Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch User Manual
Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch Manual
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- Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 1
INSTRUCTION MANUAL 10", 12" and 14" Advanced Coma-Free™ f/8 LX600™ with StarLock™ - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 2
® The name "Meade," "AutoStar,""StarLock" and the Meade logo are trademarks registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in principal countries throughout the world. Deep Sky Imager," "LX600," and "Tonight's Best" are trademarks of Meade Instruments Corp. Protected by U.S. Patent: US 6, - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 3
telescope at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telescope or Finder Scope as it is moving. Children should always have adult supervision while observing. TRAVEL SCREW The LX600 f/8 ACF until firm. Do not over tighten. Battery Safety Instructions • Always purchase the correct size and grade of - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 4
Telescope 48 Meade Customer Service 48 Specifications 49 Appendix A Training the Drive 51 Appendix B StarLock Wedge Installation 62 Appendix G Latitude Chart 67 Appendix H Manual Drift Alignment 68 Appendix I The Moon Menu 69 Appendix J Advanced Coma-Free Optical System 70 Recycling 71 Meade - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 5
a Getting Started Guide that will get you up and running in the shortest amount of time possible. After your first experience, please sit down with this manual and read about all the advanced features that are available to you with this telescope system. We are confident that the LX600 will keep you - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 6
LX600 ACF telescope to the supplied tripod for observing. Perform the telescope and AutoStar II setup indoors in the light so that you become familiar with the parts and operation before moving the telescope to the Telescope Assembly. (See Appendix F for attaching the tripod to X-Wedge. ) After - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 7
rm fit). To collapse the tripod (after removing the telescope), rotate the spreader bar 60° from its assembled tripod legs in or out. By following the instructions above, the tripod will function properly, but done. Battery compartment Figure G. The LX600 control panel). E Remove the travel screw - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 8
a small connector on one end and a larger connector on the other end. Plug the smaller connector into the"StarLock Telescope Connection" port on the StarLock unit and the larger connector into the "StarLock" port located on the fork arm. Fork arm jumper cable - other end is obscured Fork arm jumper - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 9
or more of the viewfinder collimation screws until the viewfinder crosshairs are precisely centered on the object you previously centered in the telescope eyepiece. Twist the rear section near the eyecup clockwise or counter-clockwise to bring the object into clear focus. 5. Check this alignment on - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 10
AutoStar L#4X96700HFAeNatDuBrOesX LX600 FEATURES B C 3( D E F G H I J (Not shown) 1) 1! (Not shown) 1@ Ꭽ Ꭾ Ꭿ ൳ ൵ ൶ ൴ 3! 2$ 1( 1* (Not shown) 1& 1^ 1$ 1# ൷ B Eyepiece DEC slow-motion control 1& DEC lock 1* Dust cover Figure 1(a): LX600 Key Features - Right View; Control panel (inset - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 11
3) StarLock dovetail bracket 3! StarLock retaining bolts (see page 10) 3@ Threaded rod 3# Spreader bar 3$ T-handle tension knob 3% X-Wedge (see Appendix F) 3^ Fork Arm Jumper Cables 3& Fork Arm Connecting Plates 3* Connecting Plate Bolts (4 per fork arm) 3( StarLock Cable Figure 1(b): LX600 Key - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 12
AutoStar L#4X96700HFAeNatDuBrOesX The Meade LX600 ACF models are extremely versatile, highperformance telescopes for imaging and visual use. With pushbutton controls, precision GPS alignment, true-level and North electronic sensors, StarLock automatic guiding and ultraprecise pointing, automatic - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 13
your LX600 ACF telescope using the supplied AutoStar Suite software for custom applications. Go to the Meade website (www.meade.com) to download the latest serial commands and device pinouts. H. Auxillary Autoguider Port: If you wish to use an add-on autoguider in place of the integrated StarLock - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 14
from the Meade website (www. meade.com). To guided tour of the best celestial objects to view on any given night of the year. ■ Control your LX600 ACF with your PC using an RS232 interface. ■ Align your telescope automatically using GPS (Global Positioning System), Level North sensors and StarLock - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 15
