User's Manual

and for current and future Meade accessories.
Your PC can control your LX600 ACF telescope
using the supplied AutoStar Suite software for
custom applications. Go to the Meade website
(www.meade.com) to download the latest serial
commands and device pinouts.
H. Auxillary Autoguider Port: If you wish to use
an add-on autoguider in place of the integrated
StarLock, plug the autoguider cable into this
port. See the instruction sheet that came with
your autoguider for more information.
1$ Tiltable AutoStar II Holder: Attach to fork handles (see 1%
below) or X-Wedge. Holds your handbox in a convenient location.
1% Fork Handles: Use to lift optical tube assembly or to rotate
the telescope when attached to the tripod.
Important After the telescope is aligned do not use the RA or
DEC manual slow motion controls or alignment will be lost
and the telescope will need to be realigned.
1^ Declination (DEC) Slow-Motion Control: Make fi ne
adjustments in declination (altitude) by turning this control. In
order for this control to operate properly, power must be off.
1& DEC Lock: Controls the manual vertical movement of the
telescope. Turning the DEC lock counterclockwise unlocks the
telescope, enabling it to be freely rotated by hand about the
vertical axis. Turning the DEC lock clockwise (to a fi rm feel only)
prevents the telescope from being moved manually, but engages
the vertical motor drive for AutoStar II operation.
Caution: When loosening the DEC lock, be sure to support
the optical tube (Fig. 1, 19). The weight of the tube could
cause the tube to swing through the fork arms suddenly.
1* Dust Cover: Gently pry the dust cover from the front lens of
the telescope.
Note: The dust cover should be replaced after each observing
session and the power turned off to the telescope. Verify
that any dew that might have collected during the observing
session has evaporated prior to replacing the dust cover.
1( Optical Tube: The main optical component that gathers
the light from distant objects and brings this light to a focus for
examination through the eyepiece.
2) Declination (DEC) Setting Circle: See Appendix E, page
57, for detailed information.
2! Viewfi nder Collimation Screws: Use these six screws to
adjust the alignment of the viewfi nder.
2@ 8 x 50mm Viewfi nder: A low-power, wide-fi eld sighting
scope with crosshairs that enables easy centering of objects in
the telescope eyepiece.
2# GPS Receiver: Receives information transmitted from
Global Positioning System satellites. See page 24 for more
information.
2$ Tube Adapters: The optical and mechanical axes of the
LX600 telescope have been carefully aligned at the factory to
ensure accurate object pointing. Do not loosen or remove the
optical tube assembly from the tube adapters. The resulting
misalignment of the axes will result in inaccurate pointing of the
telescope in the GO TO mode.
2% StarLock Counterweight(s): Precisely counter balance the
StarLock assembly and optional accessories by moving this
weight.
2^ StarLock Counterweight Hex Screws: Tighten to secure
the counterweight in place.
2& StarLock Counterweight Rail: Slide the StarLock
counterweight along this rail to achieve optimum balance.
2* AutoStar II Handbox: The LX600 user interface. Use the
Handbox to command the LX600 to automatically slew to any
object in the night sky. See pages 27 thru 36 for a description of
features.
2( StarLock Assembly: Integrated autoguiding unit made
up of the StarLock narrowfi eld OTA and sensor, used for high-
precision guiding, and the StarLock widefi eld OTA and sensor,
used in alignment and ultra-precise pointing.
3) StarLock Dovetail Adapter: Attaches StarLock to the
telescope mount.
3! StarLock Retaining Bolts: Secures the StarLock assembly
to the dovetail adapter.
3@ Tripod Threaded Rod: Secures the LX600 mount to the
tripod.
3# Tripod Spreader Bar: Holds the LX600 mount and tripod legs
in place.
3$ Tripod T-handle Tension Knob: Use to apply tension to the
tripod spreader bar.
3% X-Wedge: See Appendix F for details.
3^ Fork Arm Jumper Connector: Bridges the break between
OTA and Telescope base.
3& Fork Arm Connecting Plate: Mates OTA to base for easier
assembly. Four connecting screws per side(See Appendix D).
3* Connecting Plate Bolt: Used to secure the OTA to Telescope
base. Four (4) connecting screws per side.
13
LX600 Features