Novice who wants to get started

[f***@swbell.net]

Hi. I have inheirited a wonderful Meade LX-200 telescope (10 in.) from
my recently departed uncle. I want to start using it, especially since
my son is studying disciplines in his junior high science curriculum
that would benefit from this scope. Other than setting it up and
manually finding targets, I have no idea how to use it. The scope came
with everything but documentation. It would be helpful if someone
could answer three questions for me:

1. Can you point me to a good web site that provides utter novices
like me with a quickstart for using the LX-200?
2. Is it possible to control this telescope with a laptop. If so, what
hardware adapters are necessary and what is the best software for such
a thing?
3. And finally, the telescope came with what I assume is a good basic
eyepiece, but I suspect better images can be had with upgraded
eyepieces. Suggestions?

I really appreciate your thoughts.

[GB]

Post by f***@swbell.net
Hi. I have inheirited a wonderful Meade LX-200 telescope (10 in.) from
my recently departed uncle. I want to start using it, especially since
my son is studying disciplines in his junior high science curriculum
that would benefit from this scope. Other than setting it up and
manually finding targets, I have no idea how to use it. The scope came
with everything but documentation. It would be helpful if someone

Documentation :
http://www.meade.com/manuals/TelescopeManuals/LXseries/LX200_Classic_Manual.pdf

Post by f***@swbell.net
1. Can you point me to a good web site that provides utter novices
like me with a quickstart for using the LX-200?

The best way to learn the basic is to joint a local astronomy club,
you will save time and energy, trust me! You will find there a lot of
peoples who will be hasten to learn the know-how, the references and
all the tricks for the setup of your telescope.

Post by f***@swbell.net
2. Is it possible to control this telescope with a laptop. If so, what
hardware adapters are necessary and what is the best software for such
a thing?

Yes, it is possible to, but, if you don't make any astrophotography,
it is useless because your telescope has his own computer with all the
position of what you can see in the night sky. On the Web, you can
find all the catalog of celestial objects (Messier, Cadwell, NGC,
etc.) A Sky Atlas could be very useful for your night observations. A
software like Starry Night pro could be a good tool to prepare your
futur observation.

Post by f***@swbell.net
3. And finally, the telescope came with what I assume is a good basic
eyepiece, but I suspect better images can be had with upgraded
eyepieces. Suggestions?

First, ask someone qualify (astronomy club) to check the colimation of
your telescope, a bad colimation is like wearing the wrong pair of
glass and you won't be able to see very well the faint objects in the
deep sky.

Don't burn the initiation to astronomy by trying to do everything only
by yoursell (book, Web, etc), a rule of tumb, if you do so, in a
month, you will lost the interest because you will pass away the
ressources and expertise of what an astronomy club can bring to you.

I hope that astronomy will become for you and your son a new passion.
After 10 years of observation, I'm always amaze of the wonderful that
we found in the deep sky.

[victor]

Post by f***@swbell.net
Hi. I have inheirited a wonderful Meade LX-200 telescope (10 in.) from
my recently departed uncle. I want to start using it, especially since
my son is studying disciplines in his junior high science curriculum
that would benefit from this scope. Other than setting it up and
manually finding targets, I have no idea how to use it. The scope came
with everything but documentation. It would be helpful if someone
1. Can you point me to a good web site that provides utter novices
like me with a quickstart for using the LX-200?

The manual, which has a "getting started" section, is available as a
PDF file
from Meade.com:

http://www.meade.com
http://www.meade.com/manuals/TelescopeManuals/LXseries/LX200_Classic_Manual.pdf

I am assuming you have the older "classic" LX200 without the GPS
feature. If not,
just look for your version at http://www.meade.com/manuals/index.html

Post by f***@swbell.net
2. Is it possible to control this telescope with a laptop. If so, what
hardware adapters are necessary and what is the best software for such
a thing?

You need a serial port on the laptop, a cable which you can find on
ebay
(search for item 300268317520 at present), and software which you can
write yourself or buy from various sources (see the ebay ad for some
links).

