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EliasR
newbie
Reged: 10/31/09
Posts: 2
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So this might sound a bit stupid but I bought my first telescope (I've only owned binoculars before) and I there was a guy willing to sell his used Meade Lx200 GPS 10" at a pretty good price since he had moved to another country and couldn't take it with him. So when I was using the telescope for the fourth time I realized when I got to the place where I keep the telescope that the threaded rod fell down and that the c clip was lost. I have no idea where it could have gone. I know there should be another one but I can't seem to find it either.
So I wanted to ask is the c clip necessary and can I use the tripod with out finding something to replace it. I would have just tried it out but I don't keep my telescope where I live. I know that the rod will fall out if there isn't a c-clip but is it actually vital to a stability of the telescope or something like that.
Thanks.
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NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 12712
Loc: Rockford Illinois
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Only a convenience, not required. But if you want to replace it, go to your local hardware store and get one. 
--------------------
Neo... (Jeff)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
 Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
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EliasR
newbie
Reged: 10/31/09
Posts: 2
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Quote:
Only a convenience, not required. But if you want to replace it, go to your local hardware store and get one.
Ok thanks a lot, I went to my local harware store, but I could find one that would fit, it might be a metric system thing.
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MarkLX90
member
Reged: 04/07/09
Posts: 57
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You can get them a www.scopestuff.com
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Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3598
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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OR-- most Ace hardware stores have a LARGE selection of nuts bolts and C clips. Mine bent, and I replaced it with one from an Ace Hardware store. I would bet a Home Depot or Lowes would also have them.
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LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, SV 80/9D & M4 mount, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, 20x80 binoculars, SV-BV3s-- www.texasastro.org
"Great minds discuss ideas;Average minds discuss events;Small minds discuss people." Unknown
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MarkLX90
member
Reged: 04/07/09
Posts: 57
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I don't miss that mounting system with those clips, my lxd75 mount had those, I replaced them 2-3 times..
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GaryHeath
super member
Reged: 08/13/09
Posts: 118
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I've added a coil spring that goes around the tripod/spreader bolt, placed under the clips of my non-16" LX200 tripods, so the rod springs up above the top of the tripod head.
Then when I set the base on the tripod I can slide it around until I hear the bolt pop up into the hole.
Makes it easy to center the base on the tripod when it automatically finds the hole for me.
I got the coil springs at the hardware store and cut it down until it was short enough to allow the tip of the bolt go just slightly below the top of the tripod head (so the bolt can't damage the underside of the base) but still long enough to make the bolt spring up above it to find the hole as I slightly slide the base about on the tripod.
But ..... if I wasn't doing this, I would remove the clip to be able to better package up the tripod and spreader (separately) for transport ... 'especially' with the Giant Field Tripod.
Best regards,
Gary
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For equipment see: My Gallery
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Joseph Gillman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/06/05
Posts: 2767
Loc: Aston, PA
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Not unless they've changed very reCently it is not metric. It is a half inch bolt, 1/2"-13 to be precise, but the C clip itself is a little smaller since it sits on an indentation in the bolt.
You can likely score 3 for a dollar or so at lowes or ace hardware. look on the hard ware bins where specialty stuff comes in little bags. Possibly home depot too.
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GaryHeath
super member
Reged: 08/13/09
Posts: 118
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One other point ..... if ordering a replacement make sure to order an 'E' clip, not a 'C' clip, as the stock clip really is an E clip (not a C clip).
The E clip provides more of a 'washer effect' than a C clip would, and will stay out of the spreader rod channel of the tripod head much better than a C clip might, and if you do the spring mod I outlined above, the stock type of E clip will be needed.
Best regards,
Gary
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For equipment see: My Gallery
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NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 12712
Loc: Rockford Illinois
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If you do the Springy-thingy mod at my website (signature), then the clip is NOT needed at all...
--------------------
Neo... (Jeff)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
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GeorgeDuke
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/24/03
Posts: 1585
Loc: PARADISE! (So.Florida)
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Actually as Jeff pointed out, the SpringThing mod is a huge help and does away with the clip.
Here is my mod which cost about $5 for parts from Home Depot.
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George
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SkyShed POD XL-3
LX200GPS 203mm f10
StellarVue SV102ED2 Feathertouch Ser#0018
LXD75 GOTO with Orion 16" pier extension
Baader Hyperion 8mm ,13mm, 21mm + FTRs
2" GSO ED barlow, 2" SV Dielectric and Orion Prism Diagonals
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WOBentley
member
Reged: 09/16/09
Posts: 52
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I got an e clip from a local hardware store, but I also got a replacement from Meade recently (about a year ago) so if you really wnat one and can't find one locally, call Meade...
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