Meade 12" ACF LX200 Telescope

Brand: Meade

SKU : ME-1210-60-03

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  • Aperture: 305mm (12")
  • Focal Ratio: f/10
  • Focal Length: 3048mm
  • Meade ACF, or Advanced Coma-Free, optics offer a flatter field and pinpoint stars out to the edges of the field of view.

Product Details

  • The most widely used research telescope on earth now comes with the most advanced optical system. Meade's LX200-ACF brings Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) optics within reach of aspiring astronomers everywhere. Nearly every observatory reflector in the world uses an aplanatic (coma-free) optical system like the Ritchey Chretien (RC), including NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Now you can own similar optics to what the professionals use. The Meade LX200-ACF telescope includes all the field-proven features of the LX200 including GPS, Primary Mirror Lock, Oversized Primary Mirror, SmartDrive; Smart Mount, AutoStar II and more. The new Meade LX200-ACF. It's the biggest news in astronomy since, well, the LX200.

    A traditional RC design is a type of reflector that delivers a coma-free, flat field of view via hyperbolic primary and secondary mirrors. RC telescopes (from a variety of manufacturers) are found in most of the world's top observatories and NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Because the mirrors in these telescopes have always been very expensive to make, few amateur astronomers could enjoy them. Fortunately, Meade engineers developed a radical new Advanced Coma Free design by combining a hyperbolic secondary mirror with a corrector-lens-and-spherical-primary-mirror combination that performs as one hyperbolic element. This ACF design produces a coma-free, flat field of view that rivals traditional RC telescopes at a fraction of the cost. The design even eliminates diffraction spikes and improves astigmatism, both of which are inherent in the traditional RC design.

    Meade 12" f/10 LX200-ACF Advanced Coma-Free Telescope Features
    • f/10 Advanced Coma-Free Optics: Building from a classic RC design, Meade has created a new design with the same coma-free pinpoint star images and flatter field that discerning astrophotographers and most professional observatories have come to expect from classic Ritchey Chretien optics. Meade's Advanced Coma-Free system also reduces astigmatism and eliminates diffraction spikes found in classical RCs. The LX200-ACF is the perfect platform for the demanding researcher and imaging enthusiast.
    • Meade Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC) increases total light transmission and image brightness by nearly 20% over Meade's standard coatings. Objects such as stars, galaxies, and nebulae will appear significantly brighter.
    • Primary Mirror Lock locks the mirror in place during long-exposure astrophotography.
    • Oversize Primary Mirror diameters are greater than their listed aperture (e.g., the diameter of the 8" LX200-ACF is actually 8.25"). This additional 1/4" yields a wide, fully illuminated field-of-view.
    • Smart Mount constantly refines pointing accuracy each time an object is centered and updated. Compatible with both equatorial and altazimuth mounts.
    • Coma Killer - What is coma? It's not some sort of astronomical state of unconsciousness. It's an optical aberration. Precisely defined, coma is a distortion in which the image of a star cannot be focused to a point, but takes on the shape of a comet.
    • Smart Drive provides permanent periodic error correction (PPEC) on both axes by learning and averaging error over the course of one or more training periods, thereby minimizing guiding corrections during long-exposure photographs. PPEC is available on both axes and functions in both polar and altazimuth modes.
    • Sony GPS Receiver Sensor automatically inputs precise time, date, and geographical location to help quickly and precisely align the telescope.
    • AutoAlign - Telescopes with Meade's AutoAlign come pre-aligned. They are smart scopes that know the night sky right out of the box. AutoAlign picks two fail-proof alignment stars for you and places them right in your view-finder. Just center to fine tune your alignment and the wonders of the universe are at your fingertips.
    • AutoStar II controller features "Hot Keys" for quick access to a 145,000 celestial object database. AutoStar II can be updated with the latest software upgrades, guided tours and timely objects like comets.

    Why choose the Meade LX200-ACF? Because coma isn't some sort of astronomical state of unconsciousness. It's an optical aberration. Precisely defined, coma is a distortion in which the image of a star cannot be focused to a point, but takes on the shape of a comet. Worst yet, the majority of telescope optical systems, including the popular Schmidt-Cassegrain, have it to one degree or another. Once, you would have had to spend tens of thousands of dollars for an aplanatic optical system (a fancy term for coma-free). Now that Meade has made this Advanced Coma-Free optical system, this level of performance is affordable to the amateur.

