps]
#5523919 - 11/17/12 08:05 AM

I changed the Subject to make better sense of it.

Skywatcher/Orion's AZ-EQ6 is a completely different mount than Meade's LX80.
Stating that one is a rebranded (Skywatcher's version of Meade) is like saying Apple iPad-mini is a version of Google Nexus 7

.

Not only the mechanical design is completely different, the GOTO systems are also different. AZ-EQ6 is a SynScan microstepping system while LX80 is a classic 497 DC Perm-mag servo motor based design.

Clear Skies!

ccs_hello

Post Extras:

crow
member

Reged: 07/09/12

Loc: BC, Canada

Re: AZ-EQ6 v. LX80 new

[Re: ccs_hello]
#5524227 - 11/17/12 11:43 AM

The LX80 also looks like a bag of spanners.

Post Extras:

greju
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/13/05

Re: AZ-EQ6 v. LX80 new

[Re: ccs_hello]
#5524307 - 11/17/12 12:41 PM

Quote:

I changed the Subject to make better sense of it.

Skywatcher/Orion's AZ-EQ6 is a completely different mount than Meade's LX80.
Stating that one is a rebranded (Skywatcher's version of Meade) is like saying Apple iPad-mini is a version of Google Nexus 7 .

Not only the mechanical design is completely different, the GOTO systems are also different. AZ-EQ6 is a SynScan microstepping system while LX80 is a classic 497 DC Perm-mag servo motor based design.

Clear Skies!

ccs_hello

You changed the subject title of someone elses thread? Bad form!

And thanks for reinforcing what I said in an earlier post.

Post Extras:

ccs_hello
Postmaster

Reged: 07/03/04

Re: AZ-EQ6 v. LX80 new

[Re: greju]
#5524452 - 11/17/12 02:18 PM

Original Subject read:
Skywatcher version of the LX80 comes to USA!!!!

I'd rather make the title right instead of leaving the entire discussion thread and some readers the false impression that Skywatcher AZ-EQ6 is rebranding Meade's product

Post Extras:

Lee Jay
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 02/27/08

Loc: Westminster, CO

Re: AZ-EQ6 v. LX80 new

[Re: ccs_hello]
#5524608 - 11/17/12 04:02 PM

Well, my original plan was LX80 + LX800 12" OTA only. Since the LX80 doesn't perform with heavy OTAs and since the LX800 OTAs aren't available and there's no ETA, I guess my new plan is AZ-EQ6 + Edge HD 11. That is until the plan changes again!

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johnpd
sage

Reged: 04/13/08

Re: Skywatcher version of the LX80 comes to USA!!!! new

[Re: Mkofski]
#5524642 - 11/17/12 04:27 PM

Quote:

Quote:

There seems to be a power requirements difference between the Skywatcher and the Orion version. Skywatcher indicates that it uses 12V DC 3A, whereas the Orion uses 12-volt DC 5A and they have an "optional" 5-amp AC-to-DC converter for it.

JohnD

I doubt that that represents any real difference. A 5 or 3A converter will probably be fine with either.

If the Orion is just a rebranded Skywatcher, why would there be such a power difference?

JohnD

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frolinmod
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 08/06/10

Re: Skywatcher version of the LX80 comes to USA!!!! new

[Re: johnpd]
#5524664 - 11/17/12 04:38 PM

120 vs. 220 wall wart perhaps?

Post Extras:

10gauge
sage

Reged: 10/31/10

Loc: Boston

Re: Skywatcher version of the LX80 comes to USA!!!! new

[Re: frolinmod]
#5524764 - 11/17/12 05:41 PM

If the Skywatcher AZ-EQ6 is already being sold in other countries, I hope someone will measure the periodic error and post it before January 2013.

I wonder how the alt-az configuration measures up to the established offerings by Discmounts and T-Rex in terms of capacity, smoothness, Push-to, etc.

Orion/Skywatcher AZ-EQ6 should have been the title, forget LX80.

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neilson
sage

Reged: 08/22/10

Loc: outside Pleasanton, Texas

Re: Skywatcher version of the LX80 comes to USA!!!! new

[Re: Mkofski]
#5525212 - 11/17/12 10:21 PM

Hi,
I doubt the 3 or 5 amp makes any difference. My CGEM DX is 3.5amps. When slewing both RA and DEC together with 30lbs plus counterweight it draws about 0.80amps. If way out of balance it draws 1 amp. I don't think any of them will ever draw more than 1 Amp. I think they give it the higher rating to make you think it is more powerful.

neilson

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maddog
journeyman

Reged: 07/26/08

Re: Skywatcher version of the LX80 comes to USA!!!! new

[Re: neilson]
#5525496 - 11/18/12 03:49 AM

Belt driven worms should go along way to reducing backlash as well. Looks interesting. I wouldn't worry about the differences in power supplies either as has been previously stated they don't draw much even when slewing so most of the extra capacity is a safety margin as you would not want your power supply tripping out due to overload. My vixen SXD and Tak EM200 would only just draw and amp when slewing flat out.

Mark

Edited by maddog (11/18/12 03:54 AM)

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astro_baby
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 06/17/08

Loc: United Kingdom

Re: Skywatcher version of the LX80 comes to USA!!!! new

[Re: maddog]
#5525629 - 11/18/12 07:38 AM

Well the EQ6 can suck about 2 amps on a fast dual axis slew, in fact a badly tuned one I saw was pulling 2.3 amps from a bench supply.

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TMSP
member

Reged: 07/21/12

Re: Skywatcher version of the LX80 comes to USA!!!! new

[Re: astro_baby]
#5526070 - 11/18/12 12:51 PM

Folks another thread on the AZ EQ6 here on CN if you haven't see it. I'll make the same note here. Orion has announced there version the "Pro" I guess. Looks like it is $100 more then a SW from Canada and, for me a loss, no GPS.

Any insights into typical differences between the Orion handbox and the SW? I suppose with the new features there will be differences, but wondering if any fundamental differences in the programs that are of any great shakes?

I am ruminating on a purchase and looking forward to some buyer reviews. Interesting that SW seems to have a few good dealers looking at this and reporting first. OR says avail. in 1/13.

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neilson
sage

Reged: 08/22/10

Loc: outside Pleasanton, Texas

Re: Skywatcher version of the LX80 comes to USA!!!! new

[Re: TMSP]
#5526144 - 11/18/12 01:21 PM

They would be wise to have some beta testers check it out before they release it.. And not dealers. Or employees.

neilson

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astro_baby
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 06/17/08

Loc: United Kingdom

Re: Skywatcher version of the LX80 comes to USA!!!! new

[Re: neilson]
#5526411 - 11/18/12 04:20 PM

Why bother beta testimg when you can get the user to do it for you AND pay to have the mount as well boostimg hour sales revenue

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johnpd
sage

Reged: 04/13/08

Re: Skywatcher version of the LX80 comes to USA!!!! new

[Re: 7lx200gps]
#5527371 - 11/19/12 06:12 AM

Here is a link to the Skywatcher manual for their version:

AZ-EQ6 Synscan Instruction Manual

One Note: There is no mechanism on both the primary saddle and the secondary saddle for aligning the two telescopes in azimuth direction. User has to find a proper way to eliminate the azimuth deviation.

JohnD

Edited by johnpd (11/19/12 07:10 AM)

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