Meade 6"/8" LX85 Astrograph Reflector Telescopes (217011/217012)
Meade 6"/8" LX85 Astrograph Reflector Telescopes (217011/217012)
Diameter
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Why we love the Meade 6"/8" LX85 Astrograph Reflector Telescopes (217011/217012)
Product Description
The Meade 6" and 8" f/4 LX85 astrograph reflector telescopes are compact wide field telescopes. The 8" version has an immense amount of light grasp, thanks to the large 8 BK7 (Borosilicate) mirror and >90% enhanced reflectivity coatings. The f/4.1-f/4 system is incredibly fast, meaning with a camera it will collect a lot of light in a short time, perfect for taking shorter exposures while still recording all sorts of detail in the nebulae and galaxies.
With an 800mm focal length, pairing the 8" version with a DSLR or other astro camera will yield large and rich swaths of sky, perfect for framing any number of deep-sky objects. The 610mm focal length of the 6" version, paired with a DSLR or other astro camera, will yield a spectacularly wide field of view, perfect for framing some of those "showpiece" deep-sky objects such as the Andromeda Galaxy or the Orion Nebula. And with the 2" linear bearing Crayford focuser, try pairing it with a low power 2" eyepiece with a large apparent field of view. From a dark-sky location away from city lights, objects such as the Veil Nebula will reveal structures you may not have seen before. The focuser features a 10:1 reduction fine focus knob, brass compression rings (so you don't mar the barrel of your eyepieces or camera adapters) and a 2" to 1.25" step down adapter (also with a brass compression ring).
The LX85 mount features fully automated GoTo slewing to (and tracking of) over 30,000 objects in the night sky. This stable mount can impressively handle slight load imbalances with ease. With its built-in integer gearing motor drive, you'll be able to track through long exposures using Meade's Smart Drive feature for recording permanent periodic error correction (PPEC). Seamlessly image the best parts of the night sky without having to worry about performing a meridian flip. The LX85 mount also includes an integrated autoguider port to readily connect to your autoguider camera, making your astro-imaging experience easy and straightforward.
AudioStar Hand Controller
With the included AudioStar hand controller you have easy access to over 30,000 objects that you can view with a simple press of a button! AudioStar Astronomer Inside technology features a built-in speaker that plays over four hours of educational content about the celestial objects you view!
The Meade AudioStar features audio files and an internal speaker. This computerized celestial object locating system plugs into the telescope's handbox port allowing a quick telescope alignment. Once aligned with the sky, the AudioStar is ready to take you to any object in the over 30,000 object database. In addition to GoTo and tracking capability, the AudioStar permits a wide array of fascinating and educational functions such as multiple Guided Tours, digital positional readouts, the ability to link with a PC using optionally available software and cord, and much more.
What's Included
This complete telescope package includes a 26mm Super Plössl eyepiece, 8x50 finderscope with crosshairs, 2" diameter eyepiece extension tube, hinged tube rings, Vixen-style dovetail rail, tripod accessory tray, 25' DC power cable, 9-pound counterweights (1 for the 6" variant, 2 for the 8" variant), and AutoStar Suite software available as a download. Weighs 46.8 lbs (6" variant) or 59.1 lbs (8" variant) fully assembled.
Warranty note: Limited Warranty against defects in materials or workmanship for two years from date of purchase. This warranty is provided by Meade for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. For complete warranty details contact Meade at 800-626-3233.
What can I see with a Meade 6"/8" LX85 Astrograph Reflector Telescopes (217011/217012)?
Here are some simulated views of common objects. Results with your telescope will vary with viewing conditions, obrits, equipment and more.
Jupiter with
26mm Eyepiece - 31x Magnification
(Included with This Telescope)
Jupiter with
10mm Eyepiece - 80x Magnification
Sold Separately
Jupiter with
5mm Eyepiece - 160x Magnification
Sold Separately
Moon with 26mm Eyepiece
31x Magnification
(Included with This Telescope)
Moon with 10mm Eyepiece
80x Magnification
Sold Separately
Moon with 5mm Eyepiece
160x Magnification
Sold Separately
Andromeda with 36mm Eyepiece
22x Magnification
Sold Separately
Andromeda with 26mm Eyepiece
31x Magnification
(Included with This Telescope)
Andromeda with 10mm Eyepiece
80x Magnification
Sold Separately
What's in the Box
Specifications
Model | 6" (217011) | 8" (217012) |
Best for viewing | Brighter deep sky | Brighter deep sky |
Best for imaging | Deep sky | Deep sky |
Astro-imaging capability | Lunar, planetary & long exposure | Lunar, planetary & long exposure |
User Level | Intermediate | Intermediate |
Optical design | Reflector | Reflector |
Optical diameter | 152mm | 200mm |
Focal Length | 610mm | 800mm |
Focal Ratio | f/4.1 | f/4.0 |
Finder scope magnification | 8x | 8x |
Lens diameter | 50mm | 50mm |
Coatings | Enhanced aluminum | Enhanced aluminum |
Backfocus Distance | 77.1mm | 83.2mm |
Optics type | Parabolic | Parabolic |
Glass material | BK-7 | BK-7 |
Eyepieces | Super Plossl 26.0mm (1.25") | Super Plossl 26.0mm (1.25") |
Magnification with included eyepieces | 23x | 31x |
Resolving Power | 0.77arc*sec | 0.58arc*sec |
Lowest useful magnification | 21x | 29x |
Highest useful magnification | 300x | 300x |
Highest theoretical magnification | 300x | 400x |
Limiting stellar magnitude | 13.5 | 14.2 |
Optical quality | Diffraction limited | Diffraction limited |
Finder scope | 8x50 | 8x50 |
Focuser | 2" dual-speed linear bearing Crayford | 2" dual-speed linear bearing Crayford |
Mount type | Equatorial | Equatorial |
Tube material | Steel | Steel |
Length of optical tube | 22.5 in. | 27.5 in. |
Weight of optical tube | 9.9 lbs. | 16.0 lbs. |
Additional included accessories | 26mm Super Plossl eyepiece 2" diameter 35mm long eyepiece extension tube 25' DC power cable |
26mm Super Plossl eyepiece 2" diameter 35mm long eyepiece extension tube 25' DC power cable |
Other features | Dual speed linear bearing Crayford focuser Smart Drive w/ Permanent Periodic Error Correction AudioStar Controller with multiple guided tours |
Dual speed linear bearing Crayford focuser Smart Drive w/ Permanent Periodic Error Correction AudioStar Controller with multiple guided tours |
Warranty | Two year | Two year |
Additional Articles, Videos, and Links
Using Your First Telescope - Part Two: Aligning a GoTo Scope
GoTo telescopes are terrific for their ease of finding objects, then automatically tracking them. They work well, but only if they are set up properly. Here are tips for avoiding the common errors.
How to Pick the Best Telescope Eyepieces
Finding the right new telescope eyepiece can be a game changer. This post will help you to pick the best telescope eyepiece for your needs.