GENERAL

1. What is the total weight of this mounting including the necessary counterweights for the 20?  For the 16?
   
   
2. Is the DEC shaft threaded for these weights or are they attached and held into place via setscrews?
   
   
3. How many components, not counting counterweights, are there to the MAX mounting?  What is the heaviest single component?
   
   
4. Being totally realistic about this, Meade shows the MAX mounting on a portable pier (tripod); how many people will be required to set up BOTH mount and telescope in the field if used portably and approximately how long would setup time be?
   
   
5. Does Meade really believe that such a high end quality telescope SHOULD be portable or do we recommend that it be permanently mounted?
   
   
6. What are the power requirements of the MAX mounting?
   
   
7. Are the power connections similar to existing Meade high end telescopes such as the LX200 and RCX lines?
   
   
8. Please compare the control panel configurations of the new MAX mount to that of the LX200 and the RCX telescopes; is there a secondary control panel built into the back of the new 16 and 20 inch telescopes similar to that of the RCX 14 and smaller?  If so, how are these outputs connected to the mounting and control panel?
   
   
9. When attaching the components for the RA and DEC axes, how do the electronic and electrical components connect?  Is this similar in the connection system now in place with the LX200-16, where the top part of the DEC assembly has connectors to fit with the lower mounting electronics?
   
   
10. Is the MAX mounting going to be an Autostar II -driven system?  If so, is the firmware different than that for the existing telescope lines?
    
    
11. Are there meridian mount limits to prevent accidental pier damage when the telescope and its equipment are aimed at the zenith
    
    
12. Are horizon limits built into the firmware?
    
    
13. Mechanical questions:
    
    a) What size bearings in RA and DEC....and how many in each axis?

    b) What is the overall "thrust size diameter" of the DEC shaft?  Of the RA shaft?
    
    c) What is the diameter of the DEC counterweight shaft?
    
    d) Is the DEC counterweight shaft stainless steel?
    
    e) Are the axes moved manually via unclamping or are they utilizing clutches?

    f) Are electronics accessible in case of connector problems?
    
    g) Since it is a German Equatorial Mount (GEM), are there provisions for adjustments of the worm cylinder gear to the worm driver gear? This seems almost essential.

    h) What type, model, size and torque motors are being used to drive this telescope?
    
    i) Are there provisions to allow total disconnect (via unclamping....etc.) to achieve good balance in both axes?
    
    j) Is the telescope affixed to the mounting via a traditional (i.e., Losmandy type-D) dovetail and saddle plate arrangement?
    
    
14. Will this telescope operate to PC connections via the newer RCX-style USB cable or will serial connection be necessary?
    
    
15. Will Meade incorporate a more advanced PEC system in this telescope than is currently provided?
    
    
16. Can Meade provide for a "Solar", i.e., solar system objects, drive rate in addition to the existing lunar and sidereal rates?
    
    
17. Since this mounting is primarily going to be a permanent installation focus, is it equipped with GPS?
    
    
18. Can Meade design and incorporate a continuous internal 24-hour or GMT clock in the memory of this telescope?

OPTICAL TUBE ASSEMBLY

1. What is the bare naked weight of the 20" OTA.....the 16"?
   
   
2. What are the outside dimensions of both of these OTAs:  diameter, total length?
   
   
3. What is the backplate configuration for attaching accessories?  Similar most to the RCX or to the LX 200?
   
   
4. Is there a control panel built into the back cell of the OTAs?
   
   
5. How many fans operate with the 20" / 16"
   
   
6. Are the fans pulling from a secondary filtered port such as the LX200-16?
   
   
7. Does the Max 20" and 16" have rear cell focusing and mirror lock OR is it all electronic as with the RCX telescope?
   
   
8. Is a dew heater system built into the front cell as with the RCX scopes?
   
   
9. Is autocollimation via Autostar and the front lens provided as with the RCX scopes?
   
   
10. Will focusing be achieved by moving the pri mary OR the secondary/corrector assembly?
    
    
11. Will optical coatings be the same on this OTA as with the RCX UHTC coatings or are new and more advanced coatings planned?
    
    
12. Are there provisions (i.e., 1/4-20 threaded holes) for attaching mounting plates, guide scopes, etc. on both top and bottom lengths of the OTA?
    
    
13. What are the usable latitude ranges for the MAX mounting?
    
    
14. How is precise polar alignment achieved mechanically?
    
    
15. What is the focal ratio of the MAX 20" / MAX 16?
    
    
16. What is the clear aperture of the 20? / 16?
    
    
17. What is the actual mirror diameter of the 20"? / 16"?
    
    
18. What is the secondary mirror obstruction total diameter of the 20"? / 16"?
    
    
19. What is the backfocus (distance in inches/cm) of the 20" / 16" ?
    
    
20. What is the actual opening size of the rear cell opening port through which the optical light path passes?
    
    
21. What kind of coating is on the 16" and 20" optics?

Miscellaneous

1. What mechanism allows for precise elevation adjustments for precise latitude setting?
   
   
2. What mechanism allows for azimuth adjustments to achieve proper E-W alignment to the North Celestial Pole?
   
   
3. What is the MAXIMUM payload of the MAX mount, NOT including counterweights?