Tripod

No Differences. As far as I can tell, they are identical Tripods.

Optics

No Differences. Both models use the same Corrector Plate, Primary Mirror & Secondary Mirror configurations.

OTA

The LX200 includes a mirror locking knob whilst the LX90 does not.

The LX200 includes the ability to lock the mirror down for transport (via insertion of a holding screw in a hole just beside the focus knob). The LX90 does not allow for this.

The LX200 includes a Meade Micro Focuser whilst the LX90 does not. It is possible to purchase the Meade #1209 Micro Focuser as an after market addon.

The basic design of the Rear Cell / Visual Back differs between the 2 scopes. The LX90 has an overall curved design with an indented flat area around the focus knob. It also has screw holes just below the eye piece for the attachment of the Meade #909 APM. The LX200 on the other hand is a flat design with an elevated section around the eye piece.

LX90 ships with an 8 x 50 finder scope & red dot finder whilst LX200 includes only the 8 x 50mm finder scope. It would also appear that the finder scope comes mounted on the left hand of the OTA on an LX200 whilst it’s mounted on the right hand side on an LX90.

Mount

LX200 mount is significantly heavier than the LX90 mount. This is partly because the forks on the LX200 are larger and of a more solid construction. It’s also due to the face that the LX200 mount contains more functionality (autoguider port, focus motor control, etc) so the associated controllers and interfaces contribute to the overall weight of the LX200 mount.

LX200 has the computer in the base of the mount whilst in the LX90, the computer is located in the Autostar #497 handset controller.

Due to the differences in the gearing and drive trains, the LX200 has a better Pointing & tracking Accuracy than the LX90s which makes it more suited to astrophotography. Having said this, many people have been successful in capturing some fine images from their LX90s.

On the LX200, the GPS unit is mounted on top of the left hand form arm whilst on the LX90, it’s mounted on top of the right hand form arm (same form arm that houses the Dec Drive Assy).

The LX200 is a more precise instrument than the LX90 which makes it a better unit for astrophotography. The RA & DEC worm gears have 180 teeth on the LX200, whilst on the LX90, they have 154 teeth. This helps provide more accurate tracking and PEC control. On late model LX200’s, the transfer gears in both the RA and Dec assemblies are made of brass whilst on the LX90, they are made out of internal plastic. Note, early model LX200’s (pre 2004) also included moulded plastic transfer gears. An upgrade kit is available (Buck’s Gears) to replace them with stainless steel ones which helps reduce tracking & periodic errors as well as backlash and general wear & tear.

The LX200 has manual Alt & Az fine control knobs whilst the LX90 does not. This allows you to make fine pointing adjustments to the OTA without having to rely on the Autostar controller buttons.

The LX200 provides the Smart Mount feature whilst the LX90 does not. Smart Mount helps by creating an internal star map that’s manually updated by pointing the scope at specific stars and entering their locations. This helps with the pointing accuracy of the scope.

LX90 (8”) has a single centred bolt hole (3/8” UNC) in the base for mounting on a wedge. LX200s come with 3 bolt holes.

