2008 P R O D U C T C ATA L O G FIND YOUR TELESCOPE. ® F I N D Y O U R S E L F.
WWW.MEADE.
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S TELESCOPE SECTIONS ETX ® Series LightBridge ™ (Truss-Tube Dobsonians) L XD75 ™ Series L X90-ACF ™ Series L X200-ACF ™ Series L X400-ACF ™ Series Max Mount ™ Series 5000 ™ ED APO Refractors A and DS-2000 Series 2 20 30 50 62 78 88 100 108 EXHIBITS 1 - AutoStar® 2 - AutoAlign ™ with SmartFinder ™ 3 - Optical Systems 4 - Aperture 5 - UHTC ™ 6 - Slew Speed 7 - AutoStar® II 8 - Oversized Primary Mirrors 9 - Advanced Pointing and Tracking 10 - Electronic Focus and Collimation 13 15
.01 Recruit Starting out right .05 Master Dedicated astronomer .02 Enthusiast .03 Hot Going big on a budget .06 Guru Expert astronomer Shot Budding astrophotographer .04 Fanatic Going deeper .07 Specialist .
F IND Y OURSEL F F IND Y o u r T e l e s c o p e
.01 ETX .02 LIGHTBRIDGE ® PG. 2-19 PG. 20-29 ™ .03 LXD 75 PG.30-43 .05 LX 200 -ACF .06 LX 400-ACF .07 SEries 5000 ™ ™ PG. 62-76 PG. 78-99 ™ PG. 100-105 ™ ED APO .04 LX 90 -ACF ™ PG. 50-61 .08 A/DS -2000 SERIES ™ PG.
F IND Y OURSEL F
A stronomy is for everyone. That’s not to say everyone will become a serious comet hunter or astrophotographer. But just like life would be empty without music, something is missing if you have yet to discover your place in the universe. If the starry sky is nothing more than a ceiling of random twinkling lights to you, F IND Y OURSEL F you’re missing out on the real thing: a treasure map of stars, clusters, nebulas and galaxies, some of which you can see with your naked eye.
F inding the right telescope has never been easy. We once asked a salesperson at a retail store which scope to buy and got this reply, “I think the ones with the eyepiece thing sticking out the back are better.” But ignorance isn’t the only cause for confusion. The truth is, telescopes are confusing.
.01 recruit ETX ® S E R IE S Considered the telescope that “revolutionized amateur astronomy” by Sky & Telescope magazine. Tony Pappas: Electrician, hunter, ETX-125 owner. Level: Just starting out. Mindset: I want a “real” telescope that will give me an awe-inspiring first few nights and grow with me for years to come. (Or a second scope that takes my hobby to a new level). Mantra: No toys (I bought a cheap telescope once and boy was I sorry). Priorities: Fun, easy, cool, exciting.
Performance: Ideal all-around scope. View both Earth and sky objects. Observe visually or take your first astrophotographs. Optical Design: Maksutov-Cassegrain or ETX-80 Refractor. (See pg. 16) Strengths: Easy-to-use AutoStar ® controller finds and tracks things for you. Solid mount and razor sharp optics—all in a portable package. Buzz: Sky & Telescope magazine said of the ETX, “Now anyone can play the backyard-astronomy game cheaply and without fear of frustration.” .04 .05 .
.01 ASTRONOMY IS FOR EVERYonE. So is the ETX. E T X ® S eries ETX-PE ETX-80 B. A. K. c. J. g. D. E. H. I. F. Tripod carrying case included. “In one brilliant stroke, Meade’s brainy ETX system has erased the learning curve.” “In a matter of minutes, I could see two or three dozen objects in rapid succession, finding them effortlessly...” “Suddenly there is no excuse for anyone with even the slightest interest in astronomy not to become a participant.
When Meade first introduced the ETX ® (short for Everyone’s Telescope), astronomers “in the know” created such overwhelming demand that the scopes were almost impossible to get. Several years later, those new to astronomy are just beginning to discover the ETX while serious astronomers still flock to it as the ideal ultra-portable scope in their collection.
ETX-PE ETX-90PE #3514-03-55 ETX-125PE #0515-03-55 90mm (3.5") aperture Maksutov-Cassegrain f/13.8 focal ratio (1250mm) #497 AutoStar (30,000+ object database) SmartFinder red dot with LNT module 26mm Series 4000 Super Plössl eyepiece UHTC™ Optical Coatings included 127mm (5") aperture Maksutov-Cassegrain f/15 focal ratio (1900mm) #497 AutoStar (30,000+ object database) SmartFinder red dot with LNT module 26mm Series 4000 Super Plössl eyepiece UHTC™ Optical Coatings included 7.
Choosing an ETX is easy. ® You’ll u n dersta n d mor e a bou t t h e va r ious t y pe s a n d si ze s of t ele scope s a s you r k now ledge of ast ronomy i ncr ease s (see opt ica l syst ems, pg. 4 5 ). Bu t i nst e a d of wor ry i ng how to pronou nce M a ksu tov- Casse gr a i n, r e st a ssu r ed t h at t h er e’s not a t ele scope on t h e m a r k e t w i t h a be t t er t r ack r e cor d of con v ert i ng bu ddi ng ast ronom ers i n to f u ll-f ledged on e s t h a n t h e ET X.
“By the end of the night, a few parents had earned their astronomy belt loops too.” Joel Christensen - Gretna, Nebraska w h en I told my Cub Scouts we were going to do some stargazin g , t h ey weren’t exactly overjoyed. and who can blame them? s i n ce many of them had tried in vain to focus on the moon wi t h a toy telescope, their expectations were fairly low.
R e ac t i on from the parents was similar. But they agreed to drag the boys out to a star party as long as there was a scouting award attached. Anything for a belt loop. We held our event at a pack member’s home just outside of Gretna, Nebraska. They had dark skies and four acres of space. That allowed us to have a bon fire (well away from the telescopes of course) and refreshments. No one expected they would want to spend the entire night at the eyepiece.
Now, I’m one of those guys who bring real meaning to the term “amateur” astronomer. But by this time I had about 30 boys and their parents eating out of the palm of my hand. I was fielding all kinds of questions like: How far? How big? How bright? How come? By the time we got to Saturn, so many parents were in line for a look that I had to politely remind them to give the boys a chance. Late that night when the party finally died down, every boy in the pack had earned his astronomy belt loop.
11 ETX .
Just because a galaxy m ay be billions of years old, d oesn’t mean it should take that long to f ind it. M10 9 S e l e c t ga l a x y . Wa t c h y o u r t e l e s c o p e f i n d a n d t r a c k t h e ga l a x y f o r y o u . a st rophotogr a ph y: m a r k si bole / m10 9 -spi r a l ga l a x y / e t x-1 25 S e e ga l a x y .
