Meade LXD 75-Series instruction manual D e f g

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Tip:

A useful tool for making collimation easier is to make a hole in the plastic cap that comes with the eyepiece to protect it during shipping. Use a drill to make a 1/8" hole in the center of the cap and place it over the eye- piece holder for use during the collimation procedure.

b Focuser drawtube c Diagonal mirror

d Reflection of primary mirror

e Reflection of secondary mirror (darkened due to back lighting)

f Primary mirror clips

g Reflection of observer's eye

Fig. 31b: The four collimation screws on the diagonal mirror housing.

knurled knob

thumb screw

Fig. 31c: The six collimation screws on the rear of the primary mirror cell.

b c d e f g

Fig. 31a: The view you will see while collimating a Schmidt-Newtonian telescope.

shipment of your telescope. It is only necessary for you to confirm that the telescope has not been badly jarred out of collimation, and to perform the final fine-tuning of Step 4, below.

Fig. 31a shows a correctly collimated Schmidt-Newtonian telescope, as it appears when viewed through the focuser with the eyepiece removed.

To check and, if necessary, set the optical collimation, follow these steps.

1.Observe through the focuser and orient your body so that the telescope's primary mirror is to your right, and the correcting plate end of the telescope tube is to your left. The diagonal mirror will appear centered as shown (2, Fig. 31a). If the diagonal appears off center, then adjust the 4 collimation screws on the plastic diagonal mirror housing.

2.If the reflection of the primary mirror (3, Fig. 31a) is not centered on the surface of the diagonal mirror, adjust the 4 collimation screws on the plastic diagonal mirror housing to center the reflection.

As described above, the 4 collimation screws (Fig. 31b) on the plastic diagonal mirror housing are used for two different adjustments during the collimation procedure.

Important Note: Do not force the 4 screws past their normal travel, and do not rotate any screw or screws more than 2 full turns in a counter- clockwise direction (i.e., not more than 2 full turns in their "loosening" direction), or else the diagonal mirror may become loosened from its support. Note that the diagonal mirror collimation adjustments are very sensitive: generally turning a collimation screw 1/2-turn will have a dra- matic effect on collimation.

3.If the reflection of the diagonal mirror is not centered within the reflection of the pri- mary mirror, adjust the 3 collimation screws located on the rear of the primary mirror cell.

Note: There are 6 screws (Fig. 31c) on the primary mirror cell. The 3 knurled knobs are the collimation screws, and the 3 smaller thumb screws are locking screws. The locking screws must be loosened slightly in order to adjust the collimation screws.

Proceed by "trial and error" until you develop a feel for which collimation screw to turn in order to change the image in any given way.

