Meade are one of the best known brands when it comes to astronomy, and they have released some of the top telescopes over the past decade. This includes both the Meade LX90 and the LX200, which although are expensive, definitely have a lot of quality to them.
But how are these two telescopes different to one another, and which one should you consider for your astronomy journey? Well, that’s what we’re going to be looking at today.
Meade LX90 vs LX200 Comparison
Now., it’s not as if one of these is a different aperture than the other, as they’re both available in various different magnifications. You can pick both of these up in an 8 inch size which is usually the cheapest, but they both have 10 and 12 inch models that you can check out too.
There are some very key differences between these two telescopes that you should be aware of. Although similar in many ways, the main areas where they differ are;
- The LX90 lacks the primary mirror locking that you get with the LX200. This can help when it comes to astrophotography, though many people don’t use this locking feature anyway. You can also lock the mirror down with the LX200 too.
- The LX200 comes with an additional Meade micro-focuser that you don’t get with the LX90. This isn’t a massive difference, and the focuser can actually be purchased separately from Meade if needs be.
- You’re definitely going to notice a weight difference between the two. This largely comes down to the mount that the LX200 uses, which is significantly heavier than the one the LX90 uses.
Now, these are the main differences between the two – the LX 200 is the better telescope for astrophotography (check our guide for the best astrophotography telescopes), which will be a dealbreaker for some people interested in getting long exposure photographs. But as I said before, these two are much more alike than they are different. So, let’s look at some of their similarities as well so you know what you’re getting for your cash.
Similarities and overall review
When it comes to the quality of optics between the two, there’s actually not any difference. Both of the telescope use the same primary and secondary mirror configuration as each other, so there’s no big difference there. Plus, they also use the same corrector plate as one another too.
You also have to take into account that there are different variations of these telescopes as well, not just their aperture. With the LX200 you have the classic design, which most people will be used to. You also have the GPS, which gives you GPS alignment, and the ACF too, which stands for Advanced Coma Free, which will reduce astigmatism and make for a better picture.
Overall I’d definitely rather take the 10 inch LX90 over the 8 inch LX200, as the difference in aperture is going to be of much greater value than the small differences between the features of the two. However, each step up in aperture does usually add quite a bit to the price, and an 8 inch telescope should be more than enough for any intermediate astronomer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both of these telescopes have stood the test of time and been around for the last few decades. Whilst the LX200 is the older of the two (originally released back all the way in 1992, whereas the LX90 wasn’t released until 200), that doesn’t necessarily mean to say that it’s better for your purpose.
You can see the differences above to see whether the LX200 is worth spending a little more on, as it is technically a better choice with more power. For most people, you’ll probably be just fine with the LX90 though.
