Formerly reserved for their near-research-grade optical tubes, the Meade Instruments LX65 8" f/10 ACF Catadioptric GoTo Telescope is built with an Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) catadioptric-variant optical path to reduce color fringing and off-axis comas and to enable it to clearly resolve dim deep-sky objects and easily split binary stars with tack-sharp clarity. Complementing the ACF system is Meade's Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC) system that improves light transmission through the entire light path across the whole visible spectrum. This combination of a large aperture, a long focal length, high-transmittance lens coatings, and highly reflective mirror coatings boosts image brightness to allow users to delve deeper outside our solar system, while minimizing internal and external light loss and diffraction.
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 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 next generation of their iconic GoTo system, the AudioStar hand 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.
- 203mm (8") aperture gathers enough light for detailed lunar or planetary viewing and deep-sky observations, without adding excessive weight and bulk
- Moderate f/10 focal ratio requires longer exposure times for astrophotography
- Long 2032mm effective focal length provides a high magnification potential
- Catadioptric light path produces long effective focal length in a small OTA to make it powerful, yet easier to store, transport, and set up versus refractors or reflectors
- Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) optical design corrects astigmatism and off-axis comas better than similar Schmidt- or Maksutov-Cassegrain configurations
- Single-speed internal focusing mechanism with 1.25" eyepiece/accessory holder
- Reduces off-axis comas and astigmatism for sharper images
- Eliminates diffraction spikes for better resolution
- Aplanatic design produces flat, distortion-free images across the field of view—especially at the edges
- 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)
- 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, making it 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
- 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
- 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
- 1.25"-diameter barrel
- 26mm focal length produces a low 78x 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
- Star diagonal corrects view horizontally, but not vertically
- 1.25" nosepiece and eyepiece holder
- 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