Meade LXD 500A User manual

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1

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INSTRUCTION

MANUAL

Meade*

LXD

500A

and

LXD

500B

Equatorial

Mounts

1

Meade

Instruments

Corporation

-

2

-

Captions

for

Fig.

1

1-

Saddle

Plate

2.

Declination

(Dec)

Slow

Motion

Control

3.

Right

Ascension

(R.A.)

Setting

Circle

4.

Dust

Cover

for

Optional

#812

Polar

Alignment

Finder

5.

Latitude

Scale

6.

Fine

Latitude

Adjustment

Knob

7.

Tripod

Legs

8.

Tripod

Head

9.

Fine

Azimuth

Adjustment

Knob

10.

Counterweight

Lock

Screws

11

Declinatien

Axis

12.

Counterweight

Safety

Stop

13.

Counterweight

Rod

14.

7.5

lb

(3.4

kg)

Counterweights

15

Latitude

Angle

(Elevation

Angle)

of

the

Polar

Aligned

Telescope

16.

Counterweight

Cone

17

Dec

Setting

Circle

18.

Polar

Axis

19

Dec

Lock

Lever

Fig.

1;

LXD

500B

Equatorial

Mount

TECHNICAL

NOTE

It

you

have

purchased

the

LXD

500

Equatorial

Mount

as

part

ot

a

complete

Meade

telescope,

you

should

discard

this

manual.

Complete

instructions

for

assembly

and

operation

of

the

LXD

500

mount

are

contained

within

the

carton

of

the

telescope's

optical

tube

assembly.

This

manual

is

written

for

the

Meade

Model

LXD

500A

and

LXD

500B

Equatorial

Mounts.

With

the

exception

of

the

composition

of

the

worm

gears

and

the

number

of

counterweights,

the

two

models

are

identical

in

design,

set

up

and

operation.

LXD

500A

mount:

constructed

with

aluminum

worm

gears:

one

7.5

lb

(3.4

kg)

counterweight.

LXD

500B

mount:

constructed

with

bronze

worm

gears;

two

7.5

lb

(3.4)

counterweights.

Bronze,

stronger

with

less

tlexture,

is

the

material

of

choice

for

equatorial

mounts

that

are

required

to

handle

heavier

loads,

IMPORTANT

Maximum

Load:

Both

the

LXD

500A

and

LXD

500B

are

capable

of

supporting

a

maximum

load

ot

30

lb

(13.6

kg)

includi

ng

the

optical

tube

assembly,

accessories

and

counterweights

.

The

maximum

“payload"

weight

of

the

optical

tube

a.ssembly,

inciuding

accessories,

is

therefore

15

!b

(6.8

kg).

Application

of

tube

assemblies

heavier

than

this

15

lb

(6.8

kg)

guideline

may

result

in

damage

to

the

mount,

voiding

of

the

factory

warranty,

or

both.

Attaching

Your

Tube

Assembly

to

the

LXD

500

Mount:

The

flat

saddle

plate

tinat

sits

atop

the

LXD

500

mount

permits

tlu'

attachment

of

a

wide

variety

of

refractor,

reflector,

and

caladioptic

tube

assemblies.

The

means

by

which

these

tube

•assemblies

are

attached

to

the

saddle

plate

are

left

to

the

discretion

of

the

user.

In

all

cases,

however,

be

certain

that

your

tube

assembly

is

securely

attached

to

the

saddle

plate

ot

the

mount,

and

that

the

maximum

payload

guideline

<J

r'l

1ic

Cl

-

3

-

MODEL

LXD

500

EQUATORIAL

MOUNT;

INTRODUCTION

The

Meade

Model

LXD

500

Equatorial

Mount

provides

observers

with

an

extremely

stable,

yet

lightweight

platlorm

lor

an

astronomical

telescope.

The

LXD

500

Equatorial

Mount,

with

its

dual-axis

worm

gear

controls,

provides

smooth,

easy

to

use,

tracking

capabilities.

