First light on my LXD75 8" SN was a few nights ago. The New Scope curse has plagued me with only two clear nights in two weeks. The scope has performed beautifully with one exception which I need to warn others about.


All of the alignment processes worked exactly as stated until I attempted an optical axis alignment using Autostar, (p55 in the manual). After positioning the telescope in the orientation as described in the manual, the scope slewed through 180 degrees on the Dec axis as expected. It then began its 180 degree R.A axis slew but as the optical tube tried to swing past the RA motor, the large cradle locking knob struck the motor and took a chunk of plastic off the top. It was a matter of millimeters but my guess is that they have made the locking knob about 4mm too long. This is not a big issue as the procedure can be performed manually however I would caution others when attempting this function to keep a close eye on the second slew.

In all other respects I could not be happier and I look forward to many happy nights of viewing and photography.

Kind regards
Matt