Meade LXD55 instruction manual Autostar Features, Tour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button

Important Note: The model SN-6EC, model SN-8EC, and model AR- 5EC are equipped with an Electronic Controller handbox, rather than the Autostar Handbox. Several of the following procedures, such as Tracking Objects and Initializing Autostar (to name but a few), are rele- vant only to models equipped with the Autostar handbox and do not apply to the EC mod- els. For more information about the EC handbox, see APPENDIX D: EC HANDBOX, page 55.

Note: Autostar does not require batteries; the tele- scope’s batteries supply power to Autostar.

AUTOSTAR FEATURES

Fig. 2: The Autostar Handbox.

Tour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button

Control of most LXD55-Seriestelescope models (excluding the EC models; see mar- gin note) is through the operation of Autostar. Nearly all functions of the telescope are accomplished with just a few pushes of Autostar’s buttons. Some of the major fea- tures of Autostar are:

■Automatic GO TO capability: Automatically move the telescope to any of the more than 30,000 objects stored in the object library.

■Take a guided tour of the best celestial objects to view on any given night of the year.

■Download the latest satellite data and software revisions directly from the Meade website (www.meade.com) and share software with other Autostar enthusiasts. Requires optional #505 AstroFinder™ Software and Cable Connector Kit. See

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 38.

■Access a glossary of astronomical terms.

■Fully automatic tracking of celestial objects.

Features

The Autostar Computer Controller provides control of virtually every telescope func- tion within a compact handbox. Autostar has soft-touch keys designed to have a pos- itive feel. The LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is backlit with a red LED (Light Emitting Diode) for easy viewing in the dark. The backlit display, key arrangement, and sequential menu structure make Autostar extremely user friendly.

B2-Line LCD Display: This screen displays Autostar's menus and other informa- tion about the telescope.

■Top line: Lists the primary menu.

■Bottom line: Contains other menus that may be selected, menu options, tele- scope status, or information about a function that is currently being performed.

CENTER Key: Press to go to the next menu level or to choose an option in a menu. The ENTER key is similar to the RETURN or ENTER key on a computer. See MOVING THROUGH AUTOSTAR'S MENUS, page 19 and AUTOSTAR’S MENUS, page 25.

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