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Subject: Re: LX200: THE LX200 vs. the ULTIMA 2000, the thread begins..
From: Bob McAlister
Reply To: mapug@shore.net
Date: Wed Aug 28 01:39:30 1996

Todd Gross wrote:
>
> As posted on sci.astro.amateur:
>
> Ok... your personal guinea pig here.
>
> I received the Celestron Ultima 2000 on Friday, and gave it a quick test run
> or two over the weekend. Comparing it to an 8" or 10" Lx200, here are a few
> first impressions.
>
> 1. The Ultima 2000 is much, much quieter, almost whisper quiet
>
> 2. The tracking appears to be somewhat less precise, have to double check
>
> 3. Pointing accuracy does not appear to be as good. Saturn was consistently
> off, objects at the zenith were harder to place in eyepiece. Overall pointing
> accuracy though still acceptable to very good with most objects falling less
> than 15 arc minutes off in either direction of center.
>
> 4. The biggest drawback seems to be the need to balance the scope critically,
> with their rather well thought out, but inconvenient weight system. This "may"
> have been what held this scope up from coming out.
>
> 5. Unlike the LX200, this scope is conveniently moved MANUALLY most often
> without it losing it's knowledge of where it is pointing. The hand controller
> is used more for centering objects, not for slewing around. This is a plus.
>
> 6. The hand controller is more complicated to use, but the menus are laid out
> fairly logically. However, it is small, and was easily velcroed to the tripod.
>
> 7. The manual is not that great.. worse than the LX200 which is not that great.
>
> 8. OPTICALLY>> The star test (I am no expert in this) was not that great out
> of focus, but in focus images were quite good - very crisp Jupiter and Saturn
> views despite the scope being slightly out of alignment! Cassini division
> visible.. Great red spot clearly seen along with well defined bands and
> festoons on Jupiter. Color was very evident too.
>
> 9. The FINDER is better than the LX200 finder by a long shot.. it is a reticle
> finder, ready for an illuminator
>
> 10. The WEIGHT of the system is far less than the LX200. The 8" scope PLUS
> tripod can be easily moved around the lawn w/o a wheely bar, etc.
>
> 11. It DOES have it's own version of the LX200 High Precision Pointing
> ..although I didn't try it
>
> 12. There is a slight azimuth wobble back forth, as opposed to a slight dec
> wobble on the LX200
>
> 13. The one-star alignment instructions appear to be missing.
>
> 14. The scope does not know the time, so it cannot do a "no-star" alignment as
> you can on the LX200, meaning on the LX200 you can do a quick and dirty point
> on power up.. not possible here.
>
> 15. It does not have the moon, in it's database..but it does have the sun. Now
> that is nice.. but I would hate to move to the sun by mistake
>
> 16. The unit RUNS ON AA batteries!!! (really works)
>
> 17. As mentioned, the Ultima 2000 retains it's sky orientation at all times,
> even if moved by hand.
>
> 18. There is a "warp" value (like on the NGCMAX) that tells you if your second
> star alignment is not adequate, when pointing to the second star of the
> alignment. (then you would have to do the alignment over)
>
> 19. Scope looks like it would be unstable. . but actually is about as stable
> as a 10" lx200, not as stable as an 8" though
>
> 20. Scope is a nice slick, grey color, but appears a bit more "toy-ish" than
> the LX200 at first glance. There are less plug receptacles on the base, but I
> believe it has the necessary CCD and computer interfaces.
>
> 21. Tripod seems somewhat better than the LX200 8/10" ones.. nice rubberized,
> etc.
>
> If anyone else has an Ultima 2000, I would like to invite you to join the
> Celestron User mail list so we can get the ball rolling.
>
> Thanks! - Todd
> _________________________________
> BOSTON TV METEOROLOGIST TODD GROSS
> Weather/Astronomy Home Page: http://www.weatherman.com
> Administrator, Meade Advanced Product User Group: mapug@shore.net
> Administrator, New England Weather Observer Mail List: wxobs-sne@shore.net
> IRC Channel Operator: #Weather (Undernet)
> Originator of the NE.WEATHER newsgroup
> _________________________________
> Email: toddg@weatherman.com Work Phone# (617)725-0777

I have had trouble subscribing to the Ultima 2000 especially when thy
want me to verify. Anyone else having this problem?