Building on the foundation of the technologically revolutionary LX800, Meade engineers have taken the next step in astrophotographic evolution. We’ve kept the same innovative concepts like Starlock™ fulltime automatic guiding and high-precision pointing, f/8 ACF OTAs with internal Crayford-style two-speed focuser and a portable precision German equatorial mount, but reengineered it to deliver more performance with less user effort. Here is a brief list of a few of the changes and new features made to create the new LX850:

NEW polished bronze worms in both RA and DEC drives that deliver smooth motion with low periodic error

NEW larger roller bearings in both RA and DEC axes to better handle large loads

NEW roller bearings in the RA and DEC clutch assemblies to allow freer motion with the clutches loosened for easier balancing

NEW one-piece 1-inch thick saddle plate with improved dove tail clamps, thicker OTA dovetail rail and radius blocks to reduce flexure between the OTA and mount

NEW alterative Starlock mounting position on ACF OTAs for virtually no flexure between StarLock and the primary optics

NEW StarLock software improvements to guide star selection, tracking/ guiding accuracy, Ultra High Precision Pointing, and Drift Alignment

NEW StarLock automatic guide rate calibration which analyzes the sky conditions and sets the best possible guide rates for both RA and DEC What's more is that all of this technology and engineering delivers a portable astro-imaging system that can be set up, aligned and imaging in less than 30 minutes.

Prices starting at just $5,999

LX800 SERIES FEATURES
Meade Instruments all new LX800 Series of imaging/visual telescopes uses exciting advanced technologies in optics, electronics and mechanics to bring you a superior system for imaging and visual observations. Here are some of the exciting features of the LX800 line.

New fast f/8 Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) optical systems on the 10", 12" and 14" OTAs. These optics produce wider, flatter fields with no coma for pinpoint stars out to the edge of larger imaging sensors or extreme wide angle eyepieces. Optional custom-designed LX800 f/5 large-format focal reducer/field flattener also available.

• New 130mm 3-element, air-spaced apochromatic f/7 refractor with 3" Crayford-style 10:1 focuser. Beautifully machined and finished with case. Optional 3" field flattener available.
• New StarLock full-time automatic integrated guider assists with ultra precise drift polar alignment, finds and centers targets and then automatically locks onto a field star as faint as 11th magnitude for one arcsecond guiding. No separate computer, no guide star selection, no user focus. Just setup your camera and image.
• New internal Crayford-style primary mirror focusing system with a dual speed 7:1 focus control, that eliminates image shift and mirror flop. Precise focus is a snap.
• German Equatorial Mount made from machined aluminum and stainless steel with large bearing surfaces and roller bearings in both axes for an extremely solid and stable platform.
• New Precision machined 5.8" main gears with 225 teeth in both R.A. and DEC. with .68" worms for very accurate movements and tracking.
• 1.75" diameter threaded stainless steel counterweight shaft with 26 lb. threaded stainless steel counterweights for easy and safe adjustments to telescope balance.
• New sophisticated built-in computer for the most accurate control of the StarLock and other telescope systems.
• AutoStar II hand control with over 144,000 object database to take you to almost any object imaginable at the push of the GoTo button. AutoStar II allows the user to setup and operate the LX800 in just the way you want.
• Precise altitude and azimuth controls for mount polar alignment.
• New Ultra-stable adjustable height tripod. Three inch diameter legs fold up for easy transport.
• Internal cabling to prevent snags and tangles.
• Accessories include 8x50 viewfinder, Series 5000 2" enhanced 99% reflective diagonal and a 25mm HD-60 premium eyepiece.

OTA SPECIFICATIONS

• Optical Design: Advanced Coma Free
• Clear Aperture: 10 in
• Focal Length: 2032mm; F/8
• Optical Coatings: UHTC
• Resolving Power: .46 arcseconds
• Secondary Obstruction: 20.95%
• Viewfinder: 8x50 w/crosshairs
• Eyepiece: HD-60 25mm long eye relief premium eyepiece
• Diagonal: Series 5000 2 inch with enhanced 99% reflectivity
• Focal Reducer / Field Flattener (optional): 2 inch diameter, 3 element, fully multi-coated, f/5 (designed specifically for LX800 f/8 ACF optical systems)
• Optimal Backfocus Distance at F/5: 3.5 in
• Focus System: Internal Crayford-style, zero image-shift primary mirror focus with dual speed 7:1 control
• Primary Mirror Lock: Not required due to internal Crayford-style primary mirror focusing system
• OTA Mounting: Losmandy®-style mounting plate
• Zero Image-Shift Microfocuser: Optional
• Primary Mirror Glass: Low-expansion borosilicate glass
• Secondary Mirror: Individually figured with primary mirror for maximum correction. Low-expansion borosilicate glass
• Correcting Plate / Lens: Aspheric high-spectral transmission Borofloat glass from Shott AG Germany
• Optical Tube: Aluminum
• Total Net OTA Weight: 33 lb.
• OTA Shipping Weight: 44 lb.

MOUNT SPECIFICATIONS