Meade Instrument's LX850 GoTo EQ Mount with StarLock Autoguider
delivers near research-grade performance for advanced amateur
astronomers who require precision tracking and autoguiding for long-term
observation and long-exposure astrophotography. This rig starts with
the motorized German equatorial mount made of steel and anodized 6061
aluminum that employs DC servo stepper motors on both axes to precisely
track objects with virtually no vibrations. With a payload capacity of
up to 90lb, the mount can easily handle large OTAs with accessories like
photo or imaging cameras, filter wheels, or electric focusers. Adding
to the mount's versatility is a unique saddle system that can be
converted from Vixen to Losmandy styles to accept most user-supplied
OTAs.
The brain of the LX850 is the AutoStar II computer
controller. This hand held unit is a 144,000+ database with multiple
alignment procedures, nine slew speeds, automatic and manual tracking
rates and the ability (when properly aligned) to identify objects that
the user directs their telescope to. The database also has an index of
events such as sunrise/sunset, Moon phases, meteor showers, lunar and
solar eclipses, plus the Autumnal/Vernal equinoxes and winter/summer
solstices. Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) and anti-backlash
compensation are also programmed through the controller for increased
tracking precision. Complementing the AutoStar is the StarLock system.
This 80mm refractor is equipped with wide and narrow imaging cameras
that read the star field and communicates directly with the controller
for improved GoTo, alignment and tracking to a precision of as much as
0.1 arc second.
Supporting the mount, StarLock, and the user's OTA
is a heavy-duty stainless steel tripod. Its over-sized 3" legs provide a
solid observational platform with an adjustable height from 29-45". A
spreader bar and tension knob lock the legs for increased strength and
stability, and anti-vibration pads are included for each of the three
legs to stand on for virtual vibration-free viewing.
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