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Contents LXD 75 -Series Telescopes Page Contents BC1 g f e Telescope FeaturesD E F LXD75-SeriesYour Personal Window to the Universe $ Computer Control Panel see e LXD75 Tips Tour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button Autostar FeaturesFeatures Tip Telescope Assembly How to Assemble Your TelescopeAccessories Getting StartedViewfinder assembly Newtonian reflector models Balancing the Telescope C D E FChoosing an Eyepiece Aligning the ViewfinderObserving by Moving the Telescope Manually Too Much Power?Slew Speeds Autostar Models Only Activate the Arrow Keys Autostar Models OnlyObserve the Moon Setting the Polar Home PositionTracking Objects 16bUsing Autostars GO to Capabilities Autostar Models Only Observe a Star using the Automatic Tracking FeatureInitializing Autostar Autostar Models Only Moving Through Autostar’s Menus Autostar Models OnlyTraining the Drive Autostar Models Only Go To Saturn Autostar Models Only Easy Alignment Autostar Models OnlyPlanet Saturn is over 800 million miles from the Earth Using the Guided Tour Autostar Models OnlyTo Calculate Sunset time Autostar Navigation ExerciseNavigating Autostar Entering Data into AutostarSelect Item Object Autostars MenusObject Menu MenusGlossary Menu Event MenuUtilities Menu LXD75-SeriesEnter Setup MenuObserving Considerations Setup Menu Daylight SAVING, Surf the Web To Edit a Site Adding Observing SitesTo Add a Site to the user-defined site list To GO to a user-entered object Using Autostar to Find Objects Not in the LibrariesTo Add a landmark to the database Observing SatellitesLandmarks To perform a Landmark Survey To Check on the Available MemoryTo Select a landmark from the database Photography with Meade’s Autostar Suite PhotographyFew tips on photography with the LXD75-Seriestelescopes 10 f/4 Optional AccessoriesSeries 4000 Photo-Visual Optional Autostar handbox for EC model users General Maintenance MaintenanceD e f g Page Defocused star images. Misaligned 1, 2, Aligned Page Page 4 Model SN-8AT, SN-8EC Specifications Specifications5 Model SN-6AT, SN-6EC Specifications 8 Model AR-6AT Specifications 10 f/4 Model SN-10AT Specifications9.3 Model AR-5AT, AR-5EC Specifications 5 Model N-6EC Specifications 10 Model SC-8AT SpecificationsAutostar Dimensions Autostar SpecificationsMeade Customer Service Inspecting the OpticsAppendix a Celestial Coordinates Setting CirclesPolar Alignment Locating the Celestial PoleOne-Star Polar Alignment Two-Star Polar AlignmentPolar Alignment Viewfinder Method #1 Three-Star Alignment Using AutostarEnhancement Methods To perform the Three-Star AlignmentProcedure #1 To correct for attitude misalignment Method 2 Axis Alignment ProceduresPosition a Procedure #2 To correct for elevation misalignmentTips Method 3 Axis Alignment Using AutostarPEC Update Menu Option Method #4 Smart Drive Training Periodic Error CorrectionPEC Train Menu Option PEC Erase Menu OptionLatitude Chart for Major Cities of the World Appendix C Latitude ChartCity State/Prov./Country Latitude City Country LatitudeAppendix D EC Handbox Slew Speeds To move the telescope using the Electronic ControllerModes of Operation Tracking Rates Optional Autostar Computer Controller for LXD75 EC Users Changing the Polar ModeMounting the SC bracket and optical tube to the mount How to Attach the Optical Tube to the MountAutostar Glossary Appendix F Basic AstronomyObjects in Space MoonDeep-Sky Objects PlanetsFurther Study Page Meade Limited Warranty

LXD 75-Series specifications

The Meade LXD 75-Series telescopes represent a significant advancement in amateur astronomy technology, combining ease of use with professional-grade features. Designed for both novice and experienced astronomers, the LXD 75-Series offers sophisticated tracking capabilities and a range of optical tube assemblies, making it a versatile choice for stargazers.

One of the most notable features of the LXD 75-Series is its advanced German equatorial mount, which provides precise tracking of celestial objects. This mount is equipped with digital setting circles and a built-in autoguider port, allowing users to take long-exposure astrophotography without the hassle of manual adjustments. The telescope's mount is designed to be sturdy yet lightweight, enhancing portability for backyard observations or remote excursions.

The optical tube assemblies available in the LXD 75-Series include both refractor and reflector designs, allowing astronomers to choose according to their preferences. Refractors provide crisp, high-contrast images ideal for planetary observations, while reflectors excel in deep-sky viewing, revealing the nuances of nebulae and galaxy structures. The series typically offers apertures ranging from 6 to 10 inches, giving users the flexibility to select a model that best suits their observational needs.

Another feature that stands out in the LXD 75-Series is its user-friendly GoTo system. This system utilizes a database containing thousands of celestial objects and employs sophisticated software to navigate the night sky effortlessly. With a simple push of a button, users can locate and track objects, making the stargazing experience more engaging and less intimidating for beginners.

The LXD 75-Series also emphasizes durability and ease of assembly. The telescopes are designed for quick setup, with intuitive components that make it easy to get started in minutes. Additionally, the quality of craftsmanship ensures longevity, which is vital for a reliable observational tool.

In conclusion, the Meade LXD 75-Series stands out for its combination of advanced technologies and user-centric designs. With powerful tracking capabilities, versatile optical options, and an easy-to-use GoTo system, these telescopes cater to the diverse needs of astronomical enthusiasts. Whether for casual observation or serious astrophotography, the LXD 75-Series proves to be a stellar option for those looking to explore the wonders of the universe.
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