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Anonymous
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This 6" achro dwarfs my 90mm. I got it all set up last night without any trouble. The basic assembly instructions are fine, but the rest is a jumbled mess.
I figured it out though, and initialized it and trained the motors in the basement to become familiar with the hand controller. I did a two star alignment and pointed it at several objects just to make sure the motors were running OK and the gear sets were meshing correctly. I balanced it too, but the mount is somewhat stiff so it was hard to tell exactly where the balance point was.
I may end up disassembling the mount and cleaning the lube out of it and relubing with lithium grease.
So far, I'm quite pleased with the scope. However, I won't get it outside for several days to see how it does under the sky.
The only thing that has disappointed me so far is the dew shield. It was practically falling off the front of the OTA and is nothing but cheap plastic.
I'm going to be replacing it with an aluminum one from Astrozapper.
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie again
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 22470
Loc: NE Ohio
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Yes, they're big - and pretty, too. One trick to evaluate balance is to listen to the motors as it slews; it should sound the same both ways if balanced. The Meade LX's had an ammeter so motor current could be monitored moving both ways to check balance; an external ammeter would give the same info. Either replacing the stiff grease or just breaking it in will free it up enough to feel the balance better.
There are three items that are easily and cheaply replaced and each will make the unit better. The dew shield, as you note, is one. The cast dovetail plate can and should be replaced with an extruded one. The tripod legs should be replaced with something both longer and more stable. Hands On Optics used to sell a set of wood legs that would bolt right on but I heard from someone that they no longer have 'em; I'd suggest checking anyway (they have the dovetail plates for sure).
Looking forward to a good first light report. 
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John C
Urban Observatory
Tele Vue Pronto
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 152ED F/9 "APO"
152mm F/10 achromat
Tak CN-212 8" F/12 classical Cass/ F/4 Newt
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
LXD750, EM-200, CI-700
ST-10XME
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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The motors pretty much sound the same while it's slewing, so I guess the balance is near where it should be.
I did notice that when using it the first time that the manual doesn't say that the RA and Dec. locks have to be snugged. I didn't think it would turn at all with the locks engaged, so I left them loose and couldn't figure out at first why it wasn't slewing correctly.
The manual really needs some work.
Dampening time runs about 4-5 seconds after a gentle bump on the tube. I can live with it for now, but I know an internet source that offers replacement oak legs that are about a foot taller and much sturdier.
http://www.alsastro.com/meade_lxd55.htm
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie again
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 22470
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
The manual really needs some work.
Dampening time runs about 4-5 seconds after a gentle bump on the tube. I can live with it for now, but I know an internet source that offers replacement oak legs that are about a foot taller and much sturdier.
Yes, the manual is light in some important areas. You will find that the damping time is much reduced with the upgraded legs and the increased length will help keep the eyepiece (and you) off the ground.
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John C
Urban Observatory
Tele Vue Pronto
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 152ED F/9 "APO"
152mm F/10 achromat
Tak CN-212 8" F/12 classical Cass/ F/4 Newt
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
LXD750, EM-200, CI-700
ST-10XME
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Hello all,
Ive been haunting this forum for some time now and decided to join in today finally as I also just received a new Meade LXD55 6" achro myself, and after using it I have to say for the price its got a lot of bang. One thing I feel thats necssary right away tho was anti vibration pads, I tried it several nites stock and then added the tripod pads and it was like a whole new EQ! Anyway, im just blubbering while waiting on my binoviewer to showup and just wanted to say hi all and that this forum is clean, informational, and very enjoyable, as well as slightly amusing as well at times thankfully! Dave
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Congratulations! I'm still waiting to find out just how nice of a scope it is.
I've had mine a week as of today and still have not been able to get it out.
I have many things in mind for this scope to improve it. The first thing that I've done is replaced the dew shield with one made from 8" Sonotube. The fit is perfect on the lens cell with an added strip of felt on the stock strips at each of the 120 degree points.
