LX10 KORNER







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 Scribblings

I own an 8" Meade LX10 Schimdt-Cassegrain Telescope which I have been using since June 1998. "Why an LX10 and not a 8" LX200?" I hear you cry. The LX200 is indeed a fine instrument but I chose the LX10 for the following reasons:

  • I live in the light polluted pit of SE London in the UK. A light portable telescope is essential to get to dark sky locations.
  • The LX10 telescope has uses the identical optical tube assembly as the 8" LX200, i.e. the two are optically identical.
  • The LX10 is lightweight - it weighs 49 lbs compared with the 8" LX200's 69 lbs. Let's see who does whose back in first!
  • The LX10 is small and compact. It has been camping with me and two friends in the same car on two occasions.
  • It fitted my budget! Although its mount is not as sophisticated as the expensive LX200's, it still allows a wide range of astrophotography including off-axis guiding. I am also developing digital setting circles (details of which can be found on this site) which have been another major cost saving.

As most amateur astronomers will tell you "the best 'scope is the one that you will use most" - I think I've chosen the right one!