Matthew Ganis wrote:

> I hope I'm using the right list for these questions. I'm a Celestron 8"
> PEC owner
> and I want to upgrade to a larger aperture telescope so I'm considering a
> Meade 10" / 12" or a Celestron 11". I have a couple of questions and I've
> seen
> similar questions on this list so hopefully this ok. My main application
> is going to
> be spectroscopy.
>

Then you will want as much aperture as you can get. The dispersion of a spectrum demands
lots-O-light.


>
> 1) Is the 12" really a portable instrument ? I know it's large, but how
> many of you really
> move it outside and bring it back in when you're done ? I think my
> wife would shoot me
> if I said I wanted to permanently mount (at least right now)
>

Yes it is portable. I am a light frame guy and have no problem lugging it around. I don't
have back problems, and would be singing a different tune if I did. I find that regardless of
telescope size, 7/8/10/12, the "portability" of an LX200 is diminished by the set up time
required with all the involved cables, especially if you do CCD. Grabbing an 8" and placing it
a tripod takes the same time as grabbing a 12" and placing it on the tripod. I owned an 8" and
now have a 12" and set up times are identical.

Please be advised that the Meade forks are "short" for the 12". The telescope OTA does not
swing through the forks. As such, if your spectroscope package is physically "long", it may
collide with the tripod head when the scope points to the zenith and beyond to the pole,
assuming you are in polar/wedge mode rather than Alt-Az mode.

To make your wife happy, consider putting in a pier and then integrating something into the
pier like a sundial, birdbath, flower pot, or whatever turns her on. Whatever you do can be
nicely done if you consider it as a joint project that serves to purposes.


>
> 2) Considering the Meade vs a Celestron. It seems any software out there I
> see says
> it works with a Meade LX200 telescope, but nothing about Celestrons.
> Is the Meade
> just support more than Celestron (or the de-facto standard) ?
>

There is at least an equivalent (not same) amount of support. If you can't get some software
something from one vendor then another will offer something equivalent.

>
> Again, sorry if this isn't appropriate for the list, if you feel it isn't
> and want to send me mail
> offline, that's fine (and would be appreciated).
>

No. This is what this list is for, amongst other things "Meade".

> Matt Ganis
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Matt Ganis - (914) 784-5759
> 17 Skyline Dr.. - office J2-F22
> Hawthorne, NY 10532

--
Michael J. Cook

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