Meade LX80 Manuel d'instructions

Instruction ManualLX80™ Multi-Mount Telescope SystemWith Astronomer Inside™

1( Telescope Control Panel:A. Power-On LampB. 12v DC Power ConnectorC. ON/OFF SwitchD. Handbox (HBX) PortE. Aux 1F. Aux 22$ Azimuth Adjustment Driv

LX80 Key Features2# Azimuth Lock Knob3^ True North Indicator4@ Spreader Bar4# Tripod Mounting Base4$ Variable Height Tripod Legs4% Spreader Bar Tensio

2$ Azimuth Adjustment Drive2% Latitude Adjustment Drive2^ Latitude Lock2& Latitude Pivot Point3! Multi-Function Hex Head ToolLX80 Key FeaturesAdju

LX80 Series: Your Personal Window to the UniverseThe Meade LX80 Series models are versatile, high-resolution telescopes. Supplied with an AudioStar ha

D. Handbox (HBX) PortE. Aux 1F. Aux 22) Counterweight Safety Cap: Prevents the counterweight from accidentally slipping off the end of the counterwe

Unpacking your telescope:The LX80 is shipped in two or four boxes:Box #1: LX80 Multi-mount (with components)Box #2: LX80 Field TripodBox #3: (if or

4. Attach mount to tripod base. Place the mount onto the tripod head using the built-in handles on the mount (see Fig. 15). Note the “arrow” and “N”

midpoint of the counterweight shaft. Tighten the counterweight(s) lock knob to a fi rm feel. Replace the safety cap. Note: If the counterweight ever s

the rear cell thread. Slide the diagonal into the accessory adapter and lock in place by turning the thumbscrew to a fi rm feel. Place the eyepiece

Balancing the TelescopeIn order for the telescope to be stable on the tripod and also for it to move smoothly, it must be properly balanced in both ve

(See Fig 31). Manually rotate the counterweight shaft so it is parallel to the ground. Continue to keep your hand on the counterweight shaft to contro

at least 200 yards away. If the distant object is not in focus, turn the focus lock ring counterclockwise to loosen the viewfi nder front cell (Page 8,

and DEC locks. • Once centered, an object can be focused by turning one of the knobs of the focusing mechanism (Page 8, Fig 1, 11). Notice that when

Speeds 7 or 8: Best used for rough centering of an object in the viewfi nder.Speed 9: Moves the telescope quickly from one point in the sky to another.

The LX80 series telescopes feature Meade’s innovative Multi-Mount System that allows you to choose between three (3) modes of operation; Alt-Az, Germa

city and state.Note: The location settings (country/state/province and city, or ZIP code) are only asked for the fi rst time you turn on the control pa

still level, rotate it so that it points in the direction of the North Star. Lock the horizontal lock. The tube is pointing True North and now in the

stars to align upon. When the telescope slews to the fi rst star for alignment, it may not appear in the fi eld of view of the eyepiece. The alignment s

Note: Different objects may be displayed on a tour list on any given night. Press ENTER to display information about the object. Press GoTo to move th

is not fi xed; it moves as the mount moves. Using the LX80 hex head tool loosen the right and left side latitude locks. Insert the same tool into the l

WARNING!Never use a Meade® LX80 Telescope to look at the Sun! Looking at or near the Sun will cause instant and irreversible damage to your eye. Eye d

Successful” displays. If AudioStar does not display this message, perform this procedure again.Note: AudioStar locates alignment stars based on the da

3. Locate the included secondary dovetail adapter (Fig 38). Note the adapters’ two hex head attaching screws. Inspect the adapter mounting hole and v

6. If you have not previously done so, align the fi nderscope on the secondary OTA.7. Synchronize the two OTAs by fi rst sighting and aligning the p

Figure 39: The AudioStar #497 HandboxTour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button Control of the LX80 is through the operation of the standard-equip

revisions directly from the Meade website (www.meade.com) and share software with other AudioStar enthusiasts. • Control your LX80 with your PC using

 Number Keys: Input digits 0 - 9 and changes the slew speeds (see Slew Speeds, see below). The “0” key also turns on and off the red utility light o

more details. Utility Light: Use this built-in red light to illuminate star charts and accessories without disturbing your eye’s adaptation to darkn

It is important to understand that menu selections are set in a loop (Fig. 40). This means that pressing the Scroll Down key (Page 33, Fig. 39, 7) cyc

Space Telescope (HST), Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites and geosynchronous orbit satellites. In order to fi nd and track satellites, you must

AudioStar #497 MENU TREEFigure 43: The AudioStar #497 Menu Tree39AudioStar #497 Menu Tree

GoTo Saturn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Using the Guided Tour. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Eq

Largest, etc. Once you have set the parameters of the search, select “Start Search” and press ENTER. AudioStar will display the results of the search.

