Lidl LXD75 telescope help thread

what do youy mean by blemish, is it a fingerprint/smudge or a fault in the mirror coating ?

I have to say thank god I didnt get one of these, I very nearly did !

A black spot that isn't dislodged by shaking the tube and looks like it has a concentric pattern around it (from 0.8 metres away with my eyes...). I think I'll take out the mirror cell tonight for a closer look.

A black spot that isn't dislodged by shaking the tube and looks like it has a concentric pattern around it (from 0.8 metres away with my eyes...). I think I'll take out the mirror cell tonight for a closer look.

If its in the center it might be the collimation spot.

No, unfortunately. I know what that looks like. This blemish or piece of debris is about 2/3 of the way out from the collimation spot. It's tiny but my concern would be that if it is a blemish or something like a mould it could 'grow'.

I must say that I am absolutely amazed with Meade for either (a) allowing faulty scopes to leave their factory or (b) allowing their products name to be tarnished by a supplier not storing them correctly and with due care.
The Meade name is suffering as a result.
I purchased (OK, Santa purchased - hold on, that comes back to me again!!!) a Meade 'scope from Lidl last year and some of you may recall that it had to go back to the elves in Germany for a replacement too. It was great to eventually get a working 'scope but the frustration and disappointment felt could have been done without.
I am extremely disappointed to hear that it is happening all over again with this years model.
I wonder what the ratio of working 'scopes to faulty ones is in the Lidl supply. Any ideas anyone?

Don

The ETX (and now the LXD) seemed to have some issues but I haven't heard any complaints about the original 70/700mm Lidlscopes. Mine certainly worked quite OK for a Fraunhofer once I tightened up the focuser and the mechanical mount never gave problems.

The packaging on my LXD was as perfect as the first day it was formed, there's certainly no signs of any rough handling; however if there is an actual blemish on the mirror it's a manufacturing QC issue. This particular tube is made in China to keeps cost down and Meade may not be paying the contractor for top level QC - up to a certain point it's cheaper to replace faulty parts.

Issues with Autostar and motors are an electronics issue, which Meade GoTos seem to have a reputation for. They are firstly a business, secondly opticians and least of all in the electronics business would be my guess. Even though I seem to have gotten a good one.