So I have this telescope. A Meade LXD75.  A cool present indeed. But setting it up is rather intimidating. Right from the start I knew I was in trouble because as it became clear that the author of the assembly instructions didn’t appreciate just how basic the instructions needed to be.

Here I am 6 months on I’m still setting it up properly. Not a great start. Perhaps the main issue is that you don’t want to get it wrong. This is a rather expensive piece of equipment, and lets face it, you don’t want to something silly like drop a metal ring on the mirror. Yeah, I really regret doing that…..

The first issue.

The tiny screw needed to hold the counter weight broke off immediately. Those weights are heavy! But my foot managed a daring escape. So I cannot “balance” the telescope

oops!

So I managed a temporary fix, took it to Donegal and marveled at an amazing sky. Stunning! The the second issue….

The eyepiece you insert into the telescope decided it should separate from the metal ring holding it in place. CLANG! I reckon that’s not good for the mirror…No picture could describe this one!

So it still seemed to focus OK and I borrowed a new eyepiece when I got home and started to try to zoom in on Jupiter. The third issue….

There is a “wobble” in the mount. The telescope can be locked in position and when that happens it does not move. Or should not move! I have a tiny movement on each axis which causes Jupiter to dance in an out of the field of view with a slight touch. Not a great idea…Try doing your Polar alignment now! (yes there is lots of jargon in these books)

The Wobble

So I contacted Meade in Germany gave them a nice description of the issues above and they eventually gave me a lovely supportive reply. Let me quote.

Dear Mr. Doyle,

please contact your dealer for this problem. Thank you.

Mit freundlichem Gruß / Best regards

So next I find that Astroshop.de are the ones I should be talking to (fair enough!). The listened to my sad story, and immediately sent me a replacement eyepiece, screw, and some jelly beans (honest to god!). So what about that mirror guys? Still waiting…

I did get some noddy suggestion about training the motor which is NOT the issue, and decided to mention that to them. But this is the reply…If you can decode it PLEASE let me know.

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Dear Mr. Doyle.

Who is their dealer?
I can only say at which points it to you lie!
The worm shaft moves horizontal back and forth.
Here there is a brass mother system with that to adjust you the play easily can.
In addition you must remove the mount. They can send us also installing and I stop you the shifting.
That can take place naturally only against computation.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen

Achim Mros

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Eh, my move I think. I’m open to suggestions!