keys have several functions. Press an Arrow key to slew the telescope in a specific direction (up, down, left, and RET (Reticle): Press to display the StarLock Control menu. To learn about the StarLock menu see Page 32. 8 IC: is essentially an on-screen instruction manual. If you have a question about an - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 16
of the AutoStar II handbox. 1) Coil Cord: Plug one end of the AutoStar II coil cord into the HBX port (Pg 10, Fig 1 inset, F) of the computer control panel of the telescope and the other end into the AutoStar II coil cord port. See #9 above. 1! Utility Light: Use this built-in red - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 17
, note carefully the following parts: ■ LX600 ACF telescope with fork mount system ■ AutoStar II ■ Set of hex keys ■ StarLock unit with cable ■ Instructional Manual and Software DVD. 3. Plug Remove the 1. Position the telescope: Start by turning the DEC lock (Pg. 10, Fig. 1, 17) counterclockwise - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 18
top of a telephone pole or street sign. Center the object in the telescope eyepiece. Retighten the RA and DEC locks. E. Look through the viewfinder outlined in steps C through E. 10. Mounting the StarLock unit. Mount the StarLock unit by sliding it into the StarLock dovetail adapter on the top of - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 19
to "overpower" a telescope by using high magnifications which the telescope's aperture and atmospheric conditions cannot reasonably support. Keep in mind that possible with the LX600 ACF telescopes. See OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 44. available for the LX600 ACF telescopes, see OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 20
seconds on AutoStar II's display. The nine available speeds are: Number Key 1= 1x = Guide Rate, programmable Number Key 2= 2x = 2 x sidereal (0.5 arc-min/sec or The tracking function automatically keeps an object centered in the telescope's eyepiece. To automatically track objects, you need to - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 21
10, Fig. 1, 12 and 17). 2. Verify that AutoStar II is properly connected to your telescope. See How To Assemble Your Telescope, page 17. 3. Flip the telescope Press "0" to begin Automatic Alignment. (If you wish to choose a manual alignment method, keep pressing Mode to go through the menus to find - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 22
for long term astro photography. Instructions to attach the X-Wedge and mount the LX600 telescope can be found in Appendix F: X-Wedge Installation (Page 62-66). The alignment procedure for an X-Wedge mounted LX600 differs from Alt-Azmuth mode telescope. Meade offers you several polar alignments to - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 23
. Relock the X-Wedge locking screws. Press "ENTER" to confirm and the telescope will slew to a second star. Using the AutoStar II handbox slew keys, center the star in the viewfinder and then accurately center it in the eyepiece. Press "ENTER" and the alignment is complete. Tip: To manually enter the - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 24
receiver. (Accuracy of the receiver's position may be within 10 to 15 feet.) As AutoStar II uses latitude, longitude, and time information to calculate the positions of celestial objects, GPS is an important tool for aligning your LX600 ACF telescope. Detecting True Level To detect level of the base - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 25
Blinking: StarLock is searching for a suitable guide star (either for guiding or HPP centering). • Solid: StarLock has located and locked onto a guide star. the Earth is rotating beneath the stars. In other words, the telescope tracks the chosen objects. Note: Saturn is not visible the entire - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 26
ENTER to display information about the object. Press GO TO to move the telescope to the object. 5. Press MODE to return to the Tour list. Press Press and hold down MODE for two seconds to leave the Guided Tour menu. Other Guided Tours are available, such as "How Far is Far" and "A Star's Life". 26 - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 27
Item menu of AutoStar. For proper operation of the AutoStar II it is important to understand that menu selections are set in a loop (Fig. 10). This means that pressing the Scroll Down key (Fig. 7, 7) cycles down through all the available options within a given category, then returns to the first - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 28
typically will be using menus after you initialize and align your telescope, this example will assume you have just completed aligning your Scroll Down key. Notice that all the menus display as you press the key: Guided Tour, Glossary, Utilities, Setup. Stop when "Select Item: Setup" displays. If - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 29
Temp. StarLock Status Auto Telescope Model Focal Length Max Slew Rate Mnt. Upper Limit Mnt. Lower Limit Park Position Use Current Use Default Calbrate Home Anti-backlash RA/Az. Percent DEC/El. Percent Train Drive RA Train DEC Train "Cal Sensors" Tracking Rates Sidereal Lunar Solar Custom Guide - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 30
