Meade LX85 German EQ Series Instruction Manual
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Meade LX85 German EQ Series Instruction Manual

Meade LX85 German EQ Series Instruction Manual

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Instruction Manual
LX85 German EQ Series with AudioStar

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Summary of Contents for Meade LX85 German EQ Series

  • Page 1 Instruction Manual LX85 German EQ Series with AudioStar...
  • Page 2 WARNING! Never use an unfiltered telescope to look at the Sun! Looking at or near the Sun will cause instant and irreversible damage to your eye. Eye damage is often painless, so there is no warning to the observer that damage has occurred until it is too late.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Easy Alignment with AudioStar....18 Meade Limited Warranty ....51 Go To Your First Object.

  • Page 4: Lx85 Mount Overview

    LX85 Mount Overview...
  • Page 5 LX85 Mount Overview...
  • Page 6 Overview position from lifting during transport. Azimuth Adjustment Knobs: Used during polar Tripod Assembly: Supports the weight of your alignment of the telescope. Makes fine adjustments entire telescope assembly. Adjustable height tripod to the azimuth (left/right) to locate true north (or collapses for transport and storage.
  • Page 7 Polar Axis Port with Cover: An opening around the R.A. axis which is aimed at the Celestial Pole (north or south) when properly polar aligned. Remove the cap when using the optional Polar Scope, otherwise, keep the cap in place. 12V DC Power Input Port: Accepts 12V DC with at least 5A of current.

  • Page 8: Acf Optical Tube Overview

    ACF Optical Tube Overview...

  • Page 9: Reflector Optical Tube Overview

    Reflector Optical Tube Overview...

  • Page 10: Parts List

    LX85 Parts List LX85 EQ Head Cable for Declination Motor Counterweight Shaft Field Tripod with Center Rod Altitude Knobs (Adjustment & Lock) Accessory Tray Azimuth Adjustment Knobs Compass 9 lbs Counterweight 25' DC Power Cable AudioStar Handbox Quick Start Guide Cable for AudioStar Handbox 6"...

  • Page 11: Assembly

    Assembly Attaching the Accessory Tray to the Tripod The accessory tray assembly includes a spring and Begin unpacking the box contents and start two e-clips. These are included so the accessory tray assembling the mount during the day to become can freely hang from the tripod and allow for easier familiar with the parts and operation of the LX85.

  • Page 12: Attaching The Lx85 Mount To The Tripod

    3. Next insert the threaded rod thru the center hole in 5.Push against the Accessory Tray and check that it the tripod head from below. The threaded rod should be does not move against the tripod. It should be firmly in pushed high enough for the next step.

  • Page 13: Attaching The Counterweight & Shaft

    33 lb payload for adjustment. Note the front knob just keeps the capacity of the LX85 Mount. Visit the Meade website mount from lifting during transport, so you can keep (www.Meade.com) for available LX85 accessories.

  • Page 14: Balancing The Lx85

    2. Insert the Diagonal Mirror (ACF only) and secure it R.A. will reduce motor strain and improve the with the locking thumbscrew. If an imaging camera will telescope performance. be used, it will be beneficial to not use the diagonal mirror at all.

  • Page 15: The Telescope Home Position

    unlock one of the levers to prevent accidental Aligning The Finder Scope damage. All LX85 telescopes are equipped with an 8x50 optical Finder Scope. This is essentially a small, low powered telescope with centered crosshairs The Telescope Home Position designed to help you locate an object before The Home Position is the starting position of your centering it in the field of view of your telescope.

  • Page 16: Polar Alignment

    The LX85 requires 12V DC with at least 5 amperes of 2. Without unlocking the R.A. and Dec Lock Levers, current with tip positive polarity. Most portable 12V roughly position the LX85 so that it’s facing true north field batteries can provide this. The optional Meade...

  • Page 17: Moving Through Audiostar's Menus

    4. The telescope then tests the motor function of the AC Power Adapter (#07584) can be used if you have telescope by moving a small amount in the horizontal access to an AC outlet. The power input port uses a 5.5mm outside diameter and 2.5mm inside diameter and vertical directions.

  • Page 18: Easy Alignment With Audiostar

    The AudioStar will display scrolling text describing Mount" and enter in the optical tubes focal length how to put the telescope into the home position. To when prompted. skip this press Enter. The LX85 will slew to the first 8. "Enter Date" appears. Use the AudioStar keypad of two bright alignment stars.

  • Page 19: Using The Guided Tour

    Using the Guided Tour Once aligned, your LX85 is ready to locate from thousands of objects contained in the AudioStar’s This example demonstrates using “Tonight’s Best” database. Guided Tour. Go To Your First Object 1. After observing Saturn, press mode three times so Different celestial objects are visible at different that “Select Item: Object”...

