Meade 14" LX600 (f/8) ACF with StarLock
High Precision and High Performance. The Meade 14" LX600 ACF Computerized Telescope
We've got you covered! When you purchase this telescope, we'll cover the cost of the 2-Year Extend Accident Protection Warranty—completely complimentary. Just add the 2-Year Plan to your cart, and a credit equal to the coverage cost will automatically be applied at checkout. This plan protects you from accidental damage and general product warranty concerns for a full two years!
Designed for serious observers, the Meade LX600 Computerized Telescope is an optical powerhouse. The large 14" aperture, f/8 focal ratio, and 2845mm focal length beautiful sights of the cosmos. Pairing this impressive light gathering power with the robust dual fork arm mount, innovative StarLock system, and AutoStar II Handcontroller, this computerized telescope ensures high quality results and ease of use. With its incredible performance, so comes its substantial size, weighing in at almost 160 lbs. As such, we recommend this high-end Meade Computerized Telescope for committed individuals looking to achieve next-level observing experiences. Each and every model offered here at High Point has been thoroughly tested, ensuring the unit you receive is of superb quality.
This telescope system is built for dedicated astronomers in demand of impressive light gathering power, outstanding tracking capabilities, and a user-friendly design. With 14” in aperture, this OTA offers 1.36x the amount of light gathering power than the 12” LX600! Reveal beautiful details on our solar system, such as Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s Moons, and the near endless craters on our Moon. This large aperture also opens the doors to stunning sights of dim deep space objects such as nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters! Not only is this system wonderful for visual astronomy, but take advantage of its incredible performance for planetary and lunar astrophotography as well. This OTA is mounted within a dual fork arm mount and comes equipped with StarLock, a powerful advancement from Meade to ensure the utmost tracking performance. With just a click of a button, StarLock automatically finds and centers your desired object, performs autoguiding, and can even correct for periodic error. The result? Sharp, steady views all night long. Though this LX600 is substantial in size, devoted astronomers will benefit from the precision delivered by this Meade telescope system. Whether you plan to observe the universe in stunning clarity or capture beautiful images, the quality optics and advanced technology offered is sure to deliver an outstanding astronomy experience!
Meade Advanced Coma Free (ACF) Optical Design
This upgraded Schmidt-Cassegrain design replaces the traditional spherical secondary mirror with a hyperbolic mirror, eliminating coma entirely for superb color correction, while also further reducing spherical aberration. In contrast to other Schmidt-Cassegrains on the market which reduce clarity near the edges of the frame, this telescope upholds sharpness across the entire field of view. Each LX600 ACF telescope also features an oversized primary mirror with a more secure, upgraded mounting system for maximum light collection as well as a significant improvement in image stability. Not only is this optical design exceedingly beneficial for visual astronomy, it’s also ideal for short exposure astrophotography, such as for our Moon or the planets. To enhance the performance of this optical system even further, the OTA is equipped with the Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC) from Meade. This specialized coating formula increases light transmission by 15% in comparison to other coatings for brighter, more detailed views and improved contrast!
A Sophisticated System Packed with Features
The Meade 14" LX600 is an advanced-level computerized telescope, making it ideal for experienced observers. The quality optics, dual fork arm mount, AutoStar II Hand Controller, and StarLock device deliver quality performance, no matter if you choose to utilize this telescope for visual observing or for astrophotography. Read on as we delve deeper into the aspects of this LX600 14” computerized telescope system!
14" F/8 Optics
This large 14" objective coupled with the oversized primary mirror produces bright, high contrast sights within your eyepiece, while the 2845 mm focal length is wonderful for observing the planets and for taking a deep look into the cosmos. As opposed to other ACF systems which feature a focal ratio of f/10, the LX600 series houses faster f/8 optics. With this telescope, clearly resolve surface detail on Mars, enjoy high definition sights of the Tycho and Copernicus craters, and observe far distant objects such as the Whirlpool Galaxy with incredible clarity. The redesigned mounting system for the primary mirror coupled with the internal, dual speed, Crayford-style focuser virtually eliminates image shift while focusing, helping you obtain precise focus for the sharpest observations possible.
