Hey all. First post, as I need some serious advice from Scope Builders/ Repair Guru's. I just received my Meade LXD75 10". Two of the three collimation screws were NOT in the Collimation Plate upon arrival. Not that big of a deal to me... I figure I'd wrap light weight picture frame wire around the bolts... pull them close enough to get the knobs screwed on and viola! That part is a not brainer. The serious part is that the MIRROR ITSELF has slightly pulled away by about 1/4" from one side of the plate (that I think it's glued to). As you old Meade LXD hands know... Meade says DO NOT remove the main housing. I called Optics Planet where I bought the scope... they just want to blame UPS and file a claim (I got the scope Wednesday of this week). I called Meade and they said "Ship it to us for Repair". They had no 10" OPT's in stock to exchange. So my choice is.... wait for Optics Planet and UPS to work things out or send it to Meade for a couple of weeks for repair - perhaps optics planet would pay for the frieght? I just want to view the skies. Having this thing sitting around not being used is KILLING me. Anyone think it would hurt to try and pull the mirror back down? I figured I could super glue a small nut to the back of the mirror. Once it dried I could screw a bolt into it and pull it back down on the plate. I don't know what glue agent Meade uses. I wouldn't think super glue that close to the edge as it might "haze" the mirror. Any experienced advice would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Murphy

I can understand the frustration especially when you've been anxiously waiting to use the telescope, however, since it is still under warranty I do not suggest any self repairing of any kind that might void your warranty.  Your best option is to allow Meade to take care of it. 
With that said,  Good Luck. 
IMHO, Optics Planet should take responsibility, replace it and file their own claim with UPS.  either way you're going to be waiting. 

I wouldn't touch that scope as it will void any warrantee if done so . That mirror should have 3 retaining clips & not be glued in . If Optics planet has any feel for what customer service is all about they should take care of the problem for you . They deal with Meade all the time and should replace your tube A.S.A.P so as you can go about using the product that you have already paid for . They can send the defective tube back to Meade as Meade should be responsible for the unchecked unit being shipped in the first place . If there was no sign of damage to the shipping carton apon arrival to your location it isn't any fault of U.P.S. Make your retailer provide the customer service that you deserve . You are Optics Planets customer & Optics Planet is Meades customer . Like a chain of command . Don't let your retailer pawn the problem off to you . If they don't agree with this I would just tell them you will return the product for a refund in full & give them a bad review as an atronomical equipment supplier on every astronomy related site you can find . If you deal with Meade direct I can almost guarrantee you wont be viewing for a couple months . Tell Optics planet you want a replacement or a refund . You paid for a new scope & don't want one that's repaired . 

Thanks guys. I greatly appreciate the advice. Friday - when I talked to Optics Planet - they said "we're filing a UPS claim ... "You'll get your money back when UPS pays the claim". I plan on calling Optics Planet on Monday again, and talk with someone in Management. I agree with you guys... they should own up and send me a UPS pick up ticket and take the scope back. It wasn't UPS's fault. Definitely a Meade slip up. I'll tell you this.. I called my Credit Card company and filed a dispute against Optics Planet. They agreed that it sounded like OP was trying to "pass the buck". So they credited my account and said I wouldn't be charged for the order... and that it's now OP's problem to solve... not mine. Can't beat that. But still I'm without a Scope. And I'm still sold on the LXD75 10" after even getting a bum scope. It's a good deal for the money. The problem is Meade told me they're on backorder. So as you mentioned.... I'll be waiting a long time. Thanks for the support. I needed to hear this. Thank God I haven't touched the scope! I figured it would mess up the warranty.. thus it's been hands off. I'll keep you up to date if anyone's interested. Think of me when theres clear skies. Murphy

Hey Murphy , You might think about the SN8 as I have heard quite a bit about the 10 incher being too much tube for the mount . I was originally concidering the 10 inch myself but went with the 8 due to these reports . Just a thought as I know that aperture rules but if it renders the mount so unstable it can be a real pain . The stock focusers on the SN series are quite hard to use as the sweet spot on a fast scope is very small & it doesn't snap right into focus . As a matter of fact it takes some patience mostly at high power where the movement of the scope & lateral slop that the stock focusers have on these scopes causing lots of image shift can make it a trying task . If your handy with a good mechanical aptitude you may be able to improve on this focuser some with a little bit of modification but most SN owners will eventually upgrade the it to a Crayford style dual speed unit .         Dave     

P.S.  Glad you got the card company to back you up as you should not have to wait & put up with lousy excuses from Optics Planet . 

astronig:

Hey Murphy , You might think about the SN8 as I have heard quite a bit about the 10 incher being too much tube for the mount . I was originally concidering the 10 inch myself but went with the 8 due to these reports . Just a thought as I know that aperture rules but if it renders the mount so unstable it can be a real pain .

For visual use a 10" Newtonian on a LXD 75 is pushing the limits but wouldn't be that serious of a problem. Same would be true with a 10" Newtonian on any of those class of mounts including the Celestron CG5, and Orion Sky View Pro and Atlas Mounts etc.. 
Using it for astrophotography would be a completely different story. Although some people have been able to use the successfully for astrophotography you would need very calm weather.   It's not so much that they are pushing the weight limits of the mount, it's the cross section of the OTA that is exposed to the wind.  It doesn't take much of a breeze to get it to shake or vibrate. Some people might even say a 8" Newtonian would have similar issues with wind, but would still be more stable because it does weigh less.   

