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INTRODUCTION
As a new LX200 owner, you are preparing for a journey into the
universe with the most advanced amateur telescope ever
produced. The advent of this instrument is the culmination of
twenty years of innovation and design at Meade Instruments;
never before have the features you have in your hands been
available to amateur astronomers: from robotic object location
to the revolutionary Smart Drive and the most stable mounting
structure ever. Your telescope comes to you ready for
adventure; it will be your tour guide and traveling companion in
a universe of planets, galaxies, and stars.
Meade 8", 10", and 12" LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain and 7"
Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes are instruments of advanced
mirror-lens design for astronomical and terrestrial applications.
Optically and mechanically, the 7", 8", 10", and 12" telescope
models are perhaps the most sophisticated and precisely
manufactured telescopes ever made available to the serious
amateur. These telescopes enable the visual astronomer to
reach out for detailed observations of the Solar System (the
planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Mars) and beyond to distant nebulae,
star clusters, and galaxies. The astrophotographer will find a
virtually limitless range of possibilities since, with the precision
Meade worm-gear motor drive system, long exposure guided
photography becomes not a distant goal, but an achievable
reality. The capabilities of the instrument are essentially limited
not by the telescope, but by the acquired skills of the observer
and photographer.
The 7", 8", 10", and 12" LX200 are, with the exception of a few
assembly operations and features, almost identical
operationally. Most standard and optional accessories are
interchangeable between the three telescopes. The
instructions in this manual generally apply to all three
telescopes; when exceptions to this rule occur, they are clearly
pointed out.
Important Note: If you are anxious to use your Meade LX200
Telescope for the first time, at the very least be sure to read
TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY
(page 7), and
QUICK START
(page9)
sections of this manual. Thereafter, we urge you to read the
balance of this manual thoroughly at your leisure, in order that
you may fully enjoy the many features offered by the
instrument.
1. What Is the LX200? An Overview
Meade LX200 SCT’s mark a new era in telescope technology
for the amateur astronomer, whether beginner or seasoned
veteran. For the beginner LX200 electronics permit the location
and observation of the major planets as well as hundreds of
deep-sky objects the very first night you use the telescope. For
the experienced amateur the telescopes’ pushbutton electric
slewing, digital readouts, Smart Drive, and much more open up
visual and photographic capabilities heretofore undreamed of.
a. Heavy-Duty Mounts
with 9-speed Dual-Axis Electronics
DC-servo-motor-controlled worm gear drives on both telescope
axes permit observatory-level precision in tracking, guiding,
and slewing. The 9-speed dual-axis drives cover every possible
contingency of telescope positioning: Press the SLEW button
on the keypad controller for rapid motion of the telescope
across the skies at up to 8 degrees per sec. (6 degrees per sec.
for the 12" LX200) on both axes simultaneously; once near the
target, switch instantly to the FIND speed for centering in the
viewfinder at 2 degrees per sec. Observing the object in the
main telescope, use the CNTR speed (32x sidereal) to place
the object in the center of the field. During long-exposure
astrophotography press the GUIDE button for precise
corrections at 2x sidereal speed.
b. Built-in 64,359-Object Library
Enter into the keypad any of the 110 Messier objects, 7,840 of
the finest NGC objects (galaxies, diffuse or planetary nebulae,
star clusters), one of the 8 major planets from Mercury to Pluto,
one of 351 alignment stars or any one of 56,050 SAO, UGC, IC
or GCVS objects, press GO TO, and the telescope
automatically slews, or moves, to the object at up to 8° per sec.,
centering it in the main telescope field.
c. Altazimuth Mode Operation
For all visual observing applications, and for lunar and
planetary photography, Meade LX200’s may be set up in the
Altazimuth mode. Just attach the telescope’s drive base
directly to the tripod, use the fast 1-star alignment procedure,
and the telescope’s computer actuates 2-axis tracking that
keeps objects precisely centered in the field, even at high
powers, during the entire observing session.
d. Terrestrial Operation
Meade LX200’s make incredible land-view telescopes. Set the
telescope up in the Altazimuth format, activate the Land menu
option on the telescope’s computer, and use the keypad to
track land objects on both axes at any of the same 4 drive
speeds!
e. Keypad and Power Panel Functions
The multifunction capability of LX200’s includes direct
connection of popular CCD autoguider/imagers; RS- 232 serial
interface with a personal computer (PC), allowing the user to
perform all of the keypad functions through, or write custom
telescope software for a PC; brightness level control of an
illuminated reticle eyepiece from the keypad and including
special pulse-mode reticle operation.
2. Standard Equipment
a. 7" Model LX200
lncludes 7" Maksutov-Cassegrain optical tube assembly with
EMC super multi-coatings (D = 178mm,
F = 2670mm-f/15); heavy-duty fork mount, with 4"-dia. sealed
polar ball bearing, quartz-microprocessor-controlled 5.75"
worm gears on both axes; setting circles in RA and Dec;
handheld keypad Electronic Command Center with digital
readout display, permanently-programmable Smart Drive, 9-
speed drive control on both axes, GO TO controller, High-
Precision Pointing, and 64,340-object onboard celestial
software library; internal tube-cooling fan for rapid image
stabilization; 25 ft. power cord and adapter for telescope
operation from 115v.AC; 8 x 50mm viewfinder; eyepiece-holder
and diagonal prism (1.25"); Series 4000 SP26mm eyepiece;
variable-height field tripod; operating instructions.
b. 8" Model LX200
lncludes 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube assembly with
EMC super multi-coatings (D = 203mm, F = 1280mm-f/6.3 or
2000mm-f/10); heavy-duty fork mount, with 4"-dia. sealed polar
ball bearing, quartz-microprocessor-controlled 5.75" worm
gears on both axes, and multi-function power panel display on
the drive base; manual and electric slow-motion controls on
both axes; setting circles in RA and Dec; handheld keypad
Electronic Command Center with digital readout display, PPEC
Smart Drive, 9-speed drive control on both axes, GO TO
controller, High-Precision Pointing, and 64,340-object onboard
celestial software library; 25 ft. power cord and adapter for
telescope operation from 115v.AC; 8 x 50mm viewfinder;
eyepiece-holder and diagonal prism (1.25"); Series 4000
SP26mm eyepiece; variable-height field tripod; operating
instructions.
c. 10" Model LX200
lncludes 10" Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube assembly with
EMC super multi-coatings (D = 254mm, F = 1600mm-f/6.3 or
2500mm-f/10); heavy-duty fork mount, with 4"-dia. sealed polar
ball bearing, quartz-microprocessor-controlled 5.75" worm
gears on both axes, and multi-function power panel display on
the drive base; manual and electric slow-motion controls on
both axes; setting circles in RA and Dec; handheld keypad
Electronic Command Center with digital readout display, PPEC
Smart Drive, 9-speed drive control on both axes, GO TO
controller, High-Precision Pointing, and 64,340-object onboard