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Meade LX85 70mm f/5 APO Refractor Astrograph GoTo EQ Telescope
Meade LX85 70mm f/5 APO Refractor Astrograph GoTo EQ Telescope

Meade LX85 70mm f/5 APO Refractor Astrograph GoTo EQ Telescope

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Your Price: CAD3,426.32
Usually ships in 5-7 business days, Pre-order, ETA end of August
Part Number:217010

Choose Options or Accessories if Applicable

Barlow Lenses
LPI-G Lunar Planetary Imager and Guider
Camera Adapters and Imaging Accessories
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Simulate views with this scope and various eyepieces help

Product Highlights

  • 70mm 4-Element Petzval Astrograph OTA
  • 350mm Focal Length, f/5 Focal Ratio
  • FPL-53 Extremely Low Dispersion Glass
  • Dual-Speed Rack-and-Pinion Focuser
  • Motorized Fully GoTo Equatorial Mount
  • 30,000+ Object Database
  • Audio Commentary and Sky Tours
  • Multiple Assisted Alignment Methods
  • 9-Pound Counterweight with Shaft
  • Adjustable-Height Stainless Steel Tripod

Engineered and optimized for astrophotography use, the Meade Instruments LX85 70mm f/5 APO Refractor Astrograph GoTo EQ Telescope combines multiple optical technologies with the precision tracking of a computer-controlled motorized equatorial mount to produce a purpose-built imaging rig.

The optical tube assembly (OTA) is built to deliver exceptional image quality through the use of a four-element Petzval lens system that virtually eliminates chromatic aberrations, and off-axis comas and color fringing are further corrected through the use of FPL-53 extremely low-dispersion glass and anti-reflection fully multi-coated optics. The resulting views are color-accurate as well as crisp and sharp with almost no distortion across the entire field of view. Added to this already impressive performance is a sturdy two-speed rack-and-pinion focuser that can carry heavy loads without flexing, which terminates with threads for the direct connection of astrophotography gear.

The mount delivers the performance required for clear views and images with dual-axis low-cog DC servo motors with backlash compensation. Added to this is Meade's proprietary Smart Drive system that records and constantly refines its Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) to improve positioning and tracking precision and ensure your target object stays centered for long-exposure photography. Supporting the mount is a 1.75" stainless steel tripod that has a wide stance for stability on most terrain, and a center tray that holds eyepieces and accessories and acts as a leg lock to further stabilize while helping to minimize vibrations.

Controlling the mount is the next generation iteration of the iconic AutoStar system: the AudioStar. This computer controller is 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 up to 100 custom user-defined objects with filters to create custom object lists. An integrated speaker and Astronomer Inside system is packed with over four hours of commentary that is customized to objects that are visible in the night sky on any given day and time. Its intuitive menu-driven user interface makes observing the heavens fast and easy, and multiple alignment options make the controller an invaluable tool to new users and experienced star-gazers alike.

Optical Tube Assembly
  • 70mm aperture is ideal for lunar and planetary use
  • Fast f/5 focal ratio requires shorter exposure times for astrophotography versus slower OTAs while preserving image brightness and resolution
  • Short 350mm focal length helps to produce the fast focal ratio while keeping the OTA short for easier portability
  • Purpose-built apochromatic astrograph refractor design has all optical components optimized for astrophotography and imaging
  • Four-element Petzval optical lens design improves contrast and sharpness with virtually no chromatic aberration or color fringing
  • FPL-53 extremely low-dispersion optical glass virtually eliminates false color and off-axis comas to produce accurate color rendition with improved contrast, resolution, and sharpness
  • Anti-reflection fully multi-coated optics maximize light transmission through the light path to ensure bright and crisp views
  • Large 2.5" drawtube is able to carry weighty imaging rigs without flexing, while allowing adequate light to pass through and completely cover larger imaging sensors and avoid vignetting
  • 10:1 dual-speed rack-and-pinion focuser provides the strength to carry heavy loads with the ability to achieve fine tack-sharp focus
  • Threads for direct connection of astrophotography and imaging gear
  • Fully extendable dew shield helps to keep condensation off the lens
  • Hard aluminum carry case protects the OTA during transport and storage
AudioStar GoTo Controller
  • Two-line LED display
  • Twenty-key alphanumeric keypad, red LED backlight
  • 68HC11, 8 MHz 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 day, time, and location
  • Built-in speaker with Astronomer Inside plays over four hours of educational content about the celestial objects you view
  • Predicts events to plan future astronomy sessions such as sunrise/sunsets, moon phases/moon rise/moon set, meteor showers, lunar/solar eclipses, equinoxes/solstices
  • Smart Drive records Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) to improve tracking accuracy over time
  • 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
  • Updateable 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:
  • German equatorial mount allows accurate tracking for long-duration observation sessions
  • Ideal for astrophotography as single Right Ascension tracking eliminates field rotation that causes fuzzy and blurry primary images and streaking of star fields
  • Controlled by AudioStar hand controller to limit vibration and improve movement accuracy
  • Low-cog 12 VDC servo motors enable precision GoTo and tracking accuracy with limited vibrations
  • Includes a 9-pound counterweight with shaft
  • Dual-axis manual clutch releases for movement without the use of the hand controller
  • Integrated bulls-eye bubble level to aid set-up, alignment, and tracking accuracy
Tripod:
  • Adjustable height from 31.5 to 43.5" accommodates a wide variety of optical tube assemblies and viewing positions
  • Lightweight and durable cast aluminum mount base
  • 1.75" diameter stainless steel legs
  • Collapsed size 39.5x6.25x5.75" for easier portability
  • Tray keeps accessories accessible and off the ground
  • Weight: 12.4 pounds

Specifications

Optical Design Refractor astrograph
Aperture 70mm
Focal Length 350mm
Focal Ratio f/5
Eyepiece Barrel Diameter None
Mount Type Motorized German equatorial
GoTo Capability Yes, AudioStar hand controller
Diagonal None
Finderscope None
Tripod 31.5-43.5" / 80.0-110.5 cm adjustable height
Cast aluminum mount base
1.75" stainless steel legs
Power Source 12 VDC
Dimensions OTA: 12.25 x 5.5 x 4.5" / 31.1 x 14.0 x 11.4 cm
Mount Head: 13.2 x 12.4 x 4.8" / 33.5 x 31.4 x 12.2 cm
Tripod, Collapsed: 39.5 x 6.25 x 5.75" / 100.3 x 8.3 x 14.6 cm
Weight OTA: 4.5 lb / 2.0 kg
Mount Head: 10.9 lb / 4.9 kg
Tripod: 12.4 lb / 5.6 kg
Fully Assembled: 38.6 lb / 17.5 kg

In the Box
Meade LX85 70mm f/5 APO Refractor Astrograph GoTo EQ Telescope
  • LX85 German Equatorial GoTo Mount
  • Aluminum Carry Case
  • Limited 1-Year Warranty


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