Post by f***@swbell.net
3. And finally, the telescope came with what I assume is a good basic
eyepiece, but I suspect better images can be had with upgraded
eyepieces. Suggestions?

If your telescope has the Meade 26mm series 4000 eyepiece it normally
comes with, you are in luck. That gives about 100x with excellent
optical
quality and will serve you well for a long while. A shorter focal
length eyepiece
like Meade's 10mm series 4000 (about $50, for viewing planets)
and a longer one like 40mm with a wider field of view like Meade's
($70,
for largeer deep-sky objects) could be added as you interest deepens.
You can spend $500 on an eyepieces if you want an ultra wide field of
view, but
I consider that a bit of a luxury for a novice.

Adorama in NYC has a good selection so you can compare prices:

http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=brands&brand=Meade

or search for "telecope eyepiece" to get other brands as well.

Post by f***@swbell.net
I really appreciate your thoughts.

Cheers,
Victor

[f***@swbell.net]

Post by victor

Post by f***@swbell.net
Hi. I have inheirited a wonderful Meade LX-200 telescope (10 in.) from
my recently departed uncle. I want to start using it, especially since
my son is studying disciplines in his junior high science curriculum
that would benefit from this scope. Other than setting it up and
manually finding targets, I have no idea how to use it. The scope came
with everything but documentation. It would be helpful if someone
1. Can you point me to a good web site that provides utter novices
like me with a quickstart for using the LX-200?

The manual, which has a "getting started" section, is available as a
PDF file
 http://www.meade.com
 http://www.meade.com/manuals/TelescopeManuals/LXseries/LX200_Classic_...
I am assuming you have the older "classic" LX200 without the GPS
feature.  If not,
just look for your version at  http://www.meade.com/manuals/index.html

Post by f***@swbell.net
2. Is it possible to control this telescope with a laptop. If so, what
hardware adapters are necessary and what is the best software for such
a thing?

You need a serial port on the laptop, a cable which you can find on
ebay
(search for item 300268317520 at present), and software which you can
write yourself or buy from various sources (see the ebay ad for some
links).

Post by f***@swbell.net
3. And finally, the telescope came with what I assume is a good basic
eyepiece, but I suspect better images can be had with upgraded
eyepieces. Suggestions?

If your telescope has the Meade 26mm series 4000 eyepiece it normally
comes with, you are in luck.  That gives about 100x with excellent
optical
quality and will serve you well for a long while.  A shorter focal
length eyepiece
like Meade's 10mm series 4000 (about $50, for viewing planets)
and a longer one like 40mm with a wider field of view like Meade's
($70,
for largeer deep-sky objects) could be added as you interest deepens.
You can spend $500 on an eyepieces if you want an ultra wide field of
view, but
I consider that a bit of a luxury for a novice.
   http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=brands&brand=Meade
or search for "telecope eyepiece" to get other brands as well.

Post by f***@swbell.net
I really appreciate your thoughts.

Cheers,
Victor

Voluminous thanks to both GB and Victor for excellent information. I
will take all to heart, especially the one about aligning with a local
astronomy group. There are many in the Houston, TX area, and there
seems to be a good set of programs associated with the Houston Museum
of Natural Science. My son and I are having a great time with the
telescope. Last night we spent a great deal of time gazing at Jupiter.
It's so peaceful doing this, and it's a wonderful time for us to talk.
I believe we're in it for the long haul. Again, thanks to you both!

[Helen Oster]

Post by f***@swbell.net

Post by victor

Post by f***@swbell.net
Hi. I have inheirited a wonderful Meade LX-200 telescope (10 in.) from
my recently departed uncle. I want to start using it, especially since
my son is studying disciplines in his junior high science curriculum
that would benefit from this scope. Other than setting it up and
manually finding targets, I have no idea how to use it. The scope came
with everything but documentation. It would be helpful if someone
1. Can you point me to a good web site that provides utter novices
like me with a quickstart for using the LX-200?

