This 14" LX850 has 14" diameter f/8 ACF optics (focal length 2845mm) and Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC) for maximum image brightness and contrast. The all new optical tube assembly (OTA) includes an internal Crayford style zero image shift focusing system with two speed, 7:1 reduction control.
Revolutionary
Includes StarLock- the revolutionary new technology that makes target acquisition on your imaging sensor and accurate guiding during exposures completely automatic. With Meade's exclusive LightSwitch technology at its core, StarLock uses an 80mm f/5 optic and two camera sensor system to provide computer assisted polar alignment using the drift method. Once aligned the StarLock is guiding the mount in real time, and even automatically programs periodic error correction, achieving a guiding accuracy of up to 1 arcsecond in good seeing and with the capability of guiding on stars as faint as 11th magnitude.
Rock solid
The LX850 mount, constructed of machined stainless steel and aircraft grade aluminium is a rock-solid platform for the most demanding applications, with a 40 kg (90 lbs) payload capacity and pointing accuracy as good as one arcminute. Features include precision roller bearings on each axis, a 1.75" stainless steel RA shaft, 5.8" (14.7 cm) main gears, fine manual adjustment controls on both axes, illuminated reticle output port. Mount main body weight is 25 kg (55 pounds). The fully height adjustable, 74cm to 115cm (29 to 45") tripod features massive 3" (7.62 cm) diameter legs for rock steady performance and weighs 16.3 kg (36 pounds). Includes two 11.7 kg (26 lbs) stainless steel counterweights, additional weights sold separately.
Fully equipped
Telescope comes fully equipped with a Meade Series 5000 2" diagonal prism featuring enhanced 99% reflectivity, Series 5000 HD-60 25mm eyepiece, and 8x50 viewfinder with quick release bracket. Also includes bracket for alternate OTA mounting of StarLock if desired.
Carries full one year UK warranty by Opticstar Ltd on behalf of Meade Instruments Corp.
'Sky & Telescope' review
"...the LX850 Astro-Imaging System is a quantum leap forward. It has done for deep-sky astrophotography what Go To telescopes did for observing, turning what many consider a daunting task into something that can be done with push-button ease. It’s quite an accomplishment."
Review by Dennis di Cicco, 'Sky & Telescope' magazine, December 2013.
LX850.
A smarter telescope system - only from Meade
Drawing on over 40 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.
Faster sharper optical system
The LX850 employs a fast f/8 ACF™ optical system with high-contrast baffling that assures crisp, pinpoint imaging to the very edge of the field. The all-new OTA features an internal Crayford-style, zero image-shift focusing system with a two-speed, 7:1 control.
Precision machined, solid German equatorial mount
Constructed of machined stainless steel and aircraft grade aluminium, the LX850 mount presents a rock-solid platform with precision roller bearings on both axes and a 1.75" (4.45 cm) stainless steel R.A. shaft. Its 0.68" (1.73 cm) diameter brass worms and 5.8" (14.7 cm) diameter, 225-tooth aluminium gears deliver smooth, precise movement with up to a 40 kg (90-pound) instrument load. A fully-computerized GoTo mount with GPS, the LX850 comes with a database of over 145,000 objects. All this set atop a new super-stable tripod.
StarLock - full time automatic guiding
StarLock is the revolutionary new technology that makes target acquisition on your imaging sensor and accurate guiding during exposures completely automatic. StarLock uses an 80mm f/5 optic and a super wide-angle lens in a two-camera system that automatically finds your target in high-precision, immediately captures a field star as dim as 11th magnitude and then guides to an accuracy of one arcsecond. There's no need for a separate guide or computer and the StarLock requires no user focusing or guide star selection. StarLock automatically programs periodic error correction and then corrects for any other errors down to virtually zero.
With the combination of the finest optics, a robust German equatorial mount and the revolutionary StarLock system, the LX850 is the smartest and most complete astro-imaging solution available.