Also,

its

variable-height,

aluminum

tripod

collapses

tor

easy

transport.

For

optimal

enjoyment

of

the

Meade

Model

LXD

500

Equatorial

Mount,

please

take

a

few

minutes

to

read

these

instructions

thoroughly

and

become

familiar

with

all

of

the

mount's

functions.

PARTS

LISTING

AND

ASSEMBLY

When

opening

Ihe

packing

box

for

the

first

lime,

note

carefully

the

following

parts

included

with

the

Model

LXD

500

Equatorial

Mount:

■

LXD

500

Equatorial

Mount,

including:

-

Tripod

—

Equatorial

head

—

Lock

knob

with

twist

bar

(Fig.

3)

—

2

washers

(1

large

and

1

small

washer

for

lock

knob

with

twist

bar)

—

Counterweight

rod

with

gray

counterweight

cone

--

2

pcs.

7.5

lb

(3.4

kg)

counterweights

(LXD

5008)

1

pc.

7.5

(b

(3.4

kg)

counterweight

(LXD

500A)

--

2

slow

motion

control

knobs

—

Accessory

tray

1,

Preparing

the

LXD

500

Tripod

The

LXD

500

Tripod

(Fig.

2)

is

shipped

virtually

completely

assembled

from

the

(actory.

Once

set

up,

all

that

is

required

of

an

observer

is

to

alfach

the

accessory

tray

and

adjust

the

tripod

to

the

desired

observing

height.

a.

Setting

Up

the

Tripod:

Remove

the

tripod

from

the

shipping

box

and

stand

the

tripod

vertically

with

the

tripod

feet

down.

Grasp

two

of

the

tripod

legs

and

with

the

full

weight

of

the

tripod

on

the

third

leg,

gently

pull

the

legs

apart

to

Ihe

fully

open

position

(Fig,

2).

b.

Attaching

the

Accessory

Tray:

Remove

the

round

accessory

tray

(4),

Fig.

2,

from

the

shipping

box.

Unthread

the

black,

star-shaped

lock

knob

from

the

bottom

of

the

tray.

Place

the

threaded

rod

on

the

uriderside

of

the

accessory

tray

through

the

central

hub

of

Ihe

extension

strut.

Rethread

the

lock

knob

onto

the

accessory

tray.

c.

Varying

the

Tripod

Height:

Loosen

the

black,

star-shaped

height

adjustment

knob

(5),

Fig.

2,

at

the

base

of

each

tripod

leg.

Slide

the

three

inner

tripod

leg

sections

out

to

the

desired

height

Firmly

lighten

(but

do

not

overtighten)

the

three

height

adjustment

knobs

(5),

Fig.

2,

d.

Collapsing

the

Tripod:

Remove

the

accessory

tray

(4),

Fig.

2.

Grasp

Ihe

tripod

head

(2),

Fig,

2,

with

one

hand.

With

Ihe

other

hand,

pull

directly

up

on

the

central

hub

of

the

extension

strut,

where

the

accessory

tray

(4),

Fig.

2,

was

attached.

This

action

will

cause

the

tripod

legs

to

move

inward

to

a

collapsed

position.

Important

Notes

on

the

LXD

500

Tripod:

•

Remove

the

accessory

tray

before

attempting

to

collapse

the

tripod.

•

If

the

tripod

does

not

extend

or

collapse

easily,

do

not

force

the

tripod

legs

in

or

out.

By

following

Ihe

above

instructions,

the

tripod

wilt

function

property.

Forcing

the

tripod

into

an

incorrect

position

may

damage

Ihe

extension

strut

system.

’

Do

not

overtighten

the

three

star-shaped

height

adjustment

knobs

on

the

tripod

legs.

"Firm

leel"

tightening

is

sufficient.

2,

Assembly

of

the

Equatorial

Mount

To

assemble

the

mount,

follow

these

instructions:

a.

Attaching

the

Equatorial

Head

to

the

Tripod;

On

the

Equatorial

Head

(5),

Fig.

