LXD75 vs C5
- From: Mark Smith <emarksmi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 09 Apr 2005 06:28:42 GMT
I posted this to my local Astronomy Club and thought it might be of
interest here as well. I'm not looking to start a Meade vs Celestron
debate. These are impressions only as I've had the C5 about a year
and a half and the LXD75 for about 4 hours.
The "review":
My younger son got a new Meade 5" refractor today on the LXD75 mount
with Autostar. Since I have the C5GT, I thought I'd compare and
contrast them a bit.
The C5 mount is definitely heavier. The legs are sturdier and the
mount itself is beefier. The Clutch Releases on the C5 are better
located as the RA clutch release on the LXD75 will hit a plastic cover
in some mount locations.
I think that the connectors (on the side of the C5 and on the front of
the LXD75) are better located on the C5, but I may change my mind on
that after watching the mounts operate.
The spreader/stiffener on the C5 is heavier with more eyepiece slots
(including some 2" slots), but the mounting itself for the LXD-15 has
some nice features including an easy to turn, wide T handle and a
separately adjustible knob to adjust the spreader. There is no
separate screw on knob (complete with washer that always seems to drop
off in the dark) as there is on the C5. The C5's screw mount is,
however, captive while the LXD75's is not.
The alignment points of the LXD75 are cast into the mount body, not
silly stick ons. The LXD75 also comes with a Polare Alignent Scope,
complete with illuminated reticle, standard. There is no "holder" for
the hand control that comes with the LXD75 mount.
The one major problem I had with the LXD75 was the CHEAP jack
connectors they use. Very light weight and a bit fragile. I doubt
they will stand up well. In addition, I'm not sure the cable for the
declination axis is user replaceable.
All in all, there were good and bad things about both mounts. The
Meade Mount was more user friendly out of the box while the Celestron
Mount seemed sturdier. There were good and bad design choices made in
both, but either is a decent, low cost GEM GoTo.
Mark
Clear, Dark Skies
Mark
.
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