  • Page 20: The Audiostar Handbox

    Tour the Cosmos with Just the • Download the latest software revisions Push of a Button directly from the Meade website (www. meade.com) and share software with other Control of the LX85 is through the operation of the AudioStar enthusiasts.
  • Page 21 The AudioStar Computer Controller provides control coordinates of the telescope functions. AudioStar has soft- • Date touch keys designed to have a positive feel. The Site coordinates LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is back-lit with a red LED (Light Emitting Diode) for easy viewing in the •...

  • Page 22: Observing Using Audiostar's Arrow Keys

    change speed, press Coil Cord: Plug one end of the AudioStar coil appropriate key shown below. cord into the HBX port of the computer control panel of the telescope and the other end into Nine available speeds are: the coil cord port. Number Key “1”...

  • Page 23: Observe The Moon

    2. Flip the telescope power switch to the ON eyepieces provide a steadier, higher quality image. position. The AudioStar screen is activated and a copyright message displays briefly, If the image is fuzzy or ill-defined, reduce to a lower followed by a short beep. Then AudioStar power eyepiece, where the heat waves do not have takes a few moments to start up the system.

  • Page 24: Audiostar Operation

    Important Note: No matter how many levels AudioStar Operation into AudioStar are traveled, each press of the MODE key moves up a level, until the top level, “Select Item”, is reached. Once in the Select Item level, press MODE to return to the topmost level, “Select Item: Object”.

  • Page 25: Entering Data Into Audiostar

    AutoStar Suite Software. • Press MODE to move back toward the top www.Meade. menu level. This software is available for download at com. • Press the Scroll keys to move up and down through the options or lists.

  • Page 26: The Audiostar Menu Tree

    The AudioStar Menu Tree...

  • Page 27: Event Menu

    to select a Landmark, then press “GO TO” and the The Object Menu options include: telescope slews to the object. Solar System is a database of the eight planets • Add – To add a Landmark, choose the “Add” (Earth is not included) in ascending orbits from the option.

  • Page 28: Glossary Menu

    Sunrise and Sunset calculates the time that the Sun the Glossary menu or through hypertext words rises or sets on the current date. embedded in AudioStar. A hypertext word is any word in [brackets], usually found when using the AudioStar Moon rise and Moon set calculates the time that the Help function or when reading a scrolling message Moon rises or sets on the current date.

  • Page 29: Setup Menu

    Cord Wrap, when set to “On”, moves the telescope in connected. Field of View: Scroll through a list of available eye- such a way as to prevent the cords and cables attached pieces. When an eyepiece is selected, the field of to your telescope assembly from getting wound around view is calculated.
  • Page 30 • Min AOS (Acquisition of Signal) allows you a value near 0, it takes longer for the tube to enter a value in degrees. This value represents respond as you hold down an Arrow key and also slews the tube more slowly. Experiment the altitude at which your telescope begins to with this option.

  • Page 31: Periodic Error Correction (Pec) Training

    RA worm. A full cycle takes about 10 minutes. software from the Meade website (www. When complete AudioStar will return to the PEC menu. meade.com) and wants to pass this software It is advised that you perform one training and then along to friends.

  • Page 32: Pec Update Menu Option

    is retained within the AudioStar memory until you overwrite it by performing additional training cycles. PEC Update Menu Option PEC Update does not overwrite the data, but updates the training using information gathered from both the last and the current training sessions. If you wish to further refine your training, select this menu again and repeat the procedure.

  • Page 33: Specifications

    APPENDIX A: SPECIFICATIONS Mount LX85 German Equatorial Mount & Tripod #217000 Mount Type German Equatorial 2.91 inch Precision Worm Drive Drives Power 12 Volts DC, 5 Amperes Tripod New Adjustable-Height Steel Leg Tripod with 2" diameter legs Electronics AudioStar Handbox Computer Control ST-4 Compatible AutoGuider Port Guide Port...
  • Page 34 SPECIFICATIONS Model and Product Number LX85 with 6" Newtonian Astrograph Reflector #217011 Optical System Newtonian Astrograph Reflector with Parabolic Mirror Optical Design Aperture (Diameter of Primary Mirror) 6" (150mm) Focal Length 610mm f/4.1 Focal Ratio Optical Coatings Enhanced Aluminum Resolving Power (arc seconds) 0.77 Limiting Visual Setllar Magnitude 13.5...
  • Page 35 SPECIFICATIONS Model and Product Number LX85 with 8" Newtonian Astrograph Reflector #217012 Optical System Newtonian Astrograph Reflector with Parabolic Mirror Optical Design 7.9" (200mm) Aperture (Diameter of Objective) Focal Length 800mm Focal Ratio Optical Coatings Enhanced Aluminum Resolving Power (arc seconds) 0.58 Limiting Visual Setllar Magnitude 14.2...
  • Page 36 SPECIFICATIONS Model and Product Number LX85 with 6" ACF #217013 Optical System Optical Design Advanced Coma-Free Aperture (Diameter of Objective) 6" (152mm) Focal Length 1524mm Focal Ratio f/10 Optical Coatings Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC™) Resolving Power (arc seconds) 0.77 Limiting Visual Setllar Magnitude 13.5 Finder Scope 8x50 Optical...
  • Page 37 SPECIFICATIONS Model and Product Number LX85 with 8" ACF #217014 Optical System Optical Design Advanced Coma-Free Aperture (Diameter of Objective) 8" (203mm) Focal Length 2032mm Focal Ratio f/10 Optical Coatings Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC™) Resolving Power (arc seconds) 0.57 Limiting Visual Setllar Magnitude 14.2 Finder Scope 8x50 Optical...

