Meade Telescope, LXD 75 instruction manual Appendix D EC Handbox

Page 58

Important Note:

The Electronic Controllers available for Meade's ETX and DS telescope series are not compatible and will not operate with the LXD75 EC series models. Do not plug in other telescope series' EC handboxes into the LXD75 computer control panel, nor plug the LXD75 EC series handboxes into any other telescope series computer control panel.

Light No.

Light Status

Light 1

On

 

Light 2

Blinking

 

Light 3

Off

 

Light 4

 

Fig 50: Indicator Light Key. The procedures in this manu- al identify the status of the four indicator lights as depict- ed above: on, blinking, or off.

APPENDIX D: EC HANDBOX

1

 

 

 

 

Fast

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

Medium

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moderate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Slow

35

4

Fig. 49: Electronic Controller. (1) Arrow Keys; (2) Indicator

Lights; (3) SPEED Key; (4) Coil Cord; (5) MODE Key; (6) OUT

Key; (7) IN Key.

Some LXD75 models (designated with an “EC,” for example, AR-5EC) come equipped with an Electronic Controller (EC) handbox, rather than the Autostar Handbox. The Electronic Controller provides you with the means to control the telescope motors from a compact handbox. The Electronic Controller (Fig. 49) has soft-touch keys designed to have a positive feel, even through gloves.

The primary functions of the Electronic Controller are to move (slew) the telescope to an object, to set operation for the Northern or Southern Hemispheres, and to indicate the slew speed.

Users of the EC models should follow the procedures described in GETTING STARTED, BALANCING THE TELESCOPE, ALIGNING THE VIEWFINDER, CHOOSING AN EYEPIECE, and OBSERVING BY MOVING THE TELESCOPE MANUALLY, pages 11 - 16. Other sec- tions relevant to EC users include: OBSERVE THE MOON and SETTING POLAR HOME POSITION, page 17, and PHOTOGRAPHY, OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, GENERAL

MAINTENANCE, SPECIFICATIONS, and CELESTIAL COORDINATES, pages 36 - 39 and 46 - 51. LATITUDE CHARTS, page 57, and BASIC ASTRONOMY, pages 63 - 64, may also be useful. Note that SLEW SPEEDS, page 16, refers to Autostar functions only. Slew speed functions of the Electronic Controller are covered in this appendix.

The following numbers refer to Fig. 49 above.

1Arrow Keys: Press one of the four Arrow keys to slew the telescope (i.e., up, down, left, and right) at any one of four slew speeds (see SPEED KEY below).

Important Note: If you reverse directions while using the Arrow keys to slew to objects, there may be a slight pause as the telescope motors com- pensate for the reversal of the internal gears.

2Indicator Lights: The four red LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights indicate the cur- rent slew speed of the telescope.

Note: For purposes of this manual, the lights are identified as 1 through 4, with 1 being the top light and 4 being the bottom light.

3SPEED Key: Press SPEED to change the speed at which the telescope slews to an object. Each press of the SPEED key changes the slew speed to the next slower setting. If the controller is already on the slowest slew speed (light 4), pressing SPEED cycles back to the highest speed (light 1). Slew speeds are sig- nified by the indicator lights (2, Fig. 49).

4Coil Cord: Plug into the HBX connector of the Computer Control Panel.

