Meade LX80 instruction manual Contents

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CONTENTS

Introduction

A solid telescope built for a lifetime of service . . . . . . . . . . .5

Telescope Features

Multi-Mount. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Robust Aluminum Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Gears and Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Tripod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

AudioStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Counterweight Shaft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Industry Standard Dovetail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

LX80 Key Features

Figure 1: Rear View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Figure 2: Front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Figure 3: Control Panel – Detail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Figure 4: Controls – Overall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Figure 5: Drive Base Close-up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Figure 6: Tripod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Figure 7: Hex-Head Tool. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Figure 8: Azimuth Adjustment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Figure 9: Latitude Adjustment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Figure 10: Latitude Pivot Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Figure 11: Latitude Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Key Features Explained . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-14

Getting Started

Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Tripod set-up and assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Mount Head to Tripod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Attach counterweight shaft(s) to mount . . . . . . . . . . .16 Mount counterweight(s) to shaft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Mount Optical tube assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Assemble Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Insert Eyepiece. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Level the mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Install Batteries or connect AC Adapter . . . . . . . . . . .18 Connect AudioStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Balancing the Telescope. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Aligning the Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Choosing an Eyepiece . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Observing By Moving the Telescope Manually. . . . . .21 Using AudioStar’s GoTo Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Moving Through AudioStar’s Menus. . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Activate the Arrow Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Slew Speeds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Playing Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Entering Data Into AudioStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Navigating AudioStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Observe the Moon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Tracking Objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

The LX80 Multi-Mount System

Aligning the LX80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Initializing AudioStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Alt-Azimuth Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Setting the Alt-Azimuth Home position . . . . . . . . .25 Finding True North. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Finding Magnetic North . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Easy (Two-Star) Align . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 How to perform the Easy Align Procedure . . . . . .26

GoTo Saturn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Using the Guided Tour. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Equatorial Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Setting the Polar Home Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Locating the Celestial Pole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Easy Align . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 How to perform the Easy Align . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 GoTo Saturn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Using the Guided Tour. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Dual OTA Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Alt-Azimuth Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

AudioStar Handbox

Tour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button . . . .33 AudioStar Handbox Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Observation Using AudioStar’s Arrow Keys . . . . . . . .36 Playing the Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Terrestrial Observing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

AudioStar Operation

AudioStar Navigation Exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

AudioStar Menus

Object Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

AudioStar Menu Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Event Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Glossary Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Utilities Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 .

Setup Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Advanced AudioStar Features

Adding Observing Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Find Objects Not in the Database. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 To GoTo a user-entered object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Observing Satellites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Landmarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Identify . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Training the Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 Advanced alt/az Alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 Browse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Optional Accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Customer Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Appendix A: Training the Drive . . . . . . . .57

Appendix B: Basic Astronomy . . . . . . . .58

Appendix C: Specifications. . . . . . . . . . .60

Appendix D: Equatorial Alignment . . . . .61

Polar Alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Locating the Celestial Pole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Precise Polar Alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Periodic Error Correction (PEC) Training . . . . . . .64

