MEADE LX85 8" f/10 ACF UHTC Catadioptric GoTo EQ Telescope 203/2032mm
- 203mm (8") Maksutov-Cassegrain Advanced Coma-Free (ACF™)
- LX85 Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- GoTo German Equatorial Mount with 33 lb. Payload Capacity
- Features AudioStar™: 30,000+ Object-Database
- Vixen-Style Dovetail Receiver
- 9.7mm & 26mm Super Plössl (1.25") Eyepieces included
- 8x50 Optical Viewfinder with Crosshair included
- Made by MEADE, USA
Description
The Meade Instruments LX85 8" f/10 ACF UHTC Catadioptric Telescope has a large aperture, long focal length, and complementary optical technologies to allow you to make detailed observations of the moon and planets, with the ability to reach out past our solar system and into the universe to catch views of wispy nebulae, spiraling galaxies, and tight star clusters.
This telescope utilizes Meade's Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) catadioptric light path to reduce color fringing and off-axis comas, enabling it to clearly resolve dim deep-sky objects and easily split binary stars with tack-sharp clarity. Complementing the ACF system is their Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC) system, which improves light transmission through the entire light path across the whole visible spectrum. A combination of high-transmittance lens coatings and highly reflective mirror coatings boosts image brightness, while minimizing external light loss and internal diffraction.
This version of the LX85 is offered here without a mount or tripod for users who already have a reliable support system and are looking to upgrade their optical tube assembly (OTA) or add another to their astronomy kit. It is outfitted with a Vixen-style dovetail rail to make it compatible with a wide variety of mounts from virtually any manufacturer. To help get new users started, Meade includes two eyepieces that produce low and high magnifications, a 90° star diagonal, and an 8x50 finderscope.
Meade LX85 German Equatorial GoTo Mount
Engineered for portability, while still easy to use for astrophotography, the Meade Instruments LX85 German Equatorial GoTo Mount delivers the performance required for clear views and images through the use of dual-axis low-cog DC servo motors with backlash compensation. Added to this is Meade's proprietary Smart Drive system that records and constantly refines its Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) to improve positioning and tracking precision and ensure your target object stays centered for long-exposure photography. Supporting the mount is a 1.75" stainless steel tripod that has a wide stance for stability on most terrain, and a center tray that holds eyepieces and accessories and acts as a leg lock to further stabilize while helping to minimize vibrations.
Controlling the mount is the next generation iteration of the iconic AutoStar system: the AudioStar. This computer controller is equipped with a database of over 30,000 objects, including the planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, and the complete Messier catalog; it can also be programmed with up to 100 custom user-defined objects with filters to create custom object lists. An integrated speaker and Astronomer Inside system is packed with over four hours of commentary that is customized to objects that are visible in the night sky on any given day and time. Its intuitive menu-driven user interface makes observing the heavens fast and easy, and multiple alignment options make the controller an invaluable tool to new users and experienced stargazers alike.
Mount
- 33-pound payload capacity is ideal for large-aperture and/or heavy optical tubes and accessories like astrophotography rigs
- German equatorial mount allows accurate tracking for long-duration observation sessions
- Ideal for astrophotography as single right ascension tracking eliminates field rotation that causes fuzzy and blurry primary images and streaking of star fields
- Controlled by AudioStar hand controller to limit vibration and improve movement accuracy
- Low-cog 12 VDC servo motors enable precision GoTo and tracking accuracy with limited vibrations
- Vixen-style dovetail saddle is compatible with many optical tube assemblies
- Includes a 9-pound counterweight with shaft
- Dual-axis manual clutch releases for movement without the use of the hand controller
- Integrated bull's-eye bubble level to aid setup, alignment, and tracking accuracy
AudioStar GoTo Controller
- 2-line LED display
- 20-key alphanumeric keypad, red LED backlight
- 68HC11, 8 MHz processor
- Built-in red utility light
- 30,000+ object database
- User-friendly menu-driven system navigation
- Slew speeds: 1x, 2x, 8x, 16x, 64x, 0.5°/sec, 1°/sec, 1.5°/sec, 4°/sec (max)
- Assisted alignment procedures: Easy (Two-Star), One-star, Two-star, Three-star
- Customizable guided tours for specific date, time, and location
- Built-in speaker with Astronomer Inside plays over four hours of educational content about the celestial objects you view
- Predicts events to plan future astronomy sessions such as sunrise/sunset, moon phases/moonrise/moonset, meteor showers, lunar/solar eclipses, equinoxes/solstices
- Smart Drive records permanent periodic error correction (PPEC) to improve tracking accuracy over time
- Backlash compensation allows user to train out the intrinsic play between gears to improve GoTo and tracking accuracy
- Powered by mount to be lighter and easier to use
- 24" coiled cord
- Updatable via Internet using RS-232 port
Database Details
- Solar system, including Moon, Sun, planets
- Comets and asteroids
- 88 major constellations
- Popular named objects
- Galaxies, quasars, and nebulae
- Multiple catalogs including Messier, Caldwell, and NGC
- Stars, including named stars, SAO catalog, double stars, variable stars
- Satellites, including the International Space Station (ISS), and Hubble Space Telescope (HST)
- User-defined astronomical and terrestrial objects
Tripod
- Adjustable height from 31.5" to 43.5" accommodates a wide variety of optical tube assemblies and viewing positions
- Lightweight and durable cast aluminum mount base
- 1.75" diameter stainless steel legs
- 39.5x6.25x5.75" collapsed size, for easier portability
- Tray keeps accessories accessible and off the ground
- Weight: 12.4 pounds
Videos
 MEADE Instruments | LX85 Series
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 How To Align Your LX85 Telescope
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 How to Polar Align Your EQ (Equatorial) Telescope Mount
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 Connecting a Meade LX85 Mount to your PC
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Specifications
| Series |
LX85 Telescopes |
| UPC |
709942998795 |
| Warranty |
1 Year |
| Eyepieces Type |
Super Plössl |
| Focus System |
Internal Single Speed Focuser |
| Activity |
Astroimaging, Observing |
| Type |
Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) |
| Clear Aperture |
8" (203mm) |
| Optical Design |
Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) |
| Optical Coatings |
UHTC™ |
| Focal Length |
2032mm |
| Focal Ratio |
f/10 |
| Viewfinder |
8x50 Optical with Crosshair |
| Eyepiece(s) |
9.7mm & 26mm Super Plössl, 1.25" |
| Focuser Mechanism |
Internal Single Speed Focuser |
| Diagonal |
1.25" 90-Degree Diagonal Mirror |
| Dovetail |
Vixen-Style |
| Hand Controller |
AudioStar™ |
| Object Database |
30,000 objects |
| Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) |
Yes |
| Typical Guiding Performance with StarLock |
< 1 arc-second |
| Control Panel |
12v Power, HBX, Aux1, ST-4 Autoguider Port, DEC, Electronic Focuser, Illuminated Reticle |
| Power Source |
12v DC, 5 Amp Power Supply (Optional) |
| Assembled Product Dimensions |
47.2" x 47.2" x 66" |
| Assembled Product Weight |
56.25 lbs. |
