5 replies to this topic

[trapdoor]

Hi
Firstly thanks in advanced to anyone who can help.  I have recently purchased an LT8 ACF and have been searching the net for any accessories for it. It has a label on it ETX-LT8 but the accessories (except for a few things like vibration dampeners and dew shields) don't ever mention LT's.  ETX something or other but not LT's. So is this an ETX  model telescope?
Can i say put an attachment to hold a camera on it for example. Can i get rid of the red dot finder and put a finder scope of other variety on it? Are there any type of focal reducers that will work with an ACF.
You can only scour the net for so long before wondering whether anyone else has ever purchased this model and seeing that there are only 2 posts in this forum yet this telescope seems to be on sale everywhere I can only assume they are great and no one has any issues with them or they are an unwanted scope. (sorry do not expect an answer to that question).
So are there any compatible accessories that Meade make for their other models that work with this model maybe.

Thanks
Kevin

[MistrBadgr]

Hello Kevin,

To date, there are not a lot of accessories made specifically for the LT series.  The scope itself is a stripped down LS with a more standard AutoStar system, rather than the AutoStar III system that the LS series has, which all of its bells and whistles.  I personally have one of the LS-8 ACF scopes.

A standard f/6.3 focal reducer seems to work fairly well with the ACF scopes.  Presently, the ones out there that are available for the ACF optical tubes are very scarce and very high price.  This new optical system is simply outrunning the secondary devices for it.  I believe either Meade or other companies will develop the assessories at time passes.

Personally, I would like to see an f/5.0 focal reducer developed for it for visual observing.  JMI is now selling a couple of different bases for finder mounts that can be put in place of the red dot finder.  You pick the brand of finder and purchase the little base with the right holes drilled in it.  I bought one for an Orion finder.  I would like to end up with a 6X30 illuminated right angle finder, but I have not found one to date.  I will probably settle for a non-illuminated one instead.

If you want to use 2-inch eyepieces, any SCT threaded adaptor will screw onto the back of the LS or LT.  Same goes for SCT filters.  I am currently using a 2-inch diagonal the screws onto the back of the telescope.  I have used a combination of an regular SCT f/6.3 focal reducer, a 2-inch diagonal, a 2-inch extension piece after the diagonal that I bought from Moonlight Focusers, I follow this with a 30mm eyepiece with an 80 degree field of view.  This combination gives me a good finding settup when working on an Astronomy League project which does not allow for all the finding gear built into the telescope.  Since I am using equipment from other than name brand companies, the image is not as perfect as one might get from high end gear, but it is good enough for my tastes and for what I am trying to do.

I also am using one of the standard Meade 12 volt power supplies that I plug into an electrical socket, rather than going through a bunch of dry cell batteries.  I also have purchased the Meade power cord that plugs into the cigarette lighter socket in my pickup.  I intend to purchase a larger 12 volt battery setup that I can use at more primitive locations than my back yard and where I cannot get my pickup close enough.

When I am not using my few 2-inch wide angle eyepieces, I use a set of Meade 5000 series plossles, which I enjoy very much.  However, for my other, smaller scopes I normally use a set of 4000 series plossles and a set of University Optics Orthoscopic eyepieces for planetary and double star observation.  I think the 4000 series is probably the best set of general purpose eyepieces that anyone really needs to enjoy astronomy, but the better ones do give a very slightly better view with a better scope.  I have been intrigued with the six element 6000 series eyepieces and may purchase a set sometime for my LS-8.  The optics are good enough to deserve that quality of eyepiece, but I am not sure my eyes are good enough to really tell the difference.

At this point in time, Meade seems to be blazing a trail with new technology that seems to be exploding onto the scene.  They are traveling as far and as fast as they can.  When the new developments slow down and the basic glitches that invariably show up with new products are fixed, I expect that they will come back and pave the trail they have blazed.

Well, I hope this helps,

Bill Steen

[trapdoor]

Thank you Bill for your reply.
If i can just impose on you one more time. I would like to clarify a couple of things. Apart from the mounts and electronics is the OTA the same as the LS? The 6.3 focal reducer made by Meade is ok to use with this scope? And finally i am about to purchase a 9mm Series 5000 HD-60 ep. That should work fine yes.
I have used this telescope a number of times now and love it.
Thanks for your help

Kevin

[MistrBadgr]

Kevin,

The optical tubes are the same as on the LS and I think on the LX-90.  The difference is just in the mount.

The Meade f/6.3 focal reducer is actually made for a more conventional SCT and has the appropriate corrections in the lens to flatten the field with that scope.  I had been concerned about using it with my 8-inch ACF scope, but I read information from others that it would work ok.  Meade says it will also.  I have been using another brand of  f/6.3 focal reducer that I had bought in a clearance sale for another scope I have.  It seems to work reasonably well and is not really objectionable.  I think one built specifically for an ACF type scope would be a little better, but the only one out there that I know about costs around $400.

I put a 2 inch diagonal from another scope on my LS-8, after the f/6.3 focal reducer, then, put a 2 inch extender after my diagonal and made it work somewhere around f/0.5, with a little bit better image I think.  Hopefully, I am correct and this is not just my wishful thinking.   I then used a cheap 30mm eyepiece with 80 degrees apparent field of view as a manual finding combination.  The image size is a bit large, giving me an area in the middle of the field that tries to go dark.  I am sure that an astronomy perfectionist that is used to using Zeiss eyepieces or other really high quality equipment would through his hands in the air in horror, but the image is reasonable, in my opinion, and works well for what I intend with it.

I do not think the difference in the image, between a $70-$100 standard f/6.3 focal reducer and a $400 one built for an ACF type scope is worth the difference in price.

Any of the 6000 series HD eyepieces should work very will with your scope.

Hope this helps,

Bill Steen

[sdtopensied]

JMI makes a standard dovetail that will replace the goofy one that comes with the scope.



I haven't found a piggyback adapter for the LT/LS, but ScopeStuff.com sells a dovetail with a 1/4-20 bolt in it that effectively turns a standard dovetail into a piggyback adapter.

-Steve

[sdtopensied]

Also, check out StarPatch from StarGPS.ca.

-Steve