LX85: Ideal for ambitious beginners and experienced observers who want to get into astrophotography.
The optics of the AC 120/700 make it an ideal Rich Field Telescope - that means that it shows a large section of the night sky and allows extended objects to be the observed in their entirety - such as widely dispersed open clusters.
The large 120 millimetre objective lens collects a lot of light - enough to make even faint deep sky objects visible.
Globular clusters and distant galaxies can be observed. Unlike a reflector telescope, a lens telescope has no secondary mirror and spider vane in the light beam's path. This means that the telescope can fully exploit its 120 millimetres aperture without any obstruction and ensures a sharp image without any diffraction structures. The objective lens is corrected for the chromatic aberration that refractors would otherwise suffer from, hence the name - Achromat.
Refractor telescopes have the eyepiece at a lower level - so observing can be carried out without need of a step or ladder. This also makes them ideal for use on balconies, at public shows or for observing with children.
The LX85 mount has been designed with astrophotography in mind. With its powerful servomotors and Meade Smart Drive technology, it follows the sky's rotation and keeps the telescope accurately tracking the desired object for long exposure times - and without having to do a meridian flip!
- The LX85 is particularly light and therefore ideal for portable use in the garden or an observing location under a particularly dark sky.
- The AudioStar GoTo control firstcorrectly positions the telescope and then automatically tracks the object you wish to observe. This is also ideal for beginners!
- The LX85 mount allows the connection of an autoguider for precision tracking control.
The LX85 mount follows the usual telescope standards, allowing it to be used with most commercial telescopes up to 15kg in weight. Meade offers the mount together with a wide range of great optics - inexpensive Newtonian telescopes, Maksutovs for lunar and planetary specialists, all-round ACF optics, and even high-quality apochromats for the discerning photographer!
The AudioStar handheld control provides a database of 30,000 astronomical objects. Once aligned to the night sky, AudioStar can position the telescope to point to any of these objects and centre them in the eyepiece - of course only if the object is above the horizon. The GoTo functionality is supplemented by additional features, such as guided tours, position display and connection to a PC.
A special feature of the AudioStar controller is its built-in speaker. The built-in Astronomer Inside technology provides over four hours of audio commentary (in English only). The built-in astronomer will relate interesting information about astronomical objects located in the field of view!
Meade Smart Drive - as the telescope magnifies the astronomical object, an astronomical mount must be very precise. Even small tracking errors will interfere with longer exposure times. Small errors are always there, as the transmission's worm gear cannot be perfectly round. These periodic errors can be detected and compensated for by the computer control. Smart Drive technology makes possible this permanent periodic error correction (PPEC).
Please note that this does not come with a power cable. Suitable cables and mains adapters can be found amongst the recommended accessories.
It not only matters which telescope you buy but also where you buy it. Our additional services:
- We are a leading telescope dealer and know the devices we sell. Our customer service team will gladly help you after your purchase if you have problems with assembly or operation.
- We provide a copy of the 80-page Telescope ABC beginners handbook with every telescope.
