Kim Miau
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/17/06
Posts: 1133
Loc: Kluang, Johor, Malaysia
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Quote:
I had Meade forward my LX200R to Dr. Clay for supercharging. The good Dr. is working on it now, and he confirmed that Meade corrected the optical problems and his bench tests produced textbook optical performance. I can't wait to get it back and start using it for serious imaging. Thank you Dr. Clay!
Dr Clay is the man! I wish I can go to his observatory and learn something from him on the site. 
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-Robin
QHY CCD
My Astronomy Blog - http://www.astronomynotes.net
Meade 8" LX90 + LPI + QHY5 + Denk's Power x Switch S2 Diagonal
More equipments @ here
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lerock
sage
Reged: 03/23/06
Posts: 311
Loc: Arizona Coast
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Jerry,
I was just about ready to plunk cash on a C-14....Do you have a thread that talks about the problems you had?
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Mike
18" f4.5 Obsession #1377
W/Argo Navis DSC
6" f/10 ANRA Canopus, circa 1963, modified for solar
If you don't make dust, You eat it.....
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JerryWise
Postmaster
Reged: 12/26/03
Posts: 7006
Loc: Lexington, SC
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Hello Mike. I didn't start a thread on that because it really wasn't with the C-14. The C-14 was excellent. Fantastic views sharp and bright (get the XLT version).
Several users here with new CGE mounts experienced a binding when slewing. The mount would stop and need reseting. I have a one year old CGE mount that is a top notch performer. My intention was to buy the CGE-1400 and sell the new mount. The package works out as a better deal that way. But before selling I wanted to check the new one for PE compared to the one I have. When I mounted the new mount and it seized I kinda said "Oh my mercy me, another factory QC slip-up". I just didn't care to go through long explanations, shipping cycles, testing and the whole process when I already had a good mount. So in spite of how good the C-14 was, the whole thing went back.
So again, the C-14 was knock your socks off bright and clear. If you get one like the one they sent with the binding CGE you will be very satisfied. If you get one with a mount and it binds as well known as that problem is, then your significant other will moderate your verbaige. :-)
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Jerry
LX200ACF 14", Tak FS 152 & TOA 150
AP-1200 & Mach1
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Kim Miau
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/17/06
Posts: 1133
Loc: Kluang, Johor, Malaysia
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Quote:
Hello Mike. I didn't start a thread on that because it really wasn't with the C-14. The C-14 was excellent. Fantastic views sharp and bright (get the XLT version).
Several users here with new CGE mounts experienced a binding when slewing. The mount would stop and need reseting. I have a one year old CGE mount that is a top notch performer. My intention was to buy the CGE-1400 and sell the new mount. The package works out as a better deal that way. But before selling I wanted to check the new one for PE compared to the one I have. When I mounted the new mount and it seized I kinda said "Oh my mercy me, another factory QC slip-up". I just didn't care to go through long explanations, shipping cycles, testing and the whole process when I already had a good mount. So in spite of how good the C-14 was, the whole thing went back.
So again, the C-14 was knock your socks off bright and clear. If you get one like the one they sent with the binding CGE you will be very satisfied. If you get one with a mount and it binds as well known as that problem is, then your significant other will moderate your verbaige. :-)
Why Meade and Celestron are having QC problems? I thought these precision technology manufactures should have no problem in this? By the way, the new CGE mount does not perform as top tip as before?
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-Robin
QHY CCD
My Astronomy Blog - http://www.astronomynotes.net
Meade 8" LX90 + LPI + QHY5 + Denk's Power x Switch S2 Diagonal
More equipments @ here
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Ben Ritchie
Lost in Space
Reged: 01/31/05
Posts: 4339
Loc: Bosham, UK
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Quote:
Why Meade and Celestron are having QC problems? I thought these precision technology manufactures should have no problem in this?
For totally reliable QC you're looking at the very high end, specialist market supplying people who will spend $5000+ on a telescope or mount. Very few people will spend that sort of money. Meade and Celestron are trying to keep prices down as much as possible so that they can sell to the mass market, and good QC is expensive. It makes sense for them to try and find the minimum acceptable level of QC, and if that means some bad examples get shipped then that's ok, they'll sort out the problem in after-sales. They could increase prices by $500 to pay for better manufacturing and QC, but - given the choice - the average consumer would still buy the cheaper 'scope. That's the way the mass market works, it's largely driven by price. The market for very high quality is really very small.
