Lx80 key f eatures – Meade Instruments LX80 User Manual

Page 13

LX80 Series: Your Personal Window to
the Universe

The Meade LX80 Series models are versatile, high-

resolution telescopes. Supplied with an AudioStar

handbox, the LX80 Series models offer unmatched

mechanical and electronic performance.

The LX80 Series telescopes reveal nature in an

ever-expanding level of detail. Observe the feather

structure of an eagle from 50 yards or study the

rings of the planet Saturn from a distance of 800

million miles. Focus beyond the Solar System and

observe majestic nebulae, ancient star clusters, and

remote galaxies. Meade LX80 Series telescopes are

instruments fully capable of growing with your interest

and can meet the requirements of the most demanding

advanced observer.

Refer to Figures 1 through 11 for the

following features:

ᕡ

Viewfi nder: 8x50, wide-fi eld sighting scope with

crosshairs that enables easy centering of objects

in the telescope eyepiece

ᕢ

Viewfi nder Collimation Screws: Adjust these

screws to align the viewfi nder. See Page 20 for

more information.

ᕣ

Viewfi nder Front Cell and Locking Ring:

Adjust the front cell to focus the viewfi nder. See

step 3, Page 20 for more details. The viewfi nder

is supplied with a small dust cover placed over

the front cell.

ᕤ

Viewfi nder Bracket: Holds the viewfi nder

in place.

ᕥ

Viewfi nder Bracket Screws: Tighten to a fi rm

feel to hold viewfi nder securely in place.

ᕦ

Eyepiece: Place the supplied eyepiece into the

Diagonal (Page 18, Fig. 23) and tighten in place

with locking thumbscrew.

ᕧ

Accessory Adapter: The diagonal mirror is

inserted into this adapter.

ᕨ

Adapter Thumbscrews: Tighten to secure the

Diagonal in place.

ᕩ

Focus Lock Knob (Refractor Only): Designed

to prevent the focuser drawtube from moving

when a heavy accessory, such as a camera, is

attached to the focuser assembly. For normal

observing with an eyepiece and diagonal, it is

not necessary to use the lock knob.

Star Diagonal with Adapter: Holds the eyepiece

upright for easy viewing. Provides a more

comfortable right-angle viewing position. Slide

the diagonal directly into the Adapter and tighten

the thumbscrew to a fi rm feel only. See Page 18

for a photo and more information.

2-Speed Crayford Style Focusing System

(Refractors Only): Moves the telescope’s

focuser in a fi

nely-controlled motion to

achieve precise image focus. Rotate

the focus knob clockwise to focus on a

distant object.

AudioStar Handbox: The LX80 user interface.

Use the handbox to command the LX80 to

automatically slew to any object in the night

sky. See pages 33 thru 43 for a description

of features.

AudioStar Coil Cord: Connects the handbox to

the Computer Control Panel via the HBX port.

Dovetail Lock Knobs: Be sure to securely

tighten to hold the OTA dovetail in place.

Vixen®-style Dovetail Receiver: Place OTA

dovetail here.

Cradle Rings (Refractor Only): Part of the cradle

assembly; holds the optical tube fi rmly in place.

Optical Tube Assembly (OTA): The main

optical component that gathers the light from

distant objects and brings this light to a focus for

examination with the eyepiece.

Dust Cover: Place the dust cover (not visible

in photo) over the OTAs primary objective lens

when storing the telescope.

Note: The dust cover should be replaced after

each observing session and the power turned

off to the telescope. Allow time for any dew

that might have collected during the observing

session to evaporate prior to replacing the

dust cover.

Telescope Control Panel:

A. Power-On Lamp

B. 12v DC Power Connector

C. ON/OFF Switch

LX80 Key F

eatures