The fix that Ozzie suggested for my 10" LX200 helped but didn't really
resolve my problem which includes the "jitters" in RA. After 3 weeks of
attempting every thing I could think of (varied every tracking parameter in
Maxim, tried balanced, unbalanced in DEC/RA, varied the tracking frequency,
tried numerous PEC training/updates, and some things I can't even remember!)
my CCD images still showed poor tracking. The final straw was last night
when I did a 10 minute unguided exposure with the tracking log on...both RA
and DEC just bounced all over the place. Additionally, the DEC backlash is
so severe that a setting of 60 to 75 in the hand controller is required to
get equal movement N/S for a given time...which results in a bounce of 4-7
pixels in either the E or W direction. My guess is gear end play (duh) and
possibly something wrong with the RA motor/gears which causes the jittery
oscillations.

Anyway, scope was packed in the car this afternoon and delivered to Meade
after I talked to Ozzie in the morning and got the RGA number required for
return. He looked at all of my graphs, CCD prints, and tables which
highlighted the problems and gathered everything together for the techs. I
was met at the return bay by the expediter and she talked to me at length to
make sure that they were aware of all of the problems. I was once again
impressed by everyone I talked to with respect to their commitment to
correcting my tracking problems. The expediter's last comment was "hey, you
get sick, you go to the doctor...we'll make your scope well again".

So now I wait...will post a final report once I get my baby home and back up
on the pier. But somehow, I believe that this story will have a happy
ending!

patiently,
Michael Clary



>>SNIPPED


I left with a very positive perception of Meade's customer service and
thorough instructions which might allow me to fix my own scope/mount. I felt
that if this fix didn't work, I could deliver my scope with confidence that
Ozzie and/or others would make things right.

Although the jury's still out regarding the self-fix/no fix status of my
scope (better but more tweaking required), I'm a happy camper and I'm sure
that I won't be complaining about my mount's tracking errors much longer!

(if the scope does go to Meade for repairs, I'll follow this post up with
the results of that service)

Michael Clary

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