Meade® 12" RCX400 Telescope with UHTC

See the night sky with razor-sharp clarity and enjoy a level of optical design typically found only in professional observatories. Features:12" aperture2, 438mm focal lengthFast f/8 focal ratioPrecision GPS alignmentUHTC lens coatings for maximum image contrast and brightnessNew carbon graphite and Kevlar tubeNew rear and front cell architectureRCX400 drive baseBuilt-in dew heaterIntegrated cooling fanPrecision encoder-measured digital focusingHigh-precision pointing capabilityPrecision electronic optical collimationSmart Drive permanent periodic error correctionComputer optimized internal baffling9 customizable focus position presets for different observersIncludes:Upgraded AutoStar II computer controller with expanded database of 180, 000 objectsSeries 5000 24mm 2" Ultra Wide Angle eyepieceMeade #929 2" Diagonal Mirror permits the use of all wide-field 2" O.D. eyepieces New ultra-stable tripodExpanded Database and User MemoryThe RCX400's AutoStar II database has been expanded over the standard library of the LX200GPS scope and features 180, 000 objects, including more stars from the Hipparchos/Tycho catalog, the popular "Lunar 100, " the PK Catalog of Planetary Nebulae, the Hickson Catalog of Dense Galaxy Clusters and more.Precision Encoder-Measured Digital FocusingWith a laser-aligned primary mirror fixed in position, focusing is performed electronically and digitally by precisely moving the entire front cell in increments as fine as 1/100 of a millimeter. Digital readout of the focus position can be read on the telescope's AutoStar II handbox. Since the process is accomplished without moving the primary mirror, the entire assembly is virtually free from image shift.Precision GPS AlignmentTelescope alignment is accomplished automatically via signals from the Global Positioning System, a satellite system that enables extremely precise communication to the telescope of the observer's latitude, longitude and local time. Integrated True-Level and North electronic sensors in combination with a high-sensitivity Sony GPS receiver located in the left-hand fork arm result in accurate telescope alignment to the sky at the touch of a button.Proprietary UHTC Optical TreatmentThe importance of Meade's proprietary Ultra-high Transmission Coatings becomes apparent when comparing total telescope light transmission, or throughput, caused by the compounding effect of the four optical surfaces. Averaged over the entire visible spectrum, total light transmission to the telescope focus increases by about 15%.New Carbon Graphite and Kevlar TubeThe carbon graphite and Kevlar tube is a unique lightweight, high strength material with ultra-low expansion characteristics that will maintain the spacing between the optics, so that focus settings do not change with outside temperature fluctuations