As it is, I think both companies do very well. The 8", fork-mounted, GOTO SCT is amazing value for money if you think what it can do. Sure, there are some QC problems, maybe too many in the case of the LX200R and RCX, but in general they're handles pretty well by the company and their dealer networks. Jerry got shipped a dead CGE, but I doubt that it caused him a lot of grief to get the issue dealt with, and if he had wanted a replacement he'd have probably got it without much arguement.
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Astro-Physics 130EDT StarFire, 80ED (x2), 305mm f/5 dob, VLT
Astro-Physics 1200GTO, evolved HEQ5/pro
Coronado SM60/BF10, 3-6 Nagler zoom, 8 & 13 Ethos, 28UWAN
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JerryWise
Postmaster
Reged: 12/26/03
Posts: 7006
Loc: Lexington, SC
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Great writeup Ben. Very informative.
Yes, you are right. Very little grief in getting it returned. The dealer swapped if for a Takahashi NJP. And that further illustrates your point. A Great 14" SCT and a very good mount swapped for a well QC'd (I hope) mount with the same weight capacity.
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Jerry
LX200ACF 14", Tak FS 152 & TOA 150
AP-1200 & Mach1
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lerock
sage
Reged: 03/23/06
Posts: 311
Loc: Arizona Coast
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Thanks for your help Jerry, it probably wouldn't kill me to wait just a little longer to see if they have a mount problem. I'm a little nervous about putting a C-14 on my Atlas. And my apologies to all the Meade guys. 
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Mike
18" f4.5 Obsession #1377
W/Argo Navis DSC
6" f/10 ANRA Canopus, circa 1963, modified for solar
If you don't make dust, You eat it.....
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Joad
Wordsmith
Reged: 03/22/05
Posts: 12022
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Quote:
Great writeup Ben. Very informative.
Yes, you are right. Very little grief in getting it returned. The dealer swapped if for a Takahashi NJP. And that further illustrates your point. A Great 14" SCT and a very good mount swapped for a well QC'd (I hope) mount with the same weight capacity.
I had to check what a Takahashi NJP was Jerry, because it sounded to me as if you were saying that you exchanged a 14" Celestron SCT with mount and tripod for just a mount. I knewthat couldn't be true, so I did a search. And . . .
Gee, Jerry, I hope you enjoy your new mount! 
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Ben Ritchie
Lost in Space
Reged: 01/31/05
Posts: 4339
Loc: Bosham, UK
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And arguably the Tak NJP still isn't a top-end mount  - he could probably swap the NJP + C14 for an AP1200 and a Paramount ME is close on twice the price.
But in reality, it's close enough to make no difference. Someone (Joe C?) described the G11 and CGE as the 'top of the bottom end of the market' and he's right. The NJP should have the sort of build quality and reliability that means it just keeps working for years.
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Astro-Physics 130EDT StarFire, 80ED (x2), 305mm f/5 dob, VLT
Astro-Physics 1200GTO, evolved HEQ5/pro
Coronado SM60/BF10, 3-6 Nagler zoom, 8 & 13 Ethos, 28UWAN
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Moggi1964
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/07/05
Posts: 2515
Loc: Madison. NJ. USA
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My scope came back last Monday from Meade.
I left for Disneyworld last Sunday.
I got back today.
I leave for the UK tomorrow and return next Sunday.
I will collect the scope from my wife's workplace on the following Tuesday.
It will be cloudy on Tuesday November 31st in NJ.
I will report my findings when the clouds clear in November.
Total turnaround time: 4 weeks as promised!
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Morris
WO Megrez 80 ED F/7
WO 8x42 binoculars
Seymor Rosin F/4.5 Astrograph in the making
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AviddayM
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/28/05
Posts: 2063
Loc: Snohomish, Washington
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Quote:
I had to check what a Takahashi NJP was Jerry, because it sounded to me as if you were saying that you exchanged a 14" Celestron SCT with mount and tripod for just a mount. I knew that couldn't be true, so I did a search. And . . .
