The Meade 16-inch LX200-ACF Telescope brings Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) optics within reach of aspiring astronomers everywhere. Nearly every observatory reflector in the world uses an aplanatic (coma-free) optical system like the Ritchey Chretien (RC), including NASA's Hubble Space Telescope! Now you can own similar optics to what the professionals use.

The LX200-ACF includes all the field-proven features of the LX200 including GPS, Primary Mirror Lock, Zero Image-Shift Micro focuser, Oversized Primary Mirror, SmartDrive; Smart Mount, AutoStar II and more. Plus, the LX200-ACF comes with observatory-class optics and a Series 5000 26 mm 5-Element Plossl eyepiece. The new LX200-ACF.

A traditional RC design is a type of reflector that delivers a coma-free, flat field of view via hyperbolic primary and secondary mirrors. RC telescopes (from a variety of manufacturers) are found in most of the world's top observatories and NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Because the mirrors in these telescopes have always been very expensive to make, few amateur astronomers could enjoy them. Fortunately, Meade engineers developed an Advanced Coma-Free design by combining a hyperbolic secondary mirror with a corrector-lens-and-spherical-primary-mirror combination that performs as one hyperbolic element. This ACF design produces a coma-free, flat field of view that rivals traditional RC telescopes at a fraction of the cost. The design even eliminates diffraction spikes and improves astigmatism, both of which are inherent in the traditional RC design. 

Meade 16-inch f/10 LX200-ACF Advanced Coma-Free Telescope Features

• f/10 Advanced Coma-Free Optics reduce astigmatism and eliminates diffraction spikes found in classical RCs. The LX200-ACF is the perfect platform for the demanding researcher and imaging enthusiast with telescopes available in apertures of 8 inches, 10 inches, 12 inches, and 16 inches.
• Meade Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC) increases total light transmission and image brightness by nearly 20% over Meade's standard coatings. Objects such as stars, galaxies, and nebulae will appear significantly brighter.
• Zero Image-Shift Micro Focuser allows you to obtain precise image focus with no image movement.
• Primary Mirror Lock locks the mirror in place during long-exposure astrophotography.
• Oversize Primary Mirror diameters are greater than their listed aperture (e.g., the diameter of the 8-inch LX200-ACF is actually 8.25 inches). This additional 0.25-inch yields a wide, fully illuminated field-of-view.
• Smart Mount constantly refines pointing accuracy each time an object is centered and updated. Compatible with both equatorial and altazimuth mounts.
• SmartDrive provides permanent periodic error correction (PPEC) on both axes by learning and averaging error over the course of one or more training periods, thereby minimizing guiding corrections during long-exposure photographs. PPEC is available on both axes and functions in both polar and Alt-Azimuth modes.
• Sony GPS Receiver Sensor automatically inputs precise time, date, and geographical location to help quickly and precisely align the telescope.
• AutoAlign Technology is engineered into your telescope making it pre-aligned right out of the box!. AutoAlign picks two fail-proof alignment stars for you and places them right in your viewfinder. Just center to fine-tune your alignment and the wonders of the universe are at your fingertips.
• AutoStar II Controller features "Hot Keys" for quick access to a 145,000 celestial object database. AutoStar II can be updated with the latest software upgrades, guided tours and timely objects like comets.

• Produces a Coma-free, Flat Field of View, Eliminates Diffraction Spikes and Improves Astigmatism.
• Includes an AutoStar II Controller with a Library of 145,000 Celestial Objects.
• Aperture: 406 mm (16-inch).
• Focal Ratio: f/10.
• Focal Length: 4060 mm.
• Optical Design: ACF Cassegrain.

• Meade 16-inch LX200-ACF Telescope (without Tripod or Pier).
• 8 x 50 Finderscope.
• 2-inch Diagonal with 1.25-inch Adapter.
• #1209 Micro focuser.
• 25-foot AC Power Cord.
• AutoStar Suite Astronomer Edition Software.
• Series 5000 26 mm Plossl Eyepiece.
• Operating Instructions.
• Foam-Fitted Shipping Box.