Meade LS-8 ACF LightSwitch 8" f/10 Catadioptric GoTo Telescope - USED

This product is used but in good condition.

Comes with accessories (more than $300 in value) :

- Meade Diagonal Prism

- Celestron Mars Red Filter (no.25)

- Smartphone Adapter

- Moon & Skyglow Filter

- Meade Super Plossl 26mm Eyepiece

- Meade Super Plossl 12.4mm Eyepiece

- Meade Super Plossl 6.4mm Eyepiece

Ushering in a new era for amateur astronomers, the Meade LS-8ACF LightSwitch 8" f/10 Catadioptric GoTo Telescope aligns itself with virtually zero input from the user. The LightSwitch system first obtains the current day/time/location using an onboard GPS module, next the integrated CCD camera takes a series of pictures of the night sky overhead, then it references the relative positions of the objects in those pictures to the AutoStar III database to properly and accurately align itself—all in about 5 minutes. During long-exposure astrophotography, the LightSwitch system acts as an autoguider to monitor the tracking accuracy and correct any errors in real time.

Optically, Meade utilizes their Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) catadioptric light path to reduce color fringing and off-axis comas to enable it to clearly resolve dim deep-sky objects and easily split binary stars with tack-sharp clarity. Complementing the ACF system is their Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC) system, which improves light transmission through the entire light path across the whole visible spectrum. A combination of high-transmittance lens coatings and highly reflective mirror coatings boost image brightness, while minimizing internal and external light loss and diffraction.

An aluminum single-arm alt-az fork mount carries the optical tube assembly (OTA) and runs on eight user-supplied C-cell batteries for off-the-grid observation sessions, and supporting the entire system is an adjustable-height stainless steel tripod. To get you out and observing immediately, Meade includes a relatively low-power eyepiece, a 90° star diagonal, and a red-dot finderscope. Complementing the large 8" aperture, the diagonal and visual backs are made for 2" eyepieces, accessories, and imaging gear. For observation, 2" eyepieces tend to have longer eye reliefs and wider fields of view, making it more comfortable during long observation sessions. For imaging, the larger back ensures exiting light completely covers larger camera sensors to avoid vignetting.

Ideal for making detailed lunar and planetary observations with the capability of reaching far beyond our solar system or as a powerful astroimaging rig, this user-friendly, completely automatic, fully GoTo-equipped observational platform will reveal the wonders of the universe to new and experienced amateur astronomers alike.