EXHIBIT 1 AutoStar D e l u x e A utoStar #497 O v e r 3 0 , 0 00 objects autostar finds things for you. The universe is full of wonders. But what if you don’t have the slightest clue how to find them? No problem. Just let a Meade AutoStar computer-guided telescope find them for you. Want to see a hard-to-find deep space galaxy? Push a button. The same goes for planets, stars, nebulas and more.
Automatic Alignment The ETX Premier Edition Advantage ™ ® The totally plug-and-play ETX Premier Edition. The telescope that made astronomy easier for everyone is now even more user-friendly. AutoAlign (see next page) makes set-up and alignment of the ETX Premier Edition virtually a no-brainer. Just enter your city or ZIP Code and you are good to go. Meade’s patented AutoAlign™ Technology will automatically align your telescope and find two fine-tuning stars for you.
EXHIBIT 2 AutoAlign with SmartFinder AutoAlign with SmartFinder ™ “Inspired by top-secret wwii bombsight technology, the red-dot viewfinder makes hitting targets easy.” – Ken Baun, Former Sr. Vice President, Meade Engineering TURN IT ON AND IT KNOWS THE NIGHT SKY. Alignment doesn’t get any easier. Just enter your point of departure to embark on a tour of the universe. Meade introduces what everyone’s been waiting for: automatic alignment. There’s no time and date to enter.
“The coolest thing we saw in Mexico was Saturn.” Camping out is a great way to see the world. Just remember that some of nature’s grandest s ights are directly over your head.
THE ETX-80 ULTRA-PORTABLE telescope ™ Ever get so far away from the city that the stars look like you could reach out and touch them? Wish you could get just a little closer? Now you can. The ultra-portable ETX-80 is the perfect campground observatory. It’s ideal for camping, hiking, picnics, the beach, vacations, or any other time you want to connect with nature and the universe. The smallest ETX has big advantages.
ETX series mark sibole / ngc 4565 - needle galaxy / etx-125 / dsi pro ii ® mark sibole / m51 - whirlpool galaxy / ETX-125 / dsi pro ii .
Meade may recommend the ETX-PE as a great way to start out right in astronomy. But some astronomers use its razor-sharp optics for more serious pursuits. Award winning astrophotographer Mark Sibole uses our new back cell adapter (which accepts Schmidt-Cassegrain accessories) to capture deep sky objects with his ETX in breathtaking detail. His shots speak volumes about what this little scope can do. Mark is an amazing person who was permanently disabled after being hit by a car in 1996.
.02 E nthusiast LIGHTBRIDGE ™ S E R IE S If affordable aperture is what you’re after, cross the universe with a LightBridge truss-tube Dobsonian. Aimee Cheung: Linguistics professor, runner, LightBridge owner. Level: Big aperture on a budget. Mindset: “I want enough aperture to see really faint objects without spending a lot of money. I see a simple, economic design as a plus, not a minus.” Mantra: Live large. Priorities: Portable affordable aperture. Period.
Performance: Good for capturing light from distant objects. Not for terrestrial viewing or astrophotography. Optical Design: Dobsonian mounted Newtonian reflector (see pg.47). Strengths: Easy to point and use. Largest aperture for the money. Lightweight and portable. Crisp Meade optics in the simplest of telescope designs. Buzz: Dobsonian scopes have popularized astronomy worldwide since their invention by a San Francisco monk in the 1950s. .01 .03 .
.02 Can’t wait to go big? Go Dobsonian. L ight B ridge ™ S eries G. Deluxe H. C. B. D. A. I. E. F. “The optics were comparable to my $4000 scope. The LightBridge is a bargain.” “Galaxies m81 and m82 contrasted well against a black background. Open clusters showed beautiful groupings of pin point stars.” — Terry Mann, V.P., Astronomical League — Sky & Telescope Magazine — Sky News Magazine 22 “I can’t recall a telescope that was more of a joy to test… They are a dream for observers.
In the 1950s, John Dobson was a San Francisco monk with a simple goal: To share the wonders of the universe with as many people as possible. The scope design that bears his name started as a way to help enthusiasts build simple working telescopes out of backyard “junk.” But Dobson’s way to “go big” changed the face of amateur astronomy forever.
Space is infinite. 0.5 pt 24 0.
5 pt Your back seat is not.
Choosing your LIGHTBRIDGE ™ It’s not j ust a big t elescope . It’s a big t ele scope t h at goes a n y w h er e . Ligh tBr i dge t russ-t u be dobs br ea k dow n a n d se t u p qu ick ly. So you ca n ta k e on e of t h e se m assi v e w i n dows on t h e u n i v erse ou t to you r favor i t e da r k sk y l ocat ion w i t h ease .
LightBridge DELUXE 8" and 10" LightBridge DELUXE 12" and 16" 8" Deluxe #0805-05-02 10" Deluxe #1005-05-02 8" (203mm) aperture Open truss-tube Dobsonian Reflector f/6 focal ratio (1219mm) Steel Azimuth Bearings Advanced 4-reticle red dot viewfinder 26mm Series 4000 ™ QX Wide Angle eyepiece (70˚ AFOV) 44 lbs total net weight Primary Mirror Cooling Fan 4 aa batteries (user supplied) 10" (254mm) aperture Open truss-tube Dobsonian Reflector f/5 focal ratio (1270mm) Steel Azimuth Bearings Advanced 4-reti
“I waited 46 years to see the rings of Saturn. I didn’t want my son to wait more than five.” LIGHTBRIDGE ™ series Greg Aramaki — Portland Oregon .
I T WA S T H E F I R S T C L E A R N IGH T SI NC E C H R I S T M A S . Early-January. Seventeen degrees. I was spending a few minutes alone with our new telescope before I invited my wife and son Andrew outside for a look (it’s always easier to figure out new tech gadgets without people looking over your shoulder). But the family couldn’t wait. The next thing I knew, two shivering people were pacing back and forth expecting me to show them something wonderful in our new telescope. Fast.
.03 Hot S hot LXD75 ™ S E R IE S One award-winning astrophotographer calls the fast, wide field, of the LXD75 Schmidt-Newtonian “a killer low-cost imaging platform.” Miguel Santos: Technical writer, amateur filmmaker, LXD75 owner. Level: Backyard observer exploring astrophotography. Mindset: “I want 5" to 10" of aperture on a solid, German Equatorial Mount so I can see farther and learn to take beautiful astrophotographs without selling my house first.” Mantra: Ready to get serious.
