The LX600 is a simple to operate, portable package that makes taking great astrophotos
as easy as focusing your camera and opening the shutter.
The collection of features and technology integrated into the LX600 is unavailable
from any other manufacturer and cannot be duplicated by just attaching a set
of add-ons to another scope.
Fast f/8 Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) optical systems. Meade has completely
redesigned the OTAs with a new mirror mounting and focusing system to achieve
zero image-shift and a two-speed microfocuser. The scope features faster f/8
ACF optics giving you pinpoint stars all the way across the field of view.
The OTAs are available in 10, 12, 14 and 16 inch apertures.
StarLock. The LX600 integrates a unique star tracking and object finding
system into the telescope mount. This integration allows the telescope to center
your target perfectly in the field of view. Once centered, the star tracking
system communicates directly with the motor drives to automatically assure your
scope stays locked onto its target with arcsecond precision. The automated optical
tracking system delivers long-exposure guiding with pinpoint stars on astro-images
despite misalignments, atmospheric refraction, periodic or other mechanical
errors. This level of precision is unobtainable with systems using high precision
encoders, software pointing models, large gears or PEC training and all
without the need of an external computer.
Internal Crayford-style 7:1 Focuser. The completely redesigned mirror
mounting system achieves zero-image shift, eliminating the need for a mirror
lock and integrates a two-speed microfocuser for quick and easy adjustments.
Solid Fork Mount With Heavy Duty 5.75" Gears. Large, high-quality
worm-gear drives in both axes provide smooth movements with low periodic error
that are critical for long exposure astrophotography. Providing the freedom
to go horizon to horizon without any meridian flip, unlike German Equatorial
Mounts.
Alt/Az Mode. In alt/az mode, the LX600 also makes for the best visual
and short exposure experience possible. The LX600 performs LightSwitch®
fully-automated self alignment. StarLock will put every target dead center in
the eyepiece and track with arcsecond accuracy so you can concentrate on the
beautiful, wide fields of pinpoint stars created by the superb f/8 ACF optical
system.
AutoStar II hand control with over 144,000 object database to take you
to almost any object imaginable at the push of the GoTo button. AutoStar II
allows the user to setup and operate the LX600 in just the way you want.
Giant Field Tripod. With 3" diameter chromed steel legs and cast
aluminum tripod head adjustable from 34" to 54" the
Giant Field Tripod provides a research-grade foundation for the LX600 10, 12
and 14 inch models.
Optional f/5 Focal Reducer/Field Flattener. The optional focal reducer,
custom-designed for the 10, 12 and 14 inch OTAs, makes your scope a full-frame,
flat-field f/5 optical system at a fraction of the cost of an OTA only from
other manufacturers.
All New X-Wedge. Precision CNC-machined from ultra-ridged, aircraft-grade
aluminum with smooth, accurate altitude and azimuth adjustments. Thirty percent
more stable than competing equatorial wedges, the X-Wedge is the essential accessory
for long exposure astroimaging.
Specifications
|
10" f/8 ACF
|
12" f/8 ACF
|
14" f/8 ACF
|
16" f/8 ACF
|
Clear Aperture |
10" (254mm)
|
12" (305mm)
|
14" (356mm)
|
16" (406.4mm)
|
Optical Design
|
Advanced Coma Free (ACF)
|
Focal Length |
2,032mm
|
2,438mm
|
2,845mm
|
3,251mm
|
Focal Ratio |
f/8
|
Telescope Mounting |
Heavy-duty fork type;
double-tine
|
Optical Coatings |
Ultra-High Transmission
Coatings (UHTC)
|
Resolving Power (Dawes
Limit) |
0.46 arcseconds
|
0.38 arcseconds
|
0.325 arcseconds
|
0.285 arcseconds
|
AutoStar Controller |
Autostar II
|
Object Database |
145,000 objects
|
Viewfinder |
8x50mm with cross-hair
reticle
|
Eyepiece |
26mm Series 4000 Super
Plossl
|
Diagonal |
1.25" diagonal
prism
|
2" diagonal prism
|
Focal reducer/Field
flattener (optional) |
2 inch diameter, 3 element,
fully multi-coated, f/5 (designed specifically for 10, 12, 14 inch LX600/LX800
f/8 ACF optical systems)
|
NA
|
Optimal back focus distance
at f/5 |
3.5 inches
|
NA
|
Focus System |
Internal Crayford-style,
zero image-shift primary mirror focus with dual speed 7:1 control
|
Slow Motion Controls |
Mechanical & electronic
|
Slew Speeds |
RA and Dec: 0.01x to1.0x
sidereal, variable in 0.01x increments; 2x, 8x, 16x, 64x, 128x sidereal;
1°/sec. to 2°/sec., variable in 0.1° increments.
|
Tracking Rates |
Sidereal, lunar, or
custom-selected from 2000 incremental rates
|
Control Panel |
12v DC in, 12v DC out,
Power, Focuser, Reticle, Handbox port, 1 computer connection port (RS232),
1 StarLock port, 1 Aux guide port
|
Tripod |
Giant Field Tripod
|
MAX Tripod
|
Batteries (User-Supplied) |
8 x C cells
|
Battery Life (Typical) |
20 hrs.
|
Power |
12V DC, 5 amp power
supply (optional)
|
Additional
Features |
GPS Receiver |
Included
|
True Level & North
Sensors (LNT) |
Included
|
Time Chip |
Included
|
Zero Image-Shift Microfocuser |
Included
|
Smart Mount |
Yes
|
Smart Drive |
Yes
|
Mirror Lock |
Yes
|
Oversized Primary Mirror |
Yes
|
AutoStar Suite Planetarium
Software |
Included
|
Wedge (Optional) |
X-Wedge
|
MAX Wedge
|
StarLock |
Wide Field Camera |
25mm x 26mm f/1.04 optic
with 1/2 inch format CMOS sensor gives field of 14.72 x 11.78 degrees.
|
Narrow Field Camera |
80mm x 400mm f/5 optic
with 1/2 inch format Cmos sensor gives field
of 57.2 x 45.8 arcminutes (2.68 arcseconds/pixel)
|
High Precision Pointing |
+/- 1 arcminute
|
High Precision Guiding |
Down to 1 arcsecond
- depending on sky conditions.
|
High Precision Alignment |
Semi-automatic drift
align procedure for ulta-precise polar alignment
|
StarLock Weight |
6 lbs. (2.72 kg)
|
Materials |
Primary Mirror |
Low expansion borrosilicate
glass
|
Secondary Mirrors |
Individually figured
with primary mirror for maximum correction. Low-expansion borosilicate
glass
|
Correcting Plate/Lens |
Aspheric high-spectral
transmission Borofloat glass from Schott AG Germany
|
Optical Tube |
|
Weights and Dimensions |
OTA and Mount net weight |
TBD
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
Tripod Weight |
50 lbs.
|
81 lbs.
|
Tripod Dimensions |
40" to 50"
variable
|
|
Telescope Shipping Weight
(approx.) |
136 lbs.
|
179
lbs.
|
239 lbs.
|
374 lbs.
|