Tim - you and Astronig are absolutely right. I took all of these variables into account before I bought the scope. But let me tell both of you something that I haven't found anywhere on the web.... Meade upgraded the LXD75-SN10 mount and weight system in 2007. The mount is a new beefy mount and the scope comes with 3 - 10lb weights exclusively in the SN-10. I looked and looked for a review of a post 2007 SN-10 and never found one. So I took the advice of a Meade salesperson at their 800 number. Aperture is everything for me. So I gave a great deal of consideration to "breeze shake". Fortunately I have a built in wind screen at my scope setup area. I live in a nicely dark area... and a few years ago I poured a 16x20 concrete pad to put a Hot Tub on for my wife. I then built a six foot privacy fence completely around it. Well.. it turns out that "HOT" water aggravates a skin condition my wife has... and I really never used it. So I sold the hot tub, and was left with a GREAT area for setting up a scope! (no... this was never the plan ; ). Eventually I'm thinking about drilling and bolting down onto the concrete a permanent column for the eq mount. But again... I just really want to get this opt issue resolved. I've been out of Astronomy since college where I took several semesters of Astro-Physicss under Dr. Steve Danford at UNCG. I just recently had the wherewithal (i.e. finances) to purchase the LXD (my favorite type of scope). My first "real" scope I had was in 1992 - an original ETX. Now that the kids are a little older - they've taken an interest in the skies, and I can't wait to share everything with them. Again gents.... THANKS for the help! Murphy

Oh yes - I forgot to mention that I intend to put a JMI focuser on the OPT early next year. They have a unit that "bolts right on - no drilling required". Though it "seems" that Meade has made a couple of changes to the OEM focuser... the knobs seem much nicer than previous photos I've seen. I can't say that the movement/gearing is better though. Once I get the OPT back... I'll let you know. Murph

 Here are some reviews of the SN10.

 http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/entryvotes.php?sectionid=12&entryid=575

Those reviews prove my point. All of them were from 2005. I haven't seen a review since the spotting scope was replaced and updated along with the mount, and the extra weights added in 2007. Pre 2007 - Meade only included one 10 lb weight. Now it's 30 lbs. murph

 Murphy,

The last review there was from 7/14/2007.

 Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 Ease of Use:8 Value:10
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date: 07/14/2007 10:41:51 am PST
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.35.136)

JJ 

That sucks about your new scope . I had to deal with UPS almost every day , and there claim service really is a pain in the tail . Just because the box wasent damaged during shipping dosent mean the box wasent dropped . they sell G shock indicators for shipping of delicate items and meade should adopt this policy for shipping . basicly if the box is rough handled it will tell you . They are not expensive at all , about a dollar each and 1 placed inside of the carton , and a g shock indicator warning label on the outside of the carton is all it takes for assurance of safe handeling of the package . the shipping company sees these are installed and useualy handles the carton with kid gloves . that is what is scary for new scope purchaces . i.e. me . I plan on taking a trip to the closest astronomy store <65 miles away>whene i purchace my lxd 75 8acf . any way good luck with your new scope and clear skys........ roverich

Thanks JJ. I didn't see that one. Makes me wonder though if the writer didn't get the 2007 upgrades. As he talks about "buy a good used scope". He doesn't make it clear if it were new or used. And again, if it was new.... how long was that one sitting on the shelf? The Meade salesperson I spoke with said that the upgraded models were released in 2007 - but gave no definite date. Oh well. Murph

 I am interested in your comment about the Meade Rep advising the mount had been changed for the Sn10. I am currently engaged in the famous decision the the 8 or the 10.

I was not aware the focuser was upgraded either.

 I would appreciate any information you can offer.

Thanks

Sorry to hear about your shipping issues.

 I think you will be very happy with the 10 inch. I've had my LXD55  now for about 3 years and I'm very happy with it, perfect it's not but a very, very good scope for the price. I also have a 12 1/2 dob that I built myself and I must say the LXD is seeing more use than the 12 ".I'm very pleased with the images seen with the 10 "  and have taken some pics with it and a DSI. Imaging with it is a challenge because of the mount and a trial in patience but you can see some of the pics I've taken with it here. They aren't the best in the world but do show what you can do without a lot of effort.

http://picasaweb.google.com/ntfredrick/ASTRO#     (most of the ones at the bottom of the screen taken with the LXD 10)

http://picasaweb.google.com/ntfredrick/Comets#

All of the pics of comet Holmes were taken with it and I am quite pleased with them.

I'm still learning as I go along with the scope and hope to find the time this winter to take the mount apart to help with some of the backlash issues in the geartrain. I may upgrade it to a belt drive setup to eliminate the spur gears but we will wait and see what improvement I get with the reduced  backlash  .

Some improvements I've done, replaced the stock finder, added a motor onto the stock focuser, purchased an adapter with a compression ring for the focuser, added a cooling fan and recently added a red dot finder which I find to be a big help

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LXD55telescopes/photos/album/1016441891/pic/list

You may want to hop over here to see what they have to say about it as many members have the LXD75 also

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/LXD55telescopes/

Norm