REVIEW of MEADE LX85 8" ACF SCHMIDT-CASSEGRAIN TELESCOPE
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 พ.ย. 2022
- This telescope is almost identical to the Meade LX90 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope I reviewed previously but this telescope is sold optical tube only whereas the LX90 comes mounted on a fork mount and sold with the Audiostar computer. The optics of the Meade LX85 are identical to the LX90 and both have outstanding optics with superb views of planets, nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies. I will discuss all the features of the LX85, 8" SCT and the pros and cons of this telescope and give my impressions of it.
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Great review! Really thorough and well researched :)
Thank you.
Just stopped by because I own an old Meade LX10 8 inch and have heard such good reports about these new UHTC ACF versions. I’d never seen your channel before but I was charmed by your humble style of presentation. Such a breath of fresh air from the usual ‘youtuber experience’.
Thank you so much! I am very happy with my Meade LX85 8" and I believe that all of Meade's SCTs now come with the UHTC and ACF.
I was on the fence with this telescope until I watched your video. I can honestly say I feel comfortable ordering it. The bonus is that it comes with the automated mount as well. Thanks.
Thanks. I love that telescope.
Hi Tsula, Excellent review of the Meade LX 85. I also take into consideration weight when purchasing a telescope. A few years ago I purchased a telescope which was heavier than anticipated. I’ve since replaced that scope with a 4 inch Celestron StarSense AZ 102 refractor which weighs in at just over 14 pounds with optical tube, mount and tripod. Having a lighter telescope results in using the scope frequently since it’s so mobile. You did a very nice job in discussing the features of the Meade LX 85 and in comparing its features to two other telescopes in the series. I found your presentation to be very interesting and informative. Thanks for sharing. Ed.
Thank you, Ed. Weight is always high on my list of features I want to know about when considering buying a telescope and it definitely impacts how much I, and I'm sure other people, use any given telescope. The best telescope is the one you use the most as the saying goes. Take care.
I just want to say thanks in the way you go through detailed , you are amazing 👏 helpful review ❤️
Thank you so much.
First, thank you for your wonderful channel. Your presentations are so engaging and insightful - I thoroughly enjoy watching them! Second, I really appreciate this review - I have a 44-year old 10" Dob (which I built when I was MUCH younger) that is beginning to become a bit unwieldy for me - (age and a broken back). I am looking for another 'scope that I would be able to handle easier - I'll still use my good old Dob (as long my son or brother help me lug it in and out of the car!). Thanks again - you helped me make a big decision!!!!
Thank you so much. I'm glad you found this helpful. I know the day will come when I too will be unable to lug out a big heavy scope.
Great scope. My 1st scope was a Meade ETX 80, which at the age of 14 was a great little scope. I was blown away by the moon, and seeing Saturn rings through my ETX 80 was mind blowing. Happy viewing.🇬🇧💜
Thank you. That must have been so impressive at 14 to see the moon and Saturn's rings. Those kinds of memories stay with you forever. I will never forget the first time I saw Saturn's rings.
Im thinking about putting together a lightweight grab n’ go 8" SCT scope build, and I was seriously considering this optical tube for many of the reasons you brought up in the video (especially the light weight). Thanks for the review!
Thank you. I am very happy with this telescope.
Awesome Tsula
Thanks, Craig!
A good review of the optical tube and some history behind it. Proof will be the quality of images it produces either photographically or visually. Unfortunately, Meade has suffered a terrible reputation in quality control and post-sales customer service. Good optics and the implementation of consistent manufacturing quality control processes don’t come cheap. I hope you have purchased a good example and Meade has turned itself around.
