Grampian Stars 37.11 Sth. 142.36 Est.
	Grampian Stars Explorer Telescopes

G.S.E.T. Meade LX-5 2080

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In 1987 the Meade model LX5 2080 was accompanied by a 9x60 right angle Polaris viewfinder with illuminated reticle, a 2" star diagonal and a 1 ¼" eyepiece. The deep purple multi-coatings on both sides of the corrector plate enhance light transmission and image contrast, also effectively cancels any residual image halos, now were standard and footlocker case completed the package.

The Heavy duty adjustable field tripod is a welcome adition

For more information or looking for components look up the Meade LX5-LX6 resource center.

The 1987 Meade LX5 was introduced with "Quartz Electronic Drive" stepper motors in place of the old internal AC motor and converter. This allowed a north and south hemisphere switch to reverse the RA drive. The quartz crystal used in the drive provides accurate tracking to within plus or minus .005% of the sidereal frequency, independent of temperature or power fluctuations.

The hand controller was given new features and was now included as part of the standard package. The drive corrector buttons were given both 2x and 8x speeds for guiding corrections and slow speed slewing, and a map light was integrated as well as buttons for electronic focusing with an optional focusing motor.

The original equatorial wedge is a diecast aluminum construction, consisting of two basic parts the wedge body and the tilt plate. A fine latitude adjustment mechanism is included in one slot on the rear of the tilt plate. A bubble level is provided in the body base for quick tripod leveling.An analogue compass is provided for quick alignment to the magnetic pole when setting up in the field.

WEDGE MODIFICATIONS were made to increase stability and fine micro adjustments. The tilt plate upper mounting is held in place by precision instrument bearings machined mechanically exact to the wedge body, resulting in the removal of all top end flexure and slop. The latitude adjustment bar is repositioned onto the lower wedge body and is fixed permanently in place, adding strength and preventing twisting flexure of the wedge body. A threaded brass bush is fitted to the wedge for the centre mounting bolt. The bush extends into the pier mount plate providing a pivot which removes the azimuth slop.

Micro latitude adjustments are now achievable with no flexure and slop. The tilt plate has a bracket mounted with a male rod end bearing welded to a threaded rod which threads through the threaded inserts of dual star knobs and the latitude adjustment bar. The dual star knobs, recessed into the latitude adjustment bar, are turned and fastened in the required adjustment direction.

MOTOFOCUS by JMI is an electric focus motor for precise, vibration-free focusing without the need to touch the telescope. It is great for visual and photographic use and features variable speed for coarse and fine adjustment. Precise positioning is accomplished through electronic braking, via the electric focus buttons on the Meade hand controller. Mounting is easy with no drilling or tapping required. Just push on to the course focus knob, fasten with the supplied thumb screw and plug in to the electric focus output on the drive panel.

MOTODEC by JMI is an electric declination motor providing vibration-free, direct-drive declination adjustments necessary for visual and photographic use. It features a variable speed adjustment for coarse and fine correction as well as a friction clutch for manual adjustment. Precise positioning is accomplished through electronic braking, via the drive corrector buttons on the Meade hand controller. Mounting is easy with no drilling or tapping required. Just push on to the manual declination knob, fasten with the supplied bracket and plug in to the declination motor output on the drive panel.

A Heated Dew Cap is made from 1.0mm blue poly riveted into a tube 300 mm long with 30 x 0.47 ohm resistors in a series circuit mounted inside, gives a rated output of 12 volts dc at around 10 watts. Nylon thumb screws attatch to the corrector. A 2 metre lead with inline1.5amp glass fuse and alligator clips attach to the power supply. The minute heat produced does not cause current eddies and degraded images. Allows for endless hours of dew-free viewing and eliminates stray light from hitting the corrector plate.Ron Keating has a great web tutorial on building your own heater strips here:- [Homemade Heater Strips ]

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