defective 8 " lx200gps

This past Saturday I excitedly purchased an 8" LX200GPS. After setting it up in my living room (raining outside)I found that the scope had 2 problems: First, it could not locate its home position. Second, during the alignment process the scope would randomly stop moving and I'd get an error message saying the motor had stalled.

I called Meade and they thought that perhaps grease had gotten on the LED sensor assembly to detect home and they advised me to open up the scope and try cleaning the sensors. There was a bit of grease but even after cleaning it the home problem remained.

For the stalled motor problem they suggested I open up the side of the assembly to access the declination motor area and see if there was an obvious problem with the gears. I did that but saw nothing amiss.

I'm bummed. I'm used to ordering technology and having it arrive in working order. I purchased the scope from Anacortes and I'll call them today to arrange a return. I believe they don't have another 8 inch scope in stock, so I'm thinking about seeing if they have a 10 inch as a replacement. I'll ask them to test the replacement scope when I go to pick it up this time.

Are these kinds of problems normal with Meade products? Other thoughts?

YES - yes they are. You may wish to consider a Nexstar. I've got my eye on the 9.25" model that is supposed to be out soon. The drive on the nexstars is tried, true and tested and the 9.25" OTA is above reproach according to many. It should be an outstanding product.
Yet, still relatively portable.

Hope it works out - Rob

i don't have a gps scope but do have 2 handheld gps units..this may be an obvious question,but did you have a chance to use it outside,since my gps needs to have a skyview and will not locate sattellites indoors..just a thought...