EasyManua.ls Logo

Meade LX850 User Manual

Meade LX850
60 pages
To Next Page IconTo Next Page
To Next Page IconTo Next Page
Page #1 background imageLoading...
Page #1 background image
Instruction Manual
LX850™ German Equatorial Mount Telescope System
With StarLock™

Table of Contents

Question and Answer IconNeed help?

Do you have a question about the Meade LX850 and is the answer not in the manual?

Meade LX850 Specifications

General IconGeneral
Mount TypeGerman Equatorial
GoTo CapabilityYes
Autoguider PortYes
ComputerizedYes
GoTo SystemYes
GPSYes

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The LX850 Telescope

Introduction to the LX850 telescope system and its advanced features.

Telescope Features

Precision Machined German Equatorial Mount

Details on the robust German Equatorial Mount construction and performance.

Faster, Sharper Optical System

Description of the advanced optical system for enhanced imaging.

StarLock™ - Full-Time Automatic Guiding

Explanation of the StarLock system for automatic target acquisition and guiding.

LX850 Key Features

LX850 Key Features - Right View

Identification and description of components visible from the right side.

LX850 Key Features - Left View

Identification and description of components visible from the left side.

Telescope Control Panel Overview

Details on the main telescope control panel and its ports.

StarLock Control Panel Overview

Details on the StarLock control panel and indicator lamps.

Assembly

Assembly Tools

List of tools required for assembling the LX850 telescope.

Tripod Assembly

Step-by-step instructions for assembling the telescope tripod.

Attach Mount Assembly to Tripod

Procedure for mounting the equatorial mount onto the tripod.

Setting Latitude

Instructions on how to set the telescope's latitude.

Attach the Control Module

Procedure for attaching the telescope's control module.

Attach the Optical Tube Assembly (OTA)

Instructions for mounting the optical tube assembly to the mount.

Mount Additional Accessories and Equipment

Guidance on attaching extra accessories before balancing.

Balancing the Telescope

Procedure for balancing the telescope on its mount axes.

Balancing the RA Axis

Steps to balance the telescope in the Right Ascension axis.

Balancing the DEC Axis

Steps to balance the telescope in the Declination axis.

Balancing the StarLock

Procedure for balancing the StarLock component.

Getting Started

Focusing and Aligning the Viewfinder

Instructions for focusing and aligning the viewfinder with the telescope.

Focusing the Telescope

Guide on how to focus the telescope's optics.

Slew Speeds

Explanation of the nine available slew speeds in AutoStar II.

Aligning for the First Time

Initial alignment procedures for the telescope.

Finding True North/Aligning on Polaris

Methods for aligning the telescope mount to true north or Polaris.

One Star Alignment

Procedure for performing a one-star alignment with AutoStar II.

Syncing your Eyepiece or Camera using Starlock

Routine to compensate for slight shifts when changing eyepieces or cameras.

Test your Collimation

Procedure to test the telescope's optical collimation.

Collimation of the optical system: Meade ACF Models ONLY

Specific instructions for collimating Meade ACF optical systems.

StarLock Operation

Calibrate Home

Procedure to calibrate the mount's home sensors for accurate alignment.

Parking the Scope

Instructions on how to park the telescope between observing sessions.

Key to StarLock Indicator Lamps

Explanation of the StarLock indicator lamp patterns.

StarLock And Mount Flexure

StarLock Automatic Rate Calibration (ARC)

Procedure for automatically calibrating StarLock's guide rate.

Periodic Error Correction

Instructions on performing periodic error correction for mount accuracy.

AutoStar II Operation

The AutoStar II Handbox

Overview of the AutoStar II hand controller and its buttons.

Navigating Autostar II

Guide to navigating the menus and options within AutoStar II.

Object Menu

Details on accessing and using the object catalog within AutoStar II.

AutoStar Navigation Exercise

An exercise to demonstrate menu navigation and time calculations.

Example of Locating a menu

Step-by-step example of navigating through AutoStar II menus.

Object Menu Categories

Lists categories within the Object Menu: Solar System, Constellation, Deep Sky, Star, Satellite, Other Catalogs.

Event Menu

Access to information on astronomical events like eclipses and meteor showers.

Glossary Menu

Provides definitions for astronomical terms and AutoStar II functions.

Utilities Menu

Accesses extra features like timer, alarm, StarLock controls, and more.

Setup Menu

Align Options

Options for selecting telescope alignment methods.

Telescope Settings

Configuration options for the telescope model, OTA, and meridian limits.

