Which Alignment Method To Use; The Lx200 Keypad Hand Controller; Enter Key; Mode Key - Meade LX200 Instruction Manual

1-Star
Known
Pointing Level
Accuracy of
Determined Telescope
By:
Atmospheric Yes
Refraction
*
Correction
Atmospheric Level
Refraction of
Correction Telescope
Determined
By:
When Best used
Best when the
Used telescope is
permanently
mounted
and
accurately
leveled
*
Atmospheric Refraction Correction: Light from an
astronomical object is refracted (bent) as it passes through
the atmosphere. This refracting is more pronounced near
the horizon because there is more atmosphere for the light
to pass through, and it shifts the apparent position of the
star. The LX200 calculates this bending and compensates
for it when slewing to objects near the horizon.
4.

Which Alignment Method to Use

Each of the three methods described above has advantages
and disadvantages. The following table summarizes these
properties.

THE LX200 KEYPAD HAND CONTROLLER

The optics, mechanics, electronics, and software of the
telescope are integrated in order to make you a better
astronomer. Yet he system is mastered easily enough for the
telescope to become a natural extension of the observer.
The LX200 gives you virtually every telescope function possible
with every control in a compact hand-held console. The red
LCD backlit keypad has tactile touch buttons (some of which
are brighter than others), designed to have the right feel even
if you wear gloves. Its red LCD backlit display, key
arrangement, and easily understood information allow you to
focus the telescope and your mind on the subject at hand.
The LX200 keypad hand controller is a dual axis drive corrector
with the following features:
Periodic error control
An information display center for the computerized library
A digital coordinate readout system
A pulsing, illuminated-reticle eyepiece brightness controller
A two-speed electric focuser controller
A red LED flashlight!
Within a few minutes of power-up, the keypad becomes warm,
which is normal for the system. The electronics utilize a heat
sink to provide the correct operating environment temperature
for the LCD display, even in sub-zero weather. If you are in
these colder conditions, the display may not be visible until the
keypad has transferred enough heat. This process can take a
few minutes after power-up. While severe cold weather is not
damaging to the electronics, keep the keypad in a warmer area
to allow immediate proper display performance.
2-Star 2-Star
Known Unknown
2-Star 2-Star
Alignment Alignment
Yes No
Level Not
of Applicable
Telescope
Best used Best used
on a when the
transportable SITE
telescope information
with the is not
SITE available
information
available
1
2
3
4
5
6
Fig.7: Keypad hand controller.
(1) ENTER key; (2) MODE key; (3) GO TO key;
(4) Direction keys; (5) RETURN key;
(6) Speed keys; (7) Red LED light; (8) Display;
(9) Focus key; (10) Object keys; (11) MAP key;
(12) NEXT key; (13) PREVIOUS key.
The LX200 keypad has the following keys:

ENTER Key

Use the ENTER key (1, Fig. 7) to select either a menu file or
a file option or to edit a value. To select a file or an option,
press and release the ENTER key. The LX200 emits a short
beep and performs the action that you requested.
To edit a value, press and hold the ENTER key until you
hear a double beep and a blinking cursor appears in the
display. (The ENTER key is used in certain additional
situations, which are described in detail later).

MODE Key

The MODE key (2, Fig.7) cycles through the five modes of
the LX200. It is used to exit from specific menu files.

GO TO Key

The GO TO key (3, Fig. 7) causes the LX200 automatically
to slew to specific library entry coordinates. The GO TO key
also produces a blinking cursor in the GO TO menu file of
the COORDINATES/GO TO mode. This lets you to enter
new R.A. and Dec. coordinates.

Direction Keys

The N,S,E, and W keys (4, Fig. 7) make the LX200 move, or
slew, in a specific direction. When you enter values, you can
use the E and W keys to move the blinking cursor back and
forth across the LCD display so you can correct errors.
The remaining 12 keys have multiple functions. Each one of
these keys has alternate functions listed above the arrow
symbols and numbers. The ALT LED light is visible only
when you are entering numerical data.
7
8
9
10
11
12
13