Autostar Controller

 TBA

Detailed Comparison Table

	8" LX90	10" LX90	12" LX90	8" LX200GPS	10" LX200GPS	12" LX200GPS	8" LX200 ACF	10" LX200 ACF	12" LX200 ACF
OTA Type	Schmidt Cassegrain	Schmidt Cassegrain	Schmidt Cassegrain	Schmidt Cassegrain	Schmidt Cassegrain	Schmidt Cassegrain	Advanced Ritchey-Chretien	Advanced Ritchey-Chretien	Advanced Ritchey-Chretien
Mount type	Cast aluminium, double fork	Cast aluminium, double fork	Cast aluminium, double fork	Cast aluminium, heavy duty double fork	Cast aluminium, heavy duty double fork	Cast aluminium, heavy duty double fork	Cast aluminium, heavy duty double fork	Cast aluminium, heavy duty double fork	Cast aluminium, heavy duty double fork
Connectors	•12VDC in •Handbox •Aux(2) •PC Comms(RS-232) on Autostar handbox	•12VDC in •Handbox •Aux(2) •PC Comms(RS-232) on Autostar handbox	•12VDC in •Handbox •Aux(2) •PC Comms(RS-232) on Autostar handbox	•12VDC in •12VDC out •Focus Motor Control •Reticle power •Handbox •RS-232(2) •Autoguider	•12VDC in •12VDC out •Focus Motor Control •Reticle power •Handbox •RS-232(2) •Autoguider	•12VDC in •12VDC out •Focus Motor Control •Reticle power •Handbox •RS-232(2) •Autoguider	•12VDC in •12VDC out •Focus Motor Control •Reticle power •Handbox •RS-232(2) •Autoguider	•12VDC in •12VDC out •Focus Motor Control •Reticle power •Handbox •RS-232(2) •Autoguider	•12VDC in •12VDC out •Focus Motor Control •Reticle power •Handbox •RS-232(2) •Autoguider
Optics	•Oversize Corrector Plate (2 sided aspheric correction) •Spherical Primary Mirror •Convex secondary Mirror	•Oversize Corrector Plate (2 sided aspheric correction) •Spherical Primary Mirror •Convex secondary Mirror	•Oversize Corrector Plate (2 sided aspheric correction) •Spherical Primary Mirror •Convex secondary Mirror	•Oversize Corrector Plate (2 sided aspheric correction) •Spherical Primary Mirror •Convex secondary Mirror	•Oversize Corrector Plate (2 sided aspheric correction) •Spherical Primary Mirror •Convex secondary Mirror	•Oversize Corrector Plate (2 sided aspheric correction) •Spherical Primary Mirror •Convex secondary Mirror	•Oversize Corrector Plate (2 sided aspheric correction) •Spherical Primary Mirror •Hyperbolic secondary Mirror	•Oversize Corrector Plate (2 sided aspheric correction) •Spherical Primary Mirror •Hyperbolic secondary Mirror	•Oversize Corrector Plate (2 sided aspheric correction) •Spherical Primary Mirror •Hyperbolic secondary Mirror
Clear Aperture	203mm (8")	254mm (10")	305mm (12")	203mm (8")	254mm (10")	305mm (12")	203mm (8")	254mm (10")	305mm (12")
Focal Length / Focal Ratio	2000mm f/10	2500mm f/10	3048mm f/10	2000mm f/10	2500mm f/10	3048mm f/10	2000mm f/10	2500mm f/10	3048mm f/10
Resolving power	0.56 arc secs	0.45 arc secs	0.375 arc secs	0.56 arc secs	0.45 arc secs	0.375 arc secs	0.56 arc secs	0.45 arc secs	0.375 arc secs
Maximum Practical Visual Power	400x	500x	610x	400x	500x	610x	400x	500x	610x
Limiting Magnitude (visual)	14	14.5	14.9	14	14.5	14.9	14	14.5	14.9
Limiting Magnitude (photographic)	16.5	17		16.5	17		16.5	17
Closest Focus Object	25 feet	50 feet		25 feet	50 feet		25 feet	50 feet
Primary Mirror Lock	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Zero Image-Shift Micro Focuser	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
