skyandtelescope.com • JANUARY 2020 73
would slew the LX85 to it in seconds.
In addition to an optional Meade serial
cable, for this you’ll also need to provide
your own USB-to-serial adapter.
Virtually every gear-driven telescope
mount has some periodic error that can
cause stars to trail during long expo-
sures, and the LX85 is no different in
this aspect. To compensate, the LX85
includes an ST-4-compatible autoguider
port that permits users to attach a guid-
ing camera. Even without fi ne-tuning
the default settings in my camera’s
autoguiding software, the LX85 pro-
duced round stars in brief 60-second
exposures as well as longer 5-minute
shots. The periodic error of the mount
was smooth and regular, and the guide
camera and computer had no problem
keeping it under control. Users can
reduce tracking error further by record-
ing the guide camera’s corrections using
the AudioStar’s Permanent Periodic
Error Correction (PPEC) feature. After
recording a few minutes of guiding cor-
rections, they can be stored and played
back, reducing overall periodic error
as well as the number of corrections
necessary during an exposure.
Other than the minor issue of the
pFive-minute autoguided exposures of the globular cluster M13 in Hercules showed round, sharp
stars across the fi eld of the author’s APS-format DSLR camera.pLeft: The LX85 includes a compass to help with rough alignment before darkness sets in. Right:
Meade incorporates the Vixen-style mounting system into the LX85, permitting a wide variety of
tube assemblies weighing up to 33 lbs to ride atop the mount.pWhile the mount includes a threaded bore
to install an optional polar-alignment scope,
moderately accurate Go To alignment is still
achievable when roughly aligning the mount by
sighting Polaris through the open bore.
misplaced home-position sticker, my
only disappointment with the LX85 is
its user manual. Both the printed and
online versions are too brief and don’t
suffi ciently explain all the mount’s
features. For example, while the LX85
offers several alignment modes, the
manual doesn’t describe anything other
than the Easy Align procedure.
The Meade LX85 is one piece of
equipment I was sorry to see go when
it was time to return it to the manu-
facturer. It was a joy to use both for
visual observing and photography.It also offers some advantages over
similar mounts, particularly its amaz-
ing AudioStar computer. The excellent
8-inch ACF SCT was also a good match
for the mount. If I were in the market
for a medium payload GEM and OTA,
I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase the
Meade LX85 8-inch ACF SCT package.■Contributing Editor ROD MOLLISE
likes the combination of a generous
aperture and portability afforded by
Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes. A great
Go To system doesn’t hurt either.