Meade 8" f/4 LX85 Astrograph Reflector Optical Tube
MSRP: $799.99
- Precision-made 8" parabolic primary mirror reflector telescope with fast 800mm focal length (f/4) provides exceptionally bright and crisp images of both solar system and deep-sky objects
- 2" linear bearing Crayford focuser features a 10:1 fine focus reduction knob for precise and repeatable focus
- Long 83.2mm back focus designed for attaching a variety of camera gear including a DSLR and coma corrector
- Compact optical tube weighs 16 lb, and is 27.5" long - will work on any Vixen compatible mount with this weight capacity
- Includes 26mm Super Plössl eyepiece, 8x50 finder scope, hinged tube rings, 2" eyepiece extension tube, cooling accelerator fan, and Vixen-style dovetail rail
The Meade 8" f/4 LX85 astrograph reflector optical tube assembly is a compact wide field telescope, with an immense amount of light grasp, thanks to the large 8" BK7 (Borosilicate) mirror and >90% enhanced reflectivity coatings. The f/4 system is incredibly fast, meaning with a camera it will collect a lot of light in a short time, perfect for taking shorter exposures while still recording all sorts of detail in the nebulae and galaxies.
With an 800mm focal length, pairing this telescope optical tube with a DSLR or other astro camera will yield large and rich swaths of sky, perfect for framing any number of large deep-sky objects. And with the 2" linear bearing Crayford focuser, trying pairing it with a low power 2" eyepiece with a large apparent field of view. From a dark-sky location away from city lights, objects such as the Veil Nebula will reveal structures you may not have seen before. The focuser features a 10:1 reduction fine focus knob, brass compression rings (so you don't mar the barrel of your eyepieces or camera adapters) and a 2" to 1.25" step down adapter (also with a brass compression ring).
The optical path of the LX85 reflector telescope design
The telescope is designed to reach focus with any DSLR camera, along with a host of other imaging accessories, and the long 83.2mm back-focus helps ensure compatibility with various equipment. In order to allow visual use as well, a 35mm long 2" diameter eyepiece extension tube is also provided, allowing most all 2" and 1.25" eyepieces to work with the telescope.
Includes a number of accessories such as hinged tube rings and a Vixen-style dovetail rail, 26mm Super Plössl eyepiece, 8x50 finder scope, and a cooling accelerator fan bolted to the rear mirror cell.
Depending on the size of your camera sensor, an optional coma corrector is recommended to eliminate the inherent coma in a reflector design. This would prove beneficial when using low power 2" eyepieces, or camera sensors larger than ~4:3 format.
- Best for viewing
- Fainter deep sky
- Best for imaging
- Deep sky
- Astro-imaging capability
- Lunar, planetary & long exposure
- User level
- Advanced
- Optical design
- Reflector
- Optical diameter
- 200mm
- Focal length
- 800mm
- Focal ratio
- f/4.0
- Finder scope magnification
- 8x
- Finder scope lens diameter
- 50mm
- Backfocus Distance
- 83.2mm
- Optics type
- Parabolic
- Glass material
- BK-7
- Eyepieces
- Super Plossl 26.0mm,None mm
- Magnification with included eyepieces
- 31x
- Resolving power
- 0.58arc*sec
- Lowest useful magnification
- 29x
- Highest useful magnification
- 300x
- Highest theoretical magnification
- 400x
- Limiting stellar magnitude
- 14.2
- Optical quality
- Diffraction limited
- Finder scope
- 8x50
- Focuser
- 2" dual-speed linear bearing Crayford
- Secondary mirror obstruction
- 70mm
- Secondary mirror obstruction by diameter
- 35%
- Secondary mirror obstruction by area
- 12%
- Mirror coatings/over-coatings
- Aluminum & Silicon Dioxide
- Mount type
- Optical Tube without Mount
- Tube material
- Steel
- Length of optical tube
- 27.5 in.
- Weight, optical tube
- 16.0 lbs.
- Additional included accessories
- Two cradle rings with felt lining, 12v cooling fan, 2" eyepiece extension tube, 8x50 finder and brac
- Other features
- Robust dual-speed focuser with 10:1 reduction gear, Vixen-style dovetail rail for mounting on tripod
- Warranty
- Two year