3,

loosen

the

two

Fine

Azimuth

Adjustment

Knobs

(1),

Fig.

3,

to

create

a

space

between

the

two

knobs

(as

seen

from

the

underside

of

the

Equatorial

Head).

The

Azimuth

Tangent

Arm

(2),

Fig.

3,

fits

between

these

two

threaded

knobs.

Unthread

and

remove

the

lock

knob

with

twist

bar.

Fig.

4,

and

two

washers

from

the

base

of

the

Equatorial

Head

(5),

Fig.

3.

Place

the

Equatorial

Head

on

the

Tnpod

Head

(4),

Fig.

3,

aligning

it

so

that

the

Azimuth

Tangent

Arm

(2),

Fig.

3,

slips

between

the

two

Fine

Azimuth

Adjustment

Knobs

(1),

Fig.

3.

With

the

Equatorial

Head

(5),

Fig.

3,

sitting

Hal

on

the

Tripod

Head

(4),

Fig.

3,

place

the

small

washer,

then

Ihe

large

washer

over

the

threads

of

the

lock

knob

with

twLst

bar.

Fin.

4

and

from

thp

tmdprQidp

nf

tuc

/_

'I'Hi

Sj

iftsteitog

Counterweight

Rod.

(1)

Decl.lnation

l-to.usifiij;

{*«!

■

:)

Counterweight

Cone;

(3)

Counterweight

Rod;

(4)

R.A.

Slow-Motion

Control

Shaft;

(5)

R.A,

Lock

Lever;

(6)

Dec

Slow-Motion

Control

Shaft

(on

opposite

side);

(7)

Saddle

Plate.

Fig.

3:

Attaching

the

Equatorial

Head

to

Tripod.

(

1

)

Fine

Azimuth

Adjustment

Knobs:

(2)

Azimuth

Tangent

Arm:

(3)

North

Facing

Tripod

Lag;

(4)

Tripod

Head;

(5)

Equatorial

Head.

Motion

Control

Shaft

(4).

Fig

5,

by

aligning

the

knob

so

that

its

knurled

thumb

screw

will

slice

directly

over

the

flat

area

on

the

R.A.

Slow-Motion

Control

Shaft,

Tighten

the

knurled

thumb

screw

to

a

firm

feel.

Do

not

overtighten.

Attach

the

second

knob

to

the

Dec

Slow-Motion

Control

Shaft

(6).

Fig

5,

by

aligning

the

knob

so

hial

its

knurled

thumb

screw

will

slide

directly

over

the

flat

area

on

the

Dec

Slow-Motion

Control

Shaft.

Tighten

the

knurled

thumb

screw

to

a

firm

feel

Do

not

overtighten.

the

Tripod

Head

and

into

the

base

of

the

Equatorial

Head.

Tighten

firmly

but

do

not

overtighten.

Simultaneously

tighten

both

of

the

Fine

Azimuth

Adjustment

Knobs

(1).

Fig.

3.

Each

knob

will

press

against

the

Azimuth

Tangent

Arm.

Do

not

overtighten.

BALANCING

THE

TELESCOPE

Fig.

4:

Lack

Knob

with

Twist

Bar.

With

your

telescope

tube

assembly

mounted

on

the

LXD

500

mount,

It

is

necessary

to

balance

the

telescope

around

both

axes.

With

an

improperly

balanced

telescope,

objects

may

become

difficult

to

find

or.

once

found,

may

be

easily

lost.

To

balance

the

telescope:

1.

Loosen

the

R.A,

lock

lever

(3),

Fig.

6,

by

rotating

the

lever

counterclockwise

until

it

slops.

The

Optical

Tube

Assembly

now

rotates

freely

about

the

Polar

Axis

(18).

Fig.

1.

Rotate

the

telescope

so

that

the

counteryveight

rod

is

parallel

to

the

ground

(horizontal).

2.

Loosen

the

counterweight

lock

screw(s)

(10),

Fig.