Thank you. I think the best evidence of Meade's poor decision making in the past was their refusal to settle the price fixing lawsuit which lead to their bankruptcy at a time that amateur astronomy was on the rise during the pandemic and to their ultimate sale to Orion. They made some other poor decisions before that as well. My first Meade was a 4" SCT in the 1990s that was just a terrible telescope and for years afterwards I refused to buy a SCT or a Meade writing them off as just a bad company and a bad design of telescope. I found out later that that particular telescope was just not a good telescope. I just thought that SCTs were a poor design and had dark images. Finally, years later after my brother got his LX90 8" I changed my mind and got that LX90 12" and now this LX85 8". I could not be happier with these telescopes and I hope that with the new ownership, Orion will improve Meade's reputation and customer service.
I think appature on that scope makes it a good all rounder. You can always magnify with a barlow or go wide field with a focal reducer.
I think it is a good all-around telescope also. I have not tried a focal reducer on it yet though. I will have to look into that.
I have two older Meade telescopes. LX 90 8 inch and LS6 inch. The LS6 has the advanced coma Free optical system. I prefer Meade over celestron telescopes, because they don’t, have GPS or the north sensor built in. You have to buy those separately, which ends up costing you more money. I’m not sure if Meade telescopes are still being sold, because they have stopped selling them here in New Zealand
Strange that they are not being sold in New Zealand. They are still selling them here in the US. They are made at the Meade factory in Mexico.
Great review. Thought - your red dot finder, consider a green laser, it’s like touching your target with a stick. I also use one for showing others what’s in the sky. Again, great review. Oh and don’t worry about airplanes with the laser, we’re adults and it’s only on briefly.
Thank you, Woody. After going through numerous pathetic red dot finders that either had no red dot or could not be adjusted, or fell apart with the least pressure, I finally found one that I really like. It's actually a gunsight and is made of metal I think and it is amazing. I do own a laser that I use very sparingly.
Congrats on a what sounds like a great scope, Tsula!! Hope you enjoy it. I'm looking forward to seeing more of it down the road. I can't understand why they put those darn screws/bolts on the ends of the dovetail bars. I just bought a Sky-Watcher 150P Quattro (f/4; yes, I'm still obsessed with DSO's at least for now!), and it has the same type of bolts protruding -- except on BOTH ends! Fortunately, even though I can't slide it on the saddle on the AM5 mount since the screws are at both ends, I can easily place it on since the OTA is only about 12 lbs. Don't know why they do that, though. Anyway, I'm SURE down the road I'm going to get a bug to do planetary astrophotography and I appreciate seeing all the features of this great scope. Thanks for the thorough review!
Thanks, Greg. It's a little awkward getting it on the mount but I just open the saddle wide open and drop it in now. That works best. Congratulations on the 150p. How is the AM5 mount working out? Do you like it? Can't wait for Mars to reach opposition next month. I'm sure the planetary bug will intensify then! All the best.
@@tsulasbigadventures I absolutely love the AM5 (and the TC40 carbon fiber tripod I got with it), Tsula! What a pleasure to have Goto!! 😁 The mount/tripod combo is really steady as a rock and it's wonderful not to have to futz with counterweights. I use an ASIAir with it (along with a ZWO EAF), so everything works beautifully together. If you weren't a lover of the ZWO ecosystem, though, you might want to opt for a more generic-type mount, although to be fair the AM5 can interface with just about any software through USB and many don't use the ASIAir. I put the new Quattro on the mount and it's sturdy as a rock as well. Of course, I've been paying the cloud tax since I've gotten the Quattro and haven't had a chance to use it for DSO astrophotos yet, but maybe tomorrow.
I'm glad you are happy with it and everything is working out. You went all out! Did you go from a star tracker to this AM5 and 150p Quattro in one big leap? Well, good for you and I hope the clouds clear up soon for you.
