12" Meade LX200GPS: super-reluctant sale

[omaroo]

16/02/07 - WITHDRAWN FROM SALE...

I really can't justify owning this scope without having a permanent observatory to leave it set up in. I just can't keep moving it back and forth with my back being the way it is. I love this scope, but the time has come to let someone a bit fitter than me own it.

This scope used to belong to Zane Hammond (owner of Magellan Observatory, NSW) and was well looked after during its couple of years there and has then been under my care since September 2006. The tripod is in pretty good nick, but the paint is getting a little chipped on the legs. The OTA is in excellent condition. There is a little dust on the mirror, as usual - but it presents no optical degradation to speak of. I apologise to Zane for breaking my promise to give it a good home forever.....

Anyhoo - here it is.

1) 12" Meade LX200GPS with UHTC (Ultra-High Transmission Coating)
2) Autostar II GOTO System incl. 12v power cord
3) Meade Giant Field Tripod - shortened by approx. 8"
4) Meade 7x50 finderscope with dew shield
5) Telrad finderscope with dew shield
6) Meade 26mm Plossl
7) William Optics 2" diagonal with 1.25" adapter
8) Meade Electronic MicroFocusser
9) Peterson Engineering 2" EyeOpener for Meade MicroFocusser
10) Peterson Engineering Bucks Gears enhancement (fitted to Dec only - RA supplied though)
11) Peterson Engineering Dec clutch upgrade
12) corrector plate heater (needs re-connecting)
13) Meade piggyback SLR camera mount for 12" LX200GPS
14) New flexible dew shield w/velcro tabs
15) Bob's Knobs collimation knobs
16) Losmandy machined piggyback mounting blocks x 2 for 12" LX200
17) Serial data cable for scope remote control and software updating
18) Wooden floor-sitting equatorial wedge. Set to 34 deg, but is slightly adjustable. Picture shows Meade 80mm f/11 guide scope attached - which is not included.
19) Meade carry case for 12" LX200. Zipper is broken, but can be easily replaced. It is slightly water stained (no scope inside at the time!!) but otherwise works well.
20) Meade 12" SuperWedge

Sorry - but will not separate, so please don't ask (Apart from the wedge, that is).

I am asking $5,600.00 for everything, including the wedge. I can deliver to anywhere in the greater Sydney area, or to within a couple of hours drive of Sydney. I will pack the tripod in a separate box along with the accessories and help you arrange transport elsewhere if needed.

Thanks for taking your time to have a look.

Cheers
Chris

http://www.omaroo.net/albums/album34/035_G.sized.jpg

http://www.omaroo.net/albums/album34/P9060003.sized.jpg

http://www.omaroo.net/albums/album34/P8260025.sized.jpg

[Radar]

I have a new found love for large apertures. I wish I had the cash for this right now Chris. I hope you find a good owner for it.

[omaroo]

Thanks Radar. I hope it finds a good home because it's a great scope. I may be convinced to work to a payment plan of some kind if it comes to that....

Cheers - and thanks again
Chris

[hpcoolahan]

i'd take him up on that offer Radar, cheep for a 12 in lx200.
and they are a great scope the 12in.

hpcoolahan

[Radar]

i'd take him up on that offer Radar, cheep for a 12 in lx200.
and they are a great scope the 12in.


I wish I could. 12 inch really puts the fun back in visual.

Chris, is that first photo the super wedge?

[omaroo]

I wish I could. 12 inch really puts the fun back in visual.

Chris, is that first photo the super wedge?


Radar - no, that's a floor-standing wedge that was used to mount this scope in the Magellan Observatory at Lake Bathurst, NSW, and comes with the scope now. If you go to the following link, you'll see this scope on that wooden wedge under the "Observatory II" pages:

http://home.goulburn.net.au/~magellan/


The Meade SuperWedge is an additional metal wedge more designed to polar-mount the scope on either the Giant Field Tripod or a pier.

http://www.southern-astro.com.au/imgs/hardware/lx200gps/lx200gps-onpier.jpg


Cheers
Chris

[omaroo]

I have now decreased the overall price to $5,600 and have included the wedge. I think that this is a very fair deal to any potential buyer.

Gee you're a hard lot! ;)

Cheers
Chris

[Radar]

Awesome stuff Chris. That observatory looks fantastic. Oh what I would do with one of those! I would be a busy boy, that's for sure.

What did they put in place of the LX200?

[Tenacious Del]

I so need some more money! This hobby is so expensive for noobs like me.

[omaroo]

Awesome stuff Chris. That observatory looks fantastic. Oh what I would do with one of those! I would be a busy boy, that's for sure.

What did they put in place of the LX200?


Radar -Zane moved his JMI NGT18 into the space left by the LX200, and an SDM 24" f/3.5 into the dome where the NGT18 was.

http://www.sdmtelescopes.com.au/images/SDM007/SV400025.JPG

[omaroo]

As there has been no serious approach to date, I'm sorry, but this scope is no longer for sale.

I'll store it in my back room until I get around to building that observatory.

Thanks everyone
Chris