1,

and

slide

the

counterweightfs)

along

the

rod

until

the

telescope

remains

in

one

position

without

tending

to

drift

in

either

direction,

Re-tighlen

the

counterweight

lock

screw(s)

and

the

R.A,

lock

lever

(3),

Fig.

6

3.

Loosen

the

Dec

lock

lever

(2),

Fig.

6,

by

rotating

the

lever

counterclockwise

until

it

stops.

The

Optical

Tube

Assembly

now

rotates

freely

about

the

Declination

Axis

(11),

Fig,

1

Rotate

the

telescope

so

that

the

tube

is

parallel

to

the

ground

(horizontal)

4.

Loosen

the

fixtures*

holding

the

Optical

Tube

Assembly

in

Attaching

the

Counterweights:

On

the

counterweight

rod

(3),

Fig.

5,

confirm

that

the

gray

counterweight

cone

(2),

Fig,

5

is

threaded

onto

the

rod

as

far

as

possible.

Then,

thread

the

counterweight

rod.

with

the

counterweight

cone

in

place,

into

the

bottom

of

the

rieclination

housing

(1),

Fig.

5,

When

the

counterweight

tod

is

threaded

in

as

far

as

pos.sible,

additionally

secure

the

lod

by

turning

Ihe

gray

counterweight

cone

(2).

Fig.

5,

r

Icckwise

until

tight.

At

the

end

of

the

counterweight

rod

(3),

Fig.

5,

unscrew

the

I

ounterweight

safety

Slop

(12),

Fig.

1,

Slide

one

I

ci.nterweight

onto

the

rod

and

lock

in

place

by

tightening

I's

black

counterweight

lock

screw

(10),

Fig.

1.

For

the

LXD

5008

mount,

slide

the

second

counterweight

into

piace

and

tighten

its

lock

screw.

When

the

counterweight(s)

is

secure,

replace

the

countera/eight

safety

stop

Be

certain

that

Ihe

counterweight

safety

stop

is

always

securely

in

place.

Slow

Molion

Control

Knobs:

fhere

are

two

identical

slow

molion

control

knobs.

See

(4)

C

A

-

5

-

the

saddle

plate

(7),

Fig.

5

until

the

telescope

is

in

balance

about

the

Declination

Axis.

Rebalancing

may

be

necessary

with

the

addition

of

any

optional

accessories,

Re-tighten

the

fixtures

holding

the

optical

tube

and

the

Dec

lock

lever

(2),

Fig.

6.

'These

fixtures

may

be

cradle

rings,

steel

straps,

or

whatever

other

secure

means

the

user

has

fabricated

to

attach

the

tube

assembly

to

the

saddle

plate

of

the

mount.

I

Fig.

6;

Teiescope

Controls,

(i)

Dec

belting

oiroe;

(2)

Dec

Lock

Lever:

(3)

R.A,

Lock

Lever,

(4)

H.A.

Slow-Motion

Control;

(5)

R.A.

Setting

Circle;

(6)

Dec

Slow-Motion

Control.

MODEL

LXD

500

CONTROLS

An

important

array

of

controls

facilitales

operation

of

the

Model

LXD

500

Equatorial

Mount,

It

is

best

to

become

familiar

with

all

of

these

controls

before

attempting

observations

through

your

telescope.

Dec

Lock

Lever

(2),

Fig.

6;

Locking

and

unlocking

the

Declination

movement

of

the

mount

is

accomplished

by

moving

the

Dec

lock

lever

clockwise

until

it

stops

for

the

fully

locked

position,

or

by

moving

the

Dec

lock

lever

counterclockwise

to

the

fully

unlocked

position.

Dec

Slow-Motion

Control

(6),

Fig.

6:

With

the

Dec

lock

lever

in

the

fully

locked

position,

the

Dec

Slow-Motion

Control

may

be

used

for

fine

motions

of

the

telescope

in

Declination.

R.A.

Lock

Lever

(3),

Fig.

