Meade 10 Inch LX80 Multi-Mount SC Telescope

Description

Meade LX80 Telescopes - 3 Mounts in one with an amazing optical system

Whether your interests lie in astrophotography or visual astronomy, the Meade LX80 telescopes is the perfect choice for the backyard warrior.  Meade's legendary Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical System gives you the highest performance of any on the market.  Meade uses water-white glass that delivers superior light transmission across the entire visible spectrum for their corrector plates, unlike inferior standard plate glass used by some other telescope manufacturers.  Combined with Meade's industry-leading Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC) - with 15% better light transmission than standard coatings - and oversized, thermally-stable primary mirrors for optimum light collection, you get a spectacular viewing experience not available on competitors SC telescopes.

The all new Meade LX80 Multi-Mount - Three Mounts In One

Now you no longer have to make the difficult decision between the ease of setup and operation of an alt-az mount or the versatility and long duration imaging capability of a German equatorial mount.  Meade's LX80 is the only mount that gives you both plus one more - three computerized GoTo Mounts for the price of one.

The new line of LX80 telescopes with Multi-Mount is the most innovative and versatile mid-range telescope system available anywhere.

Meade LX80 Multi-Mount

The LX80 Multi-Mount operates in three modes, German equatorial, single OTA alt-az and dual OTA alt-az.  Setting up in any mode is quick and easy.  The LX80 is built around a solid aluminum structure, with two large, tapered roller bearings that handle radial and thrust loads on each axis to carry larger loads up to a total payload of 40 pounds in EQ and alt-az modes and up to 75 pounds in dual OTA mode.  Its precision worm gear drives on both axes deliver smooth, accurate motion and Meade's proprietary SmartDrive provides periodic error correction that dramatically reduces errors providing performance only available on much more expensive mounts.  Both the primary and secondary OTA dovetail plates are industry-standard for maximum compatibility with all of your OTA's.  The LX80 computerized GoTo mount is controlled with the amazing AudioStar handbox with Meade's exclusive Astronomer Inside audio descriptions of the objects you are viewing.

LX80 Tripod

With large two inch diameter stainless steel legs, the all new LX80 tripod is rugged and stable.  Built-in fine-tune leg levelers at the top of each leg make doing small adjustments the easiest they've ever been.

Product Number 1010-08-01
Clear Aperture 10 inches
Optical Design Schmidt-Cassegrain
Focal Length 2540mm
Focal Ratio f/10
Telescope Mounting LX80 Multi-Mount
Optical Coatings Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC)
Resolving Power (Dawes Limit) 0.456 arcseconds
Secondary Obstruction (%) 11.9
AutoStar Controller AudioStar
Object Database 30,000 objects
Viewfinder 8x50mm with cross-hair reticle
Eyepiece 26mm Series 4000 Super Plossl
Diagonal 1.25" diagonal prism
Total Instrument Capacity Multi-OTA = 70 lbs
Alt-Az or German Equatorial = 40 lbs
Optional AC Power 12v DC, 5 amp power supply
Materials 
Primary and Secondary Mirror Low-expansion borosilicate glass
Correcting Plate/Lens Aspheric high-spectral transmission Borofloat glass from Shott AG Germany
Optical Tube Aluminum
Weights and Dimensions 
OTA Weight 29.5 lbs.
OTA Only Dimensions 11.75 inch diameter x 22 inches

Meade LX80 Multi-Mount Specifications

Telescope Mounting Alt-Azimuth or German Equatorial
AutoStar Controller AudioStar
Object Database 30,000 objects
Pointing Precision (High-Precision Mode) Up to 5 arcminutes
Go-To Pointing Precision (approx.) 10 arcminutes
Periodic Error Correction Polar mode only
Slow Motion Controls Electronic
Slew Speeds RA and Dec:1x, 2x, 8x, 16x, 64x, 128x sidereal and 1.5°/sec., 3°/sec., 6.5°/sec.
Tracking Rates Sidereal, lunar or custom selected from 2,000 incremental rates
Latitude Range (in EQ mode) 25° to 90°
Control Panel 12v DC, Power, HBX port, 2 Aux ports (RS232)
Total Instrument Capacity Multi-OTA = 70 lbs
Alt-Az or German Equatorial = 40 lbs
Batteries (User-Supplied) 8 x AA
Tripod Adjustable-height tripod with 2 inch stainless steel legs. Includes fine adjustment leg levelers on each leg. Range of fine adjustment for each leg+ 0.2 inch. Tripod height adjusts from 30.5 to 47 inches.
Optional AC Power 12v DC, 5 amp power supply
Smart Drive Yes
AutoStar Suite Planetarium Software Yes
Counterweights One 11 lb. steel weight included
Astronomer Inside Yes
Other Features
Alt-Az or German EQ configuration, dual OTA configuration, optional plug-in autoguider port
Materials
Mount Body Diecast aluminum with ABS panels
Weights and Dimensions
Mount Weight 35 lbs.
Mount Dimensions (LWH) 12 inches x 8 inches x 14 inches
Tripod Weight 31.5 lbs.
Tripod Dimensions 30.5 inches to 47 inches (variable)