Telescope Reviews: Is anyone happy with their LX80?

· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt

· Submit a Review / Article

Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums

Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User

You are not logged in. [Login]

Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online
FAQ · Calendar

Equipment Discussions >> Mounts

Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | (show all)

neilson
sage

Reged: 08/22/10

Loc: outside Pleasanton, Texas

Re: Is anyone happy with their LX80? new

[Re: johnpd]
#5420684 - 09/14/12 10:10 AM

Hi everyone,
It looks like skywatcher got it right. But there's no way I would pay $2,606. for it. Max payload 44lbs depending on using and demand. That means visual not AP. For that kind of money it should have a better tripod. Otherwise it looks well built not seeing one in person. It even has a polar alignment scope, But I still liked my LX80 for the money
neilson

Post Extras:

Lee Jay
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 02/27/08

Loc: Westminster, CO

Re: Is anyone happy with their LX80? new

[Re: neilson]
#5420699 - 09/14/12 10:20 AM

Quote:

Hi everyone,
It looks like skywatcher got it right. But there's no way I would pay $2,606. for it.

?????

"Price not fixed yet , but should be below US $ 2,000...next week we will know it"

Post Extras:

TFiebig
member

Reged: 07/29/09

Loc: Gamma Quadrant, Sector 4

Re: Is anyone happy with their LX80? new

[Re: Lee Jay]
#5420703 - 09/14/12 10:25 AM

Based on the contents of this thread, I have also cancelled my pre-order at the $799 price.

Post Extras:

Starhawk
Post Laureate

Reged: 09/16/08

Loc: Tucson, Arizona

Re: Is anyone happy with their LX80? new

[Re: TFiebig]
#5420713 - 09/14/12 10:38 AM

There are some pretty decent mounts to be had for $800-$1000.

-Rich

Post Extras:

ur7x
super member

Reged: 01/08/12

Re: Is anyone happy with their LX80? new

[Re: David Pavlich]
#5420789 - 09/14/12 11:44 AM

Technically that is only half right...

This thread is only supposed to be about happy LX80 customers (skipping the "or not" part). In an attempt to discover some silent majority that might have been reluctant to post in the "other" thread.

The OP was only looking for ONLY positive reviews, negative reviews were encouraged to post in the "tracking problem" thread.

Warp 6.5 and holding Captain!

Post Extras:

Mkofski
professor emeritus

Reged: 07/19/11

Loc: Greenfield, Indiana, USA

Re: Is anyone happy with their LX80? new

[Re: ur7x]
#5420811 - 09/14/12 12:04 PM

Aye Scotty.

Post Extras:

brokenwave
super member

Reged: 05/10/11

Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

Re: Is anyone happy with their LX80? new

[Re: Mkofski]
#5420846 - 09/14/12 12:25 PM

A 80 car derailment this thread has become, oh 81 with mine.

I managed to use the LX80 last night with 2 scopes mounted on it. ES127 APO and a ES102 APO total weight pushing 35-38 lbs. and found what others have found, RA slop becomes very apparent. Sad because I was pretty happy with it. I guess adding 20lbs has really made the iffy gear and spring design look that much worse.
Meade really needs to revisit the design and lower the weight spec's they are advertising.
But it did look pretty awesome with those big tubes looking at you.

Post Extras:

Mkofski
professor emeritus

Reged: 07/19/11

Loc: Greenfield, Indiana, USA

Re: Is anyone happy with their LX80? [Re: brokenwave]
#5421018 - 09/14/12 02:01 PM Attachment (19 downloads)

Just received my mount and have a 80mm f/7 refractor and a 180mm MAK on it. Total weight must be a bit less than 30 pounds. I hope to see what it works like in ALtAz tonight. As soon as I get all the pieces together I'll run some test on the tracking, etc. in Polar mode.

On the bright side, maybe no one will ever need a second counterweight!

Edited by Mkofski (09/14/12 02:02 PM)

Post Extras:

neilson
sage

Reged: 08/22/10

Loc: outside Pleasanton, Texas

Re: Is anyone happy with their LX80? new

[Re: Mkofski]
#5421049 - 09/14/12 02:20 PM

Hi Mike,
You already got it. Great,that was fast. Looks good. Did you try and wiggle it in RA with your ota's mounted yet to see how much it moves back and forth. I am curious to see if Meade has tightened it up yet. Its going to move some, Its just a matter how fast it settles down. I see you got wheels for it. Hope your results are good. As for me, all the clouds rushed over to my house and we got 3.11 inches of rain since UPS dropped my mount off yesterday. But I had fun slewing it in my shop.
neilson

Post Extras:

Mkofski
professor emeritus

Reged: 07/19/11

Loc: Greenfield, Indiana, USA

Re: Is anyone happy with their LX80? new

[Re: neilson]
#5421084 - 09/14/12 02:58 PM

Neilson,

Yes, I have some wheels... With the CG5 I can carry it loaded with 2 counterweights and the 180mm Mak.. Not happening with this one. I can wheel it from my shop to the garage door and then I'll have to move it in parts.

There is some play in RA. Not a lot (yet) and it settles down quickly. I'll be able to tell more after dark as far as how it settles down.

The fit and finish looks good - not great but about what I expected from a mount in this class.

