Precision GPS Alignment:
Telescope alignment is accomplished automatically using signals from the Global Positioning System (GPS), a satellite system that enables extremely precise communication to the telescope of the observer's latitude and longitude, as well as 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: Just press the ENTER button on the Autostar II hand controller and watch as the telescope measures level, points North, and slews at 8°/sec. to its first alignment star. Magnetic declination compensation designed into the telescope software automatically engages during the alignment process.

Software Downloads and
Satellite Tracking:
The software included in Meade RCX400 telescopes is under continuous factory review; updates to this software are published at regular intervals on Meade's website. Importantly, the latest software version, as well as custom and updated guided tours, comet and asteroid positions, may be downloaded in minutes from Meade's website. Additionally, current Earth satellite orbital data (including the International Space Station, Space Shuttle, etc.) may be downloaded; the telescope then automatically acquires and tracks the satellite at the correct tracking rate. The telescope's flash memory may be upgraded through one of the RS-232 ports with new software or data as they become available on Meade's website.

Expanded Database and
Larger User Memory:
The RCX400 database has been expanded over the standard library of the LX200GPS to include 180,000 objects. In addition to more stars from the Hipparchos/Tycho catalog, we have added::

• The popular "Lunar 100" with the finest features to see and image on the Moon
• A subset of the finest visual doubles from the Washington Double Star Catalog
• The PK Catalog of Planetary Nebulae
• The Hickson Catalog of Dense Galaxy Clusters
• The Gleason Catalog of Nearby Stars
• The Landolt Catalog of Photometric Standard Stars
• The Sharpless Catalog of HII Regions

Laser Aligned, Fixed Primary Mirror:
The primary mirror is laser aligned to the true optical path, then float bonded in place. It is fixed, but literally floats on a layer of adhesive that results in zero stress to the glass and no distortion to the optics (unlike mirror cells or floating point pads). There is no mirror movement.

Field Operation:
RCX400 scopes operate from eight C-cells neatly stored inside the fork arms. Alternately, telescope powering may be effected from an automobile cigarette lighter plug (using the optional #607 Power Cord) or from a standard home outlet (using the new optional AC Adapter).

#929 2" Diagonal with UHTC:
Standard equipment on all RCX400 telescopes, attaches to the rear cell of and permits the use of wide-field 2" O.D. eyepieces. Each diagonal includes a Meade optical-flat mirror of Pyrex glass, UHTC-coated for maximum reflectivity.

Heavy-Duty Fork Mounts:
RCX400 fork mounts are the strongest, most rigid mountings ever made available for telescopes of these apertures. DC-servo-motor-controlled (12v DC) worm gear drives with almost two hundred selectable drive speeds, combined with the Meade Smart Drive on both telescope axes, permit observatory-level precision in tracking, guiding, and slewing. Photo-guide speeds are selectable from 0.01x to 1.0x sidereal, in increments of 0.01x; fast-slew speeds are selectable from 1°/sec. to 8°/sec. in 0.1°/sec. increments. Use the 8°/sec. speed for rapid motion of the telescope across the skies; once near the target, switch instantly to a speed of 1.5°/sec. or 3°/sec. for centering in the viewfinder. Observing in the main telescope, use the 16x or 64x sidereal speed to place the object in the center of the field.

Precision Encoder-Measured
Digital Focusing:
With 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. There are 4 different focusing speeds from fine to fast. Since the process is accomplished without moving the primary mirror, the entire assembly is virtually free from image shift.

High-Precision Pointing (HP) Capability:
Meade RCX400 models permit the most accurate pointing capability ever offered in a commercial telescope. Now you can command the telescope to GO TO an object located on the opposite side of the sky (for example, a distance of 120 degrees in sky-angle) and, in conjunction with the telescope's unique SYNC command, the RCX400 locates and centers the desired object. HP capability is accessible in either the altazimuth or equatorial orientations.

Precision Electronic Optical Collimation:
Collimating a Cassegrain telescope has never been easier. RCX400 owners will make precision collimation adjustments to the secondary mirror of the telescope by using the arrow keys of AutoStar II handbox, allowing a single person to simultaneously make adjustments and see the results. In addition, Meade precision collimates the optics at the factory and then sets that position as the default setting. So in the case where one may make a mistake in making a collimation adjustment, the default setting can always be used.

Smart Drive Permanent Periodic
Error Correction (PPEC):
Included as standard equipment, the Smart Drive permits a professional level of drive-rate precision. No longer are large systems required, worm gear when smaller gears coupled to Smart Drive software can achieve periodic errors of 5 arc secs or less-an observatory standard of precision. All worm/worm-gear combinations, no matter how well made, have minor inaccuracies that manifest themselves as periodic errors in the telescope tracking rate, with the period dependent on the worm's rate of rotation. To program the Smart Drive the observer guides on an object visually, making corrections with the handbox controller. The software then remembers these corrections, stores them in memory, and in the future automatically compensates for the periodic errors of the gear system. Smart Drive user programming is stored in the telescope's computer memory forever, independently of any power source, unlike other periodic error correctors that must be reprogrammed each time you use the system. The Smart Drive can be erased, updated, or even averaged with future programming at the user's option. The significant value of the Smart Drive is immediately appreciated during long-exposure astrophotography, where the resulting low periodic error of the system enables relaxed guiding with a minimum of handbox corrections. In CCD imaging, where short exposures of deep-space objects are often all that is required for stunning results, the Smart Drive often permits imaging without any guiding requirements at all.

Built-In Dew Heater:
Instead of wrapping a heating element around the telescope's optical tube assembly to send heat through the telescope's front cell to prevent dew from forming on the corrector plate, the RCX400 incorporates a nickel-chromium wire heating element that is in contact with the glass of the corrector plate that quickly, efficiently, and safely sends heat through lens using the lowest power drain possible. With two onboard temperature sensors, one to measure ambient temperature (placed inside the fork arm) and one to measure the temperature of the corrector plate, the RCX400 can be set to have the built-in dew heater keep the corrector plate warmed to a user-defined setting above ambient temperature. By only using the dew heater precisely when needed, battery usage is managed to its optimum. All functions to operate the dew heater are controlled by the AutoStar II handbox.