Surprised no one has posted this yet. Saw this mentioned on the Yahoo Groups: LX850.
You can start speculating - New LX850 Announced
Started by
EFT
, Jan 10 2013 10:41 AM
91 replies to this topic
#1
EFT
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topic starter
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Vendor - Deep Space Products
Posted 10 January 2013 - 10:41 AM
#2
Gargoyle
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Messenger
Posted 10 January 2013 - 10:50 AM
Hhhmmm..... Lotsa stuff happening!
#3
Thomas Karpf
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Vanguard
Posted 10 January 2013 - 11:07 AM
Yawn. Is there some way to actually read those ads?
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
#4
mclewis1
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Posted 10 January 2013 - 12:47 PM
Wow, a complete re launch under a different model number ... that's a bold move.
I'm surprised this wasn't done for the LX80 first, that to me was much more of a launch disaster. The LX800's original issues didn't appear to be caused by a failure of the core product, rather more of the add on capabilities (although the raw PE numbers did seem a bit high for this class of mount). So I thought they would upgrade the autoguide/auto align hardware and software and carry on since the core product appeared sound.
I'm surprised this wasn't done for the LX80 first, that to me was much more of a launch disaster. The LX800's original issues didn't appear to be caused by a failure of the core product, rather more of the add on capabilities (although the raw PE numbers did seem a bit high for this class of mount). So I thought they would upgrade the autoguide/auto align hardware and software and carry on since the core product appeared sound.
#5
ur7x
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Posted 10 January 2013 - 02:14 PM
Interesting news... but it generates way more questions than answers...
What does that mean for all of the customers who (for about 6 months now) have been waiting for a "fixed" 800? Are they going to be replaced with a "new" 850?
How long before the LX80 becomes the LX85? And what happens to those unfortunate owners?
What about the long delayed LX600? Is that now going to be a 650?
And why the odd way of announcing this? There is little to no news about this a Meade.com? The next 10-Q form is due in the next couple of days... Interesting timing.
What does that mean for all of the customers who (for about 6 months now) have been waiting for a "fixed" 800? Are they going to be replaced with a "new" 850?
How long before the LX80 becomes the LX85? And what happens to those unfortunate owners?
What about the long delayed LX600? Is that now going to be a 650?
And why the odd way of announcing this? There is little to no news about this a Meade.com? The next 10-Q form is due in the next couple of days... Interesting timing.
#6
Griffin!
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Mariner 2
Posted 10 January 2013 - 02:24 PM
This looks more like an over zealous dealer posting before Meade was ready for a public announcement. I guess we'll see what happens.
EDIT:
Well, it looks like some more info has been posted:
http://www.cloudynig...5615608/page...
EDIT:
Well, it looks like some more info has been posted:
http://www.cloudynig...5615608/page...
#7
EFT
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Posted 10 January 2013 - 03:03 PM
Supposedly, it will be in the next issue of S&T which means that the ad was purchased several months ago.
#8
belgrade
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Posted 10 January 2013 - 03:21 PM
"Existing backorders will be converted to the new items." So, yes, whoever preordered (and paid, of course) for the LX800 should be getting LX850. This cannot be read differently - or they should fire their lawyers.
#9
Geo.
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Posted 10 January 2013 - 03:28 PM
Well, unless someone injects money into Meade or they had a great Christmas this can't go on for long. The burn rate is just too high. Lost almost $1.5 million last FY. Under a million in credit and less than a million in cash.
The move to sell OTAs again probably reflects a need to raise cash as the buyers aren't there for the new mounts once the back orders are filled.
I find it interesting that Meade claims the advanced user products are more profitable than the department store stuff due to the high return rate.
The move to sell OTAs again probably reflects a need to raise cash as the buyers aren't there for the new mounts once the back orders are filled.
I find it interesting that Meade claims the advanced user products are more profitable than the department store stuff due to the high return rate.
#10
bilgebay
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Fly Me to the Moon
Posted 10 January 2013 - 03:40 PM
I don't think I will ever trust that company and buy any mounts from them.
#11
Orionis91
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Mariner 2
Posted 10 January 2013 - 04:06 PM
Hope this one works for Meade, I don't think anyone should throw in the towel for this one, who KNOWS whats going to happen. 
#12
Jared
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Cosmos
Posted 10 January 2013 - 04:38 PM
I hope so, too. Meade just cancelled their prior factoring agreement and setup a new one. They immediately sold all their eligible receivables--$1.6M in total. I hope they aren't completely out of cash.
#13
Lane
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Soyuz
Posted 10 January 2013 - 04:41 PM
I waited and waited for an LX80, but the reports from those who got them were to discouraging, so I bought a TREX instead. I don't even waste time looking at their adds any more.
I feel sorry for Meade, I really wanted them to succeed. My brother is still using the LX200 8" I gave him in 2009, bought back when the LX200 first came out so its very old and not a single problem ever. Why can't they build them like that now?
I feel sorry for Meade, I really wanted them to succeed. My brother is still using the LX200 8" I gave him in 2009, bought back when the LX200 first came out so its very old and not a single problem ever. Why can't they build them like that now?
