I'm over 250 lbs and used to do roofing and siding, so my back and shoulders are quite strong, and I find the 10" LX200 to be a strain to carry and to setup.

I am going to buy a hard case from JMI to make moving the scope less of a strain.

You definitely need a table with registration guides on top of the tripod -- mine is homemade, but you can buy them -- to get the scope centered on the retaining bolt. The scope is top heavy and tippy until you get it centered on the bolt.

It isn't just the weight. It's the distribution of the weight. The handles are located in a place that makes the scope hard to handle. I pick mine up by one handle and the opposite fork arm. Then you have to bear hug it, to lift it or carry it.

When I lift or carry mine, I long for a low back belt. I can really feel the strain in the lower back.

Mitch

Glenn E. Mitchell II, Ph.D. (aka Mitch)
10" f/10 Meade LX-200 GPS (Big Blue) s/n 01088
Supercharged at ASO by Dr. Clay Sherrod, # 2314-2010
N 30° 30' 49.2" / W 084° 20' 13.8"

• What is that table with registration guides? - chrisdeceu - October 7, 2002 - 10:50 UTC