Max Slew Rate

Setting the maximum slew speed for the telescope.

Tracking and Guiding Settings

Adjustments for tracking rates, guiding rates, and axis controls.

Axis Control and Sensor Settings

Settings for reversing axis functions and managing home sensors.

Time and Date Settings

Configuration for the telescope's internal clock and date.

Site and Owner Information

Managing observing sites and owner details.

Software Management Options

Options for cloning, downloading, and managing software.

AutoStar II Operation

Focus Control Menus

Menus for controlling the focuser, including speed and position.

StarLock Control Menu

Interface for controlling StarLock functions like On/Off and status.

StarLock Permanent Periodic Error Correction

Procedure for permanently training the mount's periodic error correction.

Advanced AutoStar II Features

Adding Observing Sites

How to add and manage custom observing site locations in AutoStar II.

Creating User Objects

Procedure for entering custom celestial object data into AutoStar II.

GO TO User-Entered Object

How to slew the telescope to a custom object added to the database.

Find Objects Not in Database

Using AutoStar II to find celestial objects not present in its default database.

Landmarks Management

Add, select, and survey terrestrial landmarks stored in AutoStar II.

Identify Objects

Using AutoStar II to identify unknown celestial objects in the sky.

Browse Search Function

Searching the AutoStar II library for objects based on specific parameters.

Alternate Polar Alignments

Initialize Autostar II

Steps to initialize the AutoStar II system before alignment.

One-Star Polar Alignment (Default)

Detailed procedure for performing a one-star polar alignment.

Two-Star Polar Alignment

Procedure for aligning the telescope using two bright stars.

Align on Home

Using the calibrated home position for quick telescope alignment.

How to Drift Align LX850 (Northern Hemisphere)

Automatic drift alignment procedure for precise polar alignment.

Advanced AutoStar II Features

Easy Polar Alignment

A simplified polar alignment method using AutoStar II's star selection.

Download Autostar II Software

Instructions for downloading and installing the latest Autostar II software.

Starlock Assisted PEC Training

Using StarLock to assist in training the mount's periodic error correction.

Update and Erase Menu Options

Options for updating training data and erasing PEC training.

Optional Accessories

Additional LX850 Counterweights

Details on the 10-pound counterweights designed for the LX850.

Meade Series 5000 Premium Eyepieces

Information on the Series 5000 eyepieces and their optical performance.

Auxiliary Equipment Mounting System

Description of the mounting system for auxiliary equipment.

T-Adapters and Guiders

Accessories for prime-focus photography and off-axis guiding.

Piggyback Brackets and Dew Shields

Accessories for piggyback photography and dew prevention.

Polarizers and Other Accessories

Information on variable polarizers, adapters, and other optional items.

Maintenance/Customer Service

MAINTENANCE Procedures

Guidelines for cleaning optics and general telescope care.

Storage and Transport Guidelines

Recommendations for storing and transporting the telescope.

Optics Inspection and Customer Service

Advice on inspecting optics and contacting customer support.

SPECIFICATIONS

APPENDIX A: Manual Drift Alignment

Manual Drift Alignment Procedure

Step-by-step guide for manually performing drift alignment.

APPENDIX B: StarLock Utility

StarLock Utility Installation and Connection

Instructions for installing and connecting the StarLock Utility software.

Running Software and Viewing Images

Guide to running the StarLock Utility and viewing images.

Updating Firmware

Procedure for updating the StarLock firmware using the utility.

Monitoring StarLock Guiding

Methods for monitoring StarLock's guiding performance.

Histogram Analysis

Using histograms to monitor telescope tracking and alignment quality.

APPENDIX C: Automatic Rate Calibration (ARC)

Using StarLock's ARC Feature

How to use the Automatic Rate Calibration feature with StarLock.

Periodic Error Correction (PEC)

Procedure for training the mount's periodic error correction.

Running Automatic Rate Calibration (ARC)

Steps to run the Automatic Rate Calibration routine.

APPENDIX D: LATITUDE CHART

APPENDIX E: ADVANCED COM A-FREE OPTICAL SYSTEM

APPENDIX F: Initial Set-up and StarLock Counterweight Set-up

Balancing the DEC Axis (ACF OTA Only)

Procedure for balancing the telescope's Declination axis.

Positioning the StarLock Assembly and Counterweight

Instructions for positioning the StarLock and its counterweight.

Recycling Information

Correct Disposal of this Product

Information on the proper disposal of electrical and electronic equipment.

MEADE LIMITED WARRANTY

Related product manuals