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Meade LX850 14" ACF
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Advanced Coma Free - UHTC Optical Coatings - Computerised Goto Mount
To order this item outside mainland Britain or Highlands & Islands, please contact us.
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- 14" Advanced Coma Free (ACF) optics
- Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC)
- HD-60 25mm, long eye relief, premium eyepiece
- Heavy duty German Equatorial Mount: 40kg capacity
- Meade Autostar II Goto Handset
- Complete StarLock autoguide system
- Includes 5A 12VDC Power Supply Unit
- Optional Focal Reducer / Field Flattener: f/5
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Outline
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The Meade LX850™ with StarLock™ has been designed from the ground up to be the
ideal astro-imaging platform. Drawing on over 39 years of experience and innovation,
Meade Instruments introduces the latest in a long line of advanced astronomical
products: the LX850. Using revolutionary new technology, every aspect of this
amazing telescope system has been designed to deliver the new standard in
astrophotographic and visual performance.
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Fast f/8 Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) Optics
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Building on Meade’s award-winning Advanced Coma-Free™ (ACF™) optics, the LX850
employs a fast f/8 optical system with high-contrast baffling that assures crisp,
pinpoint imaging to the very edge of the field. The all-new OTAs feature an internal
Crayford-style, zero image-shift focusing system with a two-speed, 7:1 control that
rigidly holds the primary mirror, eliminating the need for a mirror lock. In addition,
with the LX850s optional large-format, three-element f/5 focal reducer/field flattener,
you gain even wider fields, faster exposures and a flat field on larger sensors.
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The Meade LX850 series.
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| Telescope Specification |
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LX850 10" ACF |
LX850 12" ACF |
LX850 14" ACF |
| Clear Aperture |
10 inches |
12 inches |
14 inches |
| Optical Design |
Advanced Coma Free (ACF) |
Advanced Coma Free (ACF) |
Advanced Coma Free (ACF) |
| Focal Length |
2032mm |
2438mm |
2845mm |
| Focal Ratio |
f/8 |
f/8 |
f/8 |
| Telescope Mounting |
Heavy Duty Germal Equatorial |
Heavy Duty Germal Equatorial |
Heavy Duty Germal Equatorial |
| Optical Tube Mounting |
Losmandy-style mounting plate |
Losmandy-style mounting plate |
Losmandy-style mounting plate |
| Optical Coatings |
Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC) |
| Resolving Power (Dawes Limit) |
0.456 arcseconds |
0.380 arcseconds |
0.326 arcseconds |
| Secondary Obstraction |
20.95% |
16.86% |
TBD |
| AutoStar Controller |
Autostar II |
Autostar II |
Autostar II |
| Object Database |
145,000 objects |
145,000 objects |
145,000 objects |
| Viewfinder |
8x50mm with cross hair reticle |
| Eyepiece |
HD-60 25mm, long eye relief, premium eyepiece |
| Diagonal |
1.25" diagonal prism |
1.25" diagonal prism |
1.25" diagonal prism |
| Optional Focal Reducer / Field Flattener |
2" diam., 3 element, fully multi-coated, f/5 (designed specifically for f/8 ACF) |
| Optimal back focus distance at f/8 |
TBD |
TBD |
TBD |
| Optimal back focus distance at f/5 |
3.5 inches |
3.5 inches |
3.5 inches |
| Focus System |
Internal Crayford style zero image-shift primary mirror focus with dual speed 7:1 control |
| Primary Mirror Lock |
Not required due to internal Crayford style primary mirror focusing system |
| Slow Motion Controls |
Electronic |
Electronic |
Electronic |
| Control Panel |
12v DC in, 12v DC out, Power, Focuser, Reticle, Handbox port, 1 computer connection port (RS232), 1 Starlock port, 1 Aux guide port |
| Total Instrument Capacity |
40.80kg (90 lbs) |
40.80kg (90 lbs) |
40.80kg (90 lbs) |
| Counterweights |
Included 1 x 10 kg
(22 lbs) |
Included 2 x 10 kg
(22 lbs) |
Included 3 x 10 kg
(22 lbs) |
| Zero Image-Shift Microfocuser |
optional |
optional |
optional |
| Accessory equipment mounting system |
Optional Series 5000 Auxilliary Equipment Mounting System |
| Power |
12v DC 5 amp, using supplied Meade Universal Power Supply |
| Materials |
| Primary Mirror |
Low-expansion borosilicate glass |
| Secondary Mirror |
Individually figured with primary mirror for maximum correction. Low-expansion borosilicate glass |
| Correcting Plate/Lens |
Aspheric high spectral transmission Borofloat glass from Schott AG Germany |
| Optical Tube |
Aluminium |
Aluminium |
Aluminium |
| Weights and Dimensions |
| Optical Tube Weight (OTA) |
14.9kg (33 lbs) |
TBD |
TBD |
| Optical Tube Shipping Weight (OTA) |
20kg (44 lbs) |
TBD |
TBD |
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Precision machined German Equatorial mount
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Constructed of machined stainless steel and aircraft grade 6061-T6 aluminium, the LX850
mount presents a rock-solid platform with precision roller bearings on both axes.