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Contents LXD 75 -Series Telescopes Page Contents Telescope Features BC1 g f eD E F LXD75-SeriesYour Personal Window to the Universe $ Computer Control Panel see e LXD75 Tips Features Autostar FeaturesTour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button Tip Accessories How to Assemble Your TelescopeTelescope Assembly Getting StartedViewfinder assembly Newtonian reflector models C D E F Balancing the TelescopeAligning the Viewfinder Choosing an EyepieceToo Much Power? Observing by Moving the Telescope ManuallyActivate the Arrow Keys Autostar Models Only Slew Speeds Autostar Models OnlyTracking Objects Setting the Polar Home PositionObserve the Moon 16bObserve a Star using the Automatic Tracking Feature Using Autostars GO to Capabilities Autostar Models OnlyMoving Through Autostar’s Menus Autostar Models Only Initializing Autostar Autostar Models OnlyTraining the Drive Autostar Models Only Easy Alignment Autostar Models Only Go To Saturn Autostar Models OnlyUsing the Guided Tour Autostar Models Only Planet Saturn is over 800 million miles from the EarthAutostar Navigation Exercise To Calculate Sunset timeEntering Data into Autostar Navigating AutostarAutostars Menus Select Item ObjectMenus Object MenuUtilities Menu Event MenuGlossary Menu LXD75-SeriesSetup Menu EnterObserving Considerations Setup Menu Daylight SAVING, Surf the Web To Add a Site to the user-defined site list Adding Observing SitesTo Edit a Site Using Autostar to Find Objects Not in the Libraries To GO to a user-entered objectLandmarks Observing SatellitesTo Add a landmark to the database To Select a landmark from the database To Check on the Available MemoryTo perform a Landmark Survey Few tips on photography with the LXD75-Seriestelescopes PhotographyPhotography with Meade’s Autostar Suite Optional Accessories 10 f/4Series 4000 Photo-Visual Optional Autostar handbox for EC model users Maintenance General MaintenanceD e f g Page Defocused star images. Misaligned 1, 2, Aligned Page Page 5 Model SN-6AT, SN-6EC Specifications Specifications4 Model SN-8AT, SN-8EC Specifications 9.3 Model AR-5AT, AR-5EC Specifications 10 f/4 Model SN-10AT Specifications8 Model AR-6AT Specifications 10 Model SC-8AT Specifications 5 Model N-6EC SpecificationsMeade Customer Service Autostar SpecificationsAutostar Dimensions Inspecting the OpticsSetting Circles Appendix a Celestial CoordinatesOne-Star Polar Alignment Locating the Celestial PolePolar Alignment Two-Star Polar AlignmentEnhancement Methods Method #1 Three-Star Alignment Using AutostarPolar Alignment Viewfinder To perform the Three-Star AlignmentMethod 2 Axis Alignment Procedures Procedure #1 To correct for attitude misalignmentProcedure #2 To correct for elevation misalignment Position aMethod 3 Axis Alignment Using Autostar TipsPEC Train Menu Option Method #4 Smart Drive Training Periodic Error CorrectionPEC Update Menu Option PEC Erase Menu OptionCity State/Prov./Country Latitude Appendix C Latitude ChartLatitude Chart for Major Cities of the World City Country LatitudeAppendix D EC Handbox Modes of Operation To move the telescope using the Electronic ControllerSlew Speeds Tracking Rates Changing the Polar Mode Optional Autostar Computer Controller for LXD75 EC UsersHow to Attach the Optical Tube to the Mount Mounting the SC bracket and optical tube to the mountObjects in Space Appendix F Basic AstronomyAutostar Glossary MoonPlanets Deep-Sky ObjectsFurther Study Page Meade Limited Warranty
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Telescope, LXD 75 specifications

The Meade LXD 75 is an advanced telescope mount designed for both amateur and professional astronomers looking to explore the wonders of the night sky. Known for its precision and ease of use, the LXD 75 offers several features and technologies that make it a standout choice for astrophotography and visual observation alike.

At the heart of the Meade LXD 75 is its robust equatorial mount, which provides stable tracking of celestial objects. This mount is both lightweight and durable, allowing for easy transport to observing sites. The equatorial design is especially beneficial for astrophotography, as it compensates for the Earth's rotation, enabling longer exposure times without the trailing effects commonly associated with less sophisticated mounts.

One of the most notable features of the LXD 75 is its dual-axis tracking system. This system allows users to electronically control the telescope's movements along both the right ascension and declination axes. The built-in Data Sky control panel is user-friendly, offering intuitive access to a wealth of astronomical data, including over 30,000 celestial objects. This makes locating and tracking objects in the sky simpler and more efficient.

The LXD 75 also supports a variety of telescope configurations, accommodating optical tubes up to 10 inches in diameter. This versatility makes it suitable for a range of viewing preferences, from planetary observations to deep-sky astrophotography. The mount's heavy-duty construction ensures it can handle the weight of larger telescopes while maintaining stability.

In terms of technology, the Meade LXD 75 is equipped with AutoStar computer technology. This innovative feature enables automatic location and tracking of celestial bodies using a simple pointing and clicking interface. Users can also create custom observing lists, making it easier to plan and execute dedicated viewing sessions.

Additionally, the LXD 75 boasts robust connectivity options, including the ability to integrate with a wide range of imaging software and accessories, making it a great choice for those interested in advanced astrophotography techniques. The mount's compatibility with Meade's own range of cameras and filters further enhances its potential for capturing stunning images of the universe.

In conclusion, the Meade LXD 75 is a well-rounded telescope mount that combines advanced technology with user-friendly features. Its equatorial design, dual-axis tracking, and AutoStar system make it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced astronomers. Whether for visual observation or astrophotography, the LXD 75 offers the performance and versatility to enhance any stargazing experience.
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