Meade RCX400TM instruction manual Maintenance, Test your Collimation

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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.If your RCX400 is not to be used for an extended period, perhaps for one month or more, it is advisable to remove the batteries from the telescope. Batteries left in the telescope for prolonged periods may leak, causing damage to the tele- scope’s electronic circuitry.

g.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.

Collimation

The optical collimation (alignment) of any astronomical telescope used for serious pur- poses is important, but in the case of the RCX design, such collimation is absolutely essential for good performance. Take special care to read and understand this section well so that your telescope will give you the best optical performance.

As part of final optical testing, every Meade RCX400 telescope is precisely collimated at the Meade factory before shipment. However, vibrations in shipping can cause the optical system to become misaligned. Re-aligning the optics is, however, a straight- forward process with the RCX400.

Test your Collimation

Before collimating your RCX400, you will need to test your collimation.

To test the collimation, center a bright star that is overhead, or use a “hot spot” of reflected Sunlight from a chrome car bumper, with the supplied 24mm eyepiece. Allow the telescope to adjust to the temperature of your observation site before proceeding; temperature differences between the optics and the outside air can cause distortion in the images. Autostar II offers two options in the Utilities menus that take temperature readings: “OTA Temperature” (the temperature of the corrector plate) and “Ambient Temperature” (the temperature of the air around the fork arms).

When the star or hot spot is centered, de-focus the image. You will notice that the out of focus star image looks like a ring of light surrounding a dark central spot; the dark central spot is in fact the shadow of the secondary mirror. You may notice multiple

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Contents MEADE.COM How to Hot Swap the Autostar II Handbox Focusing the TelescopeContents Hook the Release Pin Tighten the adjustment lockAttach the legs of the tripod to the base Rotate the legMove the optical tube from its shipping position Install the batteriesPosition the mount over the tripod Secure the mount with the T-handleTurn on AutoStar Attach the visual back and diagonal mirrorInsert the eyepiece and remove dust cover Plug in the AutoStar II handboxTighten the R.A. and Dec. Locks To exit the focus operation 1. Press Mode Point and ObserveFan Telescope FeaturesViewfinder close up Base Computer Control Panel see j RCX400 Your Personal Window to the UniverseDefinitions Viewfinder Autostar II Features Tour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a ButtonLibrary # of Objects About changing slew RCX400 Tips Getting Started Parts ListingHow to Assemble the Tripod How to Assemble Your TelescopeTo attach the diagonal mirror and the eyepiece To attach AutoStar II and connect the handbox holderAligning the Viewfinder Mounting and Focusing the Viewfinder for the First TimeTo focus the telescope eyepiece PresetsObserving Choosing an EyepieceObserving by Moving the Telescope Manually To define a presetTo select a previously defined focus preset To sync on a focus presetObserving Using Autostar IIs Arrow Keys Terrestrial ObservingSlew Speeds Moving Through Autostar II’s Menus Observe the MoonAstronomical Observing To Track an Object AutomaticallyWhich One’s the Alignment Star? Observe a Star using the Automatic Tracking Feature Using the Guided TourGo To Saturn RCX400 Info Basic Autostar Autostar II Navigation ExerciseTo Calculate Sunset time Navigating Autostar Example of Locating a menuSelect Item Object AutostarTo slew the telescope to catalog objects Object MenuDefinition Event MenuUtilities Menu Glossary MenuLook into the Future Setup MenuPage Adding and editing sites? Setup Menu Daylight SAVING, 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 ObjectsObserving Satellites LandmarksTo Add a landmark to the database To check on the available amount of memory in Autostar IdentifyTo Select a landmark from the database To perform a Landmark SurveyDisplayed information Example BrowseEasy Two-Star Alignment How to perform the Easy Align ProcedureAlternate Alt/Az Alignments Initialize AutostarOne-Star Alt/Az Alignment To Download the Latest Version of Autostar II SoftwareTo Set the Home Position Manually Erase Menu Option Periodic Error CorrectionUpdate Menu Option Train Menu OptionFew tips on photography with the RCX400 telescopes PhotographyPhotography with Meade’s AutoStar Suite Photography with a Digital CameraImage of M13 captured with the Deep Sky Imager Meade Series 4000 Eyepieces Optional AccessoriesSeries 4000 8 24mm Zoom Eyepiece Star Charts Maintenance CollimationTest your Collimation Defocused star images. Misaligned 1, 2, Aligned Follow these steps for collimation of the optical systemMeade Customer Service Inspecting the OpticsGauging the Movement of the Telescope 12 f/8 RCX400 Specifications 10 f/8 RCX400 Specifications14 f/8 RCX400 Specifications Autostar II Handbox Specifications Advanced Autostar II System SpecificationsSetting Circles Equatorial AlignmentCelestial Coordinates Equatorial Wedge Declination Setting CircleLocating Polaris Lining Up with the Celestial PoleRCX400 mounted on an equatorial wedge Precise Polar AlignmentTwo-Star Polar Alignment Autostar II Polar AlignmentEasy Polar Alignment One-Star Polar AlignmentCity Country Latitude Appendix B Latitude ChartLatitude Chart for Major Cities of the World City State/Prov./Country LatitudeComment Line Command LineWhat you will need Tour ModesTitle Writing a TourPick ONE / Pick END Downloading Tours Pick END Auto Slew on / Auto Slew OFFFurther Study Appendix D Training the DriveAppendix E the Moon Menu To observe the Apollo 15 landing site using the Moon optionTraining Appendix FIntroduction OperationOff UpdatePermanently Mounted Scopes Other Menus Options Save As and LoadMoon Basic AstronomyAutostar II Glossary Objects in SpaceDeep-Sky Objects PlanetsPage Meade Limited Warranty