As soon as I have the software and cables and understand what I'm doing, I'll do some Polar test. I'm going to start with the 80mm refractor. I have a 100mm Orion refractor due in next Tuesday that I'll test second then the Mak. I guess I'll be done with the test if the mount fails with the 80mm. Guess we'll see...

Post Extras:

TALK2KEV
sage

Reged: 03/08/06

Loc: Oklahoma

Re: Is anyone happy with their LX80? new

[Re: Mkofski]
#5421214 - 09/14/12 04:16 PM

good luck mike

Post Extras:

Mkofski
professor emeritus

Reged: 07/19/11

Loc: Greenfield, Indiana, USA

Re: Is anyone happy with their LX80? new

[Re: TALK2KEV]
#5421237 - 09/14/12 04:30 PM

Thanks Kevin

Post Extras:

brokenwave
super member

Reged: 05/10/11

Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

Re: Is anyone happy with their LX80? new

[Re: TALK2KEV]
#5421244 - 09/14/12 04:36 PM

Good luck with that, it's a nice set-up.
When you mount a couple of longer refrators the RA slop will increase substantually because of the leverage the refrators and added weight add. I found going from a 90mm 18" long tube to a 102mm 32" tube made the vibration settle time go from 1/2 sec to 1 sec. I still need to make sure everything is as tight as it needs to be. My rock solid mount went to less than rock solid.
It is still a joy to use. Have fun with it.

Post Extras:

exparrot
member

Reged: 02/13/12

Loc: DFW, TX

Re: Is anyone happy with their LX80? new

[Re: Mkofski]
#5421473 - 09/14/12 07:45 PM

Congrats, Mike

Nice looking setup. Good luck with your testing!

Say, what's that pouch on the tripod leg? Is that to hold the HBX?

Jerry

Post Extras:

Mkofski
professor emeritus

Reged: 07/19/11

Loc: Greenfield, Indiana, USA

Re: Is anyone happy with their LX80? new

[Re: exparrot]
#5421483 - 09/14/12 07:54 PM

Quote:

Congrats, Mike

Nice looking setup. Good luck with your testing!

Say, what's that pouch on the tripod leg? Is that to hold the HBX?

Jerry

Thanks Jerry. Yes the pouch came on a used tripod I purchased last year. Attaches with Velcro and makes a fairly good holder for the HBX. Now all I have to do is learn how to use the HBX when it's not in the pouch.

Post Extras:

Mkofski
professor emeritus

Reged: 07/19/11

Loc: Greenfield, Indiana, USA

Re: Is anyone happy with their LX80? new

[Re: brokenwave]
#5421498 - 09/14/12 08:00 PM

Quote:

Good luck with that, it's a nice set-up.
When you mount a couple of longer refrators the RA slop will increase substantually because of the leverage the refrators and added weight add. I found going from a 90mm 18" long tube to a 102mm 32" tube made the vibration settle time go from 1/2 sec to 1 sec. I still need to make sure everything is as tight as it needs to be. My rock solid mount went to less than rock solid.
It is still a joy to use. Have fun with it.

Thanks... I'm starting out in Polar mode with the little 80mm. If the weather cooperates I should have some test done within the next week. I'm self employed so I think the boss is going to give me a few days off next week.

Post Extras:

shadowpdiggity
member

Reged: 07/23/12

Loc: new haven, indiana

Re: Is anyone happy with their LX80? new

[Re: Starhawk]
#5421507 - 09/14/12 08:07 PM

i have had mine since June and have a 8"sc attached. I found it to be a good scope for the most part. I did have a problem with the audiostart controller and had to return it to meade. Havent gotten it back yet and they have had it since August 28th. Until I get it back I,m down for the count. If the controller comes back soon I can respond better.

Post Extras:

Mkofski
professor emeritus

Reged: 07/19/11

Loc: Greenfield, Indiana, USA

Re: Is anyone happy with their LX80? new

[Re: shadowpdiggity]
#5421727 - 09/14/12 11:03 PM

Wow... Down for over 2 weeks for a hand control. I would think they should have them in stock.

Post Extras:

Stew57
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 05/03/09

Loc: Silsbee Texas

Re: Is anyone happy with their LX80? new

[Re: Mkofski]
#5422115 - 09/15/12 10:27 AM

Question from the original post, will fire and brimstone rain down and destroy Meade if 10 "rightous" users are not found?

Post Extras:

Mkofski
professor emeritus

Reged: 07/19/11

Loc: Greenfield, Indiana, USA

Re: Is anyone happy with their LX80? new

[Re: Stew57]
#5422131 - 09/15/12 10:40 AM

Quote:

Question from the original post, will fire and brimstone rain down and destroy Meade if 10 "rightous" users are not found?

Mark,

The world will survive!

Post Extras:

Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | (show all)

Extra information

22 registered and 18 anonymous users are browsing this forum.

Moderator: Bowmoreman, bilgebay, iceblaze

Print Thread

Forum Permissions
      You cannot start new topics
      You cannot reply to topics
      HTML is disabled
      UBBCode is enabled

Thread views: 5467

Jump to

CN Forums

Home

Cloudy Nights LLC
Cloudy Nights Sponsor: Astronomics