1 6
5. CCD Connector
The CCD Port (10, Fig. 7) allows direct interface from popular aftermarket CCD autoguiding/imaging cameras with their compatible connecting cables to accomplish autoguiding for non- attended astrophotography. The CCD cameras effectively watch a star and detect slight movements. When star movements are detected, signals from the CCD electronics make drive corrections in the LX200, to bring the star to a home position.
Most CCD autoguiding/imaging cameras are supplied with a cable, which is compatible with the LX200 port. If your CCD unit does not have a cable, one can be obtained from the CCD manufacturer, or you can make your own cable using the following table of information.
CCD Connector Pin | LX200 Assignment |
| |
#1 | Normally Closed |
| |
#2 | West |
| |
#3 | North |
| |
#4 | Ground |
| |
#5 | South |
| |
#6 | East |
| |
6. Power 12 vDC Connector
The power 12 vDC connector (9, Fig. 7) is designed to accept either the standard-equipment AC Converter or the optional DC Power Cord. The acceptable voltage range (under load) is from 12 to 18 volts.
7. Keypad Connector
The keypad connector (6, Fig. 7) is a 4 pin phone jack connector socket, designed to accept standard 4 pin phone jack coil cords. One end of the supplied coil cord plugs into the keypad port, the other end plugs into the LX200 keypad.
8. Reticle Connector
The Reticle connector (5, Fig. 7) accepts optional accessory corded, plug-in style illuminated reticle eyepieces such as the optional Meade 12mm Illuminated Reticle Eyepiece, or the Meade Series 4000 Plossl 9mm Illuminated Reticle Eyepiece (corded style), to allow brightness control and on/off pulsing rates to be set from the LX200 keypad.
9. Focuser Connector
The focuser connector (4, Fig. 7) accepts optional accessory corded, plug in style electric focusers such as the Meade #1206 Electric Focuser, to allow electric focus adjustment control from the LX200 keypad.
10. RS-232 Connector
The RS-232 connector (2, Fig. 7) allows personal computer interface to allow communications at 9600 baud to access every feature of the LX200 keypad. Many popular astronomy programs are available which directly interface with Meade LX200 telescopes, including Epoch 2000sk Sky Software by Meade Instruments Corp. In APPENDIX F (page 58) of this manual is a wiring schematic to make your own RS-232 connector cord, a cord test program, a demonstration program, and the LX200 Command Set for writing programs. Meade Instruments supplies this information for professional programmers. Meade Instruments Corporation does not offer support or advice for writing software for the RS-232 option.
11. Aux Connector
The Auxiliary connector (3, Fig. 7) is used for the 7" Maksutov fan power.
MODE FUNCTIONS
To view the separate modes within the LX200 system, press the MODE button located between the ENTER and GO TO keys at the top of the hand controller. Simple entry and editing of information in the different modes contained within the system will customize the operation of your LX200 to perform virtually any of your observing requirements. Better still, all of the critical information such as time, location, alignment type, and many other functions are kept in memory...even with the LX200 turned off!
The type of alignment, the objects that you see, the location that you observe from, the tracking speeds of the drives, all of the clock and timing functions, the position information, and even the brightness level of the backlit keypad are defined by the information that you give and/ or the commands that you edit, through five different modes of the LX200 computerized hand controller.
Once you have selected the desired mode, you can then select the individual file within the mode by pressing the PREV or NEXT key (up and down arrow key) in the bottom right hand portion of the hand controller, moving the LCD arrow up or down beside the file description. Although you will only be able to see two menu selections at a time in the keypad display, you will see more as you continue to press the PREV and NEXT keys.
When the desired file is chosen, press the ENTER key to view the files menu. To choose an individual menu, again use the PREV or NEXT key to run the LCD arrow up or down the files menu. To explore a menu selection, again press the ENTER key. In some modes there will be options for a files menu selection, in others you will only enter data.
At any time that you wish to return to main file heading in a particular mode, just press MODE and it will behave as an exit key.
1. Mode One: TELESCOPE/ OBJECT LIBRARY
This is the mode that the LX200 will default to after the instrument completes its self-check, when the LX200 is first turned on. The TELESCOPE/OBJECT LIBRARY mode can be thought of as command central. It is here that we can select the way that we want the LX200 to perform mechanically, and where we can explore and select from its extensive library of stored objects.
To explore either the TELESCOPE menu file or the OBJECT LIBRARY menu file, move the LCD arrow to the appropriate selection by using the PREV or the NEXT key and press the ENTER key.
a. TELESCOPE Menu File
Below are the 14 selections of the TELESCOPE menu file, illustrating the individual menu files and file options.
1.SITE: The SITE menu option allows you to enter up to four of your favorite viewing locations in longitude and latitude. The entered longitude and latitude is compared by the LX200's computer to your local time, GMT offset, and calendar date to accurately calculate celestial coordinates. Once entered, the information is stored in the telescope's internal memory, you need never re-enter the same information. To enter new site information or to change an old one, see QUICK START, page 9.
You can choose any one of the four site options (or the UNKNOWN site) at your convenience, without the bother of entering longitude and latitude every time you use the LX200. Once the site is chosen, exit the SITE menu by pressing the MODE key.
2.ALIGN: The Align menu selection of the TELESCOPE file demonstrates the unique ability to transform the LX200 into an Altazimuth, celestial tracking telescope, a polar- equatorial celestial tracking telescope, or land spotting scope with electric Altazimuth movements within three