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Hi there,
I own a 12" LX200 GPS and I may be able to help you. First off the tripod height from ground to top is 38 inches. I strongly recommend that you purchase a mounting plate to go with either the 10" or 12" scope. This is a flat metal tray that bolts to the tripod head providing a flat surface to place the scope down upon. Otherwise the task is to try to find the mounting hole under the scope while fiddling with the bolt with one hand. You may have great body strength - but you are NOT Superman! Don't risk dropping your LX200! Peterson Engineering in Rhode Island sells a great one - www.peterson-web.com
There are other available, but most are the size of a dining room table.
As for the weight: Make NO mistake, these are BIG and HEAVY beasts. The weight difference between the 10 and the 12 is only about 10 pounds, so it won't make much difference. However the 12" has lifting handles both front and back of the fork arms, so it is somewhat easier to lift even though it weighs more. Meade did a lousy job designing the ergonomic placement of these, but such is life. Just remember to lift with your legs and not your back. Yahoo Groups has a forum for owners and would-be owners of the LX200 GPS scopes that has a file section showing the inventive ways people have come up with to move these monster's around with. As well as wonderful and highly knowledgable folks who will bend over backwards to answer your questions about everything LX200. Here is the address:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LX200GPS/
In the last analysis, you will have to decide for yourself if the 10 or the 12 is better suited for your particular needs. In my opinion the 12" is better suited to a more permanent home where you only have to lug it short distances. The 10" can be coaxed into a smaller car by one person with some difficulty, but the 12" really needs 2 people to move it any real distance or get it into tight spaces like an automobile. I went for the 12" as I only have to move it about 30 feet to where I set up. At that distance it's no real trouble.
So do check out the Yahoo group and ask your question there. You are sure to get about 25 answers!
Clear Skies -
Dave Filipowski
Burlington, Vermont |