@@tsulasbigadventures Hi Tsula. I initially got the AM5 and began using it in place of my SkyGuider Pro with my AT60ED. I really love the AT60ED for widefield astrophotography and will keep using it, but I wanted something that would give me a little more reach for deep sky astrophotography and something I could also use for visual observing coupled with the Goto functionality of my AM5 mount. The 1200mm 150P Dobsonian I have can't be mounted since there really aren't any rings that fit it. I happened to see this relatively new Sky-Watcher 150P Quattro (f/4) and the package they were offering was really nice and priced so as not to further break the (already strained) bank. I think the Quattro also will be nice to use at outreach events hosted by the astro society I'm a member of. Now if I could just get rid of these clouds to try everything out! 🙃
@@gregerianne3880 OK. I thought you were just piling things on top of a star tracker. Sounds your new gear is a really nice set up for visual and astrophotography. All the best and I hope it clears soon.
Great review. Have you tried deep space imaging with this telescope?
Thank you. I have taken lots of video of planets with this telescope but I have not tried any deep sky imaging with it. I just attached a #62 adapter and put a 2x barlow on the end with a t-ring and my Sony A7S camera. I think you would need a focal reducer that fits this telescope. I have not tried to look for one to see if one that fits this particular telescope is available. That would make exposure time much shorter than necessary on an f/10 telescope.
Hello Tsula! I have been researching the Meade LX85 to use for astrophotography. I too have a TH-cam channel, although dedicated to astrophotography, Rockhounding, etc. Adventures of Shadow. Anyway, my main concern about this telescope is the rather high f ratio. Do you know anybody that uses it for astrophotography? Are they happy with the results? Any thoughts you have in the subject of using it for astrophotography is appreciated. Orion is running a sale (scope + GoTo EQ mount) that has me tempted to pull the trigger. Thanks!!!!
Hello. I have only used it for planetary imaging and not for deep sky astrophotography since I have a nice set up for that already with a refractor. But I think it would be fine for astrophotography despite the f/10 ratio. You probably just have to take longer exposures but the excellent optics would more than make up for that in my opinion. I know that many people use these telescopes for astrophotography but I just don't have any personal experience with it. I think the scope and mount option would be an excellent set up except I think I read the mount does not come with a polar scope (double check on that) which is disappointing. Other than that it sounds like a great deal and I think you will be happy with it despite the long focal ratio. The optics are incredible.
@@msroper5287 Great advice! Thanks!
I envy you the new version of the LX85 telescope
It's a wonderful telescope.
Hey Tsula, nice review!!!Would it make sense to upgrade to a better focuser like a feather touch? Do these SCT’s need lots of collimation like reflectors? I have seen several TH-cam videos a SCT collimation, and it looks very complicated. Lastly, for a planet person would a MCT be better! Cheers
Thanks, Elray! The focuser is fine in my opinion and I would not change anything about it. It is just a knob on the back. I would not bother with changing the focuser. I would change that cheap diagonal though. My telescope came from the factory precisely collimated. I didn't have to collimate it. I have yet to have to collimate my 12" either. Unless you knock it around a lot it shouldn't need to be collimated very often at all and it's not hard to do. I actually wanted the Mak-Cass but you can get a much bigger aperture in a SCT than a Mak. And for planets keep in mind that you want the biggest aperture you can handle price wise, size wise and weight wise. That's why for me this SCT was the perfect fit; I got lots of aperture in a small package and lightweight optical tube. I could not be happier with this telescope. It is awesome.
Thank you Tsula, you are awesome!
Elray: More on the focuser. My Meade does not have a fine focuser. It's just a single knob and you could consider replacing it with a crayford focuser with a fine focus knob if you are not happy with the focuser or if you find focusing with the single focus knob difficult. I know some people complain about image shift while focusing SCTs and replace the focuser with a microfocuser that would improve the focusing quite a bit. I still use the original focuser on both my 12" SCT and this 8: SCT. But having a microfocuser would be a worthwhile investment.
I bought an adapter for the finder bracket. Meade is the same mount as Explorer Scientific. I also have the LX 85 mount and I am not to happy with it.
I finally found one that worked from William Optics but could only get one screw to go attach it to the telescope. Was the one you bought made by Explore Scientific? I would like to have one that I can secure with two screws so it will stay on. I've never used the LX85 mount.
