Meade LX600 16-inch ACF without tripod

Massive yet remarkably transportable for an instrument of its size and specifications.

  • Advanced Coma-Free (ACF™) optics
  • Ultra High Transmission (UHTC™) coatings
  • Aperture: 406mm (16")
  • Focal Length: 3,251mm (f/8)
  • Dual-Speed Focuser
  • StarLock automatic guider
  • Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC)
  • AutoStar II handbox
  • 145,000+ object database
  • UK warranty
Meade LX600 16-inch ACF without tripod
  • Product code: 1608-70-01N
  • Availability: Out of stock
  • Incoming: To be confirmed
  • Retail Price: £ ---
GBP £ --- (inc VAT)
out of stock
Shipping rates
England & Wales
£ 500.00
Scotland Central & South
£ 500.00
Scotland North
£ 750.00
Northern Ireland
£ 750.00
UK islands (from)
£ 750.00

Description

The fast f/8 Advanced Coma-Free (ACF™) optical system produces a wider, flatter field with no coma for pinpoint stars out to the edge when using large image sensors and extreme wide-angle eyepieces. The 16" LX600 includes the patented Starlock auto-guiding system for automatic full-time guiding with one arc-second precision under good seeing conditions, zero image-shift focuser, AutoStar II GOTO system with over 145,000 object library, and much more.

The Meade 16" LX600 has our fast f/8 ACF™ optics 3251mm focal length) and Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC™) for maximum image brightness and contrast. The redesigned mirror mounting system achieves zero-image shift when focusing eliminating the need for re-centering your object and includes an internal Crayford-style focuser with two speed, 7:1 reduction control that allows for quick and easy adjustments.


U.K. WARRANTY

ADVANCED

COMPUTERISED

PHOTOGRAPHY

ASTRONOMY
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The massive 16" LX600 dual fork mount features 11" main gears and boasts pointing accuracy of one arc-minute or better in High Precision Mode. This rock-solid platform is sure to exceed the need for the most demanding applications. This is the largest of the LX600 models and is remarkably transportable for an instrument of its size and specifications.

Includes StarLock - the revolutionary new technology that makes target acquisition on your imaging sensor and accurate guiding during exposures completely automatic. The 16" LX600 Advanced Coma-Free comes fully equipped with AutoStar II keypad with 14,000 object library, Meade 2" Series 5000 diagonal with enhanced 99% reflectivity, Meade 2" MWA 21mm eyepiece, and 8x50 viewfinder with quick release bracket.

Power panel includes the following ports: 12V input, 12V output, illuminated reticle, handbox, RS-232, StarLock, auxillary and focuser.

Optical Tube with Split-Fork Arms: 86 kg (190 lbs). Drive Base with Split-Fork Arms: 51 kg (112 lbs).

Carries full one year UK warranty by Opticstar Ltd on behalf of Meade Instruments Corp.

LX600 telescope.

Easier to use. Easier to move. Smart. Only from Meade.

Meade’s remarkable LX600 f/8 ACF with StarLock technology takes a giant leap forward by making astro-imaging much easier and making setup and transportation a breeze. The LX600 is a simple to operate, portable package that makes taking great astrophotos as easy as focusing your camera and opening the shutter. The collection of features and technology integrated into the LX600 is unavailable from any other manufacturer and its ease of use cannot be duplicated by just attaching a set of add-ons to another scope.

Faster, sharper optical system

The LX600 employs a fast f/8 ACF™ optical system with high-contrast baffling that assures crisp, pinpoint imaging to the very edge of the field. The all-new optical tube assembly (OTA) features an internal Crayford-style, zero image-shift focusing system with a two-speed, 7:1 control.

Portability & transportation

Need a telescope system that can be easily broken down and moved to a dark-sky site? Always wanted a bigger telescope, but were worried about the weight? With the LX600 Split Fork design, you can have both. The OTA can be quickly separated from the mount, reducing the total weight that must be lifted at one time by 35 lb. This allows for easy setup and transportation even with a 12" or 14" OTA.

StarLock - full-time automatic guiding

StarLock is the revolutionary new technology that makes target acquisition on your imaging sensor and accurate guiding during exposures completely automatic. StarLock uses an 80mm f/5 optic and a super wide-angle lens in a two-camera system that automatically finds your target in high-precision, immediately captures a field star as dim as 11th magnitude and then guides to an accuracy of one arcsecond. There's no need for a separate guide or computer and the StarLock requires no user focusing or guide star selection. StarLock automatically programs periodic error correction and then corrects for any other errors down to virtually zero.

'Sky & Telescope' review

"...I can confidently say that it is the best telescope of its type that I have tested for astrophotography... [StarLock] is really amazing technology, and it sets the LX600 apart from any otherfork-mounted telescope on the market bar none."

Review by Dennis di Cicco, 'Sky & Telescope' magazine, May 2016.