RCX400TM specifications

The Meade RCX400TM is a sophisticated telescope designed for serious astronomers and astrophotographers seeking exceptional performance and innovative features. Combining advanced optics with user-friendly technology, the RCX400TM stands out as a powerful tool for both amateur and experienced stargazers.

At the heart of the RCX400TM is its revolutionary Ritchey-Chrétien optical design. This design minimizes optical aberrations, resulting in sharp, high-contrast images across the field of view. The telescope features a large aperture, typically around 10 inches, which allows for the observation of faint celestial objects, including distant galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae. The high-quality optics ensure that users can capture stunning details and nuances of their targets.

One of the standout characteristics of the RCX400TM is its advanced AutoAlign technology. This feature simplifies the setup process by automatically aligning the telescope to the night sky, enabling users to start observing in a matter of minutes. This is particularly beneficial for beginners or those who prefer a hassle-free experience when setting up for observations.

Additionally, the telescope is equipped with the Meade Smart Drive system, which enhances tracking accuracy and allows for long exposure astrophotography without the worry of trailing or blurring. This system compensates for periodic errors and undergoes continuous monitoring, ensuring that the telescope maintains precise alignment while tracking celestial objects.

The RCX400TM also incorporates an intuitive user interface with a large, easy-to-read LCD display. This interface allows users to access a comprehensive database of celestial objects, making it simple to locate and observe a wide range of astronomical phenomena. With its compatibility with various Meade accessories, such as cameras and filters, the RCX400TM provides flexibility for users looking to expand their astrophotography capabilities.

Durability is another significant aspect of the RCX400TM. Its robust construction ensures that it can withstand various outdoor conditions, making it suitable for both backyard observations and expeditions to remote dark sites.

In summary, the Meade RCX400TM is designed for those who demand high-performance optics, advanced technology, and ease of use. With features like the Ritchey-Chrétien optical design, AutoAlign technology, and the Smart Drive system, it offers a remarkable viewing experience that brings the wonders of the universe closer to all who gaze through its eyepiece. Whether for casual observation or serious astrophotography, the RCX400TM is poised to satisfy the needs of astronomy enthusiasts worldwide.
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