6:

Locking

and

unlocking

the

Right

•Ascension

movement

is

accomplished

by

rotating

the

R.A.

lock

lever

clockwise

until

if

stops

for

the

fully

locked

position

and

counterclockwise

for

the

fully

unlocked

position.

R.A.

Slow-Motion

Control

(4),

Fig.

6:

With

the

R.A.

lock

lever

fully

locked,

the

R.A.

Slow-Motion

Control

permits

manual

slow-

rnotion

of

the

telescope

in

Right

Ascension.

South

Celestial

Pole

if

observing

from

the

Earth's

southern

hemisphere),

celestial

objects

may

be

followed

(tracked)

by

moving

the

telescope

about

only

one

axis,

the

polar

axis.

In

addition,

by

polar

aligning

the

teiescope,

the

telescope's

Dec

and

R.A.

setting

circles

(1)

and

(5),

Fig.

6,

may

be

used

to

locate

faint

celestial

objects

directly

from

their

catalogued

coordinates.

Polar

Alignment

Procedures

Polar

alignment

consists

of

the

following

two

operations:

1.

Pick

up

the

entire

telescope-and-tripod

and

orient

the

Iripod

.so

that

the

lea

directly

beneath

the

counterweiqhtfs)

(the

leg

marked

"N'h

points

due

north

.

For

observers

in

the

southern

hemisphere

(e.g.,

Australia),

pick

up

the

entire

telescope-and-tripod

and

orient

the

tripod

■

S

O

that

the

lea

riirecllv

beneath

the

counterweiahtfs)

(the

leg

marked

“N")

points

due

so

_uth.

2.

Determine

the

latitude

of

your

observing

location

by

checking

a

road

map

or

atlas.

Then,

adjust

the

latitude

of

the

LXD

500

Equatorial

Mount

to

indicate

the

latitude

of

your

observing

location.

Turn

the

fine

latitude

adjustment

knob

(3),

Fig.

7,

clockwise

or

counterclockwise

until

the

latitude

pointer

(1),

Fig.

7,

indicates

the

correct

latitude

on

the

latitude

scale

(6),

Fig.

7.

Fig.

7:

Latilude

Conirals,

(1)

Lalilude

Pointer;

(2)

Latitude

Lock

Lever

(opposite

side);

(3)

Fine

Latitude

Adjustment

Knob;

(4)

Lock

Nut;

(5)

Latilude

Lock

Knob;

(6)

Latitude

Scale.

It

may

be

necessary

to

loosen

the

lock

nut

(4),

Fig.

7,

to

allow

enough

movement

of

the

mount

to

achieve

the

desired

latitude.

When

the

desired

latitude

has

been

achieved,

lighten

the

lock

nut

until

the

nut

is

flush

against

the

mount.

POLAR

ALIGNMENT

Celesiiai

objects

are

essentially

fixed

on

the

Celestial

Sphere,

iiowevei

they

appear

to

move

across

the

sky

in

an

arc

as

the

Eartri

rotates

on

its

axis,

with

a

complete

rotation

of

the

Earth

occurrirKj

once

in

every

24

hour

period.

This

apparent

motion

is

not

obvious

to

the

unaided

eye.

but,

when

viewed

through

a

ie!e.scope,

this

motion

is

rapid

indeed.

Objects

centered

in

the

telescope

move

entirely

out

of

the

field

of

view

in

15

to

60

.seconds

depending

upon

the

magnification

employed.

Lluring

the

24

hour

period

of

the

Earth's

rotation,

stars

make

one

complete

revolution

about

the

Celestial

Pole,

making

concentric

ttircies

wiln

the

Celestial

Pole

at

the

center.

By

lining

up

the

Step

(1),

above,

is

equivalent

to

pointing

the

telescope's

polar

axis

due

north

(or

due

south

for

observers

in

the

southern

hemisphere).

Step

(2)

is

equivalent

lo

making

me

telescope's

latitude

angle

equal

to

the

latitude

angle

of

your

observing

location.

With

(1)

and

(2)

accomplished,

the

telescope

is

sufficiently

well

polar

aligned

for

most

visual

observing

applications.

