Meade LX200-ACF Optical Tube Assembly

The ACF design corrects for coma, which is the optical aberration that causes stars at the edge of the field of view to look like comets. By eliminating this, you get a flatter, sharper field of view that is significantly better for astrophotography and wide-field visual observation.

No, this is an Optical Tube Assembly (OTA) only. You will need to provide your own compatible equatorial or alt-azimuth mount that can support the 26-pound weight of the tube.

In many catadioptric telescopes, the primary mirror can shift slightly as the telescope moves, which ruins long-exposure photos. The mirror lock physically secures the mirror in place, ensuring your focus remains rock-solid throughout your imaging session.

This OTA is equipped with a Losmandy-style dovetail plate. Ensure your mount is compatible with this wider, more robust mounting standard before purchasing.

The included single-speed focuser is functional for general visual use, but many serious astrophotographers eventually upgrade to a dual-speed or electronic focuser for finer control. If you are doing high-resolution planetary or deep-sky imaging, you may find the upgrade beneficial.

Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC) are applied to the corrector plate to minimize light reflection and maximize the amount of light reaching your eye or camera sensor. This results in brighter, higher-contrast images, which is particularly helpful when observing faint deep-sky objects.