Performance: Time-tested platform for wide-field observing and astrophotography. Optical Design: Newtonian-Reflector, Schmidt-Newtonian, Achromatic Refractor, Advanced Coma-Free (see pg. 49). Strengths: Stable German equatorial mount. Fast (f/4) focal ratio on 8" and 10" Schmidt-Newtonians. Optics praised as “best-in-class.” Considered the ideal platform for Meade’s DSI imagers (see pg. 120).
.03 Equatorial lovers unite. Observe. Shoot. Enjoy. L X D 7 5 ™ S eries Newtonian Schmidt-Newtonian achromatic Refractor ADVANCED COMA-FREE L. M. B. D. A. C. E. F. G. J. I. K. H. “The Schmidt-Newtonian optics are great. Very, very contrasty. A very rich field.” —Todd Rogelstad, Astrophotographer “The LXD75 SN8 and the DSI Pro II are such an incredible match, I would put the images they produce up against systems costing thousands more.
The LXD75 series is the perfect “step-up” telescope for anyone who wants to see farther and begin to explore astrophotography with a Meade DSI imager (see pg.120). This series gives you a solid GoTo mount with time-tested pointing and tracking accuracy and enough aperture to capture the faint light of tantalizing deep space objects. It also makes premium optics (including the elite SchmidtNewtonian optical design that only Meade makes) affordable to everyone.
LXD75 N LXD75 SN LXD75 ™ series LXD75 AR .03 L XD75 6" NEWTONIAN REFLECTOR LXD75-ACF L XD75 8" ADVANCED COMA-FREE 6" (152mm) aperture Newtonian Reflector f/5 focal ratio (762mm) #497 AutoStar (30,000+ objects) 6 x 30mm Viewfinder 26mm Series 4000 ™ Super Plössl eyepiece Fully-Coated Optics 48 lbs total net weight Optical Tube: 7.1" dia, 27" length 8 d batteries (user supplied) Slew Speed: 2x sidereal to 7.
Choosing the right LXD75 ™ Whether you’re ready to tackle the exciting world of astrophotography or just want to upgrade to a larger aperture telescope, the LXD75 series has something for everyone. Because these scopes incorporate engineering innovations from many of Meade’s higher-priced instruments, they are the most serious, moderately-priced telescopes on the market.
Observatories survey the sky. Computers analyze the data. Scientists sleep. M e a n w h i l e , some guy named Wolfgang discovers a s u p e r n ova in his backyard. We’re not saying everyone who buys a new LXD75 ™ telescope and a Deep Sky Imager ™ will discover a supernova their first few weeks out. But that’s exactly what happened to first-time astrophotographer Wolfgang Kloehr. Here’s his story. I owned a small telescope for a long time. But I didn’t go out very often.
A B A: reference B : d i s c ov e ry wolfgang kloehr s c h w e i n f u rt, g e r m a n y supernova discovery l x d 7 5 / d e e p s ky i m ag e r 37
The 6" Newtonian Reflector is like a little brother to our Dobsonians (see pg. 20). It shares many of the same practical benefits: An inexpensive Newtonian design. Fewer parts. Nothing to go wrong. Unlike a Dobsonian, the lxd75 Newtonian has a Deluxe AutoStar ® controller and motorized drives that will automatically GoTo and track over 30,000 celestial objects. The scope has enough aperture to offer a serious step up from the average starter scope.
The Schmidt-Newtonian is a design so unique, only Meade makes it. This revolutionary design gives you the best of both worlds: Observing. Astrophotography. It does it all. The fast f /4 focal ratio (8" and 10" models) is an ideal match for Meade’s user-friendly Deep Sky Imagers. And thanks to world-famous Meade corrector lens technology, Schmidt-Newtonians have just ½ the coma of standard Newtonians. (coma is a fuzzy-star aberration that occurs in standard Newtonian and Dobsonian reflectors).
Observe like Galileo with our 5" and 6" achromatic refractors. This classic telescope design is also the most expensive per inch of aperture. But refractors provide incomparable resolution in highcontrast images of the moon, planets, and deep space objects. Less expensive than an apochromat (APO, see pg. 45), these 2-element refractors are an excellent choice for any astronomer who’s looking for the crisp resolution of a refractor at an affordable price. + Deluxe AutoStar® Controller.
If you’re looking for the optical quality of a Meade lx90-acf Advanced Coma-Free on a German Equatorial Mount, this is your scope. As a less costly alternative to other Meade Advaced ComaFree scopes, the lxd75-acf is an excellent way to step up to an 8" computer-driven scope. + P r e m i u m D i f f r ac t ion Li m i t e d O p t ic s . + Wat e r Wh i t e Gl a s s C or r e c tor Le n s . + O v e r s i z e d P y r e x ® P r i m a ry M i r ror . + Au to Sta r C on t rol l e r .
“ T h e D S I P r o I I a n d LXD75 SN8 make getting astrophotographs almost eas y. T h e y a r e a n i n c r e d i b l e m atch. The focus really “snaps” and is completely f lat across t h e e n t i r e f ra m e . I w o u l d put the astrophotographs they produce up against s ystems a n d i m a g e r s c o s t i n g t h o u s ands of dollars more. To see these images come alive on your s c r e e n i s really worth all the time you put into them.
43 peter kennet / m8 - lagoon nebula / lxd75 steve hamilton / m81 - bode’s galaxy / lxd75 / dsi pro ii peter kennet / m45 - pleiades / lxd75
Refractor: Captures light with a lens.
EXHIBIT 3 Optical Systems The Refractor. What Galileo Used. What is it? A long tube with a lens at the front and an eyepiece at the back. What About It? This oldest of telescope designs is also the most familiar. Galileo used one to discover the moons of Jupiter in the year 1610. Refractors capture light with a lens that focuses it at the back of the tube. They are famous for beautifully sharp, unobstructed views. They are also the most expensive telescopes per inch of aperture.
R e f l e c t o r : C a p t u r e s l i g h t w i t h a m i r r o r.
EXHIBIT 3 Optical Systems The RefLECtor. Newton’s Contribution. What is it? A long tube with a mirror at the bottom and an eyepiece at the top. What About It? In 1668, Isaac Newton designed a telescope that collected light with a mirror instead of a lens. Reflectors capture light in a bowl-shaped mirror at the bottom of an open tube, then reflect the light and bring it to a focus near the top of the tube.
Compound: Captures light with a combination of lenses and mirrors.
EXHIBIT 3 Optical Systems The COMPOUND. Modern Telescope Designs. What is it? Any scope that uses a combination of lenses and mirrors. What About It? German astronomer Bernhard Schmidt made the first compound (also known as Catadioptric) telescope in 1930. A Compound telescope combines the best features of a refractor and a reflector into one compact telescope.