For

the

majority

of

telescope

applications,

this

procedure

is

entirely

satisfactory.

For

those

interested

in

astrophotography

or

in

utilizing

the

telescope's

setting

circles

to

locate

faint

objects,

a

more

precise

polar

alignment

is

necessary,

requiring

the

optional

#812

Polar

Alignment

Finder

(see

OPTIONAL

Note:

The

Fine

Azimuth

Adjustment

Knobs

(9),

Fig.

1,

are

generally

only

utilized

during

the

precise

polar

alignment

procedure

described

in

the

instructions

accompanying

the

#812

Polar

Alignment

Finder,

Locating

North

by

using

Polaris,

the

North

Star,

is

adequate

for

the

purposes

discussed

above.

Polaris

can

be

found

in

relation

to

the

Big

Dipper

by

projecting

a

line

from

the

so-called

'pointer

Stars"

of

the

Big

Dipper

(see

Fig.

8).

For

southern

hemisphere

alignment,

locate

south

by

using

the

faint

star

Sigma

Octans

(the

South

Star).

0.i...

i

Little

Dipper\

i

^

®

Polaris

I

I

Big

Dipper

.o

O'

■

Cassiopeia

|”r^

8;

Locating

Polaris,

Using

a

Polar

Aligned

Telescope

Once

the

telescope

is

polar

aligned

(as

described

on

page

5),

the

R.A.

Slow-Motion

Control

is

the

only

conirol

needed

to

keep

a

celestial

object

in

the

field

of

view

of

the

telescope.

1.

To

center

a

celestial

object

within

a

polar

aligned

telescope,

unlock

the

Dec

and

R.A.

lock

levers

(2)

and

(3).

Fig.

6.

Do

not

move

the

tripod

or

adjust

the

latitude

angle

when

centering

an

object

in

the

telescope,

as

this

will

destroy

the

polar

alignment.

2.

Once

a

celestial

object

has

been

centered

in

the

telescope,

lock

the

Dec

and

R.A.

lock

levers

(2)

and

(3),

Fig.

6.

Then,

slowly

turn

the

R.A.

Slow-Motion

Control

(4),

Fig.

6,

while

observing

through

the

telescope,

to

keep

the

celestial

object

within

the

telescope's

field

of

view.

Precise

Polar

Alignment

Procedures

For

astrophotography

or

other

advanced

applications,

the

optional

#812

Polar

Alignment

Finder

can

be

used

to

dramatically

increase

the

accuracy

of

the

polar

alignment

process.

As

a

result,

the

accuracy

of

the

setting

circles

increases,

making

faint

objects

easier

to

find.

See

OPTIONAL

ACCESSORIES,

below.

Setting

Circles

Setting

circles

permit

the

location

of

lain!

celestial

objects

not

easily

found

by

direct

visual

observation.

Locate

the

Dec

setting

circle

(1),

Fig.

6,

and

the

R.A.

Setting

Circle

(5),

Fig.

6,

on

the

LXD

500

Equatorial

Mount,

To

use

the

setting

circles,

follow

this

procedure:

1,

Using

a

star

atlas

or

star

chart,

look

up

the

celestial

coordinates

(Right

Ascension

and

Declination)

ot

an

easy-

to-tind

object,

such

as

a

bright

star,

2,

With

(he

telescope

polar

aligned,

center

the

cnosen

ongbl

object

in

the

telescope's

field

of

view.

3,

Manually

turn

Ihe

R.A.

selling

circle

(5),

Fig

6,

to

read

the

R.A

of

Ihe

bright

object.

This

setting

circle

is

sligntly

stilt

to

ti

1,.,^

ar.r'irl.anlal

m^M/tirT>nnl

r,f

tha

r'irrla

itiiiar'.

tr.,a

circle

by

placing

a

hand

on

either

side

of

the

mount.

