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On Thursday March 19, Greg Bragg of Meade brought a Beta Unit for the ETX-LS LightSwitch 6 inch ACF (Advanced Coma Free) Robotic Telescope to Woodland Hills Camera and Telescope for a Preview. [Click on images for full-size/full-resolution, original images] The ETX-LS ACF is shipping now - Call for availability (888-427-6766).
There will initially be two versions of the LightSwitch telescope: a 6 inch Advanced Coma Free (ACF) optical tube (For more product and preorder infomation for the LightSwitch ACF Telescope ) and a 6 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) optical tube (For more product and preorder infomation for the LightSwitch SCT Telescope ) |
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The mounting plate for the OTA is a very stable, cast-aluminum plate. |
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The side plate of the mount has a lit On/Off switch. The Meade Rep opened the unit to show us the hefty gear assembly (same as the LX90 mount). |
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The Autostar III unit rests in it own cradle in the base of the mount. (The photo of this beta unit says "Autostar II") The handbox has an extra "media" key. |
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The finderscope uses a reflex style finder. Simple, quick, Easy-to-Use. |
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The interface panel at the back of the mount arm has:
A built in USB hub. The unit can be control from a computer via USB. No more serial cables and USB/Serial Bridges.
RCA Video out jack.
Audio Out Jack - This jack is smaller the standard 3.5mm jack used in ear buds, like the kind that come with the Meade MySky. This is a bit inconvenient. This may be because the jack for the electronic focus is 3.5mm and they don't want the jacks confused.
Plug for the Autostar III HandBox.
12 volt DC port..
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Here is a view of the telescopes's corrector plate. Note the 70mm obstruction (Secondary Mirror) in the 152mm plate.
Specification per the plate ring:
UHTC Coatings
Advanced Coma Free Optical Design
Aperture: 152.4mm Diameter
Focal Length: 1524mm
Focal Ratio: f/10 |
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The excellent built-in speaker is located in the base of the mount between the handbox and the fork arm. |
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Nice, oversized focusing knob. This is the size knob found on Meade large telescopes like the LX90 or LX200. |
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The Eclipse Camera Module piggybacks under the OTA. It provides a wide, rich-field view of 12 degrees. It appears to be upgradable as the back plate of the unit is removable (at least on the beta unit). Note: The camera is a wide field camera and does not shoot through the telescope. |
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The Eclipse Camera Module piggybacks under the OTA. This is the front view. Note the cap in the center to be removed for use. |
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The Eclipse Camera Module piggybacks under the OTA. This is the side view. |
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Fantastic, textured, blue finish on the optical tube. Gorgeous! |
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Integrated GPS/LNT (Level North Technology) Module |
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Almost missed this... In front of the mount arm is the SD Card expantion slot |
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Photos and preview by Tom at Woodland Hills Camera and Telescope. |