#14
ur7x
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Posted 11 January 2013 - 05:25 PM
"Existing backorders will be converted to the new items." So, yes, whoever preordered (and paid, of course) for the LX800 should be getting LX850. This cannot be read differently - or they should fire their lawyers.
A pre-order is completely different then someone with a completed order that was subsequently recalled.
The note says nothing to people with 6 month old LX800's at Meade waiting to be repaired. Those are NOT "pre-orders"... those are completed orders.
It was nicely "lawyered" in my opinion. The recalled, are still in no-man's land as per that announcement.
#15
Starhawk
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Space Ranger
Posted 11 January 2013 - 05:35 PM
I'm wondering if the LX800s will be converted to LX850s and reissued. I can't imaging Meade would chuck that much hardware. I'm very interested in learning what they tell existing owners who had their mounts recalled.
I'm also interested in what they give as the tracking specs, now. When Jason was still talking to us, he was giving about 16 seconds peak to peak and 5-6 guided. Of course, if they shift the price point away from the Mach 1 GTO's, this would be less of a big deal.
-Rich
I'm also interested in what they give as the tracking specs, now. When Jason was still talking to us, he was giving about 16 seconds peak to peak and 5-6 guided. Of course, if they shift the price point away from the Mach 1 GTO's, this would be less of a big deal.
-Rich
#16
ur7x
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Posted 11 January 2013 - 05:45 PM
By Wednesday we should see last quarter's Form 10-Q. (It is normally released between Jan 13 and 17.) In that legal document we will see how likely any of this is to happen.
There are almost always better percentage margins with high end equipment over Costco "toys" But chasing after the big bucks at the expense of the volume sellers is not without risk, especially when the high-end "money makers" are all in "indefinite" recall purgatory.
There are almost always better percentage margins with high end equipment over Costco "toys" But chasing after the big bucks at the expense of the volume sellers is not without risk, especially when the high-end "money makers" are all in "indefinite" recall purgatory.
#17
Whichwayisnorth
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Gemini
Posted 11 January 2013 - 05:56 PM
Only 15 posts so far? I expected at least 15 pages by now.
Just dropped in to check my PM's and saw this post. Just an FYI, Meade was supposed to announce them on the 15th but it looks like the cat is out of the bag.
I happen to have one that I got on the 4th and have been doing a little last minute testing. I am trying to find bugs that need to be addressed before it starts shipping back out.
I am heading out this weekend to some dark skies and put it through its paces.
Praying for great weather.
Just dropped in to check my PM's and saw this post. Just an FYI, Meade was supposed to announce them on the 15th but it looks like the cat is out of the bag.
I happen to have one that I got on the 4th and have been doing a little last minute testing. I am trying to find bugs that need to be addressed before it starts shipping back out.
I am heading out this weekend to some dark skies and put it through its paces.
Praying for great weather.
#18
Jared
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Cosmos
Posted 11 January 2013 - 06:33 PM
Can't wait to hear your results, Michael!
#19
Griffin!
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Mariner 2
Posted 11 January 2013 - 07:37 PM
After talking with someone more in-the-know than me, it sounds like all recall owners will be getting the LX850.
#20
belgrade
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Posted 11 January 2013 - 08:54 PM
They don't have any LX800 units with no issues to ship. The ones which are (supposedly) issue free will be labeled LX850 and sent as replacements/order fillers. It's not only the right thing to do but also the only one they can do. I guess they don't expect to go bust - yet. Sarcasm aside, I truly wish Meade well.
#21
n2dpsky
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Posted 11 January 2013 - 11:47 PM
Cool. Thanks for the update, Griffin.
#22
Starhawk
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Space Ranger
Posted 12 January 2013 - 12:25 AM
Seriously- make it do it all so there aren't surprises when they ship.
Good hunting,
-Rich
Good hunting,
-Rich
#23
Hilmi
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Posted 12 January 2013 - 01:08 AM
Best of luck I'm glad you got a replacement for your mount, and I am 100% confident that this round of Beta testing will be far more thorough.
I'm glad you got a replacement for your mount, and I am 100% confident that this round of Beta testing will be far more thorough.
#24
sphelps
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Explorer 1
Posted 12 January 2013 - 01:27 AM
Michael,
I hope you will be posting some videos of your results. I will be buying a 12" version of the LX850 based on it's performance and from what I have read, it should be impressive. I wish you clear skies.
I hope you will be posting some videos of your results. I will be buying a 12" version of the LX850 based on it's performance and from what I have read, it should be impressive. I wish you clear skies.
#25
mmalik
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DSLR camera modifications
Posted 12 January 2013 - 04:11 AM
Let another year of (just) glittery ads begin...
Pun aside, for once I would like Meade to release a product first and advertise later. Was a big advocate of LX800 when it was first announced; now it sends a chill down my spine.
Pun aside, for once I would like Meade to release a product first and advertise later. Was a big advocate of LX800 when it was first announced; now it sends a chill down my spine.
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