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ScubaStarFish
newbie
Reged: 01/11/08
Loc: Marietta, Georgia
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Comparing Meade LX90 10 vs LX200 8
#2119340 - 01/14/08 10:22 AM
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I'm interested in purchasing a new scope. I'm a beginner, but have had a chance to hang with a friend who has a Meade LX90 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain - UHTC and i am pleased with what I see.
Looking online, I see I can get the Meade 10 Inch LX90 GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain for about the same price as the Meade 8-Inch LX200R Advanced Ritchey-Chretien.
My question is, to those in the know with Meade hardware, would the 8" LC200R be as sharp and as detailed as the LX90 10"? Or will the larger lens overcome any advantage of the superior coating on the LX200R?
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Joe Lalumia
Postmaster
Reged: 01/24/07
Loc: Quinlan, Texas, USA
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Re: Comparing Meade LX90 10 vs LX200 8
[Re: ScubaStarFish]
#2119546 - 01/14/08 11:57 AM
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The real question to ask is-------- do you intend to do any astro imaging ---- or mostly visual? If visual I would go for the 10 inch LX90----- if imaging I would get the LX200.
Just my 2 cents worth--- and welcome to CN! 
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Loc: NE Ohio
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Re: Comparing Meade LX90 10 vs LX200 8
[Re: Joe Lalumia]
#2119569 - 01/14/08 12:09 PM
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Quote:
The real question to ask is-------- do you intend to do any astro imaging ---- or mostly visual? If visual I would go for the 10 inch LX90----- if imaging I would get the LX200.
Just my 2 cents worth--- and welcome to CN!
I agree completely. The extra aperture will be significant for visual use, but for imaging the "R" optics will be better. The LX200 mount is more suitable also, having more precise tracking.
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Tombstone Sky
One-Eyed Jack
Reged: 12/18/06
Loc: Tombstone Arizona
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Re: Comparing Meade LX90 10 vs LX200 8
[Re: jrcrilly]
#2119596 - 01/14/08 12:21 PM
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I also concur with the above.
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ScubaStarFish
newbie
Reged: 01/11/08
Loc: Marietta, Georgia
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Re: Comparing Meade LX90 10 vs LX200 8
[Re: jrcrilly]
#2119599 - 01/14/08 12:22 PM
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Thanks for the input and the warm welcome.
I own a Nikon D70 digital SLR, and I have hopes of occasionally doing imaging, but I think for the most part, I am going to just be viewing.
Now I just have to get my fiancee interested so the $2700 price tag doesn't end our engagement.
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Tombstone Sky
One-Eyed Jack
Reged: 12/18/06
Loc: Tombstone Arizona
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Re: Comparing Meade LX90 10 vs LX200 8
[Re: ScubaStarFish]
#2119621 - 01/14/08 12:25 PM
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The best way to do that is to take your fiancee to a star party and see if you can't get her on board. If you can, you'll not only have a terrific scope, but an activity you can share.
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O.S.D.
sage
Reged: 07/13/07
Loc: somerset UK
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Re: Comparing Meade LX90 10 vs LX200 8
[Re: ScubaStarFish]
#2119855 - 01/14/08 02:06 PM
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Scuba buy as much gear as you can ( naglers etc ) Before!!!! you get married .
It gets much more difficult after. 
Dave.
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letimotif
No Complaints
Reged: 05/20/07
Loc: Actually, right here.
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Re: Comparing Meade LX90 10 vs LX200 8
[Re: O.S.D.]
#2120175 - 01/14/08 04:27 PM
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Hey SSF,
It appears that, according to our sponsoring web site Astronomics, inventory is very low on the LX90 10" SCT, and new production will not be available until sometime in the Spring of this year.
See:
http://www.astronomics.com/main/category.asp/catalog_name/Astronomics/category_name/DSME45G163HF8P58D31EEC3E01/Page/1
So, it's probably a good idea to move forward promptly.
Not even thinking about the relative merits/demerits of similar equipment, BUT do take a look at Celestron's CPC 1100 SCT. I think the two models are comparable, but one issue where I believe the CPC has an advantage is in its ergonomics. Both OTA units are quite heavy, but my direct experience is that the CPC's handgrips and weight distribution make it much easier to set up and take down. Just a thought if you are serious about plopping down $2,700 (CPC 1100 gives you maybe 15% - 20% more light grasp for an extra $100).
And, yes, I looked at both recently and opted for the CPC, so I have an obvious bias.
But, as Dave just wrote, for Heaven's sake, spend as much as you can on astro goodies before you tie the knot. It's so much easier to explain the before rather than the after. And this is from someone whose wife actually shares my hobby!
Edited by letimotif (01/14/08 04:36 PM)
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Joe Aguiar
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/10/07
Loc: Toront,Ontario
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Re: Comparing Meade LX90 10 vs LX200 8
[Re: letimotif]
#2120608 - 01/14/08 07:34 PM
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Yep I agree with all above I got the Meade 12" LX90 GPS & do mainlly 96% visual.
Joe
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ScubaStarFish
newbie
Reged: 01/11/08
Loc: Marietta, Georgia
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Re: Comparing Meade LX90 10 vs LX200 8
[Re: Joe Aguiar]
#2122151 - 01/15/08 01:03 PM
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Letimotif,
Thanks for the info! I had never even seen the CPC until now. I've been impressed with Meade equipment, and have had the ability to use and play with 2 Meade units to this point.
But this gets me thinking. I've done a side by side comparison of the two units and the Celestron unit is a notch above the Meade on every spec, and only $100 more. Focal length, lens size, magnification, magnitude, resolution, and even weight.
Have you used Meade before? The Autostar unit was very easy and intuitive. I can only assume the Nexstar is the same.
As for my timing... Well, not much I can do at this point but wait until spring anyway. I'm currently shelling out a bunch of money getting my house to sell, and until I get it sold and pay off some debt, I can't really afford the scope. We dont get married until the fall, so I have some time. I'm fact finding right now, and I hope to get my scope no later than late March (assuming my house sells).
--Rick
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Joe Aguiar
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/10/07
Loc: Toront,Ontario
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Re: Comparing Meade LX90 10 vs LX200 8
[Re: ScubaStarFish]
#2122867 - 01/15/08 06:17 PM
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Nestar controllers is much easier to use then the Autostar. I have both
Joe
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letimotif
No Complaints
Reged: 05/20/07
Loc: Actually, right here.
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Re: Comparing Meade LX90 10 vs LX200 8
[Re: ScubaStarFish]
#2123178 - 01/15/08 08:45 PM
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Have you used Meade before? The Autostar unit was very easy and intuitive. I can only assume the Nexstar is the same.
I had the opportunity to play with both before I made my purchase. I'm not a good reference for the controllers, though. I already had the same controller on my CG5, and have used it for quite a while. What sold me on the CPC was the fact that I'm going to have to be able to haul it around a good bit and I found it much easier to lift and transport. I'm not qualified to evaluate all the features and options one on one, but in the key area of optics, I think you'll find performance (allowing for the aperture differences) comparable.
I can certainly understand your attraction to the Meade because you've had the opportunity to work with someone who uses it. I'd suggest, since you have the time, attending if you can a local star party. I'd wager someone has a CPC in one of its three flavors so you can take a look and see which appeals to you more.
There are two fora here, one for each, you might do a bit of searching to get some sense of issues that come up with both units.
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