.04 F A N AT IC LX90-ACF ™ S E R IE S When you step up to the LX90-ACF, you’ve made it. It’s the first scope that could be your last scope. Roger Jackson, architect, Little League coach, LX90 owner. Level: Exploring the depths. Mindset: I’m hooked on Astronomy. Observing. Imaging. You name it. I’m looking for the absolute best 8" to 12" Schmidt-Cassegrain I can afford. I want the highest-quality optics and a rock-solid, computer-guided mount. Mantra: No clouds, please.
Performance: The ultimate all-around machine for the money. Optical Design: Advanced Coma-Free. (See pg. 49) Strengths: Industry leading optics. Precise computer driven mount. Buzz: Sky & Telescope wrote, “For a general-purpose telescope, this is one of the best ones I’ve ever tested out-of-the-box.” .01 .03 .
.04 Welcome to serious astronomy. Here’s your scope. lx 9 0 - A C F ™ ADVANCED COMA-FREE B. K. F. G. H. C. D. I. A. J. E. “The computer pointing was 100% accurate (scout’s honor, not one miss in hundreds of GoTo moves).” — Sky & Telescope magazine 52 “An LX90-ACF lets you take photos that look like they came straight from a Palomar Mountain Observatory sky survey.” — Tom King , Astrophotographer “I was interested to see if the LX90 would live up to its (long-exposure astrophotography) claims.
The lx90-acf ™ can locate over 30,000 objects including itself. Turn it on and the built-in Sony® gps receiver immediately determines your precise date, time, and location. In just minutes, your scope is ready to give you a tour of the most spectacular sights in the universe with gps precision. With all the features of a legendary lx90 Schmidt-Cassegrain, plus the ability to listen to and track satellites, Meade’s new lx90-acf has it all.
LX90-ACF L X90-ACF 8" L X90-ACF 10" #0810-90-01 8" (203mm) aperture Advanced Coma-Free f/10 focal ratio (2000mm) #497 AutoStar 30,000+ object database 8 x 50mm viewfinder plus SmartFinder red dot 26mm Series 4000 ™ Super Plössl UHTC™ Optical Coatings included 52 lbs total net weight Optical tube: 9.1" dia, 16.
Choosing the LX90-ACF.™ An easy decision. I f you’r e consi der i ng a t ele scope i n t h is pr ice r a nge , you m ay k now t h er e a r e Sch m i dt- Casse gr a i ns ou t t h er e . Feel f r ee to shop t h e m a r k e t, bu t m a k e no m ista k e; t h e M ea de lx90 -acf is su per ior to a n y ot h er Sch m i dt- Casse gr a i n t ele scope on t h e m a r k e t today. Its accu r at e dr i v e syst em a n d wor ld-cl ass a dva nced com e-f r ee opt ics a n n i h i l at e com pe t i ng scope s.
2" 56 4" 6" 8"
EXHIBIT Understanding Aperture 4 An astrophotograph and a look through a telescope both inspire wonder. But in different ways. Due to the natural limitations of the human eye, a long-exposure astrophotograph of the Great Orion Nebula (m42) will be infinitely more detailed and colorful than what you can possibly see through the telescope’s eyepiece.
“ I d e c i d e d to b u y t h e L X90 based on all of the online reviews prais ing it as an e x c e l l e n t te l es c o p e fo r t h e money. I’m now taking photos with the Meade Deep Sky Image r a n d e x p l o r i n g w o n d e r s I never dreamed poss ible here in the glow of the Big Apple. N i g h t a f te r n i g h t , A u to S tar reliably starts, aligns, and locks onto objects with perfect p r e c i s i o n. I’ve never experienced a s ingle glitch.
59 ed roach / saturn / lx90 eric madeleine / m57 - ring nebula / lx90 lee zagar / jupiter / lx90 / DSI
Steve Hamilton is a former naval aviator and astrophotographer who moderates seven different astronomy user groups and forums with over 6500 subscribers. He and his L X90 have produced an impressive galler y of astrophotographs. You can see some of them at w w w.meade.com.
My love of the night sky began as a Navy But I was helped along and encouraged by all these pilot. I used to fly back and forth all night great imagers who would go, “Nice image Steve, but on airborne early warning duty. We called it try this next time…” That’s fantastic. I look back at “drilling holes in the sky.” The night sky was my first few months in imaging and think, “where amazing so I’d take along binocs and enjoy the would I have been without that?” view.
.05 MASTER LX200-ACF ™ S E R IE S A legend is reborn. The world’s top telescope gets an Advanced Coma-Free upgrade. Rick Beno: Retired engineer, Arizona Sky Village resident, LX200 owner. Level: Married to astronomy. Mindset: I’m in love with observing and imaging. I’m ready for the most exquisite views available. I like portability, but I may also be considering a large aperture permanent installation. Mantra: Sleep? What’s sleep? Priorities: The finest optics. Unbelievably precise mechanics.
Performance: The ultimate all-around instrument. Period. Optical Design: Advanced Coma-Free Strengths: Unique, industry-leading optical design. Crisp, flatter, field of view. Research-capable pointing and tracking. Huge user support network. Buzz: Sky & Telescope magazine says many feel Meade’s Advanced CF optics are the biggest news in amateur telescopes “in more than a decade, maybe even a quarter century.” .01 .03 .
.05 The aCF revolution. A Hubble for your backyard. L X 2 0 0 - A C F ™ S eries ADVANCED COMA-FREE™ A. B. G. H. I. K. D. C. E. F. Z ero I ma g e - S hift M icrofocuser . J. P. Clay Sherrod calls the Zero Image-Shift Microfocuser, “one of the nicest features ever put into a telescope.” “I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending the LX200 series. I can attest to the wonderful hands-off convenience and sheer fun of the motorized goto.
The most widely used research telescope on earth now comes with the most advanced optical system in space. Meade’s lx200-acf ™ brings advanced coma-free optics within reach of aspiring astronomers everywhere. Nearly every observatory reflector in the world is a Ritchey-Chrétien, including NASA’s Hubble Space telescope. Now you can have the performance the professionals expect.
LX200-ACF L X200-ACF 8" #0810-60-02 8" Aperture (203mm) Advanced Coma-Free f/10 focal ratio (2000mm) AutoStar II 150,000 object database 8 x 50mm viewfinder 26mm 5000 5-element Plössl eyepiece UHTC™ Optical Coatings included 73 lbs total net weight ota dia 9.1", ota length 16.75" 8 c batteries (user supplied) Slew speed: 2x sidereal to 8˚/sec in 9 increments Guide Speed: .
As an LX200-ACF owner, you’re in good company. ™ Visi t a n y sta r pa rt y i n t he wor ld a nd you’r e mor e likely to see a n LX 200 t h a n a n y ot her r esea rch-gr a de t elescope. Th at’s because ev er si nce t he i n t roduct ion of t he or igi n a l LX 200, M ea de h as list ened to ou r most dem a n di ng custom ers a nd f i ne-t u ned t he LX 200 i n to t he wor ld’s most popu la r ast ronom ica l m achi ne.
