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
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 LX850 f/5 large-format focal reducer/field flattener also available.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Internal cabling to prevent snags and tangles during your imaging sessions.
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.
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.
Ultra-stable adjustable height tripod. Three inch diameter legs fold up for easy transport.
Accessories include 8x50 viewfinder, Series 5000 2" enhanced 99% reflective diagonal and a 25mm HD-60 premium eyepiece.
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.
OTA SPECIFICATIONS
MOUNT SPECIFICATIONS
Product Number | 37-0800-00 |
Mount Body | Machined from solid 6061-T6 Aircraft grade Aluminium and stainless steel |
Finish |
Anodized Aluminium and stainless steel |
Main gear - R.A. & Dec. |
5.8 inch under cut 225 tooth aluminum |
Worm gear - R.A. & Dec. |
.68 inch diameter precision machined brass |
Counterweight shaft |
1.75 inch diameter, 12 inch long threaded stainless steel |
Counterweights |
26 lb. threaded stainless steel. Quantity: Mount only - 1, 10 inch - 2, 12 inch - 2, 14 inch - 3, 130mm APO - 1 |
Drive Motors |
DC Servo motors with encoders, both axes |
Tracking distance past meridian |
20 degrees |
OTA mounting system |
Losmandy ®-style dovetail |
Instrument Payload Capacity |
90.0 lbs (40.80 kg) |
Latitude range |
TBD |
Tripod |
Giant folding adjustable height tripod with 3 inch diameter aluminum legs. Height from 29 inches to 45 inches. |
Mount body weight | 55 lbs. |
Counterweight shaft and cap weight |
17.8 lbs. |
Counterweights |
26 lbs. |
Tripod weight | 36 lbs. |
Control Panel |
12v DC in, 12v DC out, Power, Focuser, Reticle, Handbox port, 1 computer connection port (RS232), 1 StarLock port, 1 Aux guide port |
Computer Control |
AutoStar II GoTo system |
Database |
Over 144,000 Objects, Catalogs included: Index catalog (5,386); NGC catalog (7,840); Partial Caldwell catalog (109); Messier catalog (110); Earth orbiting satellites (26); Planets (9); Uppsala galaxy catalog (12,940); Morphological catalog of galaxies (12,939); General catalog of variable stars (29,364); SAO and Hipparcos star catalogs (42,277); Draper star catalog (21,160); Yale bright star catalog (8,977); Large Bright Quasars Survey (1,055); Namd objects (4,313); Herschel catalog (400); Abell catalog of galaxy clusters (2,712); Arp catalog of irregular galaxies (635); Lunar features (1,754); Asteroids and comets (120); Constellations (88); Solar/Lunar eclipses, meteor showers (492). |
Computer Hand Control |
Double line, 16 character Liquid Crystal Display; 20 backlit LED buttons |
GPS |
Yes |
Home Sensors | Both RA and Dec axes |
Internal Clock | Yes |
Internal Cabling | Yes |
Slew Speeds | 3 degrees/second |
Tracking Rates | .01x to 1x, 2x, 8x, 16x, 1/4°, 1/2°, 1°, 3° |
Tracking Modes | EQ North and EQ South |
Alignment Procedures |
2-Star Align, 1 Star Polar Align, Starlock assited drift align |
Power |
12v DC 5 amp, using supplied Meade Universal Power Supply |