rst letter of your name displays. 10. Use the Right Arrow key to menus. • Press Number key "7" to access the StarLock menu. • Press the Scroll keys to move up . (Note: Exceptions include Guided Tour and Landmark Survey.) as scrolling text. Press GO TO. The telescope, if aligned, will slew to that - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 31
data. This option is dependent on your location. WARNING: NEVER USE A MEADE LX600 TELESCOPE TO LOOK AT THE SUN! Looking at or near the sun will cause close at a distance of 100 light years. Every 2.8 days during a 10-hour period, Algol undergoes a major change in apparent magnitude as one of - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 32
The Utilities functions include: StarLock: Provides the ability to control the StarLock system • Turn StarLock guiding on and off. Enable and disable StarLock High Precision Pointing • Monitor StarLock guiding corrections • Set Guide Aggresiveness • Train SmartDrive with StarLock RA PEC: Allows you - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 33
Choose this option when observing the Sun. WARNING: NEVER USE A MEADE LX600 TELESCOPE TO LOOK AT THE SUN unless it is equipped with a properly be useful in guiding the telescope during CCD and long-exposure photography. See SLEW SPEEDS, page 20, for more information. • DEC Guiding: Allows a user - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 34
if the dome system is configured to notify the telescope when it is ready. See the Meade Telescope Protocol Specifications for details. • RA PEC: -precision pointing accuracy. 34 When StarLock is turned off and manual highprecision pointing is turned on, the telescope first slews to a bright star - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 35
off. Keep in mind that the telescope is receiving the correct time whether (product# 07047). See the instruction sheet included with the cable for users who may wish to enter a site manually. You may edit the name of a site Autostar II software from the Meade website (www.meade.com) and wants to - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 36
your PC crashes), turn off the telescope. Turn the telescope back on and as soon the menus. • Guide Rate: This option allows you to control how aggressively the StarLock attempts to are described earlier in the manual. Focus Control Menus: If you have installed the Meade Zero Image Shift Micro - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 37
yourself with the basic operations of AutoStar II described earlier in this manual. The following examples assume that you have a basic knowledge of and text. It also assumes that you have initialized and aligned your telescope. Adding Observing Sites If you plan to observe using AutoStar II at - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 38
AdvanAcuetdoSAtuatro#St4a9r7IIHFAeNatDuBrOesX Alaska Hawaii -9 Hours -10 Hours. 10. After entering the shift, press ENTER. "Edit Time "User: Objects" option of the Object menu and allows automatic slewing of the telescope to the user-entered coordinates. In order to use this menu option, you first - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 39
telescope viewfinder for the satellite to enter the field of view. 10. When the satellite enters the viewfinder field of view, press ENTER. The telescope are launched. Visit the Meade website (www.meade. com) approximately once a month to get updated information and instructions on how to download - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 40
add to the database. When finished, press ENTER. 8. "Center Landmark. Press Enter" displays. Using only the Arrow keys (do not manually move the telescope), move the telescope to the desired landmark and center the object in the eyepiece. Press Enter. The object is now stored in memory. 9. "Landmark - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 41
Magnitude Size Scrolling message 3 2' "This Globular Cluster is 10,000 light years away..." Browse This menu allows you to az alignment procedures, you will (unlike the Automatic alignment procedures) manually place the telescope in the home position. The procedures for equatorial (polar) alignment - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 42
"Align: Two Star" from the Setup menu. Press ENTER. 2. Set Home Position. Place the telescope in the home position. 3. To Set the Home Position Manually: a. See Figs. 12 and 13. Loosen the telescope's DEC lock (Pg. 10, Fig. 1, 17). Set the optical tube to 0° on the DEC setting circle (Fig. 1, 20 - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 43
manual drift alignment procedure, see Appendix H. StarLock Automatic Rate Calibration (ARC) Obtaining best performance from StarLocked telescopes requires that the guiding Correction is necessary to achieve peak performance of the LX600 Telescope System. This is especially true when you are taking - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 44