Appendix E: Latitude Chart . . . . . . . . . .65

Appendix F: Declination North America 66

Appendix G: Declination Global . . . . . . .67

Recycling Information (Europe) . . . . . . .68

Meade Limited Warranty

One Year Limited Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover

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Contents LX80 Multi-Mount Telescope System With Astronomer Inside Page Battery Safety Instructions Contents Introduction IntroductionLX80 Telescope People at MeadeTelescope Features LX80 Multi-MountRobust Aluminum Construction Gears and DrivesControl Panel AudioStar Counterweight ShaftIndustry Standard Dovetail Adapter LX80 Key Features LX80 Key Features Rear ViewLX80 Key Features C. D. E. F LX80 Tripod Adjustments for German EQ Mode Latitude Adjustment Latitude Lock KnobVixen-style Dovetail Receiver Place OTA dovetail here LX80 Series Your Personal Window to the UniverseTelescope Control Panel DEC Setting Circle DEC Reference Point Azimuth Lock KnobsHow to Assemble Your Telescope Getting StartedSpread the tripod legs Attach spreader bar and thread on tension knobAttach mount to tripod base. Place the mount Thread-on counterweight shaftTighten three 3 knobs at underside Tighten DEC lock Secure diagonal into holder Plug AudioStar into HBX connectorInsert eyepiece into diagonal Balancing the Telescope RA Right Ascension BalanceWhile maintaining hold of OTA, loosen the DEC lock Balancing the OTALoosen RA lock right and left sides Aligning the ViewfinderTilting the mount head Choosing an Eyepiece Observing by Moving the Telescope ManuallyUsing AudioStar’s GoTo Capabilities Moving Through AudioStar’s MenusActivate the Arrow Keys Slew SpeedsPlaying Audio Entering Data into AudioStarNavigating AudioStar Observe the MoonInitializing AudioStar LX80 Multi-Mount SystemAligning the LX80 Alt-Azimuth Mode Setting the Alt-Azimuth Home PositionFinding True North Alt-Azimuth home positionFinding Magnetic North Perform the Easy Align ProcedureEasy Two-Star Align Using the Guided Tour Go To SaturnEquatorial Mode Setting the Polar Home PositionEquatorial Mode Tilt the mount head using hex head toolHow to perform the Easy Align Locating the Celestial PoleEasy Align Equatorial home positionGo To Saturn Dual OTA Alt-Az Dual OTA ModeSecondary mount plate LX80 Tips Tour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button AudioStar HandboxScroll Keys AudioStar Handbox Slew Speeds Playing the Audio Observation Using AudioStar’s Arrow KeysTerrestrial Observing AudioStar Navigation Exercise AudioStar OperationTo Calculate Sunset time Object Menu AudioStar #497 Menu Tree AudioStar #497 Menu TreeEvent Menu Glossary MenuUtilities Menu Winter and Summer Solstice calculates the timeSetup Menu Selected telescope AudioStar Operation To Add a Site to the user-defined site list Adding Observing SitesTo Edit a Site To GoTo a user-entered object Using AudioStar to Find Objects Not in the DatabaseObserving Satellites Landmarks To Add a landmark to the databaseIdentify To Select a landmark from the databaseTo perform a Landmark Survey To check on the available amount of memory in AudioStarTraining the Drive Displayed information ExampleAdvanced alt/az Alignment BrowseTwo-Star alt/az Alignment One-Star alt/az AlignmentPhotography with the LX80 Few tips on photography with the LX80Photography with a Digital Camera Some tips for better digital photosPhotography with the LX80 Photography with Meade’s AudioStar SuiteOptional Accessories Optional Accessories Maintenance MaintenanceStorage and Transport Inspecting the OpticsUnable to see an image through the eyepiece TroubleshootingObject appears in the viewfinder but not in the eyepiece Customer Service Customer ServiceDrive Appendix aAppendix B Objects in SpaceDeep-Sky Objects Appendix C Specifications CationsAlignment Appendix DPolar Alignment Celestial CoordinatesPrecise Polar Alignment AudioStar Polar AlignmentEasy Polar Alignment One-Star Polar AlignmentAppendix D Equatorial Polar Alignment PEC Update Menu Option PEC Train Menu OptionPEC Erase Menu Option PEC On and Off Menu OptionsLatitude Chart Latitude Chart for Major Cities of the WorldAppendix E EuropeAmerica Appendix G Recycling Information Recycling InformationPage Page Page Limited Warranty Meade Limited Warranty

LX80 specifications

The Meade LX80 is a versatile and innovative telescope designed to cater to both novice astronomers and experienced stargazers. Its combination of performance, ease of use, and advanced features makes it a popular choice among enthusiasts seeking to explore the cosmos.

One of the standout characteristics of the LX80 is its extensive GoTo mount system, which allows users to automatically locate and track celestial objects with remarkable precision. This feature is powered by a database containing over 30,000 astronomical objects, providing a broad range of targets for exploration. The telescope's integrated GPS ensures swift alignment with the night sky, simplifying setup and enhancing the observing experience.

The LX80 employs advanced technology with its heavy-duty dual-axis equatorial mount, providing stability and sturdiness. This design is particularly beneficial for astrophotography, as it minimizes vibrations and allows for longer exposure times without blurring. Additionally, the mount is compatible with various optical tubes, enabling users to customize their setup according to their specific interests, whether it’s planetary observation or deep-sky photography.

Another impressive feature of the Meade LX80 is its SmartDrive technology, which continually corrects any tracking errors, ensuring smooth and accurate movement across the night sky. This is especially helpful for capturing high-quality images of celestial bodies. The telescope can also be controlled via a smartphone or tablet using the optional Meade app, which further adds to its user-friendly design.

The LX80's optical performance is equally commendable. Many models come with a high-quality optical tube, offering superb light-gathering capabilities. The telescope's aperture, typically ranging from 6 to 10 inches, makes it well-suited for observing faint deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae, as well as brighter targets such as planets.

In terms of portability, the LX80 is designed to be compact, making it easier to transport to dark-sky locations. The telescope can be quickly set up and dismantled, accommodating astronomers who wish to observe in various settings.

Overall, the Meade LX80 stands out as a dynamic and feature-rich telescope. With its powerful GoTo capabilities, advanced tracking technology, and customizable optics, it offers a well-rounded observational experience. Whether you're peering through the eyepiece for the first time or capturing stunning images of the universe, the LX80 is equipped to meet your astronomical needs.
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