Meade LX85 GoTo Mount with AudioStar (217000)

Meade LX85 GoTo Mount with AudioStar

• Heavy-duty LX85 EQ GoTo mount is a real workhorse mount with a 33-lb. payload capacity, ideal for both visual and deep-sky astrophotography pursuits
• AudioStar hand controller with a 30,000+ object-library and multiple guided tours
• Internal speaker with audio files providing useful information (in both English and Spanish) related to the object being viewed
• Internal 12v DC servo motors in both axes provide highly accurate slews and tracking
• 2" diameter steel tripod legs provide an ultra rigid platform

Observing and astro-imaging enthusiasts alike will appreciate the stability, pointing precision, and engineering craftsmanship embodied in the Meade LX85 Computerized GoTo Telescope Mount. This fine-quality German equatorial mount, which features fully automated GoTo slewing to thousands of objects via its innovative AudioStar controller, sets the standard for mid-sized telescope mounts with features and performance that discerning amateur astronomers covet.

A Rock-Solid Platform for Your Telescope

The LX85 Computerized GoTo Telescope Mount features a Vixen-style dovetail cradle for mounting telescopes and camera gear weighing up to 33 lb. A thread-on stainless steel counterweight shaft is included as is one 9-lb counterweight (additional counterweights sold separately). Supporting the mount is a beefy tripod with 2"-diameter stainless steel legs and a wide stance for stability. A center tray holds eyepieces and accessories and acts as a leg brace to further stabilize while minimizing vibrations. The mount readily accommodates the optional Meade LX85 Illuminated Polar Scope, ensuring spot-on polar alignment in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Accurate polar alignment is essential for precise tracking, especially at high powers, and for astrophotographic guiding.

Versatility for Visual Use or Astrophotography

The equatorial design of the LX85 lends itself to both visual use and deep-sky astrophotography. For the latter, an equatorial mount is required for the precise polar alignment that is necessary to prevent "field rotation," which degrades long exposures taken with telescopes on Alt/Az mounts. Of course, if your primary interest is visual, you might consider the LX90 series of fork-mounted Alt/Az telescopes, as there is no need for critical polar alignment when observing. But for long exposure photography, the LX85's equatorial configuration and capability for pinpoint polar alignment will set you up better for success.

Advanced Tracking and Guiding Performance

The LX85 Computerized GoTo Telescope Mount's low-cog servo motors ensure smooth tracking and guiding capability. Their integer drive gearing lets you track through long exposures using Meade's Smart Drive feature, which records permanent periodic error correction (PPEC) to improve tracking accuracy over time. Backlash compensation trains out the intrinsic play between gears to further dial in GoTo and tracking precision. Fine slewing and photographic guiding speeds can be adjusted from .01x to 1x sidereal, with faster slewing up to 4 degrees per second. The mount can impressively handle slight load imbalances with ease. Seamlessly image the best parts of the night sky well past the meridian, without need for a meridian flip until the telescope actually nears contact with the tripod.

Take Aim with AudioStar and Its "Astronomer Inside" Tech

With the included AudioStar handbox you have easy access to over 30,000 celestial objects, which you can view with a simple press of a button! The object library includes the planets, double stars, and thousands nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters from the Messier, NGC and IC catalogs. Up to 100 custom user-defined objects can also be added, with filters to create custom object lists. Its intuitive menu-driven user interface makes observing the heavens fast and easy. The two-line display has red LED backlighting for easy viewing in the dark. The top of the AudioStar even has a built-in red LED utility light! AudioStar's Astronomer Inside technology features a built-in speaker that plays over four hours of educational content about the celestial objects you view! What's more, AudioStar offers additional helpful functions such as multiple Guided Tours, digital positional readouts, several different star alignment procedures, the ability to link with a PC running optional astronomy software, and updating via the internet through its serial port.

The Meade AudioStar features audio descriptions and an internal speaker.

Versatile and portable, the LX85 Computerized GoTo Telescope Mount also includes an integrated ST-4 autoguider port to readily connect to your autoguider camera, making your astro-imaging experience easy and straightforward. The mount's control panel features additional inputs for a range of accessories, including an Aux port, an electronic focuser port to accommodate the optional Meade Zero-Image Shift Electronic Micro Focuser, a power output for an illuminated reticle eyepiece, and a 12v DC input (5.5mm/2.5mm tip-positive) port. A 25' DC power cable is included. The Autostar Suite planetarium program is available as on online download.

Assembled weight of the LX85 mount and tripod is 34.1 lb. That's heavy enough to ensure solid stability but no so hulking that it can't be carried by one person. Just remove the accessory tray, fold the hinged tripod legs inward, lift and go.

Designed and Manufactured in North America

The LX85 Computerized GoTo Telescope Mount is produced to exacting quality standards. Unlike most other equatorial mounts in its class, the LX85 was designed and is proudly manufactured in North America, with meticulous oversight of quality control throughout the production process. And like all Meade products the LX85 is backed by Meade's Two Year Limited Warranty.

For anyone whose astronomical ambitions go beyond quick peeks at the Moon, you'll want a mid-sized mount that is up to the task. The Meade LX85 Computerized GoTo Telescope Mount with Audiostar is that mount. Capable of handling a wide variety of optical tubes and equipment, the Meade LX85 will help you explore the universe, whether you are an enthusiastic beginning observer or an astrophotography devotee, and whether it's your first real GoTo mount or you are stepping up from a less-capable mount. The LX85 could be the last mount you will ever need!

Warranty:

Technical Specifications

In the Box

• LX85 GoTo Mount
• Steel Tripod
• DC power cable (5.5mm x 2.5mm tip), 
• Accessory tray,
• AudioStar software download

Warranty & Manuals

2-Year Warranty