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

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7lx200gps
member

Reged: 09/11/08

Loc: Lewisberry, PA

Skywatcher version of the LX80 comes to USA!!!!
#5522114 - 11/15/12 11:27 PM

To all,
I was fumbling around Orion's website and I found the Skywatcher AZ EQ6 is being marketed in the USA under Orion. It's called the Orion Atlas Pro AZ/EQ-G Computerized GoTo Telescope Mount. I don't know if anyone discovered this, but here it is. Expected ship date is the end of January 2013, but is priced at $2300!!!! The LX80 is amazingly priced to this. But I bet this will be better quality.

http://www.telescope.com/Mounts-Tripods/Altazimuth-Mounts-Tripods/Orion-Atlas...

Post Extras:

7lx200gps
member

Reged: 09/11/08

Loc: Lewisberry, PA

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

[Re: 7lx200gps]
#5522117 - 11/15/12 11:30 PM

Three-in-one GoTo mount can operate in GoTo Equatorial mode holding one telescope, or in GoTo Altazimuth mode holding one or two different telescopes
Capable of holding a 44-pound telescope payload -- ideal for any observational or astrophotographic pursuits
Accurate belt-driven stepper motor drive system can locate any of over 42,000 celestial curiosities with tracking precision of 0.1436 arc-second steps
Features closed-loop electronics to maintain alignment even after an inadvertent bump or nudge
Features a dual-width dovetail saddle for use with narrow or wide dovetail plates, a 1" diameter counterweight shaft, a built-in autoguider port, PEC capability, and 9 different slew speeds

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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: 7lx200gps]
#5522180 - 11/16/12 12:49 AM

I hope it is a great mount! At $2300 it is beyond what I could pay so the LX80 would still th only mount like this that is in the running for my money. I'm looking forward to hearing from some early users.

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evilmedic13
member

Reged: 06/23/12

Loc: Chicago,Il

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

[Re: Mkofski]
#5522417 - 11/16/12 08:21 AM

It definitely has my interest peaked. I was looking to spend some money on a cgem/cgem dx, but with the 3 in 1 package listed here, I'm all ears. Especially with Orion's customer service background. I haven't heard any negative reviews of them, that I can remember. The dual mount would be awesome for outreaches or when my in laws come over.

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ourobouros2k2
sage

Reged: 11/10/11

Loc: okc area, oklahoma

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

[Re: evilmedic13]
#5522435 - 11/16/12 08:35 AM

I love it, but it looks like a couple hundred more than I was hoping for. Hopefully it won't be plagued by the growing pains of the LX80. I look forward to hearing folks' first light reports.

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orlyandico
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/10/09

Loc: Singapore

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

[Re: ourobouros2k2]
#5522441 - 11/16/12 08:41 AM

The internal encoders are the big thing here.

They are only 6,000-something tick (so cannot be used for periodic error correction like the AP1600 and 3600). But they aren't $10,800 or $19,000 either.

With the built-in axis encoders, you can declutch and push the mount around, and it won't lose GoTo sync. A pretty handy feature.

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Mike X.
professor emeritus

Reged: 06/28/10

Loc: Greece-Athens and Rome-Italy

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

[Re: orlyandico]
#5522525 - 11/16/12 09:44 AM

It is a beautyfull mount,i played with a demo last weekend i was positivelly impressed.

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crow
member

Reged: 07/09/12

Loc: BC, Canada

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

[Re: Mike X.]
#5522744 - 11/16/12 11:37 AM

I'm looking seriously at this mount. Guess we need some user reports.

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Lee Jay
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 02/27/08

Loc: Westminster, CO

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

[Re: crow]
#5522782 - 11/16/12 11:57 AM

I'll wait until I can get an LX800 OTA and reducer, and until this one is under $2000. However, I'm glad Orion brought it in. I had some email exchanges with them when it was announced that indicated they were at least looking into it, and it appears like they were on top of things as usual.

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rmollise
Postmaster

Reged: 07/06/07

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

[Re: Lee Jay]
#5522817 - 11/16/12 12:22 PM

I would guess it won't stay at this price too long.

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Lee Jay
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 02/27/08

Loc: Westminster, CO

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

[Re: rmollise]
#5522865 - 11/16/12 12:55 PM

Quote:

I would guess it won't stay at this price too long.

Well, this is only preorder and the deliveries aren't expected until the end of January, so probably for a little while at least.