Of course it needs to be properly finished inside and out, but a 12" dew shield is much better than the 6" that it comes with. I had started with a 15" plastic tube, but that didn't pan out as I had hoped and felt it was too long.
Here is a link to a leg man, or rather a man who makes LXD55 tripod legs. They're taller and sturdier than the stock legs and from what I've read, well worth the money. That is my next purchase soon.
http://www.alsastro.com/meade_lxd55.htm
Good luck with your new scope and give us a first light report.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Hi Schultze!
Ive done some preliminary testing of visual back diagionals on both the Meade 6" achro and a Celestron 8" Schmidt-cass since I wanted a honest review of the plastic diagional that comes with the Meade 6"er and using 2 totally different scopes would give a much more fair comparison. The ones I used as a test bed were the: Plastic stock one that comes W the scope.I just knew I wouldnt like it!
A new Televue diagional
A new all metal Celestron diagional
I used my favorite eyepiece for the tests, a 9mm Televue Nagler. The plastic visual that came with the 6" Meade gave the poorest views period, its now a paperweight........
The Metal mirror diagional from Celestron gave the Televue a decent run and is a decent deepsky visual back but the Televue gave the sharpest and brightest views of everything. I imagine the new TelevueEverbrites are really crisp and bright next to the plastic stock Meade but at a rediculess price of course. Just thought you and anyone else reading might be wondering about the visual that comes with the Meades now you know. Im also going to do an indepth test of my binoviewer when it arrives, its the Celestron model since it is the only one that dosent require a barlow in a refractor and the angled head is actually what this refractor owner needs. I dont want to place a visual diagional between it and the scope myself. Ill post when Ive tested several eyepiece sets if anyone is interested, pray for clear, calm, skys! Dave
PS- Id be interested in knowing how your 6" star tests on a calm nite. Im happy to say mine was about as concentric and collimated (PHEW, I was worried about that as well as pinched optics)as I could ask for in a Achro. I hope you are as lucky as Meades sometimes need a lil fudging now and then and UPS dosent exactly handle em like nitro either, mine arrived really damaged bad ie: broken DEC drive, cracked dewshield, and bent clamshell OTA mount! Unbelievably the scope itself was ok..........they are TOUGH! Anyway Meade has been more than gracious so I have no gripes but UPS well im still waiting for my check! I hope you have better luck than I did. Dave
Edited by asstroman (06/14/03 03:15 PM)
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I'm holding out for a Williams diagonal after I purchase the eyepiece deal that Meade is offering. I have nothing to compare the stock Meade diagonal to, so I really don't know what I'm missing.
Mine arrived in new condition with no damage. The tissue wrap that they use on the tube was stuck in places around the outer part of the cell holder. Tried lighter fluid to remove it, but it's pretty subborn stuff. I may have to try acetone in a small spot.
I made a new dew shield for mine and saved $80 bucks. 8" Sonotube fits perfectly with the addition of three strips of felt hot glued at the 120 degree points on the stock fingers of the lens cell. Properly finished, it looks great for spending $10 bucks for felt, paint and polyurathane spray varnish and was well worth the effort.
First light report follows in another post.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Hmmm, ive heard a lot of folks talking about the short dewshield lately.I believe its more a looks thing than a real prob. Ive had my scope out several very humid nites here for hrs. and the mainlens never contracted dew at least not yet, so im waiting till it does to do anything about it. Yes your right, its no APO (add champaigne taste here but with beer pocketbook) but add a Violet blocker filter and with the large aperature you wont notice much dimming and the halos will just about disappear. I agree for the money these Chinese made refractors are a fantastic bargan for the average person interested in "just viewing" the heavens. My only recamendation is dampning pads, V-block filter, and a better diagional, you will be surprised the difference a good dia. will be over the plastic one, on planetary and especially deep sky faint objects. Ive got the Meade $99 dollar series 4000 plossl set and your going to like them a LOT! Another great must purchase deal.One thing you dont hear fellas talking about much is viewing chairs I just recently bought one and frankly its the best astronomy investment ive made in the last 10yrs!!!!!!!!
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