Meade ACF-SC 254/2032 Starlock LX600 Telescope

The LX600 series, with its cutting-edge technology, caters to the needs of astronomers who are constantly on the move. Its convenience begins with transportation - the compact fork mount securely houses the short SC OTAs and can be easily split for transportation purposes (split-fork). Setting up the telescope at the start of an observing session is effortless thanks to the built-in GPS and Level North Technology, allowing the computer to align itself almost entirely automatically. The AutoStar II control, boasting a database of 145,000 objects, then becomes readily available.

The built-in Starlock camera system facilitates precise positioning of desired astronomical objects, automatic error correction (PEC), and auto-guiding, eliminating the need for an external auto-guider!

The LX600 series features corrected ACF-SC optics with a fast aperture ratio for shorter exposure times. An internal Crayford focuser with reduction gearing ensures precise focusing without any mirror-flop.

Advanced Coma-free Optics (ACF): Meade's ACF optical design eliminates typical aberrations found in mirror optics, ensuring stars appear point-like across the image field, free from elongated comet-like distortions. ACF systems excel in astrophotographic applications.

Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC): A special multi-layer coating on the front correction plate enhances light transmission by up to 15%, resulting in brighter star clusters, finer nebulae details, and enhanced planetary surface features!

Starlock is a camera and control system serving three essential functions:

• Periodic error correction (PEC)
• Precise GoTo positioning
• Auto-guiding for astrophotography with accuracy of less than one arcsecond

The Starlock system comprises two cameras with different optics that work seamlessly together. The wide-field camera facilitates rough positioning, while the near-field camera achieves precise object positioning with accuracy up to one arcminute.

Alignment is also conducted using these two cameras, ensuring alignment stars are precisely centered in the field of view for optimal GoTo accuracy.

StarLock ensures permanent and automatic auto-guiding for maximum tracking accuracy. Upon returning to tracking mode after slewing, the near-field camera automatically searches for a suitable guide star down to a minimum brightness of 11 magnitude and tracks it until the telescope is moved again.

The Drift Alignment Assistant facilitates optimal polar alignment when operating Starlock on an equatorial mount. The telescope slews to a matching star, and a 30-second exposure using the wide-field camera calculates the exact deviation of the telescope from the true celestial pole. The mount then adjusts accordingly, achieving perfect alignment of the azimuth axis!

Included Accessories:

• 1.25'' Eyepieces: SP 26mm
• Finder Scope: 8x50
• Deviating Optics: 1.25", 90° Star Diagonal
• Counterweight (piece): 1
• Battery Compartment: Yes

Specifications:

Optics:

Type: Reflector

Build Type: ACF-Cassegrain

Aperture (mm): 254

Focal Length (mm): 2032

Aperture Ratio (f/): 8

Resolving Capacity: 0.45

Limit Value (mag): 13.8

Light Gathering Capacity: 1320

Tube Material: Aluminum

Tube Construction: Full tube

Coating: UHTC

Focuser:

Type of Build: Internal

Connection (to eyepiece): 1.25"

Gear Reduction: 1:7 fine focusing

Connecting Thread (Camera-Side): SC

Mount:

Type of Build: LX600

GoTo Control: Yes

Mounting Type: Azimuthal

Cable Guide: External

Internal Clock: Yes

Power Supply: 12V

Power Consumption (mA): 5000

Database: 145,000

Software: AutoStar II

GoTo Language: English

Alignment Method: Starlock

GPS: Yes

PEC Correction: Meade Smart Drive

Autoguiding: Starlock

Tracking Speeds: Sidereal, Lunar, Custom

Precision: +/- 1

Tripod:

Type: Tripod

Material: Aluminum

Height (cm): 86 - 138

Weight (kg): 23

Miscellaneous:

Anti-vibration Pads

General:

Series: LX600

Variant Name: Classic

Total Weight (kg): 50.8

Weight of Heaviest Component (kg): 22

Area of Application:

Moon & Planets: Yes

Nebulae & Galaxies: Yes

Nature Observation: No

Astrophotography: Yes

Sun: Not recommended (Only with appropriate Sun filter)

Recommended For:

Beginners: No

Advanced: Yes

Observatories: Yes

Miscellaneous:

Battery Type: Baby (C, LR14)