9
Fig. 2: The Autostar Handbox.
Tour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button
Control of most
LXD55-Series
telescope models (excluding the EC models; see mar-
gin note) is through the operation of Autostar. Nearly all functions of the telescope are
accomplished with just a few pushes of Autostar’s buttons. Some of the major fea-
tures of Autostar are:
■
Automatic GO TO capability: Automatically move the telescope to any of the
more than 30,000 objects stored in the object library.
■
Take a guided tour of the best celestial objects to view on any given night of the
year.
■
Download the latest satellite data and software revisions directly from the Meade
website (www.meade.com) and share software with other Autostar enthusiasts.
Requires optional #505 AstroFinder™ Software and Cable Connector Kit. See
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
, page 38.
■
Access a glossary of astronomical terms.
■
Fully automatic tracking of celestial objects.
Features
The Autostar Computer Controller provides control of virtually every telescope func-
tion within a compact handbox. Autostar has soft-touch keys designed to have a pos-
itive feel. The LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is backlit with a red LED (Light Emitting
Diode) for easy viewing in the dark. The backlit display, key arrangement, and
sequential menu structure make Autostar extremely user friendly.
B
2-Line LCD Display: This screen displays Autostar's menus and other informa-
tion about the telescope.
■
Top line: Lists the primary menu.
■
Bottom line: Contains other menus that may be selected, menu options, tele-
scope status, or information about a function that is currently being performed.
C
ENTER Key: Press to go to the next menu level or to choose an option in a
menu. The ENTER key is similar to the RETURN or ENTER key on a computer.
See
MOVING THROUGH AUTOSTAR'S MENUS
, page 19 and
AUTOSTAR’S MENUS
,
page 25.
AUTOSTAR FEATURES
Note: Autostar does not
require batteries; the tele-
scope’s batteries supply
power to Autostar.
Important Note: The
model SN-6EC, model
SN-8EC, and model AR-
5EC are equipped with an
Electronic Controller
handbox, rather than the
Autostar Handbox.
Several of the following
procedures, such as
Tracking Objects and
Initializing Autostar (to
name but a few), are rele-
vant only to models
equipped with the
Autostar handbox and do
not apply to the EC mod-
els. For more information
about the EC handbox,
see
APPENDIX D: EC
HANDBOX
, page 55.
Summary of Contents for LXD55 Series
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