Gee, Jerry, I hope you enjoy your new mount!
I gonna bet he will. In fact, I'll bet he'll have orders for a custom made coffin for when the time arises.
Jerry once you get a hang of the built-in polar alignment scope and see how fast and accurate it is, you will be dancing. Then after you get that STV and NJP humming and get perfect little round stars after 10, 15, 20 minute imaging (all without PEC I might add) You'll be like this little guy. 
Congrats, It is a great choice.
Ben - I'm glad you said "arguably" with a smile, in which case I'll leave as is. Besides I'm too tired right now.
Cheers
Oh! Jerry, mine is with purple felt lining. 
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Dave
FS102NSV f/8
C11 XLT
NJP Temma II
STV Deluxe w/efinder
Ps 8:3-4
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers. The moon and the stars, which You have ordained. What is man that You are mindful of him. And the son of man that You visit him?
Edited by AviddayM (10/23/06 01:06 AM)
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Gluon
member
Reged: 02/16/06
Posts: 39
Loc: Austria
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Kim,
at the moment I'm busy setting up a new dome on my observatory but You can have a look at my frend's homepage stargazer for comparing astrophotos taken with an SC as well as with large and small refractors...
Martin
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Kim Miau
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/17/06
Posts: 1133
Loc: Kluang, Johor, Malaysia
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Quote:
Kim,
at the moment I'm busy setting up a new dome on my observatory but You can have a look at my frend's homepage stargazer for comparing astrophotos taken with an SC as well as with large and small refractors...
Martin
I like the photos. Does a 9" TMB APO cost over 10000?
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-Robin
QHY CCD
My Astronomy Blog - http://www.astronomynotes.net
Meade 8" LX90 + LPI + QHY5 + Denk's Power x Switch S2 Diagonal
More equipments @ here
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Gluon
member
Reged: 02/16/06
Posts: 39
Loc: Austria
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Kim,
Quote:
Does a 9" TMB APO cost over 10000?
yes, it costs about three times that much as it is a scope at the top level of quality... but the smaller versions are cheaper.
Martin.
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Kim Miau
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/17/06
Posts: 1133
Loc: Kluang, Johor, Malaysia
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Haha, that will never be my scope. 
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-Robin
QHY CCD
My Astronomy Blog - http://www.astronomynotes.net
Meade 8" LX90 + LPI + QHY5 + Denk's Power x Switch S2 Diagonal
More equipments @ here
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nighthound
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/30/06
Posts: 860
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Just had my LX200R come back from Meade. I'm trying to be optimistic but I am feeling very let down by the initial impression of the service rendered. I'm also surprised the OTA was shipped with the mirror lock disengaged. That certainly won't help collimation any.
The work order states the work that was done was "clean and collimate"(?).
To be fair I will say no more about the service at this time. I'll star test it and then make an assesment. When I shipped the OTA I included a large print note(taped on top of plastic wrapped OTA) referencing CN, my contact with Scott Roberts and clearly stating the problem with the OTA so there could be no confusion of the problem. Wish me luck.
NH
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JerryWise
Postmaster
Reged: 12/26/03
Posts: 7006
Loc: Lexington, SC
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Wish you luck NH.
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Jerry
LX200ACF 14", Tak FS 152 & TOA 150
AP-1200 & Mach1
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nighthound
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/30/06
Posts: 860
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Thanks very much Jerry.
NH
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Aircrftr
sage
Reged: 09/29/06
Posts: 245
Loc: Claremore OK
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Anybody notice Dr.Clay is selling the 16" LX200R on Astromart? sounds like a mighty sweet deal....If I only had room and money....
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14" LX200R
Orion 102ED
Cannon 20Da
DSI PRO (for autoguiding)
All stored in my "Mt. Wilson Observatory" elev.610 ft.
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Cooptbr
member
Reged: 10/31/05
Posts: 81
Loc: North Carolina
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My LX200R arrived back today, little over four weeks repair time. Looked to be in good shape no dents or dings. Repairs listed included, replace control panel, replace RA and DEC gears,replace GPS sensor, clean and collimate. I shocked its raining here like cats and dogs(LOL). supposed to clear tomorrow and will check it out tomorrow night weather willing
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