Meade LS 8-Inch ACF (f/10) Advanced Coma-Free Telescope

Someone finally made an easy to use telescope. My Meade etx-90ec got probably 4 hours use in the last 10 years. We used the etx-ls for 4 hours already in one night. The alignment process is very simple and takes about 8 min. You don't even need to be around for the process. Mine came with software version 1.6a, the very latest as of today, and I've had no issues. You can buy a cheaper scope and you can buy a better scope, but this will be the most used scope. Great job Meade. There are a lot of features I'd like for this scope, but overall it's just about perfect.

UPDATE (12/13/2010):

Telescope broke rather quickly. It was working great, then one day it just started giving a power error and the LCD stopped working. I tried to get it up and running again, but ended up having to send it into Meade (what a pain to ship it back!). Hopefully things work out, because the scope was awesome while it worked.

UPDATE (1/5/2011):

Got the telescope back. It's even more broken then before I sent it in. I was having power errors before, so I went to check that repair, but the scope can't even find GPS satellites now. I called the company I ordered it from (not amazon), and it's past their 30 day return window, so I'll have to deal with Meade more to get it fixed.

Meade's response was to ask me to reload the firmware onto the telescope and to try to realign the camera. I don't quite know why realigning the camera would have any affect whatsoever on acquiring GPS satellites, but their customer service agent said it's just the way it works. Which, translated in my head means, "please just figure this out on your own since this is my first day on the job." I don't understand how a telescope that is designed to just work out of the box and take care of itself now requires me to be realigning CCD cameras and putting the exact same firmware on it that it already has on it. I'd also like to point out that when the telescope was returned to me there was a checklist where their QA department tested everything. Either they aren't doing their job or the telescope got damaged being returned.

I have had my LS-8 for about 7 months at the time of this writing. Overall, I am giving it 5 stars. It is perhaps the best telescope I have ever owned (currently own 6 scopes).

When set up in a relatively open area, it does its magic very well. Simply turn it on, and in around 10 minutes it will be aligned and ready to go. GOTO's and tracking are excellent. The optics are exceptional, as I have come to expect from most Meade products. The appearance and workmanship is outstanding.

I should mention mine came with firmware update 1.6a which seems to have solved the problems reported by early purchasers.

Now, for some specifics. The GPS unit is very sensitive to where the scope is set up, and if there are any large objects nearby, you wont get a GPS fix. The way around this problem is to keep batteries installed in the LS. These will maintain the date, time and location. So in setup, you just tell the scope to NOT use GPS, and it will go through the alignment process just fine. And yes, use an external power source do not rely on the internal batteries because they will be used up too quickly.

The other thing to look at is stability. The scope shakes a bit more on its tripod than other scopes I have used of this size. This is a potential problem when focusing. I ended up purchasing a Meade electronic focuser attachment and this solves the problem nicely, albeit at a price of around $250.

The LS meets many needs. For the aging experienced amateur (me), the automatic alignment is a godsend, saving the pain of assuming contorted positions to center alignment stars. And the GOTO's and tracking are excellent so you simply sit in a chair and let the scope do all the work. And the optics are as good as I have seen in this design.

For outreach at star parties, the LS's talking feature is a great attraction for people.

For the newcomer, it is not a bad choice provided that you are comfortable using computer and electronic technology. Trying to learn your way around the night sky can be daunting the LS does the work for you, giving you time to simply observe. And in time, you will learn your way around the stars.

So, while not a perfect telescope. what it does do has earned it 5 stars.

Buy Meade LS 8-Inch ACF (f/10) Advanced Coma-Free Telescope Now

Just got this today. I was rather worried given the feedback on earlier versions. But the firmware version 1.6a does just what they promised. Well packaged, it arrived in great shape and did not need collimation. The set assembles easily and quickly and is not a heavy load I can carry the entire assembly in both arms without straining. The startup was a bit scary because it asked to reload firmware but after that the software runs fine. GPS was less sensitive than my car GPS and would not align in cloudy skies but did just fine when I tried it later in the evening. The Goto works like a dream and slews to objects just fine, though it will need centering once I figure that out. I bought the Meade 4000 eyepiece set and it got the kids and I up and running observing Jupiter immediately. Overall I am totally satisfied with this purchase and would highly recommend it. It is also a relief as I live in Singapore and would not be able to return it easily if it wasn't working. Well done Meade! (just need to sort out the firmware message)

Update 31/7/2011

Turns out the firmware message did mean a problem. The firmware did crash in the end. However I would say that the Meade telephone support is not half bad. This is important as I do not want to send the telescope back if I can avoid it. Basically needed to reload the firmware. I did this using a microSD card in a miniSD adaptor (2GB)downloaded the firmware through the Autostar software then transferred the card to the telescope miniSD slot and turned it on. Once the firmware reloads, the telescope is back to normal. Just a point to note, you may have to download the firmware more than once to get it properly set up on the miniSD card. I suggest keeping a dedicated miniSD card with the telescope so it can be ready for use if required not had to repeat the firmware reinstallation since I did it but you never know. The version is still 1.6a, which does the trick just fine. As it is an automated telescope, it helps to be somewhat computer literate just in case something happens.

Read Best Reviews of Meade LS 8-Inch ACF (f/10) Advanced Coma-Free Telescope Here

I enjoyed the ETX-LS 6 ACF so much I upgraded to its bigger brother, the LS 8 ACF. The increase in light gathering over the 6 is apparent, yet its still very portable. The GPS issues are a