Meade LX200 User Manual

Meade Instruments Corporation - Meade LX200 Instruction Manuals
Meade Instruments Corporation
Telescopes · Binoculars · Microscopes
Meade LX200 Instruction Manual
7" Maksutov-Cassegrain, 8", 10", and 12" LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes
A. Introducing the Meade LX200
1. What Is the LX200? An Overview
a. Heavy Duty Mounts with 9-speed Dual Axis Electronics
b. Built-in 64,359 Object Library
c. Altazimuth Mode Operation
d. Terrestrial Operation
e. Keypad and Power Panel Functions
2. Standard Equipment
a. 7" Model LX200
b. 8" Model LX200
c. 10" Model LX200
d. 12" Model LX200
B. Unpacking and Inspection
1. What You Should Have
2. Please Look Everything Over
3. Inspecting the Optics: Note on the "Flashlight" Test
4. Caution: All LX200 Owners
5. Caution: 10" and 12" LX200 Owners
C. Telescope Assembly
1. The Field Tripod (7", 8", 10", and 12" LX200 Models)
2. Mounting the Viewfinder (7", 8", 10", and 12" LX200 Models)
a. Attaching the Viewfinder
b. Focusing the Viewfinder
c. Collimating the Viewfinder
3. Attaching the Diagonal Prism and Eyepiece
4. Checking the Collimation of the Optics
5. 12" Tube Swing-Through Limit
6. 7" Tube Swing-Through Limit
7. Maksutov Fan
D. Quick Start
1. Using the LX200 Manually
2. Using the LX200 in Land
http://www.meade.com/manuals/lx200/index.html (1 of 4) [7/29/2002 7:27:42 AM]

Meade LX200 Specifications

General

Optical Design	Schmidt-Cassegrain
Focal Ratio	f/10
GoTo System	Yes
Aperture Options	8", 10", 12", 14", 16"
Focal Length	2000mm (8"), 2500mm (10"), 3048mm (12"), 3556mm (14"), 4064mm (16")
Database	Over 145, 000 objects
Highest Useful Magnification	400x (8")
Resolution (Rayleigh)	0.69 arcseconds (8"), 0.55 arcseconds (10"), 0.46 arcseconds (12"), 0.34 arcseconds (16")
Resolution (Dawes)	0.38 arcseconds (12")
Light Gathering Power	843x (8")
Finderscope	8x50
Eyepiece	26 mm
GPS	Yes
Tracking Rates	Sidereal, Lunar, Custom
Power Requirements	12V DC
Aperture	8 inches (203 mm), 10 inches (254 mm), 12 inches (305 mm), 14 inches (356 mm), 16 inches (406 mm)

Summary

Unpacking and Inspection

Caution: All LX200 Owners

Warns about potential damage to drive gears if RA and Dec locks are left engaged during transport.

Caution: 10" and 12" LX200 Owners

Specific caution for 10" and 12" models regarding the focuser safety bolt during shipment.

Telescope Assembly

The Field Tripod (7", 8", 10" and 12" LX200 Models)

Instructions for assembling the field tripod and attaching it to the telescope.

Mounting the Viewfinder (7", 8", 10", and 12" LX200 Models)

Checking the Collimation of the Optics

Procedure to check and adjust optical alignment for optimal performance.

Quick Start

Using the LX200 Manually

Using the LX200 in Altazimuth (ALTAZ)

Entering Basic Information

Guide to inputting essential data like site location and time for accurate operation.

The LX200 Keypad Hand Controller

ENTER Key

GO TO Key

Used to initiate slewing to specific celestial object coordinates.

Direction Keys

Speed Keys (SLEW, FIND, CENTER, GUIDE)

Object Keys (M, STAR, CNGC)

Direct access to the LX200's extensive celestial object library.

MODE FUNCTIONS

Mode One: TELESCOPE/ OBJECT LIBRARY

Command central for telescope mechanical settings and object library access.

TELESCOPE Menu File

Contains options for SITE, ALIGN, SMART, and various settings.

SITE

ALIGN

Sets telescope alignment type (ALTAZ, POLAR, LAND).

ALTAZ

Options for aligning the telescope in Altazimuth mode.

2-Star at Known SITE

Procedure for aligning using two known stars and site data.

POLAR

For astronomical and long exposure astrophotography alignment.

Refined Polar Alignment

Method to achieve higher accuracy polar alignment for astrophotography.

SMART

Controls Smart Drive for periodic error correction.

OBJECT LIBRARY Menu File

Accesses and manages the telescope's celestial object database.

START FIND

FIELD

PARAMETERS

Mode Two: COORDINATES/ GO TO

Displays telescope position and allows entering new coordinates for slewing.

Mode Three: CLOCK/ CALENDAR

APPENDIX B: EQUATORIAL USE

Celestial Coordinates: Declination and Right Ascension

Lining Up with the Celestial Pole

Precise Polar Alignment

Advanced methods for achieving highly accurate polar alignment for astrophotography.

APPENDIX D: LX200 64,359-OBJECT LIBRARY

The LX200 64,359-Object Library

Overview of the extensive celestial object database included with the LX200.

The CNGC Catalog

APPENDIX E: MAINTAINING YOUR LX200

Keeping Your Telescope Clean

Recommendations for cleaning optics and protecting the telescope from dust and moisture.

Collimation (Alignment) of the Optical System

Detailed procedure for aligning the telescope's optics for optimal performance.

Adjusting the Right Ascension Lock