What about mirror flop image shots they are known for having
You can resolve this issue by purchasing the Meade Zero Image Shift to eliminate all image shift. The Zero Image Shift says it is not compatible with the LX90 or LX85 but you can get around that by purchasing a third party motor made by Rigel Systems. Once you install the Zero Image Shift you control it with the Rigel Systems focus control box. Or Rigel Systems will make a custom made electronic focuser for you and it will eliminate image shift and mirror flop.
@Tsula'sbigadventures Great review Tsula! I am curious why you seem to buy mainly from Orion. I bought my 10x50 Ultraview binoculars from them. I am disappointed that they don't send out printed catalogues anymore. Of course many companies are doing that but I prefer print over digital. I wanted to know if you ever buy any astronomy gear from High Point Scientific. They seem like their customer support is very good but I have yet to purchase from them. Anyways I always enjoy your gear reviews.
Hi Bill: Thank you. I bought my very first telescope from Orion years ago when they had a store you could walk into and I walked out of that store with telescope in hand and ever since I have found their products to be quality products. They are an employee-owned California company that has been in the telescope business for years and they make great products. I have been very happy with the astronomy gear I have bought from them (notable exception their terrible red dot finders). I also buy from High Point Scientific. I think they have excellent customer support and a very good web site. All the best!
HPS is awesome!!! They selflessly and freely give their knowledge.
@@msroper5287 So who do you think makes the best quality scopes and accessories?
@@Bill_Woods I would not ask Ms Roper about it.
@@tsulasbigadventures good to know. Lol
I actually prefer a 7" Maksutov as i find them sharper with no collimation worries. Orion shot themselves in the foot by falling out with Synta.
It's a shame Orion apparently discontinued that 6" Mak.
Skywatcher probably still has them as they are basically synta's house brand. Considering synta owns celestron, orion now owns meade, it is no surprise there would be a falling out with the owner of meade's biggest rival.
Orion has always shifted over the years, originally selling vixen and intes made scopes, then GSO, and later Synta. As well as other manufacturers for different lines. There was even a brief period where they sold USA made celestron SCTs with Orion branding and dark metallic grey SVP cosmetics. They still had the celestron logo embossed on the secondaries. Orion started out as a manufacturer of drive correctors for other manufacturer's mounts and telescope drive bases.
Orion has never been a true manufacturer of telescopes, only a reseller/rebrander, a marketing giant of the telescope industry.
Now that they own meade, things are a little different
If meads so good then they would not have went out of Business
Meade did not go out of business. Meade was acquired by Orion. Meade is still making telescopes at their factory in Tijuana, Mexico. Meade makes excellent telescopes.
@@tsulasbigadventures yes I know orion took meade over they bought all the meade stocks in the California wearhouse
Good or bad is not always a reason a company goes out of business or gets bought put.
How many times has celestron changed owners? They are a "good" brand, meade is also a "good" brand. I generally preferred celestron, but have owned both. I would never personally seek out a meade goto system though, but I love the ACF (advanced ritchey chretien pre lawsuit) optics and the only reason I don't still own my pre lawsuit 8" lx200R ota, is that it was stolen. Same for my c11.
I always preferred OTAs on GEM mounts over forks, but ironically i now own a vintage meade 10" and C8, both on non goto forks with wedges because I could not afford to replace my scopes, and 2 friends made it possible for a low price on the c8 ($200 loaded) and a straight trade of the 10" (with 5 original 5 element japanese super plossls) for the losmandy tripod and counterweights the tweakers who broke into my storage, didn't know to take.
The optics on that 8" tube blew me away, like looking through a 6" apo when the seeing was good. And the classic C11 was super sharp as well. Much easier to setup a c11 on a g11 than it is to setup a 10" meade on a wedge. I only used the 10 a handful of times, once I got the c8 and a beat up 10" starhopper (for like $60) from the other friend, I planned on only using the meade on special occasions, like a big outreach event.