using Autostar II (this is not needed if using StarLock). Piggyback Brackets: Piggyback photography is one of the most popular and easiest ways to get started in astrophotography. Attach your 35mm camera, with its own 35mm-to-250mm lens, atop your LX600 in equatorial mode, and guide the telescope - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 45
batteries. More accessories will soon be available for your LX600 model. To find out more about these and other accessories available for your telescope, check out the Meade website at www.meade. com or contact your local Meade dealer. 10" f/8 12" f/8 14"/f8 Eyepiece Power/ Actual Field Power - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 46
the care and respect due any precision instrument, your LX600 ACF will rarely, if ever, require factory servicing. Maintenance guidelines include a. Avoid cleaning the telescope's optics: A little dust on the front surface of the telescope's correcting lens causes virtually no degradation of image - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 47
-Free Telescopes LX600 ACF models are from the three screws (as shown in Fig 15.) Caution: Do not force the three collimation screws past their normal travel and do not loosen them more than two full turns in a counterclockwise direction or the secondary mirror may come loose from its support. You - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 48
Monday through Friday. In the unlikely event that your LX600 ACF requires factory servicing or repairs, write or call the Meade Customer Service Department first, before returning the telescope to the factory, giving full particulars as to the nature of the problem, as well as your name, address, and - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 49
alignment Weight 2.7 pounds 10" f/8 LX600 ACF Specifications Optical design Advanced Coma-Free Clear aperture 254mm (10") Focal length 2032mm Focal ratio (photographic speed f/8 Resolving power 0.46 arc sec Coatings Meade Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC) Mounting Cast-aluminum, double - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 50
telescope weight 73 lbs. Net tripod weight 50 lbs. 14" f/8 LX600 ACF Specifications Optical design Advanced Coma-Free Clear aperture 356mm (14") Focal length 2845mm Focal ratio (photographic speed f/8 Resolving power 0.325 arc sec Coatings Meade Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 51
Appendix A APPENDIX A: TRAINING THE DRIVE Train the telescope motors using AutoStar II. Perform this procedure if you are experiencing any pointing accuracy problems. Fig. 18 depicts the complete Drive Training procedure. Note: Use a terrestrial object, such as a telephone pole or lamp post, to - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 52
going and help you tune the guide rate to optimize performance. Installation The StarLock utility will normally be installed when you install the Autostar Suite DVD that comes with your telescope. If you have download the program from Meade's website, the StarLock Utility program is packaged in an - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 53
has the ability to load new firmware into the StarLock. The firmware release code must first be downloaded from Meade's website. It should be put in an easily or you are tracking too aggressively. Change the Guide Rate setting under the StarLock menu on the telescope, reset the PSF or run the ARC as - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 54
Calibration (ARC) Feature Obtaining best performance from StarLocked telescopes requires that the guiding aggressiveness be optimally set for current viewing/imaging conditions. A guide rate calibration routine has been included in the StarLock software that automatically determines the best rate - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 55
telescope can be broken down into two, easier to lift units. This feature is most useful when assembling the larger 12"/14" models and when mounting the LX600 onto the X-Wedge mount the 10"/12" and 14" models as one unit. In the previous scenarios it is not necessary to break the telescope down. In - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 56
screws. Tighten the screws to a "firm", consistent feel. Removal from X-Wedge Note orientation of hanger pins Position OTA and Rotate fork arms to begin removal important caveat. It is essential that you unlock the RA, rotate the telescope so that the RA Lock/RA slow-motion control is facing upward, - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 57
to equatorial align your telescope, it is essential to have an understanding of how and where to locate celestial objects as they move across the sky. This section provides a basic introduction to the terminology of equatorial-aligned astronomy, and includes instructions for finding the celestial - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 58
