----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2003 6:12 AM
Subject: [M]: (no subject)


> Hey Guys:
>
> Need advice on which LX-200 to get for our new observatory. The 10-inch
GPS,
> or a 12-inch Classic? Performance so different?
>
> Thanks, Joy
What do you intend to attach to the scope?.
Realistically, 'size wins', _but_ the 12" scope is on the upper limits of
the mount. The old 'classic' controller, works well, but support and spares
will become harder in the future. The 'weakest' thing on the old scope, were
the main bearings in the Dec axis. If the scope is one from the last couple
of years of production, it will have upgraded bearings here. Conversely, the
GPS itself is pointless in a fixed site, and will probably not get coverage
inside the dome. The electronics, do not seem to be quite as rugged as the
older scope, but the hand controller is cheaply replaceable. The drive
motors on the new scope seem more prone to failure than the older units
(though these are also one of the commonest failure areas).
Performance in both cases will probably be limited by the mount. The LX200,
is 'good', in terms of value for money, but the tracking is not that
accurate in the short term. Add an AO7, if you want to get really good
images. Optically, more will depend on whether you get a 'good' example,
than on the coating differences!. Meade sometimes, have a degree of
'variability' in their optics. At times, I have seen individual examples,
showing noticeable optical errors, and occasionally a real 'gem'. Recently,
the 'mechanical' QA, seems to have declined, but the optical QA, has
improved, and bad examples are now very rare, when perhaps ten years ago,
they were noticeably more common.

Best Wishes

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