Grasp

the

setting

circle

with

the

thumb

and

forefinger

of

each

hand

and

rotate

the

circle

until

the

R.A,

coordinate

of

the

object

is

correctly

indicated

by

the

R.A.

pointer

on

the

mount.

4.

M

anually

rotate

the

Dec

Setting

Circle

(1),

Fig.

6.

until

the

Declination

coordinate

of

the

object

is

correctly

indicated

by

the

Dec

pointer

on

the

mount,

5-

The

setting

circles

are

now

calibrated.

To

locate

a

faint

Object

using

the

setting

circles,

determine

the

desired

object’s

celestial

coordinates

from

a

star

chart

or

astronomy

computer

program.

Unlock

the

Dec

lock

lever

(2),

Fig.

6,

and

the

R.A.

lock

lever

(3),

Fig.

6,

and

move

the

telescope

in

R.A.

and

Dec

until

the

setting

circles

read

the

R.A.

and

Dec

of

Ihe

desired

objecl.

Then,

lock

the

Dec

and

R.A.

lock

levers.

If

this

procedure

is

performed

carefully,

the

faint

object

will

be

in

the

(ield

of

view

ol

a

low-power

eyepiece.

Note:

Once

the

Dec

circle

is

accurately

calibrated,

il

need

never

be

louched

again,

even

on

subsequent

observing

sessions.

The

R.A.

circle,

however,

must

be

re-calibraled

to

the

R.A.

of

a

known

object

each

time

the

circles

are

used

to

find

an

object,

which

might

be

several

times

in

one

observing

session.

OPTIONAL

ACCESSORIES

An

assortment

ol

professional

Meade

accessories

is

available

for

the

Model

LXD

500

Equatorial

Mount,

#812

Polar

Alignment

Viewfinder

The

LXD

500

Equatorial

Mount

has

provision

in

its

polar

axis

tor

Ihe

addition

of

the

#812

Polar

Alignment

Viewfinder.

This

borescope

device

facilitates

quick,

precise

polar

atignment

of

Ihe

telescope.

An

internal

reticle

contains

an

etched

clock-like

scale.

A

separate

Polar

Reference

Circle

shows

the

correct

position

of

the

North

Star

on

Ihe

Finder's

reticle

scale

at

any

time

and

day

of

Ihe

year.

#1701

Single-Axis

Drive

System

The

addition

of

the

#1701

Single-Axis

Drive

System

allows

a

polar

aligned

telescope

to

track

on

a

desired

object

automatically,

keeping

the

object

in

the

field

of

view

without

manual

adjustments

in

R.A,

Add

the

#1705

Declination

Motor

to

the

#1701

for

full

dual-axis

drive

capabilities.

#1702

Dual-Axis

Drive

System

Attaching

the

#1702

Dual-Axis

Drive

System

to

the

LXD

500

Equatorial

Mount

provides

quartz-controlled

sidereal-rate

tracking

in

R.A,,

plus

full

dual-axis

drive

capabilily

at

any

of

four

photo-guide

or

microslew

speeds:

2x.

8x,

16x,

or

32x.

#1705

Declination

Motor

The

#1701

Single-Axis

Drive

System

becomes

a

complete,

fully

functioning

dual-axis

drive

system

with

Ihe

addition

of

the

#1705

Declination

Motor.

#1708

Computer

Drive

System

The

#1708

Computer

Drive

System

includes

live

high-torque,

dual-axis

drive

speeds

including

the

fast

slewing

speed

of

4°

per

second:

and

locates

and

centers

in

the

field

over

64.300

objects,

automatically.

Quartz-locked

sidereal-rate

tracking;

GO

TO

capabilily

and

digital

readouts

on

both

telescope

axe.s

are

just

some

of

Ihe

many

otner

features

available

when

the

#1708

Meade

Customer

Service

-

7

■

SPECIFICATIONS

MODEL

LXD

500

EQUATORIAL

MOUNT

If

you

have

a

question

concerning

your

Meade

Model

LXD

500

Equatorial

Mount,

call

Meade

Instruments/Customer

Service

Dept,

at

714-756-2291,

or

fax

at

714-756-1450.