EXHIBIT UHTC Increases brightness by up to a full inch of aperture. ™ UHTC 5 ™ ultra-high transmission coatings TOTAL LIGHT TRANSMISSION EMISSIONS LINE WAVE LENGTH (NM) S TA ND A R D CO AT ING ( %) UH T C ( %) BrIGHTNESS INCREASE Why optical coatings matter. More light means brighter views of galaxies, star clusters and faint nebulas, plus greater details on planetary and lunar surfaces. More light is what telescopes are all about.
EXHIBIT 6 Faster slew speeds At 3:00 a.m. in the60middle of winter, an extra seconds feels like an eternity. At a sleepy three degrees per second, it takes competing Betelgeuse arcturus telescopes a full minute to move from horizon to horizon. Yawn. That’s why slew speeds on Meade LX90-ACF ™, LX200-ACF ™, and LX400-ACF ™ telescopes are two to three times faster than the competition. When it’s cold and dark, or for that matter just late, those extra stargazing seconds really add up.
Dr. P. Clay Sherrod (“Dr. Clay” to astronomers everywhere) founded the Arkansas Sky Observatory in 1971. He is a widely respected scientific researcher, beta tester, and critic of everyone’s telescopes. Including ours.
D r . C l ay’s l ov e/ h at e r e l at ion s h i p w i t h t e l e s c o p e m a n u f a c t u r e r s i s l e g e n d a r y. His relationship with the ne w L X 2 0 0 -AC F a p p e a r s to b e lo v e/ lo v e . Q You’ve told us the 16" LX200-ACF is now your favorite telescope. Why? A It’s really tough to talk about the new ACF series without making its predecessor look bad. Schmidt-Cassegrains are great scopes and Meade has mastered the art of manufacturing them.
72 Sees shooting star at summer camp Names first scope “Echo” Begins comet search.
partner in exploring the universe. I named my first telescope “Echo” back in 1960. And I still have it. In fact, it has a Coronado PST solar telescope piggybacked on it now and I use it for looking at the Sun in H-alpha all the time. Years later, I got the first 12" Schmidt Camera Meade ever made. When we got it home, I noticed this massive thing would probably displace every other telescope in our observatory. When I was a teenager in Montreal, our astronomy club had this piggy bank called Obadiah.
David searches for comets with a Meade 12" Schmidt Camera, a 16" LX200GPS, and a 10" LX200 classic. He is very impressed with Meade’s new LX400s and will add one to the family as soon as he can think of a suitable name. 74 Grants 150 interviews in one month. (one with the U.S.
“ I p u r c h a s e d t h e L X 2 0 0 - ACF to image from my light-polluted home in Brisbane, Austral i a . T h e m a i n r e a s o n I chose this scope was for the Advanced Coma-Free optics. LX200-acf ™ I w a s p r e v i o u s l y u s i n g a competitor’s 11" Schmidt-Cassegrain and have found the 10" L X 2 0 0 - A C F to b e fa r s u perior in contrast, sharpness, and f ield f latness. I am delighted w i t h t h e L X 2 0 0-ACF and plan to enjoy many years of great imaging.
77
.06 G URU LX400-ACF ™ S E R IE S Sky & Telescope magazine calls the LX400-ACF, “as revolutionary today as the Schmidt-Cassegrain was when it was introduced over 30 years ago…” Peter Lewis: Small business owner, ultra-light pilot, LX400-ACF owner. Level: As serious as it gets. Mindset: I’m ready for the observatory-level research telescope of my dreams. I can’t wait to image, explore, and discover with one of the most advanced telescopes ever made. Mantra: Live to explore.
Performance: Absolute state-of-the art system. Hands down. Optical Design: Advanced Coma-Free. Strength: Unparalleled crisp, flatter field of view. Observatory quality optics. Remote access via web or network. Fully-integrated turn-key system. Buzz: Sky & Telescope calls the LX400 “the most electronically sophisticated mass-market telescope ever made.” .04 .05 .
.06 OBSERVATORY CLASS. For the pro in all of us. L X 4 0 0- A C F ™ A dvanced C O M A - F R E E A. B. G. P. H. T. I. D. O. C. S. Q. e. F. I. L. U. J. K. R. M. O. M. Carbon fiber tube “The LX400-ACF does indeed perform like a Ritchey-Chrétien. The difference between the off-axis images (compared to a Schmidt-Cassegrain) was dramatic to say the least.” “Out of the box the scope had the most responsive declination guiding that I have ever experienced with a mass-market telescope.
Imagine you’re a seasoned astrophotographer saving up for the fast f-ratio, wide-field, comafree, custom telescope of a lifetime. One that can handle the largest CCD chips. One with stateof-the-art optics and mechanics. One that is praised as “approaching perfection” by industry critics and astronomers alike. Suddenly you find out your telescope is available for one-fifth of what you thought—and you won’t have to wait six months for it to be built. What would you do? You’d buy one.
I. J. K. Au toA l ign ™ . Automatically aligns your scope to the night sky. Sky & Telescope says, “Working with the LX400-ACF was a very pleasant out-of-the-box experience. In a perfect world all products would be like this...” Sm a rt D r i v e ™ . Provides Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) on both axes over the course of one or more training periods, thereby minimizing guiding corrections during long-exposure astrophotography. Smart Mount ™ .
A LX400-ACF ™ highlights A. The remote control observatory. Control your telescope from the comfort of your home, office, or even out-of-town with Meade’s completely integrated AutoStar ® II and LX400-ACF software systems. Access the computer that controls your telescope via network or Web access. Work like the pros, imaging whenever the weather, your schedule, and the universe align. With an LX400ACF, you have your own remotely controlled observatory. Just set-up, connect, control, and image.
A success story fresh off the drawing board. On March 26, 2002, Meade engineers set out to design a telescope with the most sophisticated optics, mechanics and electronics ever manufactured. If successful, the new scope would make observatory-level performance accessible to any serious astronomer or astrophotographer who desired it.
LX400-ACF 16" 20" MA X MOUNT L X400-ACF 16" MA X MOUNT On Tripod: #1608-MA X-01 L X400-ACF 20" MA X MOUNT On Tripod: #2008-MA X-01 16" (406.4mm) aperture Advanced Coma-Free f/8 focal ratio (3251mm) AutoStar II (180,000 object database) 16-Channel Sony® GPS Receiver Ultra-Wide Series 5000 ™ 24mm eyepiece UHTC Optical Coatings included 643 lbs net weight (mount and tripod) 12 vdc, 5 amp power supply required Slew Speed: .
