Purchasing a Used LX200 Classic

I’m thinking about purchasing a used 10” Meade LX200 Classic (f/10). I currently have an Orion 10” dob (f/4.7) and was wondering if the view from the LX200 will be substantially better (planetary & DSO). I like the idea of the goto on the LX200, but will not ask for an opinion on it as I know this subject has been debated on numerous occasions. I should mention that I have not yet seen it, but plan to hopefully do so very shortly. Also, according to the current owner (second), the scope was dropped by the original owner and there is a small 1/8” dent on the OTA next to the fork mount. He mentioned that it was checkout by S&S Optika and the dent is only cosmetic. However, S&S Optika did mention that there may be a slight positioning error when slewing all the way across the sky, but did say that this error is no more than what would be expected when moving over such a long distance. Does this sound correct? Anyhow, aside from cosmetics, what else should I be looking for / asking? I apologize for the long thread, but I have never owned a scope with a motorized mount / goto and just want to make sure I’m checking the right things. Any comments and / or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Paul

If Kathy at S&S checked it out, that is good enough for me on it.

You will like the extra focal length on the SCT for planets. You will probably not like the extra focal length when it comes to DSO's. Now as to which will have the better views? usually comes down to the best thermally acclimated, best optically aligned, and best optics. Many will say the newt, I say there are to many factors involved and the SCT just may surprise you on any given night.



The LX200 Classics were pretty reliable scopes with totally reliables goto's in my experiences with them, I'd bank your goto's will be perfect once aligned.

I've got some experience on this one. 8) My first real telescope was an 8" LX200 I bought used in '04. I know the owner who had it a year and he said it was the last of the classics which would put the last run about '03 sometime.

For everything you ever wanted to know about LX200 classics go to:

http://www.mapug-astronomy.net/


I had absolutely no problems at all with it and the goto was very accurate. My complaints with it was the smaller FOV at f10 and I wasn't really happy with the planetary views. Maybe a 10" will be better at it than an 8". There is definitely something to be said about tracking instead of nudging. You will need a dew shield, if not for dew, than as a light baffle out front of the corrector plate. I made mine out of a yoga mat I bought at a sporting goods store.

Because I wanted wider views I bought an XT10 f4.7 and the DSOs are much better in the shorter FL and it does surprisingly well on the planets, albeit with higher powered EPs. The newt has less thermal problems and dew is much less of a problem. I liked the newt/dob so much better than the trusty LX200 that I'm now building a new larger dobsonian. Not only that I don't miss the "coffee grinder" sound every time it slewed.