Meade LX65 6" f/12 Maksutov-Cassegrain GoTo Telescope

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Part Number:228002

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Product Highlights

150mm (6") Maksutov-Cassegrain OTA
1800mm Focal Length, f/12 Focal Ratio
Ultra-High Transmission Coatings
Single-Arm Motorized Alt-Az Mount
AudioStar GoTo Computer Hand Controller
30,000+ Object Database
Audio Commentary and Sky Tours
Three Tracking Rates, Eight Slew Speeds
Dual Vixen Dovetail Saddles
Stainless Steel Tripod with Leg Lock

Designed as an entry- to mid-level astronomical observation platform, the Meade Instruments LX65 6" f/12 Maksutov-Cassegrain GoTo Telescope gets a boost in aperture from the smaller 127mm model with a shorter focal length, which equates to a faster focal ratio to improve resolution and shorten exposure times. The scope gives users the ability to make detailed observations of the Moon and planets with the ability to reach outside the solar system to resolve distant objects like galaxies, nebulae, and binary or variable stars. The compact and powerful Maksutov-Cassegrain design, complemented by Meade's Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC) system, corrects off-axis aberrations like comas and chromatic aberrations to produce views with true-color rendition and high resolution and contrast.

The LX65 optical tube assembly (OTA) is carried by a motorized single-arm fork mount that is designed for portability and versatility. It is equipped with two Vixen-style dovetail saddles that allow you to mount the Maksutov OTA on the primary and mount a secondary OTA or camera rig on an outside saddle. The mount has an integrated handle to make setup and breakdown easier and safer, and a battery compartment for the eight C-cell batteries required to run it and the controller. A stainless steel tripod with a center leg lock that improves stability and dampens vibrations supports the mount and OTA.

The brain of the LX65 is the venerable AudioStar computer controller. Equipped with a database of over 30,000 objects, including the planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, and the complete Messier catalog, it can also be programmed with custom user-defined objects. Its intuitive menu-driven user interface provides the power to observe the heavens with ease, especially with features such as guided tours, extended information on popular objects, and multiple alignment options. This updated version of the AudioStar has an integrated speaker so you can listen to a narration about what you are looking at without having to divert your eye or attention from the eyepiece, for added enjoyment.

Optical Tube Assembly

150mm (6") aperture gathers enough light for near- and deep-sky viewing without adding excessive weight and bulk, to maintain its portability
Moderate f/12 focal ratio requires longer exposure times for astrophotography
Long 1800mm focal length, despite compact form factor, provides a high magnification potential
Makustov-Cassegrain design has a front convex meniscus lens that corrects spherical and chromatic aberrations and comas (off-axis aberrations) across the entire field of view, with a smaller secondary mirror versus Schmidt-Cassegrains, which reduces obstructions and increases contrast
Single-speed internal focusing mechanism with 1.25" eyepiece/accessory holder

Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC):

Maximize light transmission through the entire optical path
Improve the appearance of brighter star clusters, give more fine detail in nebulae, and offer greater surface features on planets
All corrector plate and mirror surfaces are fully multi-coated
Engineered to optimize visual, photographic, and CCD imaging
Improve light transmission across the entire visible spectrum through the optical path
Corrector plate coatings made up of multiple layers of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and magnesium fluoride (MgF2)
Mirror coatings consist of aluminum with multi-layer coatings of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and silicon dioxide (SiO2)

AudioStar Controller

2-line LED display
20-key alphanumeric keypad, red LED backlight
68HC11, 8MHz processor
Built-in red utility light
30,000+ object database
User-friendly menu-driven system navigation
Slew speeds: 1x, 2x, 8x, 16x, 64x, 0.5°/sec, 1°/sec, 1.5°/sec, 4°/sec (max)
Assisted alignment procedures: Easy (Two-star), One-star, Two-star, Three-star
Customizable guided tours for specific date, time, and location
Built-in speaker provides descriptions of over 500 objects, including scientific data and history
Predicts events to plan future astronomy sessions, such as sunrise/sunset, Moon phases/moonrise/moonset, meteor showers, lunar/solar eclipses, and equinoxes/solstices
Backlash compensation allows user to train out the intrinsic play between gears to improve GoTo and tracking accuracy
Powered by mount to be lighter and easier to use
24" coiled cord
Updatable via Internet using RS-232 port

Database Details:

Solar system, including Moon, Sun, planets
Comets and asteroids
88 major constellations
Popular named objects
Galaxies, quasars, and nebulae
Multiple catalogs including Messier, Caldwell, and NGC
Stars, including named stars, SAO catalog, double stars, variable stars
Satellites, including the International Space Station (ISS) and Hubble Space Telescope (HST)
User-defined astronomical and terrestrial objects

Mount & Tripod

Mount:

Motorized single-arm fork
Controlled through the AudioStar controller
Dual Vixen dovetail saddles: primary (inside) saddle accepts the OTA, secondary (outer) saddle allows for dual OTA setup or observation/imaging rigs
Secondary Vixen saddle can carry up to 7 pounds
Compact design provides strength without sacrificing stability
Integrated handle improves security when carrying to observation site and during setup and breakdown
Runs on eight user-supplied C-cell batteries or an external 12 VDC power source

Tripod:

Adjustable height accommodates a wide variety of users and viewing positions for maximum comfort
Center leg lock/brace adds stability and vibration suppression
Stainless steel legs offer strength and durability

Included Accessories

Eyepiece:

1.25"-diameter barrel
26mm focal length produces a low 69x power for viewing the Moon and planets, and for wide-field deep-sky use
Accepts most optional 1.25" astronomical filters to enhance views
Fold-down rubber eyecup

Diagonal:

Star diagonal corrects view horizontally, but not vertically
1.25" nosepiece and eyepiece holder

Finder:

Unmagnified view ensures a wide field of view for easier alignment and faster star-hopping navigation
Multiple intensity levels ensure reticle visibility without affecting night-adjusted vision

Meade LX65 specs

Optical Design	Maksutov-Cassegrain
Aperture	150mm / 6.0"
Focal Length	1800mm
Focal Ratio	f/12
Eyepiece Barrel Diameter	1.25"
Diagonal	90° star 1.25" nose piece and holder
Mount Type	Motorized single-fork alt-az
GoTo Capability	Audiostar hand controller
GPS	None
Tripod	Adjustable-height, stainless steel
Finderscope	Red-dot finder with bracket
Power Source	8 x C-cell batteries 12 VDC external
Dimensions	OTA Only: 18.1 x 7.5" / 46.0 x 19.1 cm Fully Assembled: 63.0 x 39.0 x 33.5" / x 99.1 x 85.1 cm
Weight	OTA Only: 12.7 lb/ 5.8 kg Total: 40.2 lb / 18.2 kg

In the Box

Meade LX65 6" f/12 Maksutov-Cassegrain GoTo Telescope

AudioStar GoTo Hand Controller

#918A 90-Degree Prism Diagonal (1.25")

26mm Super Plössl (1.25") Eyepiece

Red-Dot Finder

Stainless Steel Tripod

Limited 1-Year Warranty