Aligning a Meade LX200GPS and LX200R

Note: To scroll through a list on the LX200 hand controller, use the Up and Down buttons on the bottom of the hand controller rather than the arrow keys in the middle of the controller.

First Steps

Be sure to lock the clutch knobs in each axis before beginning the alignment procedure.

Aligning the Telescope

1. Turn on the telescope and allow about 30 seconds for the hand controller to boot up

2. Press 0 to begin alignment

The telescope will find the home position, find level, find north, and determine the mount tilt and tip. The GPS will then link up. This all takes a couple minutes.

The telescope will search for first alignment star, then point to that star in the sky. The telescope will be near the star, although the star may not be in the finderscope.

3. Press SPEED, then press 7 to set telescope to 1.5°/sec slew speed

4. Use the arrow keys to center the star in the finderscope

5. Press SPEED, then press 5 to set the telescope to 0.25°/sec slew speed

6. Use the arrow keys to center the star in the eyepiece, press ENTER

The telescope will search for second alignment star, then point to that star in the sky

7. Press SPEED, then press 7 to set telescope to 1.5°/sec slew speed

8. Use the arrow keys to center the star in the finderscope

9. Press SPEED, then press 5 to set the telescope to 0.25°/sec slew speed

10. Use the arrow keys to center the star in the eyepiece, press ENTER

11. Hand controller will read "Alignment Successful." Press MODE to select object catalog.

Selecting Objects from the Catalog

1. Press ENTER to select OBJECTS

2. Use the Up and Down buttons to select Catalog (Solar System, Messier, etc.), press ENTER. Alternatively, you can select catalogs directly using the keypad. 2 = Caldwell, 3 = Messier, 9 = NGC.

3. Select object from catalog by using the Up/Down keys to select from list or enter number using keypad

4. Press ENTER to select object

5. Press GOTO to send telescope to that object

6. Press MODE to return to previous menus