My LX200

lx200nme

Just me and my baby...

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I love to tinker! Some of the accessories and convenience items I have installed include Rob Roy's Joystick, pizza pan, and spring-loading mechanism on the tripod to protect the base of the LX200; also, Bill Arnett's Jiffy Focuser. All of these are described below.

Update 2005: My equipment use has evolved in many ways, and I am now getting into imaging (I had done almost strictly visual observing for years). Changes in this use are reflected below, but I have left the "old" information as it is still useful to those interested in certain accessories and techniques I have used.

I am the very happy owner of a Meade LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. It is computer controlled and features a 10" diameter objective and a focal length of 1600mm, yielding a focal ratio of f/6.3.

To prevent dew from forming on the optical surfaces during an observing session, I use (and highly recommend) the Kendrick dew remover system. I have heating elements on the objective, the Telrad finder, the finderscope objective, and the eyepiece. I also use the Kendrick flexible dew cap (not shown), which I like because it folds flat for portability.
Update 2005: Ditto! Nothing's changed, the same Kendrick units are still doing a fantastic job. I can't say enough good things about Jim Kendrick's fine products.

The Rob Roy Joystick fits over the LX200 keypad and, when moved, presses the directional (NWES) keys on the keypad. It can be installed or removed in seconds - but I leave it on and wouldn't want to be without it. It makes slewing and guiding the telescope a pleasure.
Update 2005: I still have my Rob Roy Joystick, but it prevents the keypad from resting properly in the ScopeSaver table I now use. I worked around it by building up pads of felt to cradle the keypad, but removed the joystick when my interests turned to astrophotography.

Pizza pan, you ask? Works great. Instead of fumbling for a place to hang the LX200 keypad, it can now be hung anywhere around the rim of the pan. A 1/2" hole is drilled for the threaded rod. A 16" pan is recommended, but a 14" pan will work -- you just have to position the pan forward to accommodate the LX200 base. (I didn't at first, hence the extra hole. Measure twice, cut once -- I always get that backward.)
Update 2005: This was an economical way to go, but I eventually broke down and ordered a ScopeSaver table from Beigle/Bryant Engineering. It's been a wonderful accessory, and allows easy scope alignment with the tripod during setup in alt-azimuth mode. The alignment function is not required in polar mode, but the eyepiece and keypad space is fantastic, and I never set up without it.

The tripod's threaded rod is normally held in place by a retaining clip; this can allow the scope's weight to be concentrated on the scope's thin base when placing the scope on the tripod. To prevent this, I used Rob Roy's description of a spring-loading mechanism to modify the tripod. I used Lexan instead of aluminum for the triangle; I also played around with a few springs before I found the ones I liked best.
Update 2005: This mod worked great for me when setting up in alt-azimuth mode, even with the ScopeSaver table. However, it was not required for setup in polar mode, and the holes in the tripod head that it was mounted into were needed for mounting a wedge on the tripod, so I removed this mod. I do miss it when I set up in alt-azimuth mode though...

For more precise control of the focusing mechanism, I use Bill Arnett's Jiffy Focuser. A peanut butter jar lid and a grommet are all that are needed for this simple yet effective accessory.
Update 2005: I still have my Jiffy Focuser in my field box, but I don't use as much as I used to. I modified the focuser with the EZ Focus Kit from Peterson Engineering. Boy, is it smoooooth now! For fine focusing, I use the NGF-S motorized Crayford-type focuser from JMI.

My loving wife, Kathy, was nice enough to make me a custom cover for my scope. It is made from ironing board covering material; I figured the silver would be reflective and the Teflon coating sheds water like you wouldn't believe. (The only problem -- this material stinks, literally, for a while. The smell finally went away.) The picture on the right shows the cover flipped back to show the strap arrangement which holds the cover on; there are three spaced equally around the circumference, and are made of nylon webbing material and Velcro. To make one yourself click here for a basic pattern.
Update 2005: Well, I only thought the smell went away! Man, it was nasty and wouldn't quit. The ironing board material quickly developed pinholes that wicked water through to the cotton underlayer which in turn got soaked during a good rain. I recommend the Desert Storm Shield cover, although I've been using a multi-layered plastic cover with an aluminized exterior that I bought at a star party. It came from a bag that could be inflated in very large shipping containers as padding. I've never seen or found another, unfortunately, because it really has worked great for years.

Of course, good assistance always makes things easier and more fun. Astronomy has been a fantastic family hobby for us, and we love to camp and look at the heavens. If you don't involve your family, I encourage you to do so (it sure makes buying astro goodies easier!). Here, Emily (halfway through her third Solar orbit) shows off her astronomy shirt.

The LX200? She calls it a "sky-o-scope" and enjoys it too.
Update 2005: Emily's about to start her 11th orbit, the '86 Blazer and dome tent have been replaced by an '02 Suburban and an '05 29-foot travel trailer... But my "Classic" LX200 is going strong! Still lovin' it after all these years.