Opinions on LXD75 10"

Im very close to buying one of these in UK. It comes with goto, and the lpi. What do you guys think. Outside competition at the moment is a celestron c10ngt, (a bit dearer), or a Skywatcher 250px (has an eq6, but no goto) - Im assuming this scope would be better for astrophotography - , I fancy another goto cos the family do be out looking too, and the ability to quickly find objects is important- they lack the patience nor stamina to wait around while I starhop. Help me guys!!

hi Stephen,
I was thinking of getting one of those myself although I have a bit more saving to do. It does look like it's good value compared to it's competitors although it's not very portable. How much did you find it for in the UK?
Keith

I have a vat registered company so it is £1012, or £1190 with the vat. They have to email me a delivery price yet. The Skywatcher 250px Eq6 is only £845 inc vat, which I think is very good, considering the mount is highly regarded. My goal is astrophotography which is why the motor driven 250px looks so attractive. But the Meade has a lot going for it. Some reviews criticise the focuser/finder,but they can be replaced. My one reservation would be the mount.
I have been looking for a while now, and have sought opinions here on other scopes, but I finally have the money together... and I want to get the right scope.

Have you looked into buying it from the states, for example:

www.opticsplanet.net/meade-lxd75-sn-10at...onian-telescope.html

whcih would work out a bit cheaper.

Keith

Until the government hit you with duty and all that. I thought US companies were not allowed ship Meade/Celestron outside the states. I may be wrong. Shipping could be expensive too.. I got quoted $234 shipping fpor a 10" Dob, and the Lxd75 10" is way heavier! The price I got was from www.telescopeplanet.co.uk

good scope. Requires collimation and cooling down time each night.

The only point I have against it, and I speak from experience with the lxd55 not the lxd75 mount is that the 10" SN with weights is very heavy on the mount. Almost too heavy. This results in the scope being very sensitive to breezes. Also focussing at high magnification can be a problem since touching the focusser induces vibration.

That said I have taken the mount apart and tweaked it, bought vibration supression pads for the mount, and got an electronic focusser to mitigate these problems.