AudioStar beeps. Press ENTER to deactivate the alarm. Eyepiece Calc calculates information about an eyepiece for the specifi c telescope to which Audio

selected telescope.• Az Ratio and Alt Ratio: The Az (Azimuth) ratio and Alt (Altitude) ratio refers to the gears of the telescope’s motors. Do not al

Clone uploads information from one AudioStar handbox to another. Three options are available:• Catalogs: Sends only user-defi ned object information,

Advanced AudioStar Features Adding Observing SitesIf you plan to observe using AudioStar at different geographic locations, you can store up to six ob

Using AudioStar to Find Objects Not in the DatabaseIn this procedure, you will enter coordinates of celestial objects that do not appear in any of the

satellites are in low orbit, travelling at approximately 17,500 mph. When visible, they move quickly across the sky and are only in the fi eld of view

To check on the available amount of memory in AudioStar.AudioStar has a limited amount of memory. Once you begin to store Landmarks, User Objects and

9. Press ENTER to begin Az/RA (Right Ascension) training.10. “Drive Setup: For this...” begins to scroll across the display. This is a reminder to

18. The telescope slews and “Press V until it is centered” displays. Press the Down Arrow key until the target is centered again. Then press ENTER. “T

INTRODUCTIONThe LX80 Telescope A solid telescope built for a lifetime of serviceCongratulations on receiving your new LX80 telescope. You’ll fi nd that

Photography using a 35mm camera requires the addition of the optional #62 T–Adapter. See OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, Page 52. With the #62 T-Adapter and a

are becoming available as time goes by.• If the camera is not directly coupled to the eyepiece, keep it as close to the eyepiece as possible and cent

A wide assortment of professional Meade accessories is available for the LX80 telescope models. The premium quality of these accessories is well-suite

where the star’s position can be examined for tracking errors with an illuminated reticle eyepiece; position corrections can then be effected using Au

Your LX80 model telescope is a precision optical instrument designed to yield a lifetime of rewarding observations. Given the care and respect due any

The following suggestions may be helpful with operation of the LX80:The power indicator light on the telescope does not come on or there is no respons

A terrestrial object appears reversed left-for-right:• When using a Schmidt Cassegrain optical tube an eyepiece in the standard 90° observing posit

Press > until itis centeredPress < until itis centeredTrain Drive Az. TrainTrain Drive Alt. TrainDrive Setup For this op. . .Center re

In the early 17th century Italian Scientist Galileo, using a crude telescope considerably smaller than the LX80, turned it to look towards the sky ins

Planets change positions in the sky as they orbit around the Sun. To locate the planets on a given day or month, consult a monthly astronomy magazine

Gears and DrivesIts precision worm gear drives on both axes deliver smooth, accurate motion and Meade’s proprietary SmartDrive™ provides periodic erro

APPENDIX C:SPECIFICATIONSMount OnlyProduct Number37-0080-00UPC7 09942 38120 7Telescope MountingAlt-Azimuth or German Equatorial AudioStar ControllerAu

EQUATORIAL (POLAR) ALIGNMENTAPPENDIX D: Polar AlignmentIn Polar Alignment, the telescope is oriented so that the horizontal and vertical axes of the t

Locating the Celestial PoleTo get basic bearings at an observing location, take note of where the Sun rises (East) and sets (West) each day. After th

3. Note the extent of the star’s drift in declination (disregard drift in right ascension): a. If the star drifts South (or down), the telescope’

Periodic Error Correction (PEC) Training (Polar Alignment and RA Drive Only) If you wish to improve the tracking performance on your telescope, fi rst,

LATITUDE CHARTAPPENDIX E: Latitude Chart for Major Cities of the World To aid in the polar alignment procedure (see Page 28), latitudes of major citie

MAGNETIC DECLINATION: NORTH AMERICAAPPENDIX F:-12-12-12-12-12-12-12194-2541782-220-186-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-14-176-174-170-14-160-166-4-4-14-148166-1

MAGNETIC DECLINATION: GLOBAL MAPAPPENDIX G:67Appendix G: Magnetic Declination - Global Map

RECYCLING INFORMATION (EU Countries only)Correct Disposal of this Product(Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment)This marking shown on the produ

69NotesNotes:

AudioStarAudioStar™ computer-control handbox. Meade’s revolutionary AudioStar computer controller fi nds and points your telescope to over 30,000 objec

AudioStar #497 HANDBOXNotes70

71Notes

MEADE LIMITED WARRANTYEvery Meade telescope, spotting scope, and telescope accessory is warranted by Meade Instruments Corp. (“Meade”) to be free of d

LX80 Key Features Viewfi nder Viewfi nder Collimation Screws Viewfi nder Front Cell and Locking Ring Viewfi nder Bracket Viewfi nder Bracket Screws E

LX80 Key Features3$1% Vixen®-style Dovetail Receiver1^ Cradle Rings (Refractors only)2# Azimuth Lock Knob2* Latitude Scale3$ DEC Setting Circle3% DEC