Telescope Reviews: RCX 400 Information. Very Indepth.

Advanced f/8 Ritchey-Chrétien Optics: The Ritchey-Chrétien or RC optical design is well known to discerning astrophotographers and is the telescope optical design in many of the leading professional observatories of the world. Meade has taken its f/8 RC optical design to another level by adding a corrector plate to reduce residual astigmatism that is inherent in the traditional optical design. In addition many more design features were added to the RCX400 for the demanding researcher and imaging enthusiast with telescopes available in apertures of 10 inches, 12 inches, 14 inches, and 16 inches.

Laser Aligned, Fixed Primary Mirror: The primary mirror is laser aligned to the true optical path, then float bonded in place. It is fixed, but literally floats on a layer of adhesive that results in zero stress to the glass and no distortion to the optics (unlike mirror cells or floating point pads). There is no mirror movement.

Computer Optimized Internal Baffling: Unlike traditional Schmidt-Cassegrain designs, the primary mirror moves along a baffle tube in order to achieve focus, Meade's RCX400 primary mirror is mounted independent of the baffle tube. This allowed Meade's engineers to take full advantage of the baffle design to create full stray light cut-off performance, in order to produce the maximum contrast. Additionally the secondary baffle, machined of aluminum with its distinctive outer knife-edges further minimizes stray light in the optical path.

Precision Encoder-Measured Digital Focusing: With a laser aligned primary mirror fixed in position, focusing is performed electronically and digitally by precisely moving the entire front cell in increments as fine as 1/100 of a millimeter. Digital readout of the focus position can be read on the telescope's AutoStar II handbox. There are 4 different focusing speeds from fine to fast. Since the process is accomplished without moving the primary mirror, the entire assembly is virtually free from image shift.

Focus Position Presets: By setting up to 9 focus positions, RCX400 owners can customize perfect focus from observer to observer with different eyesight (similar to the custom settings in luxury cars to change the mirror, seat, and steering wheel settings from one driver to another). The feature is also very useful when using switching to various eyepiece and Barlow lens combinations, or from a visual setup to a camera setup.

Precision Electronic Optical Collimation: Collimating a Cassegrain telescope has never been easier. RCX400 owners will make precision collimation adjustments to the secondary mirror of the telescope by using the arrow keys of AutoStar II handbox, allowing a single person to simultaneously make adjustments and see the results. In addition, Meade precision collimates the optics at the factory and then sets that position as the default setting. So in the case where one may make a mistake in making a collimation adjustment, the default setting can always be used.

Built-In Dew Heater: Instead of wrapping a heating element around the telescope's optical tube assembly to send heat through the telescope's front cell to prevent dew from forming on the corrector plate, the RCX400 incorporates a nickel-chromium wire heating element that is in contact with the glass of the corrector plate that quickly, efficiently, and safely sends heat through lens using the lowest power drain possible.

With two onboard temperature sensors, one to measure ambient temperature (placed inside the fork arm) and one to measure the temperature of the corrector plate, the RCX400 can be set to have the built-in dew heater keep the corrector plate warmed to a user-defined setting above ambient temperature. By only using the dew heater precisely when needed, battery usage is managed to its optimum. All functions to operate the dew heater are controlled by the AutoStar II handbox.

New Rear and Front Cell Architecture: The front and back cells of the RCX400 are designed to allow the maximum amount of air-flow around the optics, in order to achieve the quickest "cool down" times. To accelerate cool-down time, a built-in fan on the rear cell can be turned on and off through the AutoStar II handbox.

The rear cell additionally incorporates a multi-port panel with 3 USB ports, a port for an autoguider, AutoStar II handbox, illuminated reticle, RS232, and one for future "Smart" accessories. Having cords and cables attached to the tube rather than stretched to attach to the drive virtually eliminates cord wrap, which protects CCD cameras and other accessories from accidentally being pulled out of the telescope. In addition the shape of the rear cell is flattened in order to maximize the clearance space between the rear cell and the fork mount.

