Meade LXD 75 instruction manual LXD75 Tips

Page 8
against the tripod legs.
Variable Height Tripod Legs (3): Supports the telescope mount. The mount attaches to the top of the tripod.

2( Want to learn more

about the polar align- ment viewfinder?

See the The Polar

Alignment Viewfinder,

page 52.

4)

Fig. 1f: The tripod leg lock knob.

4!

Fig. 1g: The LXD75-Series Battery Pack and holder.

4! Want to learn how to

install the batteries?

See step 12, page 13.

Caution: Use care to install batteries as indicat- ed by the battery com- partment. Follow battery manufacturer's precau- tions. Do not install batter- ies backwards or mix new and used batteries. Do not mix battery types. If these precautions are not followed, batteries may explode, catch fire, or leak. Improperly installed batteries void your Meade warranty. Always remove the batteries if they are not to be used for a long period of time.

sure to turn off the LED when finished with the polar viewfinder. Powered by (fac- tory-supplied) batteries contained within.

3! R.A. Setting Circle: See APPENDIX A, page 50, for more information.

3@ R.A. Setting Circle Lock Knob: Rotate the knob to lock the R.A. Setting Circle (see 3!) in place.

3# R.A. Lock: Controls the manual movement of the telescope. Turning the R.A. lock counterclockwise unlocks the telescope enabling it to be freely rotated by hand about the R.A. axis. Turning the R.A. lock clockwise (to a firm feel only) tightens the lock and prevents the telescope from being moved manually, but engages the R.A. motor drive (see 2%) for Autostar or EC handbox operation.

3$ Dec. Motor Drive Assembly: Controlled by Autostar or the EC handbox. Moves the optical tube along the Dec. axis. The Dec. Lock (see 1&) must be tightened to a firm feel in order for the Dec. motor to operate.

3% T-Handle Lock and Shaft: Place the spreader bar (see 3^) over the shaft and thread the shaft into the tripod mounting base/mounting base (see 3&) and tighten to a firm feel to secure the tray to the tripod and keep the tripod stable. See HOW TO ASSEMBLE YOUR TELESCOPE, page 11 for more information.

3^ Spreader Bar: Holds the tripod legs securely in place and also acts as a holder for extra eyepieces.

3& Tripod Mounting Base: Set the telescope mount into the tripod mounting base and secure into place using the T-handle lock and shaft. See HOW TO ASSEMBLE YOUR TELESCOPE, page 11 for more information.

3*

3( Spreader Bar Tension Knob: Tighten to secure the spreader bar (see 3^)

4) Tripod Leg Lock Knobs (one on each leg): Loosen these knobs to slide the inner leg extension. Tighten the knobs to a firm feel to lock in the height of the tripod.

4! Battery Pack and holder (see Fig. 1f): Plug into the 12v DC power connector (B, Fig. 1e) of the computer control panel. Insert 8 (user-supplied)D-cell batteries to power motor drives and Autostar handbox.

LXD75 TIPS

Join an Astronomy Club, Attend a Star Party

One of the best ways to increase your knowledge of astronomy is to join an astronomy club. Check your local newspaper, school, library, or telescope dealer/store to find out if there’s a club in your area.

At club meetings, you will meet other astronomy and Meade enthusiasts with whom you will be able to share your discoveries. Clubs are an excellent way to learn more about observing the sky, to find out where the best observing sites are, and to compare notes about telescopes, eyepieces, filters, tripods, and so forth.

Often, club members are excellent astrophotographers. Not only will you be able to see examples of their art, but you may even be able to pick up some “tricks of the trade” to try out on your LXD75-Seriestelescope. See page 36 for more information about photog- raphy with the LXD75-Series.

Many groups also hold regularly scheduled Star Parties at which you can check out and observe with many different telescopes and other pieces of astronomical equipment. Magazines such as Sky & Telescope and Astronomy print schedules for many popular Star Parties around the United States and Canada.

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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 Tour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button Autostar FeaturesFeatures Tip How to Assemble Your Telescope Telescope AssemblyAccessories Getting StartedViewfinder assembly Newtonian reflector models C D E 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 OnlySetting the Polar Home Position Observe the MoonTracking Objects 16bObserve a Star using the Automatic Tracking Feature TipMoving 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 MenuEvent Menu Glossary MenuUtilities Menu LXD75-SeriesSetup Menu EnterObserving Considerations Setup Menu Daylight SAVING, Surf the Web To Edit a Site Adding Observing SitesTo Add a Site to the user-defined site list Using Autostar to Find Objects Not in the Libraries To GO to a user-entered objectTo 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 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 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 10 Model SC-8AT Specifications 5 Model N-6EC SpecificationsAutostar Specifications Autostar DimensionsMeade Customer Service Inspecting the OpticsSetting Circles Appendix a Celestial CoordinatesLocating the Celestial Pole Polar AlignmentOne-Star Polar Alignment Two-Star Polar AlignmentMethod #1 Three-Star Alignment Using Autostar Polar Alignment ViewfinderEnhancement Methods 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 TipsMethod #4 Smart Drive Training Periodic Error Correction PEC Update Menu OptionPEC Train Menu Option PEC Erase Menu OptionAppendix C Latitude Chart Appendix D EC Handbox Slew Speeds To move the telescope using the Electronic ControllerModes of Operation 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 mountAppendix F Basic Astronomy Autostar GlossaryObjects in Space MoonPlanets Deep-Sky ObjectsFurther Study Page Page Meade Limited Warranty
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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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