Telescope Reviews: Re: What To Look For In a MEADE 12LX200 ExpertsNe

If you want to be über-thorough, inspect the bottom of the base for dents around the mounting hole. Then remove the bottom plate and inspect for swollen capacitors. Check the electrical connections for the declination cord, both on the front of the arm where you connect the cord to the front panel, and on the inside of the arm where the cord goes up to the dec motor assy. Pull the cover off the dec housing and inspect the worm and worm gear for debris, gunk, etc. Power up the scope and, using the keypad, rotate the RA 360° and the dec 180° while listening for ugly sounds. (Well, uglier than usual.) Grasp the secondary housing on the front of the corrector and try moving it. The housing shouldn't move in the corrector, and the corrector shouldn't move in the tube. If the scope doesn't already have a set of Bob's Knobs installed, look closely for scratches on the corrector where a screwdriver or allen wrench may have slipped. Run the focuser through its range of motion while feeling for binding and excessive backlash. Remove everything from the rear of the scope--eyepiece holder/visual back and rear cell. Nothing should be binding up there either. If you don't already know how, have the seller demonstrate a two-star alt-az alignment.

Enjoy your Classic--I love mine!

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ST80 • AT80EDT/LXD650
ETX-90/DS-2000 • 10" LX200 Classic ("The Quarter-Meter Telescope at the Heritage Park Observatory")
SPC900NC • DMK21AF04 • Digital Rebel XT

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