The Meade LX80 mount combines an azimuth dual arm mount and an equatorial mount.
In altazimuth mode, the Meade LX80 can be operated with either one or two OTAs attached: for example with a telescope for wide field observing and a telescope for lunar and planetary observing. The total weight of the two OTAs can be up to about 30kg. In equatorial mode, the mount can take a single OTA of up to about 18 kg.
The precision engineered worm gear drives on both axes ensure precise tracking. The precisely adjustable Periodic Error Correction in equatorial mode makes the LX80 a mount that is suitable for both visual observing and photography.
The Meade 'AudioStar' computer control locates and positions the telescope for over 30,000 objects in the night sky. The 'Astronomer Inside' digital audio technology included means that everyone around the telescope can listen and learn about more than 500 celestial objects. This database includes details about the Moon, planets, nebulae, star clusters, and much more.
The GoTo control can be used in both altazimuth and equatorial modes.
The robust steel tube tripod with the LX80 can be adjusted in height from about 770 to 1190mm. It also has a fine adjustment range of approximately 5mm per leg.
Our expert comment:
Note regarding loading capacity of the mount:
Max load (kg) in altazimuth mode is about 30kg with two instruments and about 18kg in equatorial mode with one instrument
