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.

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.

Computer Optimized Internal Baffling: Unlike traditional Schmidt-Cassegrain designs, the primary mirror moves along a baffle tube in order to achieve focus, Meade's RCX400 primary mirror is mounted independent of the baffle tube. This allowed Meade's engineers to take full advantage of the baffle design to create full stray light cut-off performance, in order to produce the maximum contrast. Additionally the secondary baffle, machined of aluminum with its distinctive outer knife-edges further minimizes stray light in the optical path.

RCX400 Balanced Drives:
The drive mechanisms of many telescopes can be compared to the movements of fine chronometer watches. First utilized on the 14" LX200GPS, the RCX worm block design incorporates a unique balanced loading system to the keep worm and worm gear in the optimum contact position, regardless of the load stress that is normally encountered as the telescope is moved from one position of the sky to the next. The result is improved drive performance, with superior centering and slewing characteristics. RCX400 Balanced Drive assemblies are on both the RA and Dec. axes.

Focus Position Presets:
By setting up to 9 focus positions, RCX400 owners can customize perfect focus from observer to observer with different eyesight (similar to the custom settings in luxury cars to change the mirror, seat, and steering wheel settings from one driver to another). The feature is also very useful when using switching to various eyepiece and Barlow lens combinations or from a visual setup to a camera setup.

UHTC Coatings:
Standard on all RCX400 telescopes, the importance of Meade's proprietary UHTC group becomes apparent when comparing total telescope light transmission, or throughput, caused by the multiplier, or compounding, effect of the four optical surfaces. With each optical surface contributing significantly to telescope light throughput, the effect of all four surfaces combined is indeed dramatic. At the H-a wavelength of 656nm., total transmission increases from 76.7% to 88.5%, an increase of 15.4%; at the helium wavelengths of 588nm. and 469nm. - strong emission lines in hot planetary nebulae - total telescope transmission increases by 13.8% and 16.8%, respectively; at the two nitrogen II lines of 655nm. and 658nm. and at the sulfur II line of 673nm., transmission is increased by 16%. Averaged over the entire visible spectrum (450nm. to 700nm.), total light transmission to the telescope focus increases by about 15%.
More Info about UHTC

Smart Mount:
Revolutionary Smart Mount technology is standard equipment on all RCX400 telescopes. Smart Mount improves the pointing accuracy of your RCX400's telescope's "Go To" system with the following features:

• Constantly improved pointing accuracy with every object centered and sync'ed.
• Works with both equatorial and altazimuth configurations.
• Simple routine to refine pointing accuracy for the entire sky with your equipment configuration and alignment.
• Refined pointing data can be saved and reused for permanent and portable setups.

Altazimuth and Equatorial Operation:
For all visual observing applications, for lunar and planetary photography, and for many CCD imaging applications, Meade RCX400 may be set up in the altazimuth mode - just attach the telescope's drive base directly to the tripod, use the GPS alignment procedure, and the telescope's computer actuates 2-axis tracking that keeps objects precisely centered in the field, even at high powers, during the entire observing session. For long-exposure astrophotography altazimuth-induced field rotation requires the new Ultrawedge or the #1220 (for 10", 12", and 14" models) or the #1222 (for 16" models) Field De-rotater, either of which may be purchased separately.