is lx10 standard (not-deluxe) w.wedge and tripod for 1000 new a good deal?
lx10
Started by acgtek, 11/19/2003 07:01PM
Posted 11/19/2003 07:01PM
Opening Post
Posted 11/19/2003 07:37PM
#2
Alex,
I have had one for 3 years and the answer depends on what you want to do (like so many things in life!)
So, the answer is "Yes and No" ...
On the "Yes" side - for a new 8 inch SCT with a warranty it's a good deal *IF* you remember it's has a totally manual light-duty mount. You will get the same OTA as the other LX series have (including the well received long running LX-200's) but the fork arms are much thinner and lighter. Due to this fact the LX-10 is pretty much a visual scope by design. If you do want to start out on photo work maybe try some CCD work or guided piggy-back photos and it should be OK but if you get bitten by the photo bug you will want a better mount. Optical quality should be in the 1/4 to 1/6 wave range (pretty good but not in the league with a Tak or RC SCT). It's lighter (comparatively) than most other 8 inch SCT's so it's easier to take out the door and set up. It will also fit in cheap COSCO luggage (I did that and reinforced the sides) and is more "luggable" than SCT's on beefier mounts. You will only get the 35mm finder but it's not a big thing as you may want to upgrade to a 1X red-dot or do what I'm doing - piggy back a 80mm F5 as a "big" finder (a very common modification for 8 inch SCT types).
On the "No" side - The normal SCT gripes - some image shift, 33% central obstruction, cool down time, etc. Also, the standard field tripod is a pain unless you are about 5' 2" tall. I traded mine in for the adjustable field tripod within 2 months of getting mine. You can get a used one for about 150 here on AM and sell you standard tripod for 70 or so to recoop the cost. I have the HD wedge so I can't comment on that issue. For visual the vibrations stop in about 2 seconds maximum for me so it's fine for visual work.
Since the best scope is the one you use the most my considerations were light weight and general simplicity. The LX-10 is a very simple and relatively light SCT with few bells and whistles. Even with the set up involved the LX-10 seemed to me to be a kind of a "large" grab and go kind of scope. Also, since I tend to be somewhat of a minimalist by nature (and actually like hand slewing the OTA anyway) all the motors, batteries, and other collateral stuff did not appeal to me. But I do have the Magellan I DSC with object library to guide me if I feel up to plugging it in and setting it up.
That's my 2 cents - good luck!
TM
I have had one for 3 years and the answer depends on what you want to do (like so many things in life!)
So, the answer is "Yes and No" ...
On the "Yes" side - for a new 8 inch SCT with a warranty it's a good deal *IF* you remember it's has a totally manual light-duty mount. You will get the same OTA as the other LX series have (including the well received long running LX-200's) but the fork arms are much thinner and lighter. Due to this fact the LX-10 is pretty much a visual scope by design. If you do want to start out on photo work maybe try some CCD work or guided piggy-back photos and it should be OK but if you get bitten by the photo bug you will want a better mount. Optical quality should be in the 1/4 to 1/6 wave range (pretty good but not in the league with a Tak or RC SCT). It's lighter (comparatively) than most other 8 inch SCT's so it's easier to take out the door and set up. It will also fit in cheap COSCO luggage (I did that and reinforced the sides) and is more "luggable" than SCT's on beefier mounts. You will only get the 35mm finder but it's not a big thing as you may want to upgrade to a 1X red-dot or do what I'm doing - piggy back a 80mm F5 as a "big" finder (a very common modification for 8 inch SCT types).
On the "No" side - The normal SCT gripes - some image shift, 33% central obstruction, cool down time, etc. Also, the standard field tripod is a pain unless you are about 5' 2" tall. I traded mine in for the adjustable field tripod within 2 months of getting mine. You can get a used one for about 150 here on AM and sell you standard tripod for 70 or so to recoop the cost. I have the HD wedge so I can't comment on that issue. For visual the vibrations stop in about 2 seconds maximum for me so it's fine for visual work.
Since the best scope is the one you use the most my considerations were light weight and general simplicity. The LX-10 is a very simple and relatively light SCT with few bells and whistles. Even with the set up involved the LX-10 seemed to me to be a kind of a "large" grab and go kind of scope. Also, since I tend to be somewhat of a minimalist by nature (and actually like hand slewing the OTA anyway) all the motors, batteries, and other collateral stuff did not appeal to me. But I do have the Magellan I DSC with object library to guide me if I feel up to plugging it in and setting it up.
That's my 2 cents - good luck!
TM
Tom Mengel
Moderator Equipment Talk
“Insanity: Trying the same thing over and over and expecting different results”.
Albert Einstein
Posted 11/21/2003 09:57PM
#3
Alex,
There is a LX10 for $700.00 on the classifieds right now WITH the better (adjustible) tripod included. That's not a lot more that what the OTA itself would go for for the mount, base, telrad, better tripod and one EP.
Just a heads up ....
TM
There is a LX10 for $700.00 on the classifieds right now WITH the better (adjustible) tripod included. That's not a lot more that what the OTA itself would go for for the mount, base, telrad, better tripod and one EP.
Just a heads up ....
TM
Tom Mengel
Moderator Equipment Talk
“Insanity: Trying the same thing over and over and expecting different results”.
Albert Einstein
Funding Member
