Meade LX85 Computerized GoTo Telescope Mount with AudioStar

MSRP: $1,299.99 Please see your local authorized reseller for pricing and availability.

View All Specifications

  • Heavy-duty LX85 EQ GoTo mount is a real workhorse mount with a 33-lb. payload capacity, ideal for both visual and deep-sky astrophotography pursuits
  • AudioStar hand controller with a 30,000+ object-library and multiple guided tours
  • Internal speaker with audio files providing useful information (in both English and Spanish) related to the object being viewed
  • Internal 12v DC servo motors in both axes provide highly accurate slews and tracking
  • 2" diameter steel tripod legs provide an ultra rigid platform
Item #: 217000

Where To Buy?

  • Woodland Hills Camera & Telescopes
  • Orion Telescopes & Binoculars
  • High Point Scientific
  • Mile High Astronomy
  • Astroshop.eu
  • Agena Astro
  • Khan Scope
  • First Light Optics

Observing and astro-imaging enthusiasts alike will appreciate the stability, pointing precision, and engineering craftsmanship embodied in the Meade LX85 Computerized GoTo Telescope Mount. This fine-quality German equatorial mount, which features fully automated GoTo slewing to thousands of objects via its innovative AudioStar controller, sets the standard for mid-sized telescope mounts with features and performance that discerning amateur astronomers covet.

A Rock-Solid Platform for Your Telescope

The LX85 Computerized GoTo Telescope Mount features a Vixen-style dovetail cradle for mounting telescopes and camera gear weighing up to 33 lb. A thread-on stainless steel counterweight shaft is included as is one 9-lb counterweight (additional counterweights sold separately). Supporting the mount is a beefy tripod with 2"-diameter stainless steel legs and a wide stance for stability. A center tray holds eyepieces and accessories and acts as a leg brace to further stabilize while minimizing vibrations. The mount readily accommodates the optional Meade LX85 Illuminated Polar Scope, ensuring spot-on polar alignment in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Accurate polar alignment is essential for precise tracking, especially at high powers, and for astrophotographic guiding.

Versatility for Visual Use or Astrophotography

The equatorial design of the LX85 lends itself to both visual use and deep-sky astrophotography. For the latter, an equatorial mount is required for the precise polar alignment that is necessary to prevent "field rotation," which degrades long exposures taken with telescopes on Alt/Az mounts. Of course, if your primary interest is visual, you might consider the LX90 series of fork-mounted Alt/Az telescopes, as there is no need for critical polar alignment when observing. But for long exposure photography, the LX85's equatorial configuration and capability for pinpoint polar alignment will set you up better for success.

Advanced Tracking and Guiding Performance

The LX85 Computerized GoTo Telescope Mount's low-cog servo motors ensure smooth tracking and guiding capability. Their integer drive gearing lets you track through long exposures using Meade's Smart Drive feature, which records permanent periodic error correction (PPEC) to improve tracking accuracy over time. Backlash compensation trains out the intrinsic play between gears to further dial in GoTo and tracking precision. Fine slewing and photographic guiding speeds can be adjusted from .01x to 1x sidereal, with faster slewing up to 4 degrees per second. The mount can impressively handle slight load imbalances with ease. Seamlessly image the best parts of the night sky well past the meridian, without need for a meridian flip until the telescope actually nears contact with the tripod.

Take Aim with AudioStar and Its "Astronomer Inside" Tech

With the included AudioStar handbox you have easy access to over 30,000 celestial objects, which you can view with a simple press of a button! The object library includes the planets, double stars, and thousands nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters from the Messier, NGC and IC catalogs. Up to 100 custom user-defined objects can also be added, with filters to create custom object lists. Its intuitive menu-driven user interface makes observing the heavens fast and easy. The two-line display has red LED backlighting for easy viewing in the dark. The top of the AudioStar even has a built-in red LED utility light! AudioStar's Astronomer Inside technology features a built-in speaker that plays over four hours of educational content about the celestial objects you view! What's more, AudioStar offers additional helpful functions such as multiple Guided Tours, digital positional readouts, several different star alignment procedures, the ability to link with a PC running optional astronomy software, and updating via the internet through its serial port.

Meade AudioStar

The Meade AudioStar features audio descriptions and an internal speaker.

This computerized celestial object locating system plugs into the mount's handbox port. After an easy star alignment, AudioStar is ready to take you to any object in the over 30,000-object database. Enjoy its intuitive object menus and two-line illuminated display plus hours of audio descriptions, multiple Guided Tours, digital positional readouts, the ability to link with a PC running optional astro software, and much more.

Versatile and portable, the LX85 Computerized GoTo Telescope Mount also includes an integrated ST-4 autoguider port to readily connect to your autoguider camera, making your astro-imaging experience easy and straightforward. The mount's control panel features additional inputs for a range of accessories, including an Aux port, an electronic focuser port to accommodate the optional Meade Zero-Image Shift Electronic Micro Focuser, a power output for an illuminated reticle eyepiece, and a 12v DC input (5.5mm/2.5mm tip-positive) port. A 25' DC power cable is included. The Autostar Suite planetarium program is available as on online download.

Assembled weight of the LX85 mount and tripod is 34.1 lb. That's heavy enough to ensure solid stability but no so hulking that it can't be carried by one person. Just remove the accessory tray, fold the hinged tripod legs inward, lift and go.

Designed and Manufactured in North America

The LX85 Computerized GoTo Telescope Mount is produced to exacting quality standards. Unlike most other equatorial mounts in its class, the LX85 was designed and is proudly manufactured in North America, with meticulous oversight of quality control throughout the production process. And like all Meade products the LX85 is backed by Meade's Two Year Limited Warranty.

For anyone whose astronomical ambitions go beyond quick peeks at the Moon, you'll want a mid-sized mount that is up to the task. The Meade LX85 Computerized GoTo Telescope Mount with Audiostar is that mount. Capable of handling a wide variety of optical tubes and equipment, the Meade LX85 will help you explore the universe, whether you are an enthusiastic beginning observer or an astrophotography devotee, and whether it's your first real GoTo mount or you are stepping up from a less-capable mount. The LX85 could be the last mount you will ever need!

Warranty:
Limited Warranty against defects in materials or workmanship for two years from date of purchase. This warranty is provided by Meade for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. For complete warranty details contact Meade at 800-626-3233.
Best for imaging
Solar, lunar, planetary & Messier objects
Astro-imaging capability
Lunar, planetary & long exposure
User level
Intermediate
Weight rating
33 lbs.
Dovetail bar system
Yes
Motor drive compatibility
Clock drive included
Computerized compatibility
Go-To included
Alignment procedure
Easy Align, One Star, Two Star, Three Star
Number of objects in database
30,000
Tracking rates
Sidereal, Solar and Lunar
Motor speeds
Up to 4 degrees per second
Motor type
DC Servo motors with encoders
Power requirement
12-volt DC - 5A (tip positive)
PEC
Yes
GPS
Sold separately
Backlash compensation
Yes
Latitude range
20-60
Setting circles
Yes
Polar-axis scope
Sold separately
Counterweights
One 9 lb.
Tripod material
Steel
Tripod leg diameter
2.00 in.
Counterweight bar length
13 in.
Diameter of counterweight shaft
20mm
Weight, mount/tripod
9.0 lbs.
Weight, fully assembled
34.1 lbs.
Additional included accessories
DC power cable (5.5mm x 2.5mm tip), Accessory tray, AudioStar software download
Other features
AudioStar Controller with 30,000+ object database, Vixen-style dovetail cradle, Compatible with Zero
Warranty
Two year