Using the Red Dot Finder

Adjusting the Red Dot Finder

On/Off &

Brightness

Adjustment

GETTING#497 HANDBOXSTARTED

Because your telescope has so much magnification, its field of view is very small. This can make it hard to know exactly where your telescope is pointing by simply looking at it. To help you point the telescope quickly and accurately, for terrestrial targets or GO TO pointing, the LT Series has a 1X Red Dot Viewfinder.

The Red Dot Finder will aid you in pointing your telescope easily. It works much like a fighter pilot’s heads-up display. To turn on the Red Dot Finder, carefully rotate the power switch until you feel it click on. Turning further clockwise will increase the dot brightness. Adjust the dot to the minimum brightness where it can be easily seen. This will extend its battery life and make it easier to see faint stars in the background. Look through the finder’s glass window. You will see a red dot superimposed on your view. Using the direction keys on the handbox, move the telescope until the red dot is on the target you want to view in the eyepiece. As you get close to your target, select a moderately low speed, like speed 5, and move the scope to center your target as you look through the eyepiece. This a great way to get used to finding the movement keys without removing your eye from the eyepiece.

The Red Dot Finder has been aligned at the factory, but you may need to touch-up the alignment from time to time. To do this, look through the eyepiece of your scope and using the hand controller center a distant object. Now turn on the Red Dot Viewfinder and adjust the brightness so you can see the red dot. Look through the sight as pictured above.

Adjustment

Screws

Now, without moving the telescope, adjust the indicated thumb screws until you have put the red dot on the object at which you were looking. It’s that simple.

Now use the hand controller to put the laser dot on a new target. Check to see that the desired target is in the eyepiece and adjust the focus knob until the object is in focus.

Focus Knob

AutoStar

INDEX

 

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Meade LT ACF Series, LT SC Series Using the Red Dot Finder Adjusting the Red Dot Finder, GETTING#497 Handboxstarted

LT Series, LT ACF Series, LT SC Series specifications

The Meade LT SC Series, LT ACF Series, and LT Series telescopes are designed to meet the diverse needs of amateur astronomers and astrophotographers alike. Each of these series caters to various levels of experience while incorporating advanced features and technologies that enhance observational stability and image quality.

The Meade LT SC Series, featuring the advanced Schmidt-Cassegrain design, excels in versatility. This series includes different aperture sizes, allowing users to view celestial objects ranging from the moon to distant galaxies. The telescopes come equipped with an AudioStar hand controller that provides a database of over 30,000 celestial objects, enabling users to easily locate and track their subjects. The built-in GPS feature facilitates effortless alignment by automatically determining the user’s location and time.

In contrast, the LT ACF Series showcases Meade's innovative Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) optics. This design minimizes coma and field curvature, providing sharp, crisp images across a wider field of view. Ideal for astrophotography, this series is enhanced by features like a fast focal ratio for better imaging of dim objects and a robust construction that ensures stability during use. The LT ACF telescopes also support advanced imaging techniques, allowing users to capture stunning images of deep-sky objects while minimizing aberrations.

The classic LT Series remains a favorite among beginners. Known for its straightforward setup and usability, this series is designed with a lightweight and portable frame. The LT Series telescope is equipped with an altazimuth mount, making it user-friendly for quick observations. The simplicity allows new astronomers to start observing with minimal technical knowledge. Additionally, these telescopes support a variety of accessories such as smartphone adapters, making it easy for users to capture their observations.

All three series incorporate Meade's proprietary StarLock technology in certain models, which facilitates automated tracking. This feature frees astronomers from the complexities of manual tracking, allowing them to focus more on the experience of observing celestial wonders.

In summary, the Meade LT SC Series, LT ACF Series, and LT Series deliver exceptional optical performance and user-friendly features, making them suitable for a wide range of astronomy enthusiasts. Whether you are a seasoned astrophotographer or a novice sky-watcher, Meade's telescopes provide the technology and capabilities needed to explore the universe.