Hi
Long time since I posted on here as I took a break from astronomy for a while. I've got an LX200 Classic 8", it's a 'vintage' model from the 90's but in perfect working order and condition and I can control it via Stellarium from my Mac. GOTO is much easier.
My question is what would be a worthwhile upgrade from it - eg are the more modern LX90's better than my scope both in terms of mount rigidity and optics? What about other makes? Its primarily visual observing that I'm interested in but I've started to dabble with some basic AP and would like to try spectroscopy. My location is urban so that limits DSOs unfortunately but some a degree of portability is desirable.
For me the 2 most important features of a scope is enough rigidity so that the image is perfectly still when focusing & observing and optical quality/resolution. The LX200 is extremely rigid with only a slight and quickly damped high-frequency shudder when you bump it. I've added a Revelation R&P focuser to eliminate focus shift issues (its a fantastic bit of kit and works a charm). I collimated it for the first time last night and saw a big improvement in detail (best I have seen Jupiter and M42). I also have an Orion ED80 which I use on an HEQ5 mount. It seems a bit OTT for the scope but I appreciate the rigidity, but there's no GOTO. I like both of these setups and wonder if could I improve things without losing the features I already have? I've never seen through a scope bigger than an 8" so curious about what I might be missing.
Long time since I posted on here as I took a break from astronomy for a while. I've got an LX200 Classic 8", it's a 'vintage' model from the 90's but in perfect working order and condition and I can control it via Stellarium from my Mac. GOTO is much easier.
My question is what would be a worthwhile upgrade from it - eg are the more modern LX90's better than my scope both in terms of mount rigidity and optics? What about other makes? Its primarily visual observing that I'm interested in but I've started to dabble with some basic AP and would like to try spectroscopy. My location is urban so that limits DSOs unfortunately but some a degree of portability is desirable.
For me the 2 most important features of a scope is enough rigidity so that the image is perfectly still when focusing & observing and optical quality/resolution. The LX200 is extremely rigid with only a slight and quickly damped high-frequency shudder when you bump it. I've added a Revelation R&P focuser to eliminate focus shift issues (its a fantastic bit of kit and works a charm). I collimated it for the first time last night and saw a big improvement in detail (best I have seen Jupiter and M42). I also have an Orion ED80 which I use on an HEQ5 mount. It seems a bit OTT for the scope but I appreciate the rigidity, but there's no GOTO. I like both of these setups and wonder if could I improve things without losing the features I already have? I've never seen through a scope bigger than an 8" so curious about what I might be missing.
