The GO TO key (3), Fig. 8, causes the telescope to automatically slew to specific library entry coordinates. The GO TO key also produces a blinking cursor in the GO TO menu file of the COORDINATES/GO TO mode, to allow new Right Ascension and Declination coordinates to be entered. Pressing GO TO while the telescope is slewing to an object pauses the slewing process, pressing GO TO again resumes the slew.
4. Direction Keys
Labeled "N", "S", "E", and "W", (4), Fig. 8, these four keys make the #1697 Computer Drive System move, or slew, in a specific direction, at any one of four different speeds (explained below). During data entry, the E and W keys can be used to move the blinking cursor back and forth across the LCD display, so that if an error is made during entry, it can be erased and changed.
The remaining twelve keys have multiple functions; there are up and down arrow keys and numbered keys from 0 through 9. Each one of these keys also has alternate functions listed above the arrow symbols and numbers. The ALT LED light (9), Fig. 8, is only visible when entering numerical data. A description of the individual keys follows:
5. RET Key
Typically used for guiding the telescope during an astrophotograph, the RET key (5), Fig. 8, is used to change the brightness and pulse rate of the optional corded, plug-in style illuminated reticle eyepiece, such as the Meade Modified Achromatic 12mm Illuminated Reticle Eyepiece, or the Meade Series 4000 Plössl 9mm Illuminated Reticle Eyepiece. (See Optional Accessories, page 18.) Pressing either the PREV and NEXT (up and down arrow) keys (13), Fig. 8, while holding down the RET key, alters the reticle brightness level up or down.
When guiding on very faint stars, it may be helpful to pulse the light from the LED so that the reticle crosshairs blink on and off. It is possible to adjust both the reticle brightness as well as the pulse rates. There are three pulse rates that can be used, all with a one second pulse interval. The continuous illumination control and pulse rates are set by holding down the RET key and pressing one of the following keys; GUIDE (100% on, no pulsing), CNTR (50% on, 50% off), MAP (25% on, 75% off), CNGC (10% on, 90% off).
6. Speed Keys (SLEW, FIND, CENTER, and GUIDE)
These keys (6), Fig. 8, allow an observer to set the rate of movement or slew speed in the drives of the #1697 CDS, as activated by the N, S, E, and W keys. The chosen rate is indicated by the speed indicator illuminated LED beside the rate key that you have pressed. The speed rates are SLEW (8 degrees per second), FIND (2 degrees per second), CNTR (32X sidereal rate), and GUIDE (2X sidereal rate).
NOTE: All of the slew speeds will drive the telescope in all four directions, except for GUIDE. The 2X sidereal speed in GUIDE has one difference in that it will not interrupt the Right Ascension tracking direction to make Easterly (for Northern hemisphere) or Westerly (for Southern hemisphere) adjustments; it merely stops the drive motor and allow Earth's natural rotation to make the correction.
SLEW, FIND, CENTER, and GUIDE keys also have numbers listed (7, 4, 1, and 0 respectively). When editing a value, the multiple function of each of these keys is realized. SLEW and FIND are also used to set the ‘fast’ focus speed for the electric focuser accessory option, while CNTR and GUIDE set the slow focus speed (see details below). There are other special functions for the CNTR and GUIDE keys that are discussed in the RET KEY (5), Fig. 8, operations.
The FOCUS key (10), Fig. 8, allows 2 speed electric focus control of the optional Meade #1207 Electric Focuser. (see Optional Accessories, page 18.) To activate, press either the SLEW or FIND key (for fast focusing), or the CNTR or GUIDE key (for slow focusing), press and hold the FOCUS key, and then press and hold the PREV or NEXT keys (13), Fig. 8, for near and far focus.
8. MAP Key
The Map key (12), Fig. 8, is used to activate the red LED Map Light (7), Fig. 8 on top of the Keypad. The deep red LED light protects your night vision while you search for a particular accessory or examine a star chart.
9. Object Keys (M, STAR, and CNGC)
These keys (11), Fig. 8, allow direct access to the #1697 CDS’s Object Library any time that you are not editing a value, setting a parameter, or selecting a file menu. After pressing one of these keys, the Keypad displays a blinking cursor, allowing you to enter the catalog number for objects listed in the library (see Appendix C. 64,359-Object Library). After entry, press the ENTER key. To observe the entered object, press the GO TO key. A brief description of the catalog key symbols are; M (Messier objects), STAR (stars and planets), and CNGC (deep sky objects).
10. PREV and NEXT Keys
The PREV and NEXT (up and down arrow) keys (13), Fig. 8, move the display's LCD arrow up and down the menu files and menu file options, so that you may choose an individual selection to enter. These keys are also used when adjusting the RET brightness range, or when activating the electric focuser. PREV and NEXT are also used to select the objects from the Object Library when using START FIND (explained on page 15).
| MEADE | | |
| COMPUTER DRIVE SYSTEM | | |
| LX QUARTZ - DC SERVO MOTOR | | |
| | SMART DRIVE | | | |
| 1 | | | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Current (mA x 100) | N | S | On Off | 8 |
| | | |
5 | 6 | | 7 | | |
| | | |
| | | | |
| Focuser | Reticle | | | | |
9 | 10 | | 11 | Keypad | RA Motor | 12 |
| Power | RS 232 | | CCD | Aux | |
| 12vDC | | |
Fig. 9: #1697 CDS Control Panel. (1) Current Indicator (Ammeter);
(2)North/South Switch; (3) On/Off Switch; (4) LED Indicator Light;
(5)Focuser Port; (6) Reticle Port; (7) Keypad Hand Controller Port;
(8)R.A. Motor Port; (9) Power Port; (10) RS-232 Port; (11) CCD Port; (12) Auxiliary Port.
THE CDS CONTROL PANEL
1.Current (mA x 100) (1), Fig. 9: The Current (Ammeter) display is a series of vertical red LED bars. Each fully lit bar represents 1/10 of an amp (or 100 milliamps) of current draw, with the lowest value on the extreme left of the scale. During normal tracking speeds, the Ammeter will show a few LED bars lit up. However, when a slew is initiated, the current draw will light up the entire LED display, momentarily showing the inertia load. This effect is entirely normal. The current draw
