Meade 10 inch lx2000acf - Meade 10in LX200ACF UHTC Advanced Coma Free Telescope

First of all, let me admit that I am a dimwit and didn't know a lot of common star names when I first got the scope. I was always a planet guy and never worried much about constellations other than Orion and Ursa Major. When this thing goes auto setup, it can ask you for things like Alpheratz and Hamal. Betelgeuse, Rigel and Sirius was about all I had in my repertoire at the time. However, I downloaded a list of the common names, plugged them into Excel with their respective constellations and alphabetized. Bingo! Something strange is happening though; I am beginning to not have to look at my list anymore. The scope was a nice $3000 incentive for mr to learn more about naked-eye astronomy. That and my wife's not-so-subtle hints.

It does what it is supposed to. This GPS and auto guide are to me like fire to a caveman. Awesome. The other night I lined up on Deneb and Mizar and punched in M31. Bingo! Right there. M13. Bingo! Right there. Shame the sky was hazy. The objects were there but the seeing was not. Jupiter, on the other hand, never looked better.

i did have some trouble with the scope (software) when I first got it. Someone in QC left some junk loaded in the memory that screwed up my auto setup. It kept pointing the scope at least two hours away from the nearest bright object, if that is possible. Basically, working with Meade on the telly, I reset the memory to default status and entered my time and date, and it has been great ever since. I do make a point of checking the tima and date every session and changing the batteries about every 16 using hours. I had the batteries go dead on me right after I had finished alignment (about a 15 minute process) one night and I don't want that to happen again. My free time is too valuable for that.

I also recommend a Scope-Buggy for this monster. It's a heavy bugger, but the scope buggy allows me in and out of the garage in 2 minutes. Great accessory.

The problem I have with the software is the in order to do a semi-manual one- or two- star alignment (you pick the stars) the scope has to be alt/az zeroed, leveled and northed. The scope compensates for all this in full-auto mode, why not semi-auto? I really need to annoy Meade to put out a software patch for this.

In conclusion, I love this scope. I love the computer control. It tracks like a bloodhound.
Pros: Real easy to use after learning curve
Cons: Computer could use some other options

This review was written in the old system and had content requirements that are different than reviews written today.