EXHIBIT 7
EXHIBIT 8 Betelgeuse arcturus Oversized Primary Mirror Corrector Lens 8. 25" 8" Meade compound scopes are 10% brighter off-axis than competing scopes.
.06 MAX ROBOTIC MOUNT. The last mount you’ll ever need. M A X M ount ™ G erman E q uatorial M ount A. E. B. F. H. C. D. G. “MAX is unquestionably the finest German Equatorial Mount I have ever used. It delivered my dream of a professional quality observatory at home.” “Views through the 20" are absolutely breathtaking. The spiral arms of M51 were extremely bright and clearly defined. It very easily equaled my 25" f/5 reflector.” “The MAX is like a German Tank crafted by swiss watchmakers.
Behold Meade’s MAX German Equatorial Mount. A behemoth instrument in a class all its own. In a single, bold stroke, Meade has given the world a production mount that competes with the most expensive custom installations. Now any school or university (and many private individuals) can afford a true professional quality observatory mount. Even with its massive payload capacity (500 lbs including counterweights), the Max tracks as smoothly and accurately as if it were carrying a feather.
MAX Mount ™ Components. Massive. Modular. Mobile. M A X M ount G erman E q uatorial M ount A. D. C. E. B. F. 90 Fo r a d e t a i l e d M A X M o u n t Q & A , v i s i t m ea d e . c o m/m a x m o u n t/fa q s . h t m l Specifications are subject to change without notice.
The MAX Mount’s unique modular design allows two or three people to assemble (and/or transport) a mount twice the size of any previously available commercial mount. Because its components fit easily into a station wagon, SUV, minivan or small truck, the MAX represents the world’s most portable permanent observatory (a very desirable contradiction in terms). M a s s i v e O p t ic a l Tu b e A s s e m b ly.
Advanced Pointing and Tracking EXHIBIT 9 OBSERVATORY-LEVEL PRECISION. Smart Drive.™ Permanent Periodic Error Correction. Meade’s SmartDrive technology allows Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) on both axes that offers an observatory standard of precision of 5 arc seconds or less. Because no worm gear is perfect, no matter how precisely it is manufactured, small inconsistencies will always occur in the drive system of any telescope.
EXHIBIT 10 Electronic Focus & Collimation Electronic Front Focusing. Try LX400-ACF focusing once and you’ll never go back. Focusing the LX400-ACF is radically different from traditional telescopes. The first thing you need to know is that the entire front cell (lens and secondary) moves to focus the telescope, not the primary mirror.
94
“ I n sharing the joys of astronomy I’ ve learned to expect oohs, aahs, and even more colorful language . ” There are a lot of things that really move you The greatest joy I’ve had was probably discov- in astronomy. More often than not, it’s giving people ering my first supernova. Because at that moment, their first chance to look through a telescope. it hits you that you’re going down in history with I teach astrophotography at our Bed and Breakfast. your name on an object.
rrently expanding his horizons with a Meade 14" LX400-ACF.
LX400-acf .
“THE FIRST TIME I SAW A GALAXY (that wasn’t a picture in National Geographic) I GOT A LUMP IN MY THROAT.” Of course, then my wife looked in the telescope and said, “That’s pretty cool. How long are we going to be out here?” That’s typical for most people. I’m drawn to astronomy for the appreciation of what you’re looking at: A galaxy with a hundred billion stars, forty million light years away. But if you’re drawn to it for the visual beauty, astrophotography is your key to the hobby.
.07 S pecialist Series 5000 ED APO ™ ED APO Refractors have produced some of the most beautiful images of the heavens ever taken from Earth. John Kinkead: creative director, screenplay author, APO Refractor enthusiast. Level: Seeking perfection. Mindset: I enjoy observing the moon and planets in exquisite detail. I want to take gorgeous wide-field, high-contrast astrophotographs. Mantra: Only the best. Priorities: It’s all about the view.
Performance: Excellent for wide-field deep sky astrophotography and visual observation of the moon, planets, double stars and clusters. Optical Design: Apochromatic Refractor (p.45) Strengths: Fast focal ratio. Lightweight. Portable. Crisp. Clear. High contrast. Buzz: Avid astronomer John Hoot said the Meade Series 5000 ED APO “kicked the tail of my old semi-APO that cost twice as much.” .04 .05 .
.07 Contrast. Detail. Clarity. Have it all. S eries 5 0 0 0 ™ E D A P O D. C. G. A. B. E. F. H. I. “The color correction of the new Meade ED APO stands up to refractors that cost thousands of dollars more. Dollar for dollar, these are amazing scopes.” — Jack Newton, world-renowned Astrophotographer STANDARD 80MM #1306-00-01 80mm (3.1") aperture 3-Element Apochromatic Refractor f/6 focal ratio (480mm) EMC super-multi coatings 6.2 lbs total net weight 15" x 4.9" x 4.
For crisp wide-field observing and imaging, few optical designs match the performance of a true triple-element apochromatic refractor. This is especially true in astrophotography. Thanks to a two-year design process and a triple objective lens made from the highest quality ED (extralow dispersion) glass, Meade Series 5000 ™ ED APO Triplets compete head-to-head with the world’s premium APOs at a fraction of the cost.
5000 ed apo “ O v e r t h e y e a r s I h a v e done quite a bit of astrophotography of all types and cons ider t h e n e w S e r i es 5 0 0 0 A P O Refractor one of the f inest instruments of its type for imaging. T h e fo c u s i s s h a r p a s o n e would expect from a high-quality triplet and the image color is e x c e l l e n t . I f y o u ’ r e l o o king for a world-class APO you can afford, you won’t be sorry.” —mike reynolds / third contact / series 5000 80mm ed apo .
mark sibole / ngc 6960 / meade 80mm ed apo jack newton / sun / 7" apo mark sibole / m100 / meade 80mm ed apo 105
“ Th e p e o p l e o f M o n t s e r r a t h a d a l r e a d y s e e n hurricanes, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. S o I showed them J u piter . ” —Tippy D’Auria 106 In 1997, one of seven active volcanoes on Boy Scouts. Brownies. Moms and Dads. S Maybe the 7x12-mile island of Montserrat suffered a it was the pull of the cosmos. Maybe there was catastrophic eruption. Two thirds of the island’s just nowhere else to go. But there was a line 20,000 inhabitants fled.
107
.08 E C ONOMI S T A and DS -2000 ™ S E R IE S Most avid astronomers trace their passion to a first look at Saturn through a small refractor. Terry Fuller: mother of three, piano teacher, DS-2114 owner. Level: Absolute beginner. Mindset: I don’t have a lot of money, but I still want to see the rings of Saturn, explore the lunar surface, stars and clusters, and discover what stargazing is all about. Mantra: Curiosity makes the world go round. Priorities: Price. A positive stargazing experience.
