MEADE 8" LX200 GPS TELESCOPE w/UHTC and ACCESSORIES Start Price USD 2,300.00 Current Price USD 2,300.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, July 25, 2008 End Time Monday, August 04, 2008 Location Sterling Heights, MI See more about 'MEADE 8" LX200 GPS TELESCOPE w/UHTC and ACCESSORIES' Description MEADE  8” LX200GPS TELESCOPE WITH UHTC   Up for auction is a Meade 8” LX200GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope with Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC).  The telescope has been used only slightly in the field for about 20 observing sessions, and it was purchased in March 2003.  The telescope comes with everything you need to begin your journey through the night sky.  Also, you will get the following accessories when you buy the scope (each letter matches the parts in the pictures):   A – 8 x 50 mm Viewfinder   B – 8 x 50 mm Viewfinder Bracket   C – Meade Zero Image-Shift Microfocuser   D – Autostar II Cable   E – Autostar II Keypad   F – Autostar II Keypad Mount   G – 1.25” Diagonal Prism   H – Microfocuser Adapter (connects microfocuser to scope)   I – Accessory Adapter (necessary if microfocuser is not used)   J – Instruction Manual   K – 5 C-clips (used to hold tightening rod in place on tripod)   L – 2 Allen wrenches (to tighten microfocuser screws)   M – 3 Allen wrenches of various sizes (for servicing other parts of the        scope)   N - #547 AC Power Adapter with Cable (powers scope from a standard       115v home outlet)                  O - #507 LX200GPS Interface Cable, Part # 07047 (connects scope to a        computer’s serial port)   P – Meade Series 4000 Super Plӧssl Eyepiece set, includes eight        eyepieces (6.4, 9.7, 12.4, 15, 20, 26, 32, 40 mm) and an aluminum        carrying case with locking keys (A $650 value)   Q – Variable-height Standard Field Tripod       Telescope Firmware   Also included with the telescope (but not pictured), is a custom-made CD that includes six versions of firmware for the scope as well as a setup file for Meade’s Autostar Update Suite.  Using the included LX200GPS Interface Cable, the telescope’s firmware can be upgraded through a computer connection.  The included cable connects to a computer’s serial port (or COM port).  If your computer only has a USB port, you will need to purchase a Meade USB to RS-232 Bridge Cable (Part # 07507) separately (unfortunately, I do not have this cable).  Instructions are also included on how you can upgrade or change the telescope’s firmware version as you wish.  Also, the scope’s firmware does NOT include the Smart Mount function (helps to improve object centering in the eyepiece).       What are Ultra-High Transmission Coatings?   UHTC, included with this telescope, enhances light transmission through the scope’s aperture.  Averaged over the entire visible spectrum of light (450nm. to 700nm.), total light transmission to the telescope focus increases by about 20%.  This helps to retain more light as an image is reflected through the scope’s optical system.  These coatings can also benefit CCD imaging.       Meade’s Specifications   The following is a complete set of specifications that describes the telescope (I have revised the specs to match what you will get through this auction):   Includes 8” Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube assembly (Diameter = 203mm, Focal Length = 2000mm, Focal Ratio = f/10) with MgF2 coatings on the correcting lens and standard aluminum coatings on the primary and secondary mirrors (Ultra-High Transmission Coatings is also included); primary mirror lock; 4-speed Zero Image-Shift Microfocuser; heavy-duty fork mount, with 4”-diameter sealed polar ball bearing, quartz microprocessor-controlled 5.75” LX worm gears on both axes, and multifunction control panel; manual and electric slow-motion controls on both axes; setting circles in RA and Dec; Autostar II control system with 3.5-Megabyte flash memory, digital readout display, permanently-programmable Smart Drive and 185-speed drive controls on both axes, High-Precision Pointing, and 145,000-object onboard celestial software library; GPS alignment system with 16-channel GPS receiver, magnetic declination compensation, and true-level and North electronic sensors; 12v DC telescope power supplied from internal battery compartments accepting 8 (user-supplied) C-cells (includes #547 Power Adapter to power scope from 115v AC, can also be powered through an auto cigarette lighter plug with an optional 25 ft. cord); 8 x 50mm viewfinder; eyepiece-holder and diagonal prism (1.25”); Series 4000 Super Plӧssl 26mm eyepiece (included in eyepiece set); variable-height standard field tripod; operating instructions.       An Additional List of Specs. from Meade   Optical Design.......................................................Schmidt-Cassegrain Clear Aperture.......................................................203mm Primary Mirror Diameter........................................209.6mm (8.25”) Focal Length; Focal Ratio.....................................2000mm, f/10   Near Focus (approx.)............................................25 ft. Resolving Power (arc secs.) ................................0.56 Optical Coatings....................................................MgF2 on correcting plate                                                                                  (2-sides); standard                                                                                   aluminum on primary &                                                                                   secondary mirrors Ultra-High Transmission Coatings........................Included Limiting Visual Magnitude (approx.).....................14.0 Limiting Photographic Magnitude (approx.) .........16.5 Image Scale (degs./inch) .....................................0.72   Maximum Practical Visual Power.........................600X 35mm Angular Film Coverage.............................0.68° x 0.97°   Optical Tube Dimensions (dia. x length)..............9.1” x 16.75” Secondary Mirror Obstruction (dia.; %)................3.0”–14.1%   Telescope Mounting.............................................heavy-duty fork-type;                                                                                 double tine Setting Circle Diameters......................................Dec: 5”; RA: 8.75” RA Motor Drive System.......................................185-speed,                                                                                 microprocessor-controlled,                                                                                 12v DC servo motor; 5.75”                                                                                 LX worm gear with Smart                                                                                 Drive software   Primary Mirror Lock..............................................included (progressive                                                                                 tension) Zero-Image Shift Electric Focuser.......................included (4-speed) GPS Alignment.....................................................included (16-channel GPS                                                                                receiver, electronic sensors                                                                                for true-level and North,                                                                                with magnetic declination                                                                                compensation) GO TO Precision Pointing...................................2-arc mins. Pointing Precision, High-Precision Mode............1-arc min.   Slow-Motion Controls..........................................manual and electric, RA                                                                                and Dec. Bearings...............................................................Dec: 3 x 1.83” dia. ball   bearings;                                                                                RA: 1 x 4” dia. and 1 x   2.25” dia. ball bearings   Autostar Hand Controller....................................Atmel 89C451 & PIC16C57                                                                               microcontrollers; 2 line x 16                                                                               alphanumeric character                                                                               display; 20-button keypad,                                                                               red LED backlit   Main Telescope Controller.................................distributed intelligence architecture                                                                               using 8 networked microcontrollers                                                                              (Motorola 68HC11, Atmel 89C451,                                                                              3 x PIC16C62, 2 x PIC16C54, Sony                                                                              digital signal processor); 3.5-                                                                              Megabyte flash memory (field                                                                              reprogrammable), 32K RAM Batteries (user-supplied)....................................8 x C-cells Battery Life (approx.)..........................................20 hrs.   Onboard Celestial Object Database...................147,541 objects Slew Speeds.......................................................RA and Dec: 0.01x to 1.0x                                                                                sidereal, variable in 0.01x                                                                                increments; 2x, 8x, 16x,                                                                                64x, 128x sidereal;                                                                                1°/sec. to 8°/sec., variable                                                                                in 0.1° increments Tracking Rates....................................................sidereal, lunar, or custom-                                                                                selected from 2000                                                                                incremental rates   Materials: Tube Body..........................................aluminum                  Mount Castings...................................aluminum                  Primary, Secondary Mirrors................Pyrex glass                  Correcting Plate/Lens.........................clear float glass   Telescope dimensions, swung down..................9.25” x 17” x 24.75”   Shipping Carton Dimensions..............................31” x 22” x 14” Total Net Telescope Weight...............................73 lbs.   Heaviest Sub-Section for Field Assembly..........45 lbs.   Total Shipping Weight (approx.).........................94 lbs.   #1220 Field De-rotater........................................optional   Equatorial Wedge Latitude Range......................23° to 64°   Field Tripod Height..............................................30” to 44” variable       Shipping   The telescope and accessories will be shipped by UPS Ground to the winning bidder that’s in the continental U.S.  The shipping price also includes the cost for the shipping materials and insurance for ALL of the equipment (the equipment is NOT insured for just $100).  If the winning bidder is outside of the continental U.S., I will need to contact you through e-mail with the appropriate shipping fee.     Local Pickup   You may pickup the telescope for no charge as well.  Pickup must be made within 3 days from receiving cleared payment.     Payment   Full payment is due within 5 days from the end of the auction.  PayPal is the preferred method of payment.  However, I will also accept a personal check as well.     Feel free to e-mail me with any questions. Good luck to all bidders!     Place a Bid!