  • Page 38: Advanced Polar Alignment

    APPENDIX B: objects may also be located using Right Ascension and Declination. For example: You could locate Los Angeles, California, by its latitude (+34°) and longitude Advanced Polar Alignment (118°). Similarly, you could locate the Ring Nebula (M57) by its Right Ascension (18hr) and its Declination (+33°).
  • Page 39 down keys). alignment star based on your observing sites date, time and location. Center that star in the eyepiece and press enter to complete the alignment. • Declination Setting Circle: The Dec. setting circle Two-Star Polar Alignment has been factory set to read the correct Declination of Polar Two-Star Alignment requires some knowledge of celestial objects.
  • Page 40 Note: Since the second object (i.e., the object to be located) is in constant motion, once the R.A. circle is calibrated (step 2, above) the telescope should be moved rapidly to read the coordinates of the second object. Otherwise the second object will no longer be in the position indicated by the R.A.

  • Page 41: General Maintenance

    You will almost certainly not be able to replace the corrector in its proper rotational orientation and serious degradation of optical performance will result. Meade Instruments assumes no liability for damage incurred to the telescope in this way.

  • Page 42: Training The Drive

    APPENDIX D: Verify that AUTOSTAR Press > until it INITIALIZATION is is centered complete. Scope slews left. Training The Drive Bring target back Press MODE until to center using Select Item is displayed. the Right Arrow key. Select Item Perform this procedure if you are experiencing any Object Press <...

  • Page 43: Advanced Coma-Free Optical System

    In the ACF design of the Meade LX85 telescope, light enters from the right, passes through a thin lens with 2-sided aspheric correction (“correcting plate”), proceeds to a spherical primary mirror, and then to a hyperbolic secondary mirror.

  • Page 44: Refractor Optical System

    The Refractor Optical System Refracting Telescopes use a large objective lens as their primary light-collecting element. Meade refractors include an achromatic (2-element) objective lenses in order to reduce, or virtually eliminate, the false color (chromatic aberration) that results in the telescopic image when light passes through a lens.

  • Page 45: Collimating The Optics

    APPENDIX F: Collimating the Optics (for ACFs, Maksutov-Cassegrains and Reflectors) The optics of your LX85 telescope have been collimated (aligned) at the factory. Ordinarily the telescope collimation should remain intact unless it is handled roughly in transport. Occasionally the alignment should be inspected and adjusted, when necessary, to retain the maximum optical performance of the telescope.
  • Page 46 system, such collimation is absolutely essential for good performance. Take special care to read and understand this section well so that your ACF will give you the best optical performance. 1. At night, point the telescope to a fairly bright star that is at least 60º...

  • Page 47: Collimating The Newtonian Reflector

    field. If while turning the defocused star image flies (1, Fig. 5); primary mirror-tilt screws (5, Fig. 4). The out of the eyepiece field, then you are turning the telescope’s image is brought to a focus at (6, Fig. 4). screw the wrong way.
  • Page 48 reflection. With the secondary mirror thus aligned the image through the drawtube appears as in Fig. 10. 3. Primary mirror adjustments: If the secondary mirror (1, Fig. 10) and the reflection of the primary mirror (2, Fig. 10) appear centered within the drawtube (3, Fig. 10), but the reflection of your eye and the reflection of the secondary mirror (4, Fig.

  • Page 50: Table Of Latitudes

    APPENDIX G: Northern hemisphere observers (N): If the site is over 70 miles (110 km) North of the listed city, add one Table of Latitudes degree for every 70 miles. If the site is over 70 miles Latitude Chart for Major Cities of the World South of the listed city, subtract one degree per 70 miles.

  • Page 51: Recycling Information

    Meade Limited Warranty The Meade Instruments Statement of Limited Warranty is published at: www.meade.com/supports/warranty/ A printed copy of the Meade Statement of Limited Warranty will be made available by Meade upon written request. See below for Meade contact information. Warranty Claim...
  • Page 52 We appreciate your business. Keep in touch! Let’s get social: @meadeinstruments @meadeinstruments @meadeinstrument Share your photos with us: #MeadeMoments Social@meade.com For special offers and other products, visit our website www.meade.com 1-800-626-3233 Meade Instruments 89 Hangar Way Watsonville, CA. 95076 8/2022 REV 2 14-2720-02...

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