This is intended to document my future experiences with Meade’s LX850 mount. The endless negativity posted by non-users around the Net finally aroused my underdog-supporting character so I will acquire one. If it is a disaster, then it’ll be my disaster – and I’ll report on it honestly, here and elsewhere. If it’s a success then I will talk about that so folks may see some favorable reports amid the noise. Either way, I intend and expect to have some fun (this IS a hobby – remember?).
I have some experience with equatorial mounts, and with imaging. My observatory went online in 2003 and I’ve had many EQ mounts in there over the years, including Takahashi’s EM-200 and NJP – so I think I know what should be expected of such equipment. Lots of cameras, too – ST-8, ST-10, ST-2000, STL-11000, QSI583 and QSI683. I know what is required to capture images.
Once I am set up, I intend to show images captured using this mount and a 50 pound Astrotech AT12RC at 2400mm and a QSI683 at 5.4 micron pixels (which is what is currently astride the Tak NJP). If the mount can handle that, I will call it a success. Some will call it folly to swap out an NJP for this midrange-class mount, but it sounds like fun to me. It has been years since I had an opportunity to evaluate a brand-new piece of gear that not too many have seen and used.
SO – it’ll be a few weeks until the thing arrives, and then (after a quick checkout in the dining room) it’ll have to be mounted in the observatory and cabling, power supply, and other such issues resolved. Then it’ll be a matter of waiting for decent weather here in NE Ohio, sorting out any installation issues, and beginning this project.