Performance: Amazingly crisp views of moon, planets, bright clusters and nebulas. Design: Refractor, Reflector. Strength: Mount and optics designed with passion by Meade engineers in Irvine, CA. Many features from higher priced Meade scopes find their way into the A and DS-2000 series. Buzz: A handful of dedicated amateurs use Meade’s DS-2000 series scopes with our Lunar Planetary and Deep Sky imagers to do astrophotography with impressive results. .01 .
Meade 70AZ-AR A-Series: Manual #04043 70mm (2.8") aperture Achromatic Refractor Altazimuth mount f/10 focal ratio (700mm) Meade 114EQ-ASTR #04066 114mm (4.5") aperture Newtonian Reflector Equatorial mount f/8.8 focal ratio (1000mm) DS-2000 Series: Meade DS-2080AT-LNT COMPUTER GUIDED 80mm (3.1") aperture Achromatic Refractor Altazimuth mount f/10 focal ratio (800mm) Deluxe AutoStar #494 1,400 object database #20123 series 114mm (4.5") aperture Newtonian Reflector Altazimuth mount f/8.
The universe belongs to everyone. Shou ld a person h av e $10 0 0 to spe n d befor e t h e y ca n see t h e r i ngs of Sat u r n? No. For mor e t h a n 3 0 y ea rs, M ea de h as m a de t elescope s of a ll le v el s i n or der to sh a r e ou r passion w i t h as m a n y pe ople as possi ble . Ou r A a n d DS-20 0 0 ser i e s scope s m ay com pet e i n t h e $79-plus r a nge , bu t t h e y a r e M ea de-e ngi n eer ed t h rough a n d t h rough. Th e y a r e gr eat for fa m i li e s, k i ds a n d gi f ts.
Manual telescopes. Basic can be beautiful. A-ser i e s scopes a r e ou r most basic . Th ese m a n ua l scope s le t you lea r n t h e n igh t sk y f rom sta r ch a rts a n d t h e i nclu ded DV D sof t wa r e . M a n y old-school hobby ists st i ll f eel t h is m e t hod of “sta r-hoppi ng” is t h e be st way to lea r n ast ronomy. Meade 70AZ-AR Altazimuth Refractor.
113
DS-2000 series telescopes. GoTo capabilities take you there. DS-2000 series scopes are fully computer-guided GoTo scopes. They include our AutoStar ® controller (#494) with its database of over 1400 objects. If you want an affordable telescope that will give you a guided tour of the night sky, the DS-2000 series is a great place to start. DS-2080AT-LNT 80mm Refractor The DS-2080 knows the night sky out of the box.
DS-2114ATS-LNT 114mm Reflector Like the DS-2080, the DS-2114 knows the night sky out of the box. It can take you on a guided tour of the universe at the push of a button. But with a full 4.5" of aperture, you’ll see more surface detail on planets, more cloud structure in nebulas, more stars in clusters, and more brightness everywhere you look. Not for land viewing. + 114mm (4.5") Aperture: Amazing aperture offers brighter views of planets, clusters, nebulas and galaxies.
Deep-Sky Imaging for everyone is here. Dive in. The camera sees what the eye cannot . If you’ve been around telescopes for more than ten minutes, you understand the limitations of the human eye to detect color and detail in very faint objects. The key to unlocking the visual wonders of the universe in all their grandeur is astrophotography. Until recently, photographing the night sky was reserved for professionals and a few patient (and often well-to-do) amateurs. But no more.
—sky & telescope magazine IMAGERS matt taylor / ngc 2237 - rosette / dsi pro ii “The DSI system is a low-cost, rewarding gateway to deep-sky astrophotography.
AutoStar Suite.™ The brains behind user-friendly astrophotography. a. Point-and-shoot. If you’ve tried astrophotography before, you’ll appreciate how easy Meade imagers really are. Images appear on your computer screen in real time. To shoot, you simply focus, draw a box around the subject on your computer screen, and click start. It’s that easy. Of course, all automatic functions may also be done manually, allowing you to learn and grow as an astrophotographer.
The Lunar Planetary Imager (LPI). Works miracles on the moon, planets and even the Sun. “I f I h a dn’t m a de t he i m ages myself, I wou ldn’t h av e believ ed i t. For t he begi n n er (or r et u r ni ng ast rophotogr a pher like m e), t he LPI is a gr eat way to get sta rt ed.” — Joh n Ba rt ucci Imagine watching Saturn, Mars, Jupiter or the moon download onto your computer screen in incredible detail.
mark sibole / m16 - eagle nebula / dsi pro peter o’brien / m42 - great orion nebula / dsi pro 120 peter o’brien / m13 - hercules cluster / dsi
Deep Sky Imager (DSI). Capture the universe in stunning detail. “I’m sold! I was able to capture incredible images my first night out. The DSI has reignited my passion for astronomy.” — P et er O’Br i e n Sky and Telescope says, “I came away from my DSI experience wondering why anyone with a telescope and a computer wouldn’t want to own one of these cameras. [They are] one of the best values in astronomical imaging available today.
mark sibole / ngc 2024 - flame / dsi pro ii mark sibole / ngc1779 - running man nebula / dsi ii 122 mark sibole / ngc 1333 - horsehead nebula / dsi pro ii
DSI II and DSI Pro II. Giving high cost imagers a run for their money. “The larger chip, greater sensitivity, and lower noise make the DSI Pro II a definite contender with “The Big Boys.” — St e v e H a m i lton The user-friendly astrophotography revolution continues with the larger, more sensitive, higher resolution DSI II and DSI Pro II. A number of astrophotographers have written to tell us that the DSI II (or DSI Pro II) has turned their expensive cooled camera into a primary auto-guider.
T he M eade 4 M C ommunity. Explore. Discover. Learn. Share. Astronomy is among the world’s greatest pastimes. Of course, it comes with one of the world’s greatest learning curves to match. That’s why Meade created the 4M Community; an outreach organization solely committed to the worldwide growth of astronomy. This is not new to Meade. Since the company started participate in raffles for stargazing equipment (USA only), some 30 years ago, its driving purpose has been to grow and much more.
DAVID & WENDee LEV Y are hosts of the Meade Radio program, “Ask David.” Topics have included “How To Search For Comets.” Considering David’s 21 comet discoveries, it’s worth a listen. Meade Radio programs have also featured “Astrophotography Tips” with astrophotography guru Jack Newton, and a captivating inter view with UNESCO’s Space Education Program Coordinator, Yolanda Berenguer.