: With the telescope aligned to the Meade X-Wedge is recommended for the 10" to 14" models. The equatorial wedge permits use in an astronomical, or "equatorial" mode. The wedge fits onto the field tripod allowing you to take longer exposure photographs with your LX600 ACF. See the instruction - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 59
telescope about one axis, the polar axis. This tracking may be accomplished automatically with the LX600 ACF electric motor drive. If the telescope is . Refer to the instruction sheet included with your equatorial wedge for information about attaching the wedge to the telescope and also about using - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 60
almost essential. Even though the LX600 ACF telescopes offers a very precise and position is equivalent to 1° in latitude change.) The wedge may be detached from the field tripod and, Starlock to obtain a precise polar alignment. If you wish to manually obtain a precise polar alignment, the Meade - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 61
be placed into the Polar home position before beginning the night sky alignment. Fig. 25. LX600 in polar home position. the altitude adjustment knob on the X-Wedge to set your latitude. Turn on the power to the telescope and when the AutoStar II handbox displays "0 to Align, Mode for Menu", press - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 62
the telescope could tip over. B I C D E HG F B Tripod Head C Threaded Rod D T-handle Tension Knob E Spreader F Leg Lock Knobs G Extension Strut H Tension Hub I Retaining clip (not visible) Figure B. Fully assembled tripod. The X-Wedge instructions are written for use with either the Meade - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 63
with a latitude from 57° to Figure H. Latitude screw with multiple lock screw positions. Mounting the Telescope on the X-Wedge 1. Thread one of the provided 3/8" hex screws into the hole on the underside of the telescope drive Figure I. Attach one of the 3/8" hex screws to the curved part of the - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 64
bolt. Do not overtighten. Note: It is important to insert the center mounting bolt into the wedge-telescope assembly. The center mounting bolt insures the precise pointing accuracy of the X-Wedge. Setting the Observing Latitude Look up the latitude of the desired observing site (most road maps show - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 65
a quick and easy azimuth alignment. a. Slightly loosen the three 5/16" hex screws in the wedge floor to allow for rotation of the X-Wedge. b. Using the Azimuth Control Knob (Fig C, 6), manually adjust the X-wedge around the threaded rod (without moving the compass) until the red compass arrow points - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 66
AutoStar #497ApHpAeNnDdiBxOFX Figure O. Magnetic declination map of North America. 66 - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 67
Australia Sydney New South Wales Melbourne Victoria Auckland New Zealand Latitude 60° N 49° N 42° N 59° N 48° N 52° N Latitude 4° N 23° S 35° S 35° S 34° S 10° N Latitude 40° N 23° N 37° N 25° N 36° N 43° N 19° N 22° N 21° N 21° N Latitude 30° N 34° S 34° N 37° N 23° S Latitude 35° S 27° S 35 - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 68
DRIFT ALIGNMENT How to manually Drift Align the LX600 Telescope (Northern Hemisphere). The LX600 with StarLock is specially equipped to perform an Automatic Drift Alignment. In the Autostar Setup/Align menu, select "Drift Alignment" and the LX600 will guide you through a quick Automatic drift - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 69
list. Press a Scroll key until "Moon: Landing Sites" displays. 9. Press ENTER. "Landing Sites: Apollo 11" displays. 10. Press a Scroll key until "Landing Sites: Apollo 15" displays. 11.Press GO TO. The telescope slews to the Apollo 15 site. 12. Press MODE to return to the previous menu option - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 70
the figure would be lost entirely, except for the oversize primary. It is this phenomenon which results in Meade ACF having off-axis field illuminations about 10% greater, aperture-for-aperture, than other systems utilizing standard-size primary mirrors. Field stops machined into the inside-diameter - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 71
Recycling Information RECYCLING INFORMATION (EU Countries only) Correct Disposal of this Product (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment) This marking shown on the product or its literature indicates that it must not be disposed of in unsorted municipal waste at the end of its working life To - Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch | User Manual - Page 72
LIMITED WARRANTY Every Meade telescope, spotting scope, and telescope accessory is warranted by Meade Instruments Corp. ("Meade") to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of ONE YEAR from the date of original purchase in the U.S.A. and Canada. Meade will repair or replace
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INSTRUCTION MANUAL
10", 12" and 14" Advanced Coma-Free™ f/8 LX600™ with StarLock™