Refined and improved over the years, Meade’s Premium Schmidt-Cassegrain (SC) optics give you the highest performance of any on the market. Meade uses waterwhite glass that delivers superior light transmission across the entire visible spectrum for our corrector plates, unlike inferior standard plate glass used by some other telescope manufacturers. Combined with our industry-leading Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC) — with 15% better light transmission than standard coatings — and oversized, thermally-stable primary mirrors for optimum light collection, you get a spectacular viewing experience not available on competitors’ SC telescopes.

Specifications

Focal Length and Focal Ratio:  2540mm; f/10
Aperture:  10 inch
Optical Coatings:  UHTC
Resolving Power:  0.456 arcseconds
Secondary Obstruction (% by area): 11.9
Viewfinder:  8x50 w/crosshair reticle
Eyepiece:  26mm Series 4000 Super Plossl
Diagonal:  1.25"
Correcting Plate / Lens: Aspheric high-spectral transmission Borofloat glass from Schott AG Germany
OTA Weight:  29.5 lbs.
OTA Dimensions: 11.75 inch diameter x 22 inches

LX80 Multi-mount

The LX80 Multi-mount operates in three modes, German equatorial, single OTA alt-az and dual OTA alt-az. Setting up in any mode is quick and easy. The LX80 is built around a solid aluminum structure, with two large, tapered roller bearings that handle radial and thrust loads on each axis to carry larger loads up to a total payload of 40 pounds In EQ and altaz modes and up to 75 pounds in dual OTA mode. Its precision worm gear drives on both axes deliver smooth, accurate motion and Meade’s proprietary SmartDrive™ provides periodic error correction that dramatically reduces errors providing performance only available on much more expensive mounts. Both the primary and secondary OTA dovetail plates are industry-standard for maximum compatibility with all of your OTAs. The LX80s computerized GoTo mount is controlled with the amazing AudioStar handbox with Meade’s exclusive Astronomer Inside audio descriptions of the objects you are viewing.

Features

• Industry-standard dovetail OTA mounting:  The die-cast aluminum, industry-standard dovetail provides compatibility with most OTA's
• Heavy-duty mount:  Rock-solid, stable platform with precision worm gear drives on both axes for both visual and astrophotographic requirements
• Sectional counterweight shaft:  Allows for selecting the ideal shaft length for counterbalancing or dual-tube configurations
• Multi-mount adjustment:  Quickly change between alt-az mode and German Equatorial mode
• Control panel:  Includes power connector, handbox port and two auxiliary ports for connecting optional equipment
• AudioStarTM computer-control handbox:  Meade's revolutionary AudioStar computer controller finds and points your telescope to over 30,000 objects in the night sky.  With its Astronomer InsideTM digital audio technology, everyone around the telescope can listen and learn about the 500-plus celestial objects contained in its database, including planets, nebulae, star clusters, the Moon and much more
• Fine-tune tripod adjusters:  Quickly and easily level your tripod for optimum pointing accuracy
• Stainless-steel tripod legs:  Two inch diameter legs provide a stable foundation

Specifications

• AutoStar Controller:  AudioStar w/30,000 object database
• Pointing Precision (High Precision Mode):  Up to 5 arcminutes
• Go-to pointing precision (approximately):  10 arcminutes
• Periodic Error Control:  Polar Mode Only
• Slew speeds:  RA and Dec:1x, 2x, 8x, 16x, 64x,128x sidereal and 1.5°/sec., 3°/sec., 6.5°/sec.
• Tracking Rates:  Sidereal, lunar or custom selected from 2,000 incremental rates
• Latitude Range (in EQ mode):  25° to 90°
• Control Panel:  12v DC, Power, HBX port, 2 Aux ports (RS232)
• Total Instrument Capacity:  Multi-OTA = 70 lbs alt-az or German Equatorial = 40 lbs
• Batteries (User supplied):  8xAA
• AC Power Supply (optional):  12v DC, 5 amp power supply
• Mount Dimension:  12 inch L x 8 inch W x 14 inch H

LX80 Tripod

With large two inch diameter stainless steel legs, the all new LX80 tripod is rugged and stable. Built-in fine-tune leg levelers at the top of each leg make doing small adjustments the easiest they’ve ever been. With the LX80’s industry-standard saddle, there is virtually no limit to the different tubes that can be used.

• Adjustable-height tripod with 2 inch stainless steel legs. Includes fine adjustment leg levelers on each leg. Range of fine adjustment for each leg + 0.2 inch. Tripod height adjusts from 30.5 to 47 inches.
• One 11 lb. steel weight included
• Alt-az or German EQ configuration, dual OTA configuration, optional plug-in autoguider port
• Mount weight:  35 lbs
• Tripod weight:  31.5 lbs
• Tripod Dimension:  30.5 inch to 47 inch variable