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[Al Degutis]

Well, we don't know what their announcing but between 7-8pm (CST) Meade will be making a new product announcement on their website:

www.meade.com

Right now it just says:

"In 1992 Meade introduced the LX200, and changed the face of astronomy. On January 3, 2005 Meade will do it again..."

There has been a lot of serious and playful speculation as to what new hardware they're going to announce. Personally, I read the text literally as they introduced the LX200 in 1992 and they're going to announce it again in 2005. My guess is a new LX200 packaged with their new (and popular) Deep Sky Imager (DSI) and new software.

Who knows maybe it will be something new and revolutionary... Only time will tell... tick, tock, tick, tock

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Would you believe I already have the specs?

It will be 14-7/8" SCT with a binoviewer. The eyepieces will be on rotating disks, (dual of course), from a 40mm to a 6mm. They will be non-fogging, Plossls and will change at a push of a button.

A PDA-like device running Linux will display all targets and provide all neccesary details. This device will open up from the scope base and the LCD screen will unfold to 12"x12" and be fitted with wi-fi. A wireless earpiece will be included with the software, so as to feed the astronomer answers to questions from the inquisitive public.

The finder scope will no longer utilize straight through sighting, but use a cam. It will self-align it's self to the main scope and be of varied power. It will be viewed on the PDA screen, with the option of nightscope mode.

A 25 watt Green laser will be recessed into the OTA, acting as the "Telrad" for guiding and impressing. Visits from homeland security personnel will be the responsibility of the operator and not Meade.

The tripod will be hydraulic and have a flip out seat with a weight capacity of 180 &1/2lbs. The go-to will be silent, accurate and use one lithium watch battery with a life expectancy of 18 months. As a backup, there will be two nautical type valves, (one for each axis), in case the battery runs down while in mid observation. The operator will need to turn these in equal amounts to maintain proper tracking.

It will all break down into a 12"x24" hard shelled case with soft rubber wheels. On the back will be a cooled/warmed compartment for assorted beverages, including martini fixins and moist towel-etts.

I got my order in already!

[Al Degutis]

Actually, it's the new RCX400, a Ritchey-Chrétien reflector. They, sort of, compare it to the Hubble:

www.meade.com/rcx400

Starting at $4,999 for the low end 10", I'm sure everyone will be lining up for this new scope.

It does have some nice features though:

• ELECTRONIC FRONT FOCUSING SYSTEM
  
• BUILT-IN ANTI-DEW HEATER
  
• CARBON FIBER & KEVLAR OPTICAL TUBE
  

and that's not even the full list. What are your thoughts?

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

It is rather cool, but I would have thought they would have installed a right angle on the finder scope. It is quite awkward on these type of scopes when pointing at zenith.

The front focusing feature is nice, but it disturbs me. There seems to be missing any manual controls for focusing. It uses three motors to focus and if one of those motors starts to fail? And...We have all had the computer bump the scope to a target, and have it over/undershoot.

It just seems that the electronics here is just something else that can go wrong. But I would like to see one in action.

I'll take the 16" at $16,000.00.

[Doug]

That thing looks very impressive! But what is a Ritchey-chretien? How does that differ from a Schmidt or Maksuktov Cassegrain?

I already reserved a 16", which I will easily pay for out of my trust fund -- not!

-Doug

[Al Degutis]

Joe,

I agree that being completely electronic is a concern. As for not having a right-angle finder, I'm not surprised... this scope is gear for astrophotographers (mentioned 5 times in the ad) and especially for those who plan on putting it in an observatory. The 10" will be portable and some will transport the 12" but I'd bet the weight of the 12" would make it a travelling challenge. The 12" LX200GPS is borderline portable due to it's weight. Sure the OTA on the RCX400 will weigh less but they've added other components to make up the difference.

It sure sounds like a nice scope. I wonder if Shutan will have one any time soon to check out. Maybe we can get Shutan to bring one out to a future Chicago Astronomer Star Party.

[Al Degutis]

Not being familiar with the Ritchey-Chretien telescope design (or how to pronounce Chretein) I did a little research. Here are the main difference of an RC telescope:

• It uses hyperbolic mirrors so there is no coma, or aberration, in the entire field of view.
  
• It uses only two surfaces, compare to 4 on a Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) so there is less light loss.
  
• It does not use refractive elements (e.g. glass which scatters light especially in infra-red) so CCD camera can pick up more
  
• It uses a 2.7x secondary mirror, compared to 5x on a SCT, providing a flatter field. Okay, can someone explain this one to me?
  

These spec further confirm my thoughts that the RCX400 is geared towards astrophotography, especially CCD imaging. Looking at the prices of other RC telescopes, the Meade RCX400 is 1/3 the price. If the quality is good then these are a great deal.

I still don't know to pronounce Chretein.

[Al Degutis]

Mike Fowler of OPT (Oceanside Photo and Telescope) got a first hand look at the new Meade RCX400 and posted some details and photos on their website:

www.optcorp.com/meade/optrcxexclusive.aspx

Even though it's gears towards astrophotographers, it's supposed to be good for visual observing, too. Maybe I'll actually pick up the 14"... in 5 - 10 years from Astromart.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Al,

Thanks for that link. I am not usually one to be negative, I love all telescopes and would like to see this one in my arsenal, but...

What bothers me is that Meade bonds the secondary mirror to the corrector plate. I understand the reasoning behind it and the logic is sound, but I suspect the physical bond of the two surfaces, and over time expect it to separate or shift. And in a scope of this precision, that would throw it off greatly.

Also, it states: "It looks like the corrector will be fairly easy to remove when you want to do any internal cleaning." I'm not an owner of a SCT type scope, but should you not be taking the scope apart in that manner? Do any of you astronomers need to clean the insides? I guess if the need to is there, and that is good.

Looking at the focus motors, do I see a frail plastic gear? Can't be, or could it?

If one has the funds to purchase this professional level scope, I would assume that astronomer would jettison it when the problems start to develope and get a newer one.

A great scope, but something about it bothers me.