Meade 4M COMMUNITY 127
Meade Optics. The quest for a perfect view. A perfect view of the heavens will always be affected by things beyond our control: Atmospheric turbulence. Light pollution. Clouds. But for over 30 years, it’s been our passion to control every aspect of the astronomy experience that science, research, and precise optical manufacturing methods allow. Because the exploration we love to do at night is made possible by the job we love to do each day. Precision diamond milling. Electronic-beam vacuum coating.
129
Series 5000 Eyepieces. The best view of the heavens on earth. ™ Th e r igh t e y epi e ce ca n m a k e or br ea k a n y t ele scope . A f t er a ll , w h y squ i n t t h rough a t i n y pi n hole w h e n you ca n li nger at a dr a m at ic w i n dow on t h e u n i v erse a n d ex a m i n e e v ery de ta i l? M e a de ser i e s 50 0 0 e y epi e ce s of f er r e volu t ion a ry n e w a dva nce s i n r e solu t ion, i m age cor r e ct ion a n d e y e r eli ef at i r r e sist i ble pr ices.
“The Ultra Wide Angle Series 5000 is the most incredible eyepiece I’ve ever tested. Perfectly flat to the edges. Outstanding light transmission. Absolutely breathtaking.” — Dr. P. Clay Sherrod, Arkansas Sky Observatory M e a d e S e r i e s 5 0 0 0 e y e p i e c e s . FOCAL LENGTH BARREL SIZE # OF ELEMENTS 4.7 1.25" 7 6.7 1.25" 7 8.8 1.25" 7 14 1.25" 7 18 1.25" 6 24 2" 6 30 2" 6 FOCAL LENGTH BARREL SIZE # OF ELEMENTS 16 1.25" 6 Super Wide Angle 20 1.
Series 4000™ Eyepieces. A brilliant eyepiece. An ingenious price. O n e of a st ronomy’s most fa mous a m at eu rs (w ho pr ef ers to r em a i n a non y mous to k eep pe ace w i t h M e a de’s com pet i tors) discov er ed se v e n com e ts w i t h M ea de e y epi e ce s. H e says, “be cause t h e y of f er pi n poi n t r e solu t ion a n d h igh con t r ast to t h e ex t r em e f i eld edge , I h av e sw i tch ed n e a r ly e v ery e y epi e ce i n my observ i ng se t to Ser i e s 4 0 0 0s.
M e a d e S e r i e s 4 0 0 0 Ey e p i e c e a n d F i lt e r S e t Includes: 6.4mm, 9.7mm, 12.4mm, 15mm, 32mm, 40mm Super Plössls, 2x Barlow lens, Series 4000 color filter set #1 (yellow, light red, green, blue), Series 4000 moon filter, and aluminum carrying case. See following page for more filter sets and applications. Illuminated Reticle Eyepieces. Get precise.
Series 4000 FILTERS. Awe-inspiring contrast and detail. ™ Col or f i lt ers a r e e sse n t i a l for observ i ng a n d i m agi ng t h e moon a n d pl a n e ts i n ta n ta li zi ng de ta i l .
S e r i e s 4 0 0 0 ™ C o l o r F i lt e r Set Number One: S e r i e s 4 0 0 0 C o l o r F i lt e r S e t N u m b e r Two : S e r i e s 4 0 0 0 C o l o r F i lt e r S e t N u m b e r Th r e e : #12 Yellow (74% transmission): Adds contrast to blues and enhances reds and yellows on Jupiter and Saturn, increases contrast on Mars and the moon (in scopes 6" plus). #23A Light Red (25% transmission): Enhances detail in polar regions of Jupiter, Saturn and Mars (in scopes 6" plus).
K F M C G N A D O H B L I E P J Q 136
Accessory Kits. Save money on the essentials. Ev ery M e a de t ele scope com e s r ea dy to observ e . Bu t i f you’d li k e to a dd m agn i f icat ion ca pa bi li t i e s, t ry you r h a n d at ast rophotogr a ph y, or per h a ps j ust ta k e t h e hobby mor e ser iously f rom t h e ge tg o, ou r k i ts m a k e acce ssor i zi ng easi er a n d sav e you u p to 50% of f i t ems i f pu rch ased sepa r at ely. A dd som e bell s a n d w h ist le s to you r scope today. It’s easy.
F M C K G A L N H O I B P D J E Q E.
Imaging Accessories. The perfect shot is in the details. Shoot i ng a rt-ga llery i m age s of t h e h eav e ns m ay sta rt w i t h t h e r igh t t ele scope , mou n t, a n d c a m er a , bu t i t e n ds w i t h acce ssor i e s li k e t h e se . Wh e t h er you a r e a season ed sta r-shoot er, a ser ious r e se a rch er, or j ust a be gi n n er, M ea de h as e v ery t h i ng you n eed to ca pt u r e t h e n igh t sk y for a rt or sci e nce . A Deep Sky Imager Fan. It’s cool.
F H C D G A I J K B L E M 140
Miscellaneous Essentials. All the right tools for the job. Power your telescope with your car battery, keep dew off your lens, link your telescope to your PC and more with these useful accessories. Break or lose an item not shown here? It’s probably available as a replacement part. Visit meade.com or call 800-626-3233. Adapters save on batteries. A AC Adapter for ETX 80 and DS 2000. #546 AC Adapter plugs into any standard outlet and connects to the scope’s battery pack connector via a 25-foot cord.
E A F I B J G K C H D 142
Miscellaneous Essentials. (continued) Dew Shields and Shrouds. A moist climate must. A ETX PE Dew shields. Helps keep dew from settling on the F front lens. Please specify 90mm or 125mm. B lets you control your LX200 or LX400 telescope with unprecedented freedom. Radio signals (rather than infrared) mean you don’t need the scope in your line of sight. Separate communication codes prevent interference when multiple controllers are in use. Lose the cord. Keep the control. LX90 and LX200 Dew Shields.
Meade Sky Assurance. Reaches Beyond the Warranty. Meade Sky Assurance helps you keep your eyes on the stars, not your wallet. It extends service on your delicate equipment beyond the manufacturer’s warranty and coordinates all repairs for you using only Meade authorized service providers. Call Meade’s Sky Assurance hotline to learn more at 1-800-291-3392.
Astrophotographer Credits Meade thanks the community of astrophotographers whose images fill this catalog. Your work inspires our work. Keep it up. p.12 (M81) Spiral Galaxy. Jack Newton. Meade 16" LX200 & Finger Lakes Dream Machine. Exposure: LHaRGB; 10:10:10:12:15 minutes. p.18 (M51) Whirlpool Galaxy. Mark Sibole. Deep Sky Imager PRO II & Meade ETX-125 piggy backed on 10" LX200. Exposure: LRGB; 136:40:40:40. Guiding: Deep Sky Imager PRO. p.18 (NGC4565) Edge on Spiral Galaxy. Mark Sibole.
$5.00 U.S.A. Part No.
