Meade RCX400 instruction manual Telescope Specifications

Page 51

TELESCOPE SPECIFICATIONS

Total instrument capacity

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.

500 lbs.

 

Aperture

16" & 20".

 

Optical design

.

Advanced Ritchey-Chrétien

 

Optical coatings

.

UHTC™

 

Mount

.

Robotic Equatorial

 

Gear pitch diameter

13.625".

 

Periodic error

.

2 arc sec.

 

Latitude

0-90°.

 

No. of drive gear teeth

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.

652 (RA & DEC)

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAX

Mount Only

 

16" RCX

20" RCX

Optical Design

 

 

Advanced Ritchey-Chrétien

Advanced Ritchey-Chrétien

Clear Aperture

 

 

16"

20"

UHTC™ Coatings Standard

 

 

Ultra-High Transmission Transmission Coatings (UHTC™

Resolving Power (Dawes Limit)

 

 

.285 arc seconds

.228 arc seconds

Focal Length, Focal Ratio

 

 

3251mm, f/8

4064mm, f/8

Telescope Mounting

 

 

MAX Robotic Equatorial Mount

Periodic Error Correction

 

 

 

 

Both axes

Ten (10) arc seconds (raw); Two (2) arc seconds with PECTOOL

Control Panel

2 multi-function, multi-port panels

 

Focus 4-speed front focusing

 

 

 

 

mechanism

 

 

included

included

GPS, North sensors included

16-channel GPS receiver

 

16-channel GPS receiver (on Mount)

Pointing Precision

High Precision Mode 1-arc

 

min.

 

Autostar® II Hand Controller

Included (147,541 object database)

 

Alignment

Equatorial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North electronic sensors

Included

 

 

 

Temperature Control

 

 

Thermal stabilization fan

 

Power

12VDC, 5amp power supply required

 

Slew Speeds:

RA and Dec: 0.01x to1.0x sidereal, variable in0.01x increments; 2x, 8x, 16x, 64x, 128x

 

sidereal; 1°/sec. to 2°/sec., variable in 0.1° increments All models

Tracking Rates

Sidereal, lunar, solar or custom-selected from 2000 incremental rates All models

Primary, Secondary Mirrors

 

 

Pyrex® glass, fine-annealed

Correcting Plate/Lens

 

 

Borofloat

 

Adjustable Counterweights

Requires 2 - 35lb.

 

Requires 3 - 35lb.

Requires 2 - 35lb.

 

Counterweights (included)

 

Counterweights (included)

Counterweights (included)

Fixed Counterweights

Requires 2 - 43lb.

 

Requires 2 - 43lb.

Requires 2 - 43lb.

 

Counterweights (included)

 

Counterweights (included)

Counterweights (included)

Accessories

 

 

8 x 50mm viewfinder, 2.0" diagonal mirror with 1.25" adapter,

 

 

 

UltraWide 24mm eyepiece. (16" and 20" models)

Total Net Weight

329 pounds

 

140 pounds (OTA only)

190 pounds (OTA only)

 

(no counterweights)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

51

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

 

Image 51
Contents MEADE.COM Page Contents Components of MAX Telescope FeaturesPedestal Assembly Pedestal Wedge AssemblyRight Ascension Housing Assembly Declination Housing Assembly DEC AssemblyMAX Tripod COUNTER- WeightsCounterweights TripodOTA Optical Tube AssemblyControl Panels Ports RA Assembly Control Panel Saddle Control PanelAutostar II Features Tour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a ButtonLibrary # of Objects Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving Pedestal Assembly and Adjusting Latitude Position Tripod Assembly11 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 Mounting and Focusing the Viewfinder for the First Time Getting StartedAlign the Viewfinder Focusing the Telescope To exit the focus operation at any time To select a previously defined focus presetTo sync on a focus preset Slew SpeedsTo prepare your telescope for Automatic Alignment Aligning for the First TimeHow to Drift Align Max Northern Hemisphere CollimationTest your Collimation Defocused star images. Misaligned 1, 2, Aligned Follow these steps for collimation of the optical systemParking the Scope Calibrate HomeBasic Autostar Autostar II Navigation ExerciseTo Calculate Sunset time Navigating Autostar Example of Locating a menuAutostar IIs Menus To slew the telescope to catalog objects Object MenuEvent Menu Glossary MenuUtilities 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 Adding Observing Sites To Add a Site to the user-defined site listTo Edit a Site To GO to a user-entered object Creating User ObjectsIdentify Observing SatellitesDisplayed information Example BrowseEasy Polar Alignment Alternate Polar AlignmentsInitialize Autostar Two-Star Polar AlignmentErase Menu Option Periodic Error CorrectionUpdate Menu Option Train Menu OptionMeade Series 4000 Eyepieces Optional AccessoriesSeries 4000 8 24mm Zoom Eyepiece Deep Sky Imager Maintenance Telescope Specifications Advanced Autostar II System Specifications Autostar II Handbox SpecificationsMeade Consumer Solutions City Country Latitude Appendix a Latitude ChartLatitude Chart for Major Cities of the World City State/Prov./Country LatitudeAppendix B the Moon To observe the Apollo 15 landing site using the Moon optionTraining Appendix CIntroduction OperationOff UpdatePermanently Mounted Scopes Other Menus Options Save As and LoadPage 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.