New Carbon Graphite and Kevlar Tube: The carbon graphite and Kevlar tube is a unique light-weight, high strength material with ultra-low expansion characteristics that will maintain the spacing between the optics, so that focus settings do not change with outside temperature changes. This is a critical feature to astrophotographers.

Instead of forcing a perfectly round shaped tube assembly, the tube is shaped around the mechanisms and drive system of the front focus and collimation assembly, giving the RCX400 its unique look and style.

RCX400 Drive Base: The multi-port panel of the RCX400 drive base includes an special single USB input port allowing simultaneous control over the telescope and either the Meade LPI or Deep Sky Imager camera through Meade's AutoStar Suite software. Additionally there are ports for a power cord input, the AutoStar II handbox, a DB-9 auxiliary port, 12v out power port, and RS-232. Additionally the RCX400 includes the familiar on/off switch and LED power light indicator.

RCX400 Balanced Drives: The drive mechanisms of many telescopes can be compared to the movements of fine chronometer watches. First utilized on the 14" LX200GPS, the RCX worm block design incorporates a unique balanced loading system to the keep worm and worm gear in the optimum contact position, regardless of the load stress that is normally encountered as the telescope is moved from one position of the sky to the next. The result is improved drive performance, with superior centering and slewing characteristics. RCX400 Balanced Drive assemblies are on both the RA and Dec. axes.

Expanded Database and Larger User Memory: The RCX400 database has been expanded over the standard library of the LX200GPS to include 180,000 objects. In addition to more stars from the Hipparchos/Tycho catalog, we have added:

· The popular "Lunar 100" with the finest features to see and image on the Moon

· A subset of the finest visual doubles from the Wisconsin Double Star Catalog

· The Hickson Catalog of Dense Galaxy Groups

· The Gleason Catalog of Nearby Stars

· The Landolt Catalog of Photometric Standard Stars

· The Sharpless Catalog of HII Regions.

There are also more meteor showers with their corresponding radiants that are included.

Heavy-Duty Fork Mounts: RCX400 fork mounts are the strongest, most rigid mountings ever made available for telescopes of these apertures. DC-servo-motor-controlled (12v DC) worm gear drives with almost two hundred selectable drive speeds, combined with the Meade Smart Drive on both telescope axes, permit observatory-level precision in tracking, guiding, and slewing.

Photo-guide speeds are selectable from 0.01x to 1.0x sidereal, in increments of 0.01x; fast-slew speeds are selectable from 1°/sec. to 8°/sec. in 0.1°/sec. increments. Use the 8°/sec. speed for rapid motion of the telescope across the skies; once near the target, switch instantly to a speed of 1.5°/sec. or 3°/sec. for centering in the viewfinder. Observing in the main telescope, use the 16x or 64x sidereal speed to place the object in the center of the field.

Precision GPS Alignment: Telescope alignment is accomplished automatically using signals from the Global Positioning System (GPS), a satellite system that enables extremely precise communication to the telescope of the observer's latitude and longitude, as well as local time. Integrated True-Level and North electronic sensors in combination with a high-sensitivity Sony GPS receiver located in the left-hand fork arm result in accurate telescope alignment to the sky at the touch of a button: Just press the ENTER button on the Autostar II hand controller and watch as the telescope measures level, points North, and slews at 8°/sec. to its first alignment star. Magnetic declination compensation designed into the telescope software automatically engages during the alignment process.

Software Downloads and Satellite Tracking: The software included in Meade RCX400 telescopes is under continuous factory review; updates to this software are published at regular intervals on Meade's website. Importantly, the latest software version, as well as custom and updated guided tours, comet and asteroid positions, may be downloaded in minutes from Meade's website. Additionally, current Earth satellite orbital data (including the International Space Station, Space Shuttle, etc.) may be downloaded; the telescope then automatically acquires and tracks the satellite at the correct tracking rate. The telescope's flash memory may be upgraded through one of the RS-232 ports with new software or data as they become available on Meade's website.