Customer

Service

hours

are

8:30AM

-

4;00PM,

Pacific

Time,

Monday

through

Friday.

In

the

unlikely

event

that

your

Model

LXD

500

Equatorial

Mount

requires

factory

servicing

or

repairs,

write

or

call

the

Meade

Customer

Service

Dept,

first,

before

returning

the

telescope

to

the

factory,

giving

full

particulars

as

to

the

nature

of

the

problem,

as

well

as

your

name,

address,

and

daytime

telephone

number.

The

great

majority

of

servicing

issues

can

be

resolved

by

telephone,

avoiding

return

of

the

telescope

to

the

factory.

Materials:

Equatorial

Mounting

Gears

LXD

500

Tripod

Equatorial

Mounting

Tripod

Tripod

Legs

Tripod

Height

Counterweights

Worm

Gear

Diameters

Setting

Circle

Diameters

Manual

Slow-Motion

Controls

Latitude

Range

Total

Net

Weight

(approx,,)

Total

Shipping

Weight

(approx,)

aluminum

castings:

bronze,

R.A.

&

Dec

(LXD

500B)

aluminum,

R.A,

&

Dec

(LXD

500A)

aluminum

LXD

500:

German-type

Standard

Inner

leg:

1.5"

(3.8

cm)

O.D.

Outer

leg:

double

struts:

each

1.2"

(3.8

cm)

O.D.

28.5"

-

48..5”

variable

(72

cm

-

123

cm)

2

X

7.5

tb.

(3,4

kg.)

(LXD

500B)

1

X

7.5

lb

(3,4

kg)

(LXD

500A)

2.91'

(7.39

cm)

R.A.

8

Dec:

3.4"

(8.6

cm)

R.A.

and

Dec

15"

-

70“

34,5

lb

(15.7

kg)

37

lb

(16,8

kg)

MEADE

LIMITED

WARRANTY

Every

Meade

telescope,

spotting

scope,

and

telescope

accessory

is

warranted

by

Meade

Instruments

Corporation

(“Meade”)

to

be

free

of

defects

in

materials

and

workmanship

for

a

period

of

ONE

YEAR

from

the

date

of

original

purchase

in

the

U.S.A.

and

Canada.

Meade

will

repair

or

replace

a

product,

or

part

thereof,

found

by

Meade

to

be

defective,

provided

the

defective

part

is

returned

to

Meade,

freight-prepaid,

with

proof

of

purchase.

This

warranty

applies

to

the

original

purchaser

only

and

is

non-transferable.

Meade

products

purchased

outside

North

America

are

not

included

in

this

warranty,

but

are

covered

under

separate

warranties

issued

by

Meade

international

distributors.

RGA

Number

Required;

Prior

to

the

return

of

any

product

or

part,

a

Return

Goods

Authorization

(RGA)

number

must

be

obtained

from

Meade

by

writing,

or

by

calling

(714)

756-2291.

Each

returned

part

or

product

must

include

a

written

statement

detailing

the

nature

of

the

claimed

defect,

as

well

as

the

owner’s

name,

address,

and

phone

number.

This

warranty

is

not

valid

in

cases

where

the

product

has

been

abused

or

mishandled,

where

unauthorized

repairs

have

been

attempted

or

performed,

or

where

depreciation

of

the

product

is

due

to

normal

wear-and-tear,

Meade

specifically

disclaims

special,

indirect,

or

consequential

damages

or

lost

profit

which

may

result

from

a

breach

of

this

warranty.

Any

implied

warranties

which

can

not

be

disclaimed

are

hereby

limited

to

a

term

of

one

year

from

the

date

of

original

retail

purchase.

This

warranty

gives

you

specific

rights.

You

may

have

other

rights

which

vary

from

stale

to

state,

Meade

reserves

the

right

to

change

product

specifications

or

to

discontinue

products

without

notice

This

warranty

supersedes

all

previous

Meade

product

warranties.