Meade LXD75 is a heavy-duty German equatorial mount enhanced with a heavy-duty tripod and #497 AutoStar GoTo controller that incorporates both RA and DEC motors. The mount, featuring heavy-duty castings, was designed by Meade's engineers and manufactured for high-performance observing and astrophotography.
Precision Instrument
The sturdy German equatorial mount is both accurate and precise. RA and Dec axes move effortlessly on four high-precision stainless steel ball bearings. High-Precision worm gears also provide smooth tracking and slewing. Capacity is 47 pounds.
High Precision Pointing (HPP)
For even more precise pointing, use the HPP function. HPP puts objects squarely in the center of the field of view, allowing you to confirm deep-sky objects at the farthest limits of the telescope's capability. Periodic Error Correction, meanwhile, corrects periodic errors on the RA axis over the course of one or more training periods. This minimizes guiding corrections during long-exposure photography.
9 Speed Drive Controls
From a rapid slew rate of 4.5°/sec. to 1X sidereal, tracking and slewing are controlled from the AutoStar controller. Three-Star Alignment Ensures precise alignment and eliminates the need for a complicated optical/mechanical alignment process. The mount also is equipped with an iluminated polar alignment viewfinder For quick, precise polar alignment.
Heavy Duty Tripod
A sturdily constructed, finely finished, variable-height field tripod with spreader bar brace provides the stability and vibration damping required for visual observation and astrophotography. It's also easy to set up and take down again after an evening's viewing.
Power Supply
Powered by eight D-cell batteries, the mount can also be powered by optional car cigarette lighter power cord or an AC wall adapter.
Type
Equatorial Mounts
Brand
Meade
Telescope Accessories Series
Meade Mounts and Tripods
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 9 reviews)
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of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
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Reviewed by 9 customers
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Comments about Meade LXD75 Telescope Mount and Tripod Only:
I believe I was lucky enough to have found a new LXD75 mount and tripod for my matching 6" Newtonion OTA because they work together perfectly! I've only had it a few months now (Jun2012) and, compared to the current price of similar tripod/mount assemblies, this is a good deal since I use it for occasional viewing sessions and for learning astrophotography. Tracks quietly and very well. I leave it set up (in the living room) since it's quite a chore to set up and take down... plus it easier to align it each session. If the hobby progresses to the point of a permanent outdoor observatory, it would be easy to keep it set up, even on the tripod, in a covered roll-top shed.
Like anything mechanical, I can see that rough use could perhaps put too much strain on the mount and create future problems... but with careful handling and good care, this mount and tripod could last a long time. I will soon be adding a 60mm refractor as a guide scope and also begin using computer programming to guide/direct the scope for DSO photographs, etc. Hope my learning curve is not too shallow!
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about Meade LXD75 Telescope Mount and Tripod Only:
I bought the LXD75 for a 6" Ritchey-Chrétien. For [$] it was better than I expected. The movement seems smooth in both Dec and RA. During high speed slew the motors seem a bit noisy, but when tracking an object I can't hear them. I only had a chance to use it a few times due to weather. It is easy to set up and once polar aligned had no problem locating deep sky objects and keeping them centered in the eyepiece.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Meade LXD75 Telescope Mount and Tripod Only:
LXD75 mount/tripod with Autostar is an excellent combination of the ease of use and a heavy mount/tripod. The tripod has 2-inch steel legs. This is a real bargain at the sale price. One drawback, though, is a bit out-dated connections of AutoStar - using RS232 and 4p4c AUX connections. This issue can be remedied with a few additional components that you can find on the Internet (unfortunately Meade is not much of help). It came with one 11 lb counterweight, but I also added a Vixen counterweight which is lighter and have some choices of weight. Vixen weights fit perfectly to LXD75.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Meade LXD75 Telescope Mount and Tripod Only:
Got a new scope 6" refractor, went with this mount main reason price. Of course it has rained for the first two weeks I had it. First night only problem was the manual, almost no information on polar settings. Second night out , worked ok found m31 on first try.
Comments about Meade LXD75 Telescope Mount and Tripod Only:
I bought this as my first equatorial mount. The purchase experience with Telescopes.com was textbook smooth and the mount arrived in great shape. After a straight forward assembly, the mount worked just as expected. No problem handling my 6" Newtonian. After adding a 497 Autostar controller, Goto capability had me finding objects with ease. Nice mount for visual work and good value.
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Q1: Does the Meade LXD75 Mount and Tripod Only (sku: 37-7500-01) come with the dovetail (saddle) plate?
A: Unfortunately, there is no dovetail plate supplied with the LXD75 mount; it's a separate purchase. Here's the URL; just paste it into your browser's address window: http://telescopes.com/products/meade-saddle-plate-dovetail-plate-for-lxd75-mount-42744.html.
Q2: Does this mount come with any weights?
A: Yes, the mount comes with rod and 10-pound counterweight.
Q3: Will this mount work with a Celestrong 10 inch reflector? Thanks, Trent
A: Yes, it probably will. However, you'll need a saddle plate to fit the LXD-75 mount. Here's the URL; just paste it into your browser's address window: http://telescopes.com/products/meade-saddle-plate-dovetail-plate-for-lxd75-mount-42744.html.
Q4: What is the max weight I can put on this EQ tripod. Will a 50pound 12inch reflector be ok on it?
A: Maximum weight rating for the LXD75 Mount is 47 pounds.
Q5: Are there manual controls (both directions) for slewing?
A: The Meade LXD75 Mount & Tripod only is sold with an electronic controller to control slewing. If you intend to use the mount without the hand controller, you'll need to move the scope by hand, as you would a scope on a Dobsonian mount.
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