Smart Mount: Revolutionary Smart Mount technology is standard equipment on all RCX400 telescopes. Smart Mount improves the pointing accuracy of your RCX400's telescope's "Go To" system with the following features:

Constantly improved pointing accuracy with every object centered and sync'ed.
Works with both equatorial and altazimuth configurations.
Simple routine to refine pointing accuracy for the entire sky with your equipment configuration and alignment.
Refined pointing data can be saved and reused for permanent and portable setups.
High-Precision Pointing (HP) Capability: Meade RCX400 models permit the most accurate pointing capability ever offered in a commercial telescope. Now you can command the telescope to GO TO an object located on the opposite side of the sky (for example, a distance of 120 degrees in sky-angle) and, in conjunction with the telescope's unique SYNC command, the RCX400 locates and centers the desired object. HP capability is accessible in either the altazimuth or equatorial orientations.

Smart Drive Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC): Included as standard equipment, the Smart Drive permits a professional level of drive-rate precision. No longer are large systems required, worm gear when smaller gears coupled to Smart Drive software can achieve periodic errors of 5 arc secs or less-an observatory standard of precision.

All worm/worm-gear combinations, no matter how well made, have minor inaccuracies that manifest themselves as periodic errors in the telescope tracking rate, with the period dependent on the worm's rate of rotation. To program the Smart Drive the observer guides on an object visually, making corrections with the handbox controller.

The software then remembers these corrections, stores them in memory, and in the future automatically compensates for the periodic errors of the gear system.

Smart Drive user programming is stored in the telescope's computer memory forever, independently of any power source, unlike other periodic error correctors that must be reprogrammed each time you use the system. The Smart Drive can be erased, updated, or even averaged with future programming at the user's option.

The significant value of the Smart Drive is immediately appreciated during long-exposure astrophotography, where the resulting low periodic error of the system enables relaxed guiding with a minimum of handbox corrections. In CCD imaging, where short exposures of deep-space objects are often all that is required for stunning results, the Smart Drive often permits imaging without any guiding requirements at all.

Altazimuth and Equatorial Operation: For all visual observing applications, for lunar and planetary photography, and for many CCD imaging applications, Meade RCX400 may be set up in the altazimuth mode - just attach the telescope's drive base directly to the tripod, use the GPS alignment procedure, and the telescope's computer actuates 2-axis tracking that keeps objects precisely centered in the field, even at high powers, during the entire observing session. For long-exposure astrophotography altazimuth-induced field rotation requires the new Superwedge or the #1220 (for 10", 12", and 14" models) or the #1222 (for 16" models) Field De-rotater, either of which may be purchased separately.

Field Operation: RCX400 scopes operate from eight C-cells neatly stored inside the fork arms. Alternately, telescope powering may be effected from an automobile cigarette lighter plug (using the optional #607 Power Cord) or from a standard home outlet (using the new optional AC Adapter).

UHTC Coatings: Standard on all RCX400 telescopes, the importance of Meade's proprietary UHTC group becomes apparent when comparing total telescope light transmission, or throughput, caused by the multiplier, or compounding, effect of the four optical surfaces. With each optical surface contributing significantly to telescope light throughput, the effect of all four surfaces combined is indeed dramatic, as demonstrated by the graphs on the facing page, as well as by the table of the brightest nebular emission lines. At the H-a wavelength of 656nm., total transmission increases from 76.7% to 88.5%, an increase of 15.4%; at the helium wavelengths of 588nm. and 469nm. - strong emission lines in hot planetary nebulae - total telescope transmission increases by 13.8% and 16.8%, respectively; at the two nitrogen II lines of 655nm. and 658nm. and at the sulfur II line of 673nm., transmission is increased by 16%. Averaged over the entire visible spectrum (450nm. to 700nm.), total light transmission to the telescope focus increases by about 15%.

