Meade RCX400 instruction manual Maintenance

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MAINTENANCE

RCX400 telescopes are precision optical instruments designed to yield a lifetime of rewarding applications. Given the care and respect due any precision instrument, your RCX400 will rarely, if ever, require factory servicing. Maintenance guidelines include:

a.Avoid cleaning the telescope’s optics: A little dust on the front surface of the tele- scope’s correcting lens causes virtually no degradation of image quality and should not be considered reason to clean the lens.

b.When absolutely necessary, dust on the front lens should be removed with gen- tle strokes of a camel hair brush or blown off with an ear syringe (available at any pharmacy). DO NOT use a commercial photographic lens cleaner.

c.Organic materials (e.g., fingerprints) on the front lens may be removed with a solution of 3 parts distilled water to 1 part isopropyl alcohol. You may also add 1 drop of biodegradable dishwashing soap per pint of solution. Use soft, white facial tissues and make short, gentle strokes. Change tissues often.

Caution: Do not use scented or lotioned tissues or damage could result to the optics.

d.Do not, for any reason, remove the correcting plate from its machined housing for cleaning or other purposes. 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.

e.If the RCX400 is used outdoors on a humid night, water condensation on the tel- escope surfaces will probably result. While such condensation does not normally cause any damage to the telescope, it is recommended that the entire telescope be wiped down with a dry cloth before the telescope is packed away. Do not, how- ever, wipe any of the optical surfaces. Rather, simply allow the telescope to sit for some time in the warm indoor air, so that the wet optical surfaces can dry unat- tended.

f.Do not leave your RCX400 inside a sealed car on a warm summer day; excessive ambient temperatures can damage the telescope’s internal lubrication and elec- tronic circuitry.

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Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversible damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the

 

Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving.

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Contents MEADE.COM Page Contents Telescope Features Components of MAXPedestal Wedge Assembly Pedestal AssemblyRight Ascension Housing Assembly DEC Assembly Declination Housing AssemblyTripod COUNTER- WeightsCounterweights MAX TripodOptical Tube Assembly OTARA Assembly Control Panel Saddle Control Panel Control Panels PortsLibrary # of Objects Autostar II FeaturesTour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving Tripod Assembly Pedestal Assembly and Adjusting Latitude Position11 a RA Assembly Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving 20 a 20 B Attach LOW Latitude Counterweights No gap Electrical Connections Home Position and Balancing the OTA Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving Align the Viewfinder Mounting and Focusing the Viewfinder for the First TimeGetting Started Focusing the Telescope Slew Speeds To select a previously defined focus presetTo sync on a focus preset To exit the focus operation at any timeAligning for the First Time To prepare your telescope for Automatic AlignmentTest your Collimation How to Drift Align Max Northern HemisphereCollimation Follow these steps for collimation of the optical system Defocused star images. Misaligned 1, 2, AlignedCalibrate Home Parking the ScopeTo Calculate Sunset time Basic AutostarAutostar II Navigation Exercise Example of Locating a menu Navigating AutostarAutostar IIs Menus Object Menu To slew the telescope to catalog objectsUtilities Menu Event MenuGlossary Menu Enter Setup Menu Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving Ous areas of the world. Check local time to verify Hot Button Menus To Edit a Site Adding Observing SitesTo Add a Site to the user-defined site list Creating User Objects To GO to a user-entered objectObserving Satellites IdentifyBrowse Displayed information ExampleTwo-Star Polar Alignment Alternate Polar AlignmentsInitialize Autostar Easy Polar AlignmentTrain Menu Option Periodic Error CorrectionUpdate Menu Option Erase Menu OptionOptional Accessories Meade Series 4000 EyepiecesSeries 4000 8 24mm Zoom Eyepiece Deep Sky Imager Maintenance Telescope Specifications Meade Consumer Solutions Advanced Autostar II System SpecificationsAutostar II Handbox Specifications City State/Prov./Country Latitude Appendix a Latitude ChartLatitude Chart for Major Cities of the World City Country LatitudeTo observe the Apollo 15 landing site using the Moon option Appendix B the MoonOperation Appendix CIntroduction TrainingOther Menus Options Save As and Load UpdatePermanently Mounted Scopes OffPage Page Page Meade Limited Warranty
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RCX400 specifications

The Meade RCX400 is a highly regarded telescope in the field of amateur astronomy, designed specifically to provide an unparalleled observing experience. Launched by Meade Instruments, this telescope leverages advanced technology to deliver clarity, precision, and ease of use.

At the heart of the RCX400 is its unique Ritchey-Chrétien optical design, which minimizes optical aberrations and provides exceptionally crisp images. This design is favored among professional astronomers and provides users with the ability to capture stunning celestial details. The telescope comes in various aperture sizes, including 10 inch and 12 inch models, allowing users to choose a configuration that best meets their observational needs.

One of the standout features of the Meade RCX400 is its Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) optics. This technology ensures that the telescope produces sharp images across a wide field of view, making it easier to observe extended objects such as nebulae and galaxies. The ACF system includes a specialized corrector plate that eliminates coma, resulting in pinpoint stars even at the edge of the field.

Another significant advancement in the RCX400 is its Autostar II system, which provides a user-friendly interface for navigating the night sky. This computer-controlled system boasts a database of over 145,000 celestial objects, enabling users to locate and track objects with ease. The Autostar II also features a built-in GPS system, allowing for automatic site location and time adjustments, further simplifying the setup process.

The RCX400 is equipped with an innovative focusing mechanism known as the “Smart Focuser.” This precise focusing system allows for fine-tuning of the telescope's focus electronically, eliminating the need for manual adjustments that could result in misalignment. Users can achieve optimal focus effortlessly, enhancing the overall observation experience.

In terms of construction, the telescope features a sturdy aluminum mount that provides stability during use. The integrated GoTo mount makes aligning the telescope simple, allowing users to easily point towards celestial objects with high accuracy. The RCX400 is also compatible with various accessories such as cameras and eyepieces, enhancing its versatility for astrophotography and visual observation.

Overall, the Meade RCX400 combines cutting-edge technology with robust features, making it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced astronomers. Its user-friendly design, combined with high-quality optics, ensures that users can enjoy impressive views of the universe with relative ease. Whether for visual exploration or astrophotography, the RCX400 stands out as a formidable tool for stargazing enthusiasts.
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