    The Meade LX200-ACF telescope brings Advanced Coma Free optics within reach of aspiring astronomers everywhere. The Meade LX200-ACF combines a revolutionary new optical system with the field-proven mechanical features of the original Meade LX200 - the most widely used research-grade telescope in astronomy today.

  • specifications

    Aperture305mm (12")
    ComputerizedComputerized
    Focal Length3048mm
    Focal Ratiof/10
    Free ShippingYes
    Head DesignAltitude Azimuth
    Optical DesignModified SCT
    OTA Length26"
    OTA Weight34.66 lbs.
    Power Source(Optional) 12v DC 5 amp Meade Universal Power Supply
    Software IncludedAutoStar Suite
    Warranty2 Year Warranty
  • included items

    • Meade 12" f/10 LX200-ACF Telescope
    • Variable Height Giant Field Tripod
    • Autostar II Control System
    • 8x50mm Viewfinder
    • Series 4000 Super Plossl 26mm Eyepiece
    • Eyepiece Holder and Diagonal Prism (1.25")
    • Instruction Manual
    • Autostar Suite Astronomer's Edition Software

Product Reviews

Customer Reviews
3.3 Based on 3 Reviews
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MR
04/30/2021
Marc R.
United States United States

Wish I could take it somewhere and use it!

The scope arrived in 2 packages. One with the tripod (50 lbs) and the telescope (100 lbs.) I live in a gated community so security was available to help me get the boxes home (Luckily also own a pick-up truck). Next day I unpacked the boxes in my garage. The tripod was not as depicted in the on-line manual but an older model where the center treaded rod was retaince by a “c-clip.” Easy enough to assemble but the newer version I thought I was getting has a spring that assists in centering the rod when mounting the 75 lb. telescope. As such when I unpacked and mounted the scope I was very careful to avoid cross-threading the bolt (an obvious possibility). I also put a tiny dab of litium anti-seize grease on the threads as this didn’t advance smoothly (we’ll see if that helps). So, I mounted up the scope, put in some batteries, and alligned the spotting scope in my driveway where I have a mountain peak about 600 yds. away to focus on. Also very easy and all according to plan. The 1.25 included eyepiece is not up to the quality needed and I’d ordered a 2” diagonal and eyepiece from OPT which wasn’t in the shipment. I cancelled that and found the Meade version on Amazon (same price, high quality). The build quality and documentation is superb.The transportability is not! While cases are made to do this job they’re out of stock everywhere. I searched the internet till I found one in Houston. Once I can move it outa’ the city lights I’m looking forward to some great viewing. All the reviews say it’s not light polution friendly and I beleive it. I’ve read all the manuals and I’m headin’ to Northern Arizona when my wheeled case comes; set it up and spend a few weeks up there. Bottom line this is a first class instrument. Must have accessories are 2” eyepiece and diagonal (I also got the microfocuser), and alternate power source (AC adapter, power tank) and MOST importantly an case designed for it (JMI) or warehouse style hand cart with moving pads and tie downs (unless of course you’re the owner of a very dark backyard). Even the largest Pelican cases are not going to ge it done. I’m 6’ 220 lbs. 70 years old but very athletically fit. I’m able to muscle it on to the tripod with extreme care and some difficulty (would NEVER try in the dark). Only 4 stars as I was disappointed in the tripod left-over style when the spring loaded version was in the literature.

G
08/03/2011
Garry

Close to perfect

I used to have a Meade LX200 8 Classic SCT in 2000 had to let it go due to Military Duties. I had a Celestron CPC1100 from 2007 to a few months ago. I traded a the CPC1100 for the LX200 12 ACF only to have it stolen in a home break in. I finally got it replaced and I and had first light two weeks ago and the optics were tack sharp. No hint of anykind diffects. The ACF optices were very pronounced and it was as good as advertized. Even visual you can tell a difference. the reason I gove four stars was these problems. First its diffacult to link up to a PC because the Seral to USB adapter had diffaculty with the link. Worked fine on the CPC1100 and updateing my reciever. but had trouble with the LX200. It still has not linked up. I even had trouble even it dose its three step dance it always hit the stops. But it took about two hours of trial and error to finally get it. It tracks great and very accurate. The fit and finish is top notch. Its a great scope but could be better once Meade gets these issues worked out. Dont get me wrong its a great scope. Hopefully Meade will fix these problems.

A
04/07/2013
Anita

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You're correct, I've not parehuscd a telescope yet but I've got a good interest in studying about our solar system. Optics are the major feature of the telescope so yeah, a lot of people would have bought it for fun and may want to sell it now and many people with good interest in astronomy would not want to sell it.