“Good news for all those who have found their Meade telescope just a tiny bit unfriendly. Tame the beast with this excellent book by our friend Martin Peston.” (Brian May, banguniverse.com)
“Many readers of my book Using the Meade ETX have told me that they keep the book handy when using their ETX telescope. I suspect that many LXD telescope users will keep A User’s Guide to the Meade LXD55 and LXD75 Telescopes on hand as well. While no book will cover every topic or detail that the author wants to or should include, this book, in its 250 pages, has many techniques and tips that any level of LXD user will find valuable. I can heartily recommend this book to all LXD telescope users.” (Mike Weasner, author of Using the Meade ETX, weasner.com)
This book is for beginners who have just bought an LXD
telescope, it is also for amateurs who own an LXD telescope.
Own an Autostar #497 Handset?
In fact this book for any one who owns a #497 Autostar handset. That is
owners of the LXD, LX90, ETX, DSX and any other telescopes that utilise the
handset.
Autostar owners will find that I have gone into great detail about how to
use its functions, including some of the less commonly used ones, like
Browse, Identify and Custom Tracking rate settings. An appendix provides a
complete Named Star list along with star maps to find them. Even I will be
using this list to find stars for GOTO alignment!
Setup Techniques
I have provided details about how to set up the LXD telescope where the
manual lacks in explanation. This includes, using the RA calendar dial for
Polar alignment (yep there is one, under the RA setting circle!!). I have
also provided real images, not just schematic diagrams of the internal
components of the optical tube assembly, so that you can easily identify
what elements to adjust for collimation purposes.
And there’s more!!
Of course there are some great astro images taken by owners of the
telescopes from around the world. There is even a chapter on advising what
LXD model to buy.
From the Back Cover
This is a fully comprehensive guide to “choosing and using” the LXD55 / 75 computer-controlled – “go to” – series of telescopes. It is intended both for beginners and more advanced practical amateur astronomers.
The LXD series of telescopes is unusual in having German Equatorial Mounts – GEMs – rather than the more common altazimuth design. Although setting up a GEM with a go-to system is more involved than setting up the equivalent altazimuth mount, there are many advantages in the system, including zero field rotation.
A User’s Guide to the Meade LXD55 and LXD75 Telescopes contains a wealth of information on setting up, using and maintaining the telescope, along with lots of hints, tips, and tricks for getting the very best out of it.
Coverage in advanced techniques for experienced astronomers and LXD users include imaging, interfacing with a PC or laptop, using available accessories, and troubleshooting.
About the Author
Martin Peston obtained a first-class degree in Astrophysics at QM & Westfield, University of London. He currently works as a Systems Analyst and has been involved in various UK space and defence projects.
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