#929 2" Diagonal with UHTC: Standard equipment on all RCX400 telescopes, attaches to the rear cell of and permits the use of wide-field 2" O.D. eyepieces. Each diagonal includes a Meade optical-flat mirror of Pyrex glass, UHTC-coated for maximum reflectivity.

Series 5000 24mm 2" O.D. Ultra Wide Angle Eyepiece: Standard equipment on all RCX400 telescopes, the Series 5000 24mm 2" O.D. Ultra Wide Angle Eyepiece represents the ultimate in eyepiece design and technology delivering extremely high resolution, contrast and full-field sharpness over an astounding 82° apparent field-of-view. Only the highest quality materials were selected to create this extraordinary eyepiece. The designs required several different types of exotic glass in order to achieve the highest level of optical performance.

New Ultra-Stable Tripod: Standard equipment for RCX400 10", 12", and 14" telescopes, the patent pending trigger release leg locks of the Ultra-Stable tripod are positioned at the top of the tripod legs for easy access.

Specifications: RCX400 10", 12" and 14" Telescopes-Includes 10" Ritchey- Chrétien (D=254mm, F=2032mm, f/8), 12" Ritchey-Chrétien (D = 305mm, F =

2438mm, f/8) or 14" Ritchey-Chrétien (D = 356mm, F = 2845mm, f/8) optical tube assembly with Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC) standard; 4-speed front focusing mechanism; heavy-duty fork mount, with 4"-diameter polar ball bearing, dual-axis 5.75" worm gears, and 2 multi-function, multi-port control panels; manual and electric slow-motion controls on both axes; thermal stabilization fan; setting circles in RA and Dec; Autostar II control system, 4-Megabyte flash memory, digital readout display, permanently-programmable Smart Drive and 185-speed drive controls on both axes, High-Precision Pointing, and 180,000-object onboard celestial software library; GPS alignment system with extended sensitivity Sony GPS receiver, magnetic declination compensation, and true-level and North electronic sensors; Smart Mount which improves the pointing accuracy of your RCX400 telescope's "Go To" system; 12v DC telescope power supplied from internal battery compartments accepting 8 (user-supplied) C-cells (optional 25 ft. cords are available for powering from auto cigarette lighter plug or from 115v AC); 8 x 50mm viewfinder; 2" diagonal mirror with UHTC and 1.25" adapter; Series 5000 Ultra Wide Angle 2" O.D. 24mm eyepiece; RCX400 Ultra-Stable variable-height tripod; operating instructions.

Specifications: RCX400 16" - Includes 16" Ritchey-Chrétien optical tube assembly (D = 406mm, F = 3251mm, f/8) with Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC) standard; 4-speed front focusing mechanism; heavy-duty, one-piece fork mount with 6 roller bearings and dual-axis 11" worm gears and 2 multi-function, multi-port control panels; electric slow-motion controls on both axes; manual slow-motion control on RA axis; thermal stabilization fan; setting circles in RA and Dec; Autostar II control system, 4-Megabyte flash memory, digital readout display, permanently-programmable Smart Drive and 185-speed drive controls on both axes, High-Precision Pointing, and 180,000-object onboard celestial software library; GPS alignment system with extended sensitivity Sony GPS receiver, magnetic declination compensation, and true-level and North electronic sensors; Smart Mount which improves the pointing accuracy of your RCX400 telescope's "Go To" system; 25 ft. power cord and adapter for telescope operation from 115v AC (for field operation from 12v DC auto cigarette lighter plug, see optional #1812A Electronic DC Adapter); 8 x 50mm viewfinder; 2" diagonal mirror with UHTC and 1.25" adapter; Series 5000 Ultra Wide Angle 2" O.D. 24mm eyepiece; supergiant transportable field tripod; operating instructions.

Clear Skies,
Mike/astronomics

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Edited by Astronomics (01/04/05 05:54 PM)