GPS	Sony 16 channel GPS Receiver on right fork arm	Sony 16 channel GPS Receiver on right fork arm	Sony 16 channel GPS Receiver on right fork arm	Sony 16 channel GPS Receiver on left fork arm	Sony 16 channel GPS Receiver on left fork arm	Sony 16 channel GPS Receiver on left fork arm	Sony 16 channel GPS Receiver on left fork arm	Sony 16 channel GPS Receiver on left fork arm	Sony 16 channel GPS Receiver on left fork arm
True-level sensor	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
North sensor	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Pointing Precision, Normal Mode	5 arc mins	5 arc mins	5 arc mins	2 arc mins	2 arc mins	2 arc mins	2 arc mins	2 arc mins	2 arc mins
Pointing Precision, High Precision Mode	3 arc mins	3 arc mins	3 arc mins	1 arc min	1 arc min	1 arc min	1 arc min	1 arc min	1 arc min
OTA Diameter	9.1"	11.75"	13.6"	9.1"	11.75"	13.6"	9.1"	11.75"	13.6"
OTA Length	16.75"	22"	25"	16.75"	22"	25"	16.75"	22"	25"
Batteries (user-supplied)	8 x C size	8 x C size	8 x C size	8 x C size	8 x C size	8 x C size	8 x C size	8 x C size	8 x C size
Approx Battery Life	60 hours	60 hours	60 hours	20 hours	20 hours	20 hours	20 hours	20 hours	20 hours
Primary, Secondary Mirrors	Pyrex Glass	Pyrex Glass	Pyrex Glass	Pyrex Glass	Pyrex Glass	Pyrex Glass	Pyrex Glass	Pyrex Glass	Pyrex Glass
Correcting Plate/Lens	water white glass	water white glass	water white glass	water white glass	water white glass	water white glass	water white glass	water white glass	water white glass
Red Dot Smartfinder	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No
Finder Scope	8 x 50	8 x 50	8 x 50	8 x 50	8 x 50	8 x 50	8 x 50	8 x 50	8 x 50
Field Tripod Height all models:	33" - 44" adjustable	33" - 44" adjustable	33" - 44" adjustable	33" - 44" adjustable	33" - 44" adjustable	33" - 44" adjustable	33" - 44" adjustable	33" - 44" adjustable	33" - 44" adjustable
Net Weight	53 lbs	69 lbs	79 lbs	73 lbs	90 lbs	125 lbs	73 lbs	90 lbs	125 lbs
OTA Weight (incl forks)	31 lbs	47 lbs	57 lbs	46 lbs	62 lbs	73 lbs	46 lbs	62 lbs	73 lbs
OTA Weight (excl forks)							8.5kg  (19 lbs)	12.7kg (28 lbs)	16.4kg (36 lbs)
Tripod Weight	20 lbs	20 lbs	20 lbs	20 lbs	20 lbs	50 lbs	20 lbs	20 lbs	50 lbs
RA PEC	Yes (not permanent)	Yes (not permanent)	Yes (not permanent)	Yes (permanent)	Yes (permanent)	Yes (permanent)	Yes (permanent)	Yes (permanent)	Yes (permanent)
DEC PEC	No	No	No	Yes (permanent)	Yes (permanent)	Yes (permanent)	Yes (permanent)	Yes (permanent)	Yes (permanent)
Zero Image Shift Microfocuser	No (optional)	No (optional)	No (optional)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Autostar Hand Controller	Autostar #497	Autostar #497	Autostar #497	Autostar II	Autostar II	Autostar II	Autostar II	Autostar II	Autostar II
Objects in Database	~30,000	~30,000	~30,000	~150,000	~150,000	~150,000	~150,000	~150,000	~150,000
Autostar Connectors	Telescope & PC (RS-232)	Telescope & PC (RS-232)	Telescope & PC (RS-232)	Telescope	Telescope	Telescope	Telescope	Telescope	Telescope
Disk Seymour Aftermarket Firmware Patch available	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
CPU	68HC11, 8MHz	68HC11, 8MHz	68HC11, 8MHz	10 parallel processors arranged in a Distributed Intelligent Network Architecture	10 parallel processors arranged in a Distributed Intelligent Network Architecture	10 parallel processors arranged in a Distributed Intelligent Network Architecture	10 parallel processors arranged in a Distributed Intelligent Network Architecture	10 parallel processors arranged in a Distributed Intelligent Network Architecture	10 parallel processors arranged in a Distributed Intelligent Network Architecture