The manual, which has a "getting started" section, is available as a
PDF file
 http://www.meade.com
 http://www.meade.com/manuals/TelescopeManuals/LXseries/LX200_Classic_...
I am assuming you have the older "classic" LX200 without the GPS
feature.  If not,
just look for your version at  http://www.meade.com/manuals/index.html

Post by f***@swbell.net
2. Is it possible to control this telescope with a laptop. If so, what
hardware adapters are necessary and what is the best software for such
a thing?

You need a serial port on the laptop, a cable which you can find on
ebay
(search for item 300268317520 at present), and software which you can
write yourself or buy from various sources (see the ebay ad for some
links).

Post by f***@swbell.net
3. And finally, the telescope came with what I assume is a good basic
eyepiece, but I suspect better images can be had with upgraded
eyepieces. Suggestions?

If your telescope has the Meade 26mm series 4000 eyepiece it normally
comes with, you are in luck.  That gives about 100x with excellent
optical
quality and will serve you well for a long while.  A shorter focal
length eyepiece
like Meade's 10mm series 4000 (about $50, for viewing planets)
and a longer one like 40mm with a wider field of view like Meade's
($70,
for largeer deep-sky objects) could be added as you interest deepens.
You can spend $500 on an eyepieces if you want an ultra wide field of
view, but
I consider that a bit of a luxury for a novice.
   http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=brands&brand=Meade
or search for "telecope eyepiece" to get other brands as well.

Post by f***@swbell.net
I really appreciate your thoughts.

Cheers,
Victor

Voluminous thanks to both GB and Victor for excellent information. I
will take all to heart, especially the one about aligning with a local
astronomy group. There are many in the Houston, TX area, and there
seems to be a good set of programs associated with the Houston Museum
of Natural Science. My son and I are having a great time with the
telescope. Last night we spent a great deal of time gazing at Jupiter.
It's so peaceful doing this, and it's a wonderful time for us to talk.
I believe we're in it for the long haul. Again, thanks to you both!- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

If you need any other advice, I would be delighted to put you in
direct contact with our in-store telescope expert.

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
***@adoramacamera.com

[Helen Oster]

Post by victor

Post by f***@swbell.net
Hi. I have inheirited a wonderful Meade LX-200 telescope (10 in.) from
my recently departed uncle. I want to start using it, especially since
my son is studying disciplines in his junior high science curriculum
that would benefit from this scope. Other than setting it up and
manually finding targets, I have no idea how to use it. The scope came
with everything but documentation. It would be helpful if someone
1. Can you point me to a good web site that provides utter novices
like me with a quickstart for using the LX-200?

The manual, which has a "getting started" section, is available as a
PDF file
 http://www.meade.com
 http://www.meade.com/manuals/TelescopeManuals/LXseries/LX200_Classic_...
I am assuming you have the older "classic" LX200 without the GPS
feature.  If not,
just look for your version at  http://www.meade.com/manuals/index.html

Post by f***@swbell.net
2. Is it possible to control this telescope with a laptop. If so, what
hardware adapters are necessary and what is the best software for such
a thing?

You need a serial port on the laptop, a cable which you can find on
ebay
(search for item 300268317520 at present), and software which you can
write yourself or buy from various sources (see the ebay ad for some
links).

Post by f***@swbell.net
3. And finally, the telescope came with what I assume is a good basic
eyepiece, but I suspect better images can be had with upgraded
eyepieces. Suggestions?

If your telescope has the Meade 26mm series 4000 eyepiece it normally
comes with, you are in luck.  That gives about 100x with excellent
optical
quality and will serve you well for a long while.  A shorter focal
length eyepiece
like Meade's 10mm series 4000 (about $50, for viewing planets)
and a longer one like 40mm with a wider field of view like Meade's
($70,
for largeer deep-sky objects) could be added as you interest deepens.
You can spend $500 on an eyepieces if you want an ultra wide field of
view, but
I consider that a bit of a luxury for a novice.
   http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=brands&brand=Meade
or search for "telecope eyepiece" to get other brands as well.

Post by f***@swbell.net
I really appreciate your thoughts.

Cheers,
Victor

Thank you for the mention for Adorama.

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador