Meade LXD55 Series, Instruction Manual

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Set: Enter the time to be counted down, in hours, minutes, and seconds, then press
ENTER. 

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Start/Stop: Activates the timer set previously. Use the Scroll keys to toggle
between ON and OFF. When ON is displayed, press ENTER to activate the timer.
When the timer runs out, four beeps sound and the timer is deactivated. 

Alarm selects a time for an alarm signal as a reminder. To use the Alarm, press
ENTER, then choose "Set" or "Start/Stop." 

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Set: Enter the time of day for the alarm to sound, in hours, minutes, and seconds,
then press ENTER. 

■

Start/Stop: Activates the alarm set previously. Use the Scroll keys to toggle
between on and off. When ON is displayed, press ENTER to activate the alarm.
When the alarm time arrives, Autostar beeps. Press ENTER to deactivate the
alarm. 

Eyepiece Calc calculates information about an eyepiece for the specific telescope to
which Autostar is connected. 

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Field of View: Scroll through a list of available eyepieces. When an eyepiece is
selected, the field of view is calculated. 

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Magnification: Scroll through a list of available eyepieces. When an eyepiece is
selected, the magnification is calculated.

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Suggest: Autostar calculates and suggests the best eyepiece for viewing, based
on the telescope and the object being viewed. 

Display Options enables or disables Autostar’s two initial displays. If both displays
are disabled, Autostar begins with the Date display.

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Sun Warning: Turns the “Sun Warning” message on or off.

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Getting Started: Turns the “Getting Started” message on or off.

Brightness Adj: Adjusts the brightness of the display using the Scroll keys. When com-
plete, press ENTER. 

Contrast Adj: Adjusts the contrast of the display using the Scroll keys. When complete, press
ENTER. The Contrast Adjustment feature is usually only required in very cold weather.

Landmark Survey automatically slews the telescope to all user-defined landmarks
with a short pause at each location. Press ENTER to start the survey. While a slew is
in progress, press any key to skip that object and go to the next landmark on the list.
To observe a landmark for a longer period, press MODE when paused on the object
to stop the survey. Press ENTER to restart the survey at the first object on the list.

Sleep Scope is a power saving option that shuts down Autostar and the telescope
without forgetting its alignment. With "Sleep Scope" selected, press ENTER to acti-
vate the Sleep function. Autostar goes dark, but the internal clock keeps running.
Press any key, except ENTER, to re-activate Autostar and the telescope. 

Park Scope is designed for a telescope that is not moved between observing ses-
sions. Align the telescope one time, then use this function to park the telescope. Next
time it is powered up, enter the correct date and time – no alignment is required.
Pressing ENTER causes the telescope to move to its pre-determined Park position.
Once parked, the screen prompts to turn off power. 

Important Note: When the "Park Scope" option is chosen and the display
prompts you to turn off the telescope's power, Autostar is unable to be
returned to operation without turning the power off and then back on.

Cord Wrap moves the telescope in such a way as to prevent the cords and cables
attached to your telescope assembly from getting wound around the assembly and tan-
gled as the telescope slews to objects. This menu is set to "On" and cannot be
changed by the user.

Setup Menu

The Setup menu’s primary functions are for setting up telescope alignment. However,
there are numerous other features available within the Setup menu, including: 

Date changes the date used by Autostar. This function is useful to check events in the
past or future. For example, set the Date menu for a day three months in the future.
Then check the "Select Item: Event" menu for the Sunset time on that date. See

EVENT MENU

, page 27. 

Want to learn more about
Landmarks?

See page 34.

Want to learn more about
using the Date menu?
See the 

LXD55 TIPS 

box,

page 24.

Tip:
If you notice that the text is
"smearing" on the Autostar
display, use the contrast
adjustment menu.