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greju
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/13/05

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

[Re: 7lx200gps]
#5522933 - 11/16/12 01:33 PM

To compare the Skywatcher to the LX-80 is like comparing apples to...rocks. While they may have some of the same features they are completely different mounts and any comparison is unfair to the AZ EQ6. While the price difference does put it in another class than the LX-80 it to me looks to be worth the extra cost in apparent engineering and manufacturing processes though that is yet to be seen. This just might be the mount Meade got me excited about over a year ago as it has the features I am looking for.

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rmollise
Postmaster

Reged: 07/06/07

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

[Re: greju]
#5522970 - 11/16/12 02:04 PM

Quote:

To compare the Skywatcher to the LX-80 is like comparing apples to...rocks. While they may have some of the same features they are completely different mounts and any comparison is unfair to the AZ EQ6. While the price difference does put it in another class than the LX-80 it to me looks to be worth the extra cost in apparent engineering and manufacturing processes though that is yet to be seen. This just might be the mount Meade got me excited about over a year ago as it has the features I am looking for.

Same here. Dang that LX80.

Not that it's quite as bad as you would think from some of the postings here. I had a chance to try Jack Huerkamp's 80 recently, and it, I thought, was OK for visual or maybe even video. IF you keep the payload to a C8 or at most a C9.25. 40 pounds? I don' THEEENK so, Lucy.

At its original price, I might still be tempted. At the one grand level? No way. And I would be concerned about continuing support for it if things get worse at Meade.

As for th AZ-EQ6? Time will tell, but I wouldn't pay that much of a premium for just an alt-az mode and some encoders--assuming that performance wise it is similar to the Atlas EQ6. We will see.

Post Extras:

Lee Jay
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 02/27/08

Loc: Westminster, CO

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

[Re: rmollise]
#5523023 - 11/16/12 02:53 PM

Quote:

...I wouldn't pay that much of a premium for just an alt-az mode and some encoders--assuming that performance wise it is similar to the Atlas EQ6. We will see.

There are a few other things listed:

Improved altitude adjustment mechanism, Improved Ra & Dec clutch mechanism, diameter of counterweight shaft 25mm versus 18mm, the weight rating is 44 pounds versus 40 pounds.

What's up with this?

AZ: Height range of mount 29.00 in. - 49.00 in.
Original: Height range of mount 40.00 in. - 61.50 in.
"The height range specification is a measure of the tripod itself - not the eyepiece height. Since telescopes come in all shapes and sizes, the eyepiece height will vary, even when using the same tripod. For an EQ tripod the mount is set up so the counterweight shaft is horizontal, and then the height is measured from the ground to the center of the mounting plate."

They look like the same tripod to me.

Post Extras:

Lee Jay
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 02/27/08

Loc: Westminster, CO

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

[Re: Lee Jay]
#5523076 - 11/16/12 03:36 PM

Rich at Orion is looking into the above question for me.

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crow
member

Reged: 07/09/12

Loc: BC, Canada

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

[Re: Lee Jay]
#5523102 - 11/16/12 03:54 PM

51 pounds for both the tripod and head looks good. Especially coming from a DX.

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kwjohnson
super member

Reged: 03/27/11

Loc: Minneapolis, Minnesota

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

[Re: rmollise]
#5523451 - 11/16/12 08:53 PM

Quote:

I would guess it won't stay at this price too long.

Rod, are you saying you expect the Orion price to rise or fall over time?

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andysea
professor emeritus

Reged: 09/03/10

Loc: Seattle, WA

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

[Re: 7lx200gps]
#5523478 - 11/16/12 09:21 PM

Does anyone what the native PE of this mount is?
I also couldn't find anywhere what the diameter of the RA and Dec wheel is.

Andy

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Jack Huerkamp
Vendor - Waning Moon

Reged: 10/13/05

Loc: Louisiana

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

[Re: rmollise]
#5523598 - 11/16/12 11:05 PM

Rod,

The LX80 did not do video well in Alt-Az with the 9.25 at 22# with a 22# counterweight. With about 15# and the supplied 11" counterweight the LX80 performed well with my MalinCams at ECVAR. I got up to 75 seconds with a C6 HyperStar while looking at the Helix. I have been busy since returning from DSRSG, but I do hope to test out further the LX80 with my video cameras.

Jack

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johnpd
sage

Reged: 04/13/08

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

[Re: Jack Huerkamp]
#5523859 - 11/17/12 04:45 AM

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

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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.

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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!

Post Extras:

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.

Post Extras:

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.

Post Extras:

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

Post Extras:

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

Post Extras:

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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