MEADE LX90 ACF Schmidt-Cassegrain UHTC 12" GoTo Telessope 305/3048mm
- 12” Advanced Coma-Free (ACF™)
- 3048mm (f/10) Focal Length
- Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC™)
- Features AudioStar™: 30,000+ Object-Database
- Built-In GPS
- Standard Field Tripod with Dual-Fork Mount
- Series 4000 26mm Super Plössl Eyepiece INCLUDED
- 8X50 Optical Viewfinder with Crosshair INCLUDED
- Made by MEADE, USA
Description
Meade Instruments combines a powerful near-research-grade optical tube with a sturdy support system to give you the LX90-12ACF 12" f/10 Catadioptric GoTo Telescope. You get the large-aperture OTA mounted on a motorized dual-fork mount and driven by the iconic AutoStar controller, plus some basic observation accessories and their standard stainless steel field tripod.
With the largest aperture in the series for making detailed lunar and planetary observations and the ability to reach far beyond our solar system, the Meade Instruments LX90-12ACF 12" f/10 Catadioptric GoTo Telescope provides users with a near-research-grade observational platform in a relatively compact form factor.
It utilizes their Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) catadioptric light path to reduce color fringing and off-axis comas to enable 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 internal and external light loss and diffraction.
The next generation of their iconic GoTo system, the AudioStar hand controller, is packed with over 30,000 objects and features audio commentary on select celestial objects to give users information, history, and mythology through its onboard speaker. Multiple assisted alignment procedures help to get users observing faster, aided by an onboard 16-channel GPS module for precise setup and alignment. There is also an option for guided tours to be generated by the AudioStar, or to be custom-made by the user, downloaded to the controller, and uploaded to the internet and shared.
An aluminum dual-tine alt-az fork mount carries the optical tube assembly (OTA) and runs on eight user-supplied C-cell batteries for off-the-grid observation sessions. To get users out and observing immediately, Meade includes a low-power eyepiece, a 90° star diagonal, and an 8x50 finderscope.
Mount and Tripod
Mount
- Aluminum motorized dual-tine alt-azimuth fork
- Integrated 16-channel GPS module obtains accurate day, time, location information without requiring user input
- Large 4.875" worm gears
- Dual-axis mechanical locks allow adjustment without power
- Adjustable hand controller holder keeps AudioStar safe while avoiding cord-wrap
- Runs on eight user-supplied C-cell batteries; 60-hour max runtime
Tripod
- Stainless steel legs provide a solid platform with limited vibrations
- Adjustable height of 34-54" accommodates a variety of users and viewing positions
- Center tray holds accessories and eyepieces, while acting as a stabilizer for the legs to improve stability and limit vibrations
- Spiked feet provide improved stability on soft or uneven ground
- Weight: 25 pounds
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
Videos
 MEADE Instruments - LX90 Series
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 Setup my 10" Meade LX90 for astrophotography
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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
| Featured Product |
Yes |
| Series |
LX90 Telescopes |
| Warranty |
1 Year |
| Experience Level |
Intermediate |
| Activity |
Astroimaging, Observing |
| Type |
Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) |
| Clear Aperture |
12" |
| Optical Design |
Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) |
| Optical Coatings |
UHTC™ |
| Focal Length |
3,048mm |
| Focal Ratio |
f/10 |
| Resolving Power (Dawes' Limit) |
0.380 arc-seconds |
| Oversized Primary Mirror |
Yes |
| Viewfinder |
8x50mm with cross-hair reticle |
| Eyepiece(s) |
26mm Series 4000™ Super Plössl |
| Focuser Mechanism |
Single Speed Focuser |
| Diagonal |
1.25" diagonal mirror |
| Hand Controller |
AudioStar™ |
| Object Database |
30,000 objects |
| Pointing Precision (High-Precision Mode) |
1.5 arc-minute (+/-) |
| Periodic Error Correction |
Polar mode only (RA) |
| Typical Guiding Performance with StarLock |
< 1 arc-second |
| Slow Motion Controls |
Electronic |
| Slew Speeds |
RA and Dec:1x, 2x, 8x, 16x, 64x, 128x sidereal and 1.5°/sec., 3°/sec., 6.5°/sec. |
| Tracking Rates |
Sidereal, Lunar, or custom-selected from 2000 incremental rates |
| Control Panel |
12v Power port, On/Off Switch, Handbox port, 2x Aux ports |
| Tripod |
Standard Field Tripod |
| Power Source |
(Optional) 12v DC, 5 amp power supply |
| Batteries (User-Supplied) |
8 x C cells |
| GPS Receiver |
Yes |
| Electronic Focuser |
Optional |
| Smart Drive™ |
Yes |
| Astronomer Inside™ |
Yes |
| Anti-vibration Pads |
Optional |
| Wedge |
Optional |