Powerful Dual Fork Arm Mount
Compared to other LX series telescopes from Meade, the dual fork arm mount of the LX600 is substantially more robust, both in its mechanical design and physical size. Large, heavy-duty 5.75” worm gears in both axes deliver smooth, stable movements across the night sky, carrying this 14" OTA with ease. This mount presents low period error for incredible tracking accuracy, which is further improved when paired with the included StarLock technology. It also houses Meade’s innovative LightSwitch-style auto-alignment for automatic self-alignment, as well as built-in GPS for ease of use. Using the included hex keys, the dual arms can be disassembled at the silver aluminum blocks for easier transport. The included ports are as follows: 12V DC input, 12V DC output, handbox (HBX), RS-232, StarLock, AUX autoguider, reticle, and focuser. Power this mount with 8 C-cell batteries (not included) or a user-supplied 12V power supply. Though Meade’s documentation mentions use of a 12V power cable with a 5.5 mm x 2.5 mm connector, we found that this connection is slightly loose. As such, we recommend a power connector with a 5.5 mm x 2.1 mm tip, as seen within the Apertura Universal 5 AMP AC Adapter and DC Power Cable.
Included StarLock Technology
The included StarLock system automatically finds and centers your desired object within your eyepiece, and performs autoguiding for incredibly accurate tracking performance. How does it work? After selecting an object to “GoTo” within the hand controller, the two cameras integrated within the StarLock system capture images of the night sky and compares them to an internal database, ensuring your telescope is centered on the desired target. With an accuracy of <1 arcsecond, this system then begins to automatically guide on a suitable guide star, with no user input required. An LED light on the body of this StarLock denotes when autoguiding is activated. StarLock also corrects for the small mechanical errors found within the mount itself, also known as periodic error, enhancing tracking accuracy even further! Please note: The surface finish of the StarLock unit you receive may vary from either a crinkle coat finish (as pictured) or metallic finish. Performance remains unaffected.
Ideal for Both Visual Astronomy and Astroimaging
Thanks to the impressive light gathering power and the high precision tracking system, this LX600 telescope can be used for both visual astronomy and astrophotography. Tack on the included 26 mm Super Plössl eyepiece for 109x magnification, providing sights of the Dumbell Nebula, the Owl Nebula, as well as the Sombrero Galaxy, 29 million light years away! If you’d like to capture stunning images of the planets or our Moon, easily do so with a user-supplied planetary camera. The included StarLock system, as well as the dual-speed internal focuser help you achieve the sharpest possible views and images. No matter how you choose to utilize this high quality telescope, you can expect incredible results.
AutoStar II Hand Controller
The included AutoStar II Hand Controller is housed with everything needed to operate your 14" LX600. The massive 145,000 database provides near limitless observing opportunities, and includes a “Tonight’s Best” list to give insight into what objects are ideal for viewing based on your current location and the time of the year. Effortlessly align your telescope through the built-in auto alignment feature, select objects to slew to with incredible accuracy, and easily manage StarLock’s features. A host of other controls are available, such as selecting tracking rates, calibrating your home position, and enabling periodic error correction (PEC). Check out the attached manual for a detailed breakdown on the menu tree of this AutoStar II Hand Controller.
Included Giant Field Tripod
With the OTA and mount weighing in at 107 lbs. combined, the Meade Giant Field Tripod is the perfect choice for supporting this computerized telescope. The 3” thick, stainless steel legs keep vibrations to an absolute minimum during your observations, and its heavy, 50 lb. body anchors this system to the ground. The legs are also adjustable and feature a wide stance with a rigid spreader bar for the utmost stability. While the OTA, mount, and tripod break down into separate parts for ease of transport, assistance during set up may be beneficial due to the significant 157 lb. weight of the entire assembly.
Astronomy Hub: Your one-stop-shop for Astrophotography Knowledge!
Our Gear Experts have compiled a wealth of information to help expand your astrophotography knowledge! Below you’ll find links to articles, videos and "how-to" guides. Just one more reason that our Astronomy Hub is a one-stop-shop for all your astronomy and astrophotography needs!
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