Meade 8-inch LX200 ACF UHTC Telescope w/ GPS, Smart Drive Mount Up to 41% Off w/ Free Shipping — 3 models

Product Info for Meade 8-inch LX200 ACF UHTC Telescope w/ GPS, Smart Drive Mount This 8-inch LX200-ACF has 8in diameter f/10 ACF optics (focal length 2000mm) and Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC) for maximum image brightness and contrast. Features the advanced LX200 AutoStar II computer system with 145,000 object library, multiple guided tours, High Precision Pointing capability with sub arc-minute pointing accuracy, and Meade SmartDrive with Permanent Periodic Error Correction. Precise and quick star alignment is done near effortlessly with Meade's level north technology alignment system incorporating a 16 channel GPS receiver. The Autostar II is flash-updatable via free downloads at Meade.com (optional cable required). The drive base of the telescope has multiple input and output ports including an RS-232 PC interface and jacks for a (user supplied) CCD Autoguider and illuminated reticle. Mechanically loaded as well all LX200 models feature a primary mirror locking mechanism, which effectively prevents movement of the primary mirror during long exposure astrophotography or observing. Turn the lock knob located just above the telescopes main focus knob and the progressive-tension primary lock completely cancels any residual image shift due to mirror movement during visual, photographic, or imaging applications. All LX200-ACF models feature the DC-servo driven super heavy duty double fork mount, the strongest and most rigid mount in its class. Fast slew speeds are from 1 to 8 degrees per second, and can be user selected at .1 degree per second increments, while fine slewing and photographic guiding speeds can be adjusted from .01x to 1x sidereal in one one-hundredth increments. The mount and all electronics are internally powered by 8 (user supplied) C-cell batteries which will typically operate the telescope for around 20 hours (optional Meade Universal AC adapter also available). The mount additionally has mechanical locks and slow motion manual controls in both axis if for some reason you found yourself without power. WARNING: California`s Proposition 65 Specifications for Meade 8-inch LX200 ACF UHTC Telescope w/ GPS, Smart Drive Mount: Objective Lens Diameter: 8 in Focal Ratio: f/10 Optical Coating: UHTC Condition: New Features of Meade LX200ACF Telescopes 0810 60 03: Advanced Coma-Free Optics: Meade Advanced Coma free design is a huge jump over the traditional Schmidt-Cassegrain for sharpness of image, flatness of field, and color. Meade Advanced Coma Free Telescopes delivers the same sharp, flat, comafree field from edge to edge as a typical Ritchey-Chretien. The use of the corrector plate in the Meade ACF system creates a closed and protected optical tube, reduces astigmatism and eliminates the diffraction spikes inherent in the traditional RC design. ACF optical system by Meade perform at the same high level as comparable RC systems costing thousands more. Meade UHTC Ultra-High Transmission Coatings: (model 0810-60-02 for Meade 8 LX200ACF) increases total light transmission and image brightness by nearly 20% over Meade standard coatings. Objects such as stars, galaxies and nebulae will appear significantly brighter. For more information on Meade UHTC, please, click here. Zero Image Shift Microfocuser allows you to obtain precise image focus with no image movement. Included with model 0810-60-02 only. Primary Mirror Lock locks the mirror in place during long exposure astrophotography. Oversize Primary Mirror diameters are greater than their listed aperture (e.g., the diameter of the Meade 8" LX200-ACF is actually 8.25"). This additional 1/4" yields a wide, fully illuminated field-of-view. Meade Smart Mount constantly refines pointing accuracy each time an object is centered and updated. Compatible with both equatorial and altazimuth mounts. Meade Smart Drive provides permanent periodic error correction (PPEC) on both axes by learning and averaging error over the course of one or more training periods, thereby minimizing guiding corrections during long-exposure photographs. PPEC is available on both axes and functions in both polar and altazimuth modes. Sony GPS Receiver Sensor automatically inputs precise time, date, and geographical location to help quickly and precisely align a LX 200 ACF Meade Telescope. Meade AutoAlign: Telescopes with Meade Auto Align come pre-aligned. They are smart scopes that know the night sky right out of the box. Meade AutoAlign picks two fail-proof alignment stars for you and places them right in your view-finder. Just center them to fine tune your alignment and the wonders of the universe are at your fingertips. Meade AutoStar II Hand Controller features "Hot Keys" for quick access to a 145,000 celestial object database. Meade AutoStar-II can be updated with the latest software upgrades, guided tours, and timely objects like comets, all for free at meade.com. Package Contents: Meade 8-inch LX200 ACF UHTC Telescope w/ GPS, Smart Drive Mount