LX80 Series: Your Personal Window to
the Universe
The Meade LX80 Series models are versatile, high-
resolution telescopes. Supplied with an AudioStar
handbox, the LX80 Series models offer unmatched
mechanical and electronic performance.
The LX80 Series telescopes reveal nature in an
ever-expanding level of detail. Observe the feather
structure of an eagle from 50 yards or study the
rings of the planet Saturn from a distance of 800
million miles. Focus beyond the Solar System and
observe majestic nebulae, ancient star clusters, and
remote galaxies. Meade LX80 Series telescopes are
instruments fully capable of growing with your interest
and can meet the requirements of the most demanding
advanced observer.
Refer to Figures 1 through 11 for the
following features:
ᕡ Viewfi nder: 8x50, wide-fi eld sighting scope with
crosshairs that enables easy centering of objects
in the telescope eyepiece
.
ᕢ
Viewfi nder Collimation Screws: Adjust these
screws to align the viewfi nder. See Page 20 for
more information.
ᕣ Viewfi nder Front Cell and Locking Ring:
Adjust the front cell to focus the viewfi nder. See
step 3, Page 20 for more details. The viewfi nder
is supplied with a small dust cover placed over
the front cell.
ᕤ Viewfi nder Bracket: Holds the viewfi nder
in place.
ᕥ Viewfi nder Bracket Screws: Tighten to a fi rm
feel to hold viewfi nder securely in place.
ᕦ Eyepiece: Place the supplied eyepiece into the
Diagonal (Page 18, Fig. 23) and tighten in place
with locking thumbscrew.
ᕧ Accessory Adapter: The diagonal mirror is
inserted into this adapter.
ᕨ Adapter Thumbscrews: Tighten to secure the
Diagonal in place.
ᕩ Focus Lock Knob (Refractor Only): Designed
to prevent the focuser drawtube from moving
when a heavy accessory, such as a camera, is
attached to the focuser assembly. For normal
observing with an eyepiece and diagonal, it is
not necessary to use the lock knob.
µ Star Diagonal with Adapter: Holds the eyepiece
upright for easy viewing. Provides a more
comfortable right-angle viewing position. Slide
the diagonal directly into the Adapter and tighten
the thumbscrew to a fi rm feel only. See Page 18
for a photo and more information.
¸ 2-Speed Crayford Style Focusing System
(Refractors Only): Moves the telescope’s
focuser in a fi nely-controlled motion to
achieve precise image focus. Rotate
the focus knob clockwise to focus on a
distant object.
¹ AudioStar Handbox: The LX80 user interface.
Use the handbox to command the LX80 to
automatically slew to any object in the night
sky. See pages 33 thru 43 for a description
of features.
Ƹ AudioStar Coil Cord: Connects the handbox to
the Computer Control Panel via the HBX port.
ƹ Dovetail Lock Knobs: Be sure to securely
tighten to hold the OTA dovetail in place.
ƺ Vixen®-style Dovetail Receiver: Place OTA
dovetail here.
ƻ Cradle Rings (Refractor Only): Part of the cradle
assembly; holds the optical tube fi rmly in place.
1& Optical Tube Assembly (OTA): The main
optical component that gathers the light from
distant objects and brings this light to a focus for
examination with the eyepiece.
1* Dust Cover: Place the dust cover (not visible
in photo) over the OTAs primary objective lens
when storing the telescope.
Note: The dust cover should be replaced after
each observing session and the power turned
off to the telescope. Allow time for any dew
that might have collected during the observing
session to evaporate prior to replacing the
dust cover.
1( Telescope Control Panel:
A. Power-On Lamp
B. 12v DC Power Connector
C. ON/OFF Switch
13
LX80 Key Features