Its .68 inch diameter brass worms and 5.8 inch diameter, 225-tooth aluminium gears
deliver smooth, precise movement with up to a 90 pound instrument load. Add to this
internal cabling and the AutoStar II fully-computerized GoTo system with GPS, with a
database of over 144,000 objects. All this sets atop a new ultra-stable tripod.
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Internal cabling
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The LX850 mount includes internal channels for routing mount cables as well as
cables from your accessories. No more cable snags during your imaging sessions!
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Threaded stainless steel counterweight shaft
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The LX850 includes a 1.75" diameter threaded stainless steel counterweight shaft
with 18 lb. threaded stainless steel counterweights for easy and safe adjustments to
telescope balance.
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The LX850 mount head.
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LX850 Series - StarLock™
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StarLock — the heart of the LX850 — is the revolutionary new technology that makes
target acquisition and ultra-precise guiding corrections a snap. StarLock is an
integrated two-camera sensor array that provides four primary functions.
Full-Time Automatic Guide Star Selection and Auto-Guiding - Any time the telescope
is slewed to a target, StarLock automatically identifies a suitable guide star as
faint as 11th magnitude and locks on. Once locked on, the StarLock will provide
guide corrections until you slew to another target or turn it off. It’s all automatic.
And unlike standard autoguiders that issue guide corrections in the form of speed
and time, the StarLock speaks directly with the motor controllers providing specific
commands. The result is more accurate and faster guide corrections.
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Ultra-Precision Pointing – StarLock uses its two cameras to refine pointing to an
incredible accuracy of one arc-minute, which ensures the object you select will end
up on your imaging sensor, a must of those faint objects you can not see visually
to confirm position.
Drift Alignment Assist – After alignment, StarLock uses its two cameras to automatically
select and GOTO two candidate stars then uses its 80mm f/5 guiding optic to snap a
30 second exposure. The telescope then calculates the distance it the mount must be
adjusted to be precisely aligned to the celestial pole and then moves the optical tube
the calculated distance so you can re-center the candidate star using the altitude and
azimuth controls on the mount head. This dramatically speeds up the drift alignment process.
Lightswitch Alignment – Borrowing from our award-winning Lightswitch line of telescopes,
the LX850 and StarLock can select and automatically center alignment stars using its two
cameras, thereby taking the guesswork out of alignment.
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The LX850 14" ACF.
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| Specification of Meade LX850 mount |
| Mount Body |
Machined from solid 6061-T6 Aircraft grade Aluminium and stainless steel |
| Finish |
Anodized Aluminium and stainless steel |
| Main gear - R.A. & Dec. |
5.8 inch under cut 225 tooth aluminium |
| Worm gear - R.A. & Dec. |
0.68 inch diameter precision machined brass |
| Counterweight shaft |
1.75 inch diameter, 12 inch long threaded stainless steel |
| Counterweights |
18 lb. threaded stainless steel.
Quantity: Mount only - 1, 10 inch- 2, 12 inch- 2, 14 inch - 4, 130mm APO - 1
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| Drive Motors |
DC Servo motors with encoders, both axes |
| Tracking distance past meridian |
20 degrees |
| Optical Tube Mounting System |
Losmandy-style dovetail |
| Instrument Payload Capacity |
40.80 kg (90 lbs) |
| Latitude range |
TBD |
| Tripod |
Giant folding adjustable tripod with 3 inch diameter aluminium legs.
Height from 29 inches to 45 inches.
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| Mount body weight |
25 kg (55 lbs). |
| Counterweight shaft and cap weight |
8 kg (17.8 lbs). |
| Counterweights |
8 kg (18 lbs). |
| Tripod weight |
16.3 kg (36 lbs). |
| Control Panel |
12v DC in, 12v DC out, Power, Focuser, Reticle, Handbox port, 1 computer connection port (RS232), 1 StarLock port, 1 Aux guide port |
| Computer Control |
AutoStar II GoTo system |
| Database |
Over 144,000 Objects, Catalogs included: Index catalog (5,386); NGC catalog (7,840);
Partial Caldwell catalog (109); Messier catalog (110); Earth orbiting satellites (26);
Planets (9); Uppsala galaxy catalog (12,940); Morphological catalog of galaxies (12,939);
General catalog of variable stars (29,364); SAO and Hipparcos star catalogs (42,277);
Draper star catalog (21,160); Yale bright star catalog (8,977); Large Bright Quasars
Survey (1,055); Namd objects (4,313); Herschel catalog (400); Abell catalog of galaxy
clusters (2,712); Arp catalog of irregular galaxies (635); Lunar features (1,754);
Asteroids and comets (120); Constellations (88); Solar/Lunar eclipses, meteor showers (492).