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Meade LX600 16-inch ACF without tripod
Attribute Specification
Meade Product Code / sku 1608-70-01N
Universal Product Code (UPC) 709942502053
Warranty 1 year UK warranty by Opticstar Ltd on behalf of Meade Instruments USA
Series LX600
Experience Level Advanced
Clear Aperture 406mm (16-inch)
Focal Length 3,251mm
Focal Ratio f/8
Optical Design ACF™ (Advanced Coma-Free)
Optical Coatings UHTC™ (Ultra High Transmission Coatings)
Primary Mirror Oversized Low-Expansion Borosilicate Primary Mirror
Secondary Mirror Individually figured with primary mirror for maximum correction. Low-expansion borosilicate glass
Correcting Plate/Lens Aspheric high-spectral transmission Borofloat glass from Schott AG Germany
Optical Tube Aluminium
Resolving Power (Dawes' Limit) 0.285 arc-seconds
Oversized Primary Mirror Yes
Secondary Obstraction tbc
Focuser Internal Crayford-style, zero image-shift, dual speed 7:1 focuser
Eyepiece Meade Series 5000 Mega Wide Angle 21mm, 2"
Diagonal Series 5000 2" Enhanced Diagonal
Viewfinder 8x50mm with cross-hair reticle
Telescope Mounting Heavy-duty fork type; double-tine
Split Fork Arm Optical tube assembly (OTA) and telescope base can be separated for easier assembly and disassembly
Hand Controller AutoStar II
Object Database 145,000 objects
Pointing Precision 1.0 arc-minute (+/-); High Precision Mode
Periodic Error Correction Both Axes
Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) Yes
StarLock™ Yes
StarLock Wide-field Camera 25mm x 26mm f/1.04 optic with 1/2 inch format CMOS sensor gives field of 14.72 x 11.78 degrees
StarLock Narrow-field Camera 80mm x 400mm f/5 optic with 1/2 inch format CMOS sensor gives fi eld of 57.2 x 45.8 arcminutes (2.68 arcseconds/pixel)
StarLock High-precision Pointing +/- 1 arcminute
StarLock High-precision Guiding +/- 1 arcsecond (with good seeing. 1-4 second correction update rate depending on star magnitude. Faintest guide star 11th mag.)
StarLock High-precision Alignment Semi-automatic drift align procedure for ultra-precise polar alignment
StarLock Weight 1.2 kg (2.7 lbs)
Slow Motion Controls Electronic and Manual, RA and Dec
Slew Speeds RA and Dec: 0.01x to1.0x sidereal, variable in 0.01x increments; 2x, 8x, 16x, 64x, 128x sidereal; 1°/sec. to 2°/sec., variable in 0.1° increments.
Tracking Rates Sidereal, Lunar, or custom-selected from 2000 incremental rates
Setting Circle Diameters RA: 8"; Dec: 5"
Motors Low-cog 12V DC servo motors; both axes
Periodic Error Correction Permanent periodic error correction (PPEC)
Control Panel Ports • On/Off Switch
• 12vDC Power Input
• 12vDC Power Output
• Illuminated Reticle
• Handbox (HBX) Port
• RS-232 Port
• StarLock Port
• Aux Guide Port
• Focuser
Power Requirements Power supply 12 Volt DC, 5 Amp (user supplied)
Mount Type Double-fork
GPS Receiver Yes
Time Chip Yes
Smart Mount™ Yes
Smart Drive™ Yes
Tripod Optional: Please refer to LX600 16" ACF (product code: 1608-70-03)
Anti-vibration Pads Included
Electronic Focuser Optional: Zero Image Shift Electronic Micro-Focuser (product code: 07080)
Wedge Not included. Pier installation recommended
Optical Tube with Split-Fork Arms Weight
(part 1 of 2)
86 kg (190 lbs)
Drive Base with Split-Fork Arms
(part 2 of 2)
51 kg (112 lbs)
Optical Tube Assembly (OTA) & Fork Mount Weight (both parts) 170kg (374 lbs)
Transit Weight • Box 1 (optical tube assembly): 87 kg
• Box 2 (drive base): 53 kg
• Box 3 (fork): 32 kg
• Box 4 (accessory kit): 56 kg
Transit Dimensions • Box 1 (optical tube assembly): 107cm x 100cm x 69cm
• Box 2 (drive base): 84cm x 67cm x 39cm
• Box 3 (fork): 92cm x 50cm x 58cm
• Box 4 (accessory kit): 39cm x 23cm x 26cm
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Videos
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News
1 December 2021

Learn how to align your Meade AZ telescope, including the StarNavigartor NG, ETX Observer, LX65, LX90, LX200, LX600 and more.

8 October 2021

This article identifies the parts of a complete imaging system for astronomy, discusses the relationships of the parts and presents a range of relevant astronomical equipment and software.

24 January 2020

Reviewed by Dennis di Cicco, Sky & Telescope magazine. The value of the LX600 comes as much from its timing as from its advanced technology.

05 September 2016

The LX600 is the latest model of Meade’s advanced line of fork-mounted telescopes that trace their roots back to the 1980’s. The LX600 features an extensive range of advanced features including Advanced Coma Free (ACF) optics; a much improved optical design over the traditional Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes.

24 June 2016

Meade's Scott Byrum demonstrates to Dennis di Cicco from Sky & Telescope magazine the LX600, LX850, ETX Observer and LightBridge Mini telescopes. Plus, the Stella Wi-Fi Adapter.

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