lined the tube w/Edmund Scientific ultrablack velvet; scratched the primary mirror in the process (an absolute newbie error--I was reluctant to take the primary mirror out, so I tried to work around it, and ended up touching it with my wedding ring)

Added Bob’s Nobs (I'm a collimation accuracy freak!)

Made a dew screen (flared to prevent vignetting).  Upgraded to a Dew Zapper, since more compact when taking to field.  PVC on original broke in the cold during Winter ‘02 (a first for company, I believe), and they provided free replacement.

purchased a 2”  Maxbright diagonal.  Decided that the difference between standard reflectivity and dielectric was worth it, since no reason to throw away 15% of remaining light (after loss to collector plate, primary and secondary mirror).  99%+ transmission means you can use a diagonal w/o feeling “guilty”, and having a high quality one means fewer concerns about its impact if opt to collimate w/it in place (as I do).  Got the AP over the TV because wanted the non-marring compression bands.  Was hooked to the SCT by an Intes 2” extension tube—also non-marring—before went to Apogee Crayford.

Made the MAPUG mirror flop adapter (http://www.mapug-astronomy.net/AstroDesigns/MAPUG/ImgShift.htm#anchor1445909), since mirror shift was a significant problem as the scope was moved in altitude.

Added an Apogee Crayford-style 2" focuser.  Liked the greater focus travel than the the JMI unit and cheaper list price.  (before the Williams and Featherlites existed). Unfortunately precludes using scope above 80* altitude, but worthwhile trade-off.  Programmed this altitude limitation as a "hard stop" into both the Meade hand controller and Earth Centered Universe planetarium software.  (ver 3.2 added this feature—that and the revised “auto-track” mode were main reasons I paid to upgrade from ver 3.1, which otherwise met my needs perfectly)

Made my own removable laptop tray out of a Martha Stewart baking pan.  It worked, but I feared it was putting pressure on the bottom of the scope-- where the motor was-- so I broke down and purchased the commercial "Scope Saver" (http://www.scopesaver.com/newscopesaver6.1.gif)

Never bought a Meade 1812 DC converter, since had heard mediocre things about QC.  Bought a 300w voltage inverter instead so can power laptop as well as LX200

Had an Intes 2” quad turret.  Haven’t found myself using it much—it was defective (there was an admitted design flaws which made the bearing wear down quickly).  Keep it for A/B testing. Tweaked and refined the motion, and eventually sold it

Added a Telrad.  When got tired of swapping the Telrad between the LX200 and Dob, got a second one (from Astromart) that came w/an XX dew cover and Sun Finder.  Although this Telrad was unused, it turned out to have a defect in its circuitry that prevented it from being turned off!  Rather than returning it, I discovered that it could be powered by the reticle jack on LX200 panel.  Used the jack from a set of freebie airline movie headphones (needed this “L-shape” vice straight form factor to clear OTA arms). 

Had an f6.3 focal reducer.  Never used.  Sold and got an f3.3 as got into imaging

Made my own telescope cooler.  Better than the Lymax but much cheaper! ($3).  Moves more air, and is heavily filtered.  Purposely left it ugly looking to bug those buddies who own a Lymax.  <g>

Tend to run LX200 w/laptop and ECU.  Find seldom use my Tiron 2000, although sometimes uses its companion volume to elicit more info about objects of interest.  Have Cartes du Ciel on laptop as well—think because I got started w/ECU have had trouble making the switch.  Only use it when want to see where Jovian moons are.  Trying to learn—especially like way it indicates direction and distance to double star companions

Celestron Vibration Suppression pads.  Don’t always use, but nice to have.  Put band of reflective tape around them so don’t end up leaving these pricey hockey pucks in grass!  Sometimes put on little plywood slabs, if ground muddy or likely to freeze.