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| Computer Hand Control |
Double line, 16 character Liquid Crystal Display; 20 backlit LED buttons |
| GPS |
yes |
| Home Sensors |
Both RA and Dec axes |
| Internal Clock |
Yes |
| Internal Cabling |
Yes |
| Slew Speeds |
3 degrees/second |
| Tracking Rates |
0.01x to 1x, 2x, 8x, 16x, 1/4º, 1/2º, 1º, 3º |
| Tracking Modes |
EQ North and EQ South |
| Alignment Procedures |
2-Star Align, 1 Star Polar Align, StarLock assisted drift align |
| Power |
12v DC 5 amp, using supplied Meade Universal Power Supply |
| StarLock |
| Wide Field Camera |
25mm x 26mm f/1.04 optic with 1/2 inch format CMOS sensor gives field of 14.72 x 11.78 degrees |
| Narrow Field Camera |
80mm x 400mm f/5 optic with 1/2 inch format CMOS sensor gives field of 57.2 x 45.8 arcminutes (2.68 arcseconds/pixel) |
| High Precision Pointing |
+/- 1 arcminute |
| High Precision Guiding |
+/- 1 arcsecond RMS (with good seeing, 1-4 second correction update rate depending on star magnitude. Faintest guide star 11th mag. |
| High Precision Alignment |
Semi-automatic drift align procedure for ultra-precise polar alignment |
| StarLock Weight |
2.72 kg (6 lbs). |
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Notice
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We are constantly checking the accuracy of the technical data. We are prepared
to provide more detailed information on request. Technical data is subject to
change without notice.
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Promotional Offer
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Cash Back on Opticstar
Imaging Products
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updated: 1st August 2017
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Customers who purchase any Meade telescopes or Meade optical tubes
or Meade mounts
listed on this page qualify for a 10% cash back on any Opticstar astronomy
cameras purchased at the same time or at a later date.
This offer is valid for 1 year commencing on the date that the Meade
product is purchased from the Opticstar website or the Opticstar showroom.
Any additional purchases at a later date of Meade products that qualify for
this offer will renew the cash back period to 1 full year.
Opticstar astronomy cameras that qualify for this offer include the following:
Once an Opticstar CCD or CMOS camera has been purchased within a year of
the qualifying Meade purchase, the cash back can be claimed by contacting
Opticstar by email or over the phone quoting the receipt number(s). Please
allow up to 14 days to process the payment.
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Sample Images
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Opticstar DS-145M ICE
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posted: 13th March 2009
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The M20 nebula shot by John Haunton with the Opticstar DS-145M ICE.
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Feedback
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We want to hear your comments.
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Sample Images
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Opticstar DS-335C ICE
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updated: 20th August 2010
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The Eta Carina nebula shot by John Haunton with the Opticstar DS-335C ICE.
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Astrophotography
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Opticstar Imaging
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posted: 26th February 2013
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High quality refractor telescopes, bundled with CCD cameras for deepd sky imaging,
planetary video imaging and auto-guiding.
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A&M 80mm f/6 Review
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"Best Of Breed"
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updated: 25th March 2009
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The A&M 80mm f/6 A&M/TMB has been
reviewed in Cloudy Nights
and it has been hailed as the "best of breed". The review concludes by saying "offers
stunning performance while standing out from the crowd, look no further".
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Willmann Bell
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Books for Astronomy
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updated: 20th September 2019
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Acclaimed books from Willmann Bell...
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Opticstar News
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New DS-616C XL+ Model
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posted: 24th August 2017
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Star product, improved.
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The new Opticstar DS-616C XL+ deep-sky CCD is the successor to the
popular DS-616C XL that earned the annual star product award back in 2013. It maintains all the
features of the original model as well as other improvements.
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DS-616C XL is Astronomy Magazine's Star Product
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posted: 12th September 2013
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Star product.
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The Opticstar DS-616C XL deep-sky CCD camera has earned the annual star product award from
Astronomy, the world's best-selling astronomy magazine. Read about it in the September 2013 issue.
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