Telescope Reviews: Decisions - LX200 12 classic

I just picked up a LX200 classic 12". The goals were to get a larger scope with goto capabilities, but still have a semi portable setup. I sold my Cave 10" scope to do this - it was not portable nor goto. I can move the 12" sct onto the mount and set it up by myself, so it fits the criteria.

The gentleman I bought it from had received it to cover a loan, and knew nothing about the scope. He thought the scope was in solid working order, so on I went to Greenville, SC to pick it up.

When I got there, I hooked it up to do some basic tests, and the scope immediately had the dreaded Dec drive run away problem.

There was no wedge. The controller works well, as does the RA drive.

I wound up purchasing the scope based on the value of the OTA and now have it home. After some more testing, the DEC drive definitely has issues.

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Being an intrepid LX200 user, I have performed some low level investigation of how to work on the drive. There is some good information out there, but I have never soldered anything before, and am nervous to start on this mount.

So - it would seem that if I am to keep the mount I would want to get all the capacitors upgraded in the drives and in the handset, and get what ever issues need repaired in the DEC drive fixed. I could only find one place to send this to (Astronomy Shoppe) and it would run at least $300 to get everything done, more if the motor or gears need replaced.

I also spoke to Camera Bug here in Atlanta, who used to repair LX200 drives. They no longer have any parts, and would have to get a replacement drive, which would probably cost more than the $300 repair.

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So - decision time - fix this, or sell the mount for parts and move on.

The working LX200 controller has some solid value, as does the tripod. The base is in good shape. I'd guess you could sell everything for between $200 and $350 (an LX200 controller just sold for $250 on ebay - amazing).

I have a nice Sirius EQ-G mount - this OTA is heavier than that mount would support. I could potentially sell the parts, sell the EQ-G and move up to an Atlas or another mount to hold this OTA.

Or - I could get this fixed. I've had a few classic LX200s in the past, and enjoyed using them (10" and a 7"). Both were excellent optically. I had good luck with GOTO performance.

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What would you do? Am I throwing money into the fire fixing this mount?

Any other options out there for fixing this mount? It appears there are no longer replacement gears available.

If replace is the option - what mount would be suggested for mounting the OTA (primarily visual use).

Thanks for your thoughts...

Clear Skies - Ben