Meade LX200-ACF Telescope

The ACF design corrects for coma, a common optical aberration that causes stars at the edge of the field of view to look like comets. This results in pinpoint, sharp stars across the entire image, which is particularly noticeable when using wide-angle eyepieces or capturing astrophotography.

The LX200-ACF optical tube assembly is designed to be mounted on a sturdy, field-rated tripod capable of supporting its 34.66-pound weight. You will need a tripod specifically compatible with the Meade LX200 series base to ensure stability and proper alignment for the GoTo system.

The Autostar II system is intuitive but requires an initial alignment process. Once you input your location, date, and time, you perform a star alignment by centering two or three bright stars in the eyepiece; after that, the computer can automatically slew to and track thousands of celestial objects.

While the GoTo system makes finding objects easier, the 12-inch aperture and the weight of the unit make this a significant piece of equipment that is best suited for intermediate to advanced observers. Beginners may find the setup and maintenance of a telescope this size to be a steep learning curve.

The telescope comes with a 1.25-inch eyepiece holder, but the optical design is capable of supporting 2-inch accessories. You would simply need to purchase a 2-inch diagonal or adapter to accommodate larger eyepieces.

UHTC coatings are applied to the optical surfaces to increase light transmission. This allows more light to reach your eye, resulting in brighter, higher-contrast views of faint deep-sky objects like nebulae and galaxies compared to standard coatings.