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What kind of mount does AP have for $799 ?

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No doubt! I was happy with my LXD-650 and 127 ED APO from Meade for visual, really quite happy with it.
I like my GM-8 too, nice lighter and smaller mount for my NP-101.
Heck, as long as it works when it comes out of the box and continues to work for many years, it is fine. But having issues right out of the box and then continious problems for months, well not so good.
Yes, the LX-80 will be the mount that will make them money compared to the LX-800. But this is not trying to compete with the higher end mount like the LX-800 is doing and this is where I was making the distiction.
Blueman

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All true. However, many, many mounts work fine and don't cost 7k - 10k either, and most of us are happy with a Toyota that takes us where we want/need to go even if we occasionally think a BMW might be cool.

The most important thing Meade can do for its general health, more important by far than getting the LX800 working (though certainly I want its owners to be happy and satisfied), is to make sure the LX80 works well--within the bounds of what us hoi polloi need if not necessarily want, natch.

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Should we ask why problems related to the mechanicals were not found by the beta testers? Was it because the firmware issues prevented the beta testers from actually being able to test the hardware bits? I ask this because it appears that only after the firmware issues were resolved did it become apparent to Meade that they needed to make some physical mods to the mount.

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Should we ask why problems related to the mechanicals were not found by the beta testers? Was it because the firmware issues prevented the beta testers from actually being able to test the hardware bits? I ask this because it appears that only after the firmware issues were resolved did it become apparent to Meade that they needed to make some physical mods to the mount.

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Their beta testers, in my opinion, were not experienced beta testers. They were just folks that knew the right people. You need beta testers that tell it like it is. Testers that spend a lot of time taking notes and running tests. Testers that don't just say "yah it works good" but actually identify problems and help develop and test solutions. Since the beta testers are under a NDA they can't tell us who they are so we don't know what kind of experience they have or what methods they used to test.

Also from what I understand the initial problem was the Starlock that had some sort of initialization process changed between the time it was done testing and into production and the time it was shipping. I think if the LX800 had shipped with a working Starlock most of the complaints wouldn't have been made public until much later.

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There is a ton of truth right there... And the damage that kool-aid drinking so called "fans" can cause... If no one will point out that the emperor has no cloths then a huge embarrassment it just around the corner.

My Boss used to love to tell this story about his son when he was a Beta tester for an unnamed hardware/software company... One day the top brass came down to see how their last product offering was going. The Head Tester told them it was wonderful, several senior testers, gave huge approving nods. The Boss's kid looked at the ground. They called him out, asked him what he thought... And he spoke truth to power, it was *BLEEP*, a disaster in the making, needed to be rethought, and re-engineered from the ground up. He then proceeded to show them all of the problems that he had found.

The executives circled. Had an intense conversation; kept pointing at the junior tester; called over the Head Tester; and then left. The Boss's son when over to the Head Tester and said, "I guess I'll pack up my things". The Head Tester said no, We are all fired, they just gave you my job, told me to tell you to hire a new test team with people who are not afraid to say it like it is.

I think we need a little more of that kind of story coming from Meade.

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Should we ask why problems related to the mechanicals were not found by the beta testers? Was it because the firmware issues prevented the beta testers from actually being able to test the hardware bits? I ask this because it appears that only after the firmware issues were resolved did it become apparent to Meade that they needed to make some physical mods to the mount.

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Who knows? None of us were there AFAIK. Rather than the beta testers not "noticing" the mount did not work, it's far more likely a last minute change broke it after the testing phase was complete. Something that happens with some regularity everywhere with everybody.

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Who knows? None of us were there AFAIK. Rather than the beta testers not "noticing" the mount did not work, it's far more likely a last minute change broke it after the testing phase was complete. Something that happens with some regularity everywhere with everybody.

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We are all fired, they just gave you my job, told me to tell you to hire a new test team with people who are not afraid to say it like it is.

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I have a lot more patience and understanding for the people trying to create something than I do for those whose only contribution is criticism and bellyaching.

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I have a lot more patience and understanding for the people trying to create something than I do for those whose only contribution is criticism and bellyaching.

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No one is bellyaching, all we are saying it is time for Meade to wake up and figure out what is wrong with their QC processes and off shore manufacturing management...

Did we not see similar issues with the LXD 55? The 75? The LX200? (*hint* this forum is littered with posts (and reviews) about known and common issues with all of these mounts) And now the 80 and 800?

I will give anyone the benefit of the doubt if they drop the ball once or even twice. But there is a certain point where "patience" only causes damage and further pain.

People where patient with GM too, right up till they ended up in-front of a Federal BK Judge. People who learn nothing from history are doomed to repeat it.

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It is hard to understand if you have never been part of a large team developing a complex hardware/software product with off shore manufacturing.

Even within the manufacturing facility, if they are fabbing the boards, loading firmware, QCing the individual components, etc. its possible for things to happen that you don't expect.

A bad or even marginal batch of caps or resisters is often enough to cause intermittant failures that don't show up until they get to the field.

You really have to work in that environment to have a full appreciation of all that can go wrong.

Even the space shuttle, arguably the most QC'd device ever produced by man, had issues resulting in not only delayed launches, but disasters.

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You all talk like the next release of product or updated firmware is going to correct all of these issues. It won't. They are systemic. Big changes are required.... IMO, if you don't see BIG changes in the HOW things are done, don't expect BIG changes in the output.

Joe

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Maybe, maybe not. The ACF (nee LX200 GPS) scopes are pretty reliable and functional.

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What kind of mount does AP have for $799 ?

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The lx80 is $999 now anyway.

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My LX80 pre-order is at the original $799 price and the lowest priced AP mount (MACH1GTO) is $6,350 plus $750 for wood tripod , $115 for 9 lb counter weight and it also needs a mounting plate or dovetail.

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What kind of mount does AP have for $799 ?

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The lx80 is $999 now anyway.

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My LX80 pre-order is at the original $799 price and the lowest priced AP mount (MACH1GTO) is $6,350 plus $750 for wood tripod , $115 for 9 lb counter weight and it also needs a mounting plate or dovetail.

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