Flash Memory	1MB, reloadable	1MB, reloadable	1MB, reloadable	3.5MB, reloadable	3.5MB, reloadable	3.5MB, reloadable	3.5MB, reloadable	3.5MB, reloadable	3.5MB, reloadable
Display	2 line, 16 character LCD	2 line, 16 character LCD	2 line, 16 character LCD	2 line, 16 character LCD	2 line, 16 character LCD	2 line, 16 character LCD	2 line, 16 character LCD	2 line, 16 character LCD	2 line, 16 character LCD
Keypad	20 key alphanumeric	20 key alphanumeric	20 key alphanumeric	20 key alphanumeric	20 key alphanumeric	20 key alphanumeric	20 key alphanumeric	20 key alphanumeric	20 key alphanumeric
Slew Speeds	1x, 2x, 8x, 16x, 64x & 128x (sidereal). 1.5˚/sec, 3˚/sec & 6.5˚/sec	1x, 2x, 8x, 16x, 64x & 128x (sidereal). 1.5˚/sec, 3˚/sec & 6.5˚/sec	1x, 2x, 8x, 16x, 64x & 128x (sidereal). 1.5˚/sec, 3˚/sec & 6.5˚/sec	0.01x to1.0x sidereal, variable in0.01x increments 1x, 2x, 8x, 16x, 64x & 128x (sidereal). 1.0˚/sec - 8.0˚/sec in 0.1˚/sec increments.	0.01x to1.0x sidereal, variable in0.01x increments 1x, 2x, 8x, 16x, 64x & 128x (sidereal). 1.0˚/sec - 8.0˚/sec in 0.1˚/sec increments.	0.01x to1.0x sidereal, variable in0.01x increments 1x, 2x, 8x, 16x, 64x & 128x (sidereal). 1.0˚/sec - 8.0˚/sec in 0.1˚/sec increments.	0.01x to1.0x sidereal, variable in0.01x increments 1x, 2x, 8x, 16x, 64x & 128x (sidereal). 1.0˚/sec - 8.0˚/sec in 0.1˚/sec increments.	0.01x to1.0x sidereal, variable in0.01x increments 1x, 2x, 8x, 16x, 64x & 128x (sidereal). 1.0˚/sec - 8.0˚/sec in 0.1˚/sec increments.	0.01x to1.0x sidereal, variable in0.01x increments 1x, 2x, 8x, 16x, 64x & 128x (sidereal). 1.0˚/sec - 8.0˚/sec in 0.1˚/sec increments.
Tracking Speed	sidereal, lunar, or custom-selected from 2000 incremental rates	sidereal, lunar, or custom-selected from 2000 incremental rates	sidereal, lunar, or custom-selected from 2000 incremental rates	sidereal, lunar, or custom-selected from 2000 incremental rates	sidereal, lunar, or custom-selected from 2000 incremental rates	sidereal, lunar, or custom-selected from 2000 incremental rates	sidereal, lunar, or custom-selected from 2000 incremental rates	sidereal, lunar, or custom-selected from 2000 incremental rates	sidereal, lunar, or custom-selected from 2000 incremental rates
Guide Speed	2x sidereal	2x sidereal	2x sidereal	0.1 to 2x sidereal	0.1 to 2x sidereal	0.1 to 2x sidereal	0.1 to 2x sidereal	0.1 to 2x sidereal	0.1 to 2x sidereal
Worm Gear	4.9" dia (both axes)	4.9" dia (both axes)	4.9" dia (both axes)	5.75" dia (both axes)	5.75" dia (both axes)	5.75" dia (both axes)	5.75" dia (both axes)	5.75" dia (both axes)	5.75" dia (both axes)
Worm Gear Teeth	154	154	154	180	180	180	180	180	180
Worm Cycle Duration	9 mins, 21 secs	9 mins, 21 secs	9 mins, 21 secs	8 mins	8 mins	8 mins	8 mins	8 mins	8 mins
PEC adjustments per worm revolution	150	150	150	200	200	200	200	200	200
PEC Training Duration	9 mins, 21 secs	9 mins, 21 secs	9 mins, 21 secs	Early Firmware versions = 8 mins (1 worm rev) Later Firmware versions = 24 mins (3 worm revs)	Early Firmware versions = 8 mins (1 worm rev) Later Firmware versions = 24 mins (3 worm revs)	Early Firmware versions = 8 mins (1 worm rev) Later Firmware versions = 24 mins (3 worm revs)	Early Firmware versions = 8 mins (1 worm rev) Later Firmware versions = 24 mins (3 worm revs)	Early Firmware versions = 8 mins (1 worm rev) Later Firmware versions = 24 mins (3 worm revs)	Early Firmware versions = 8 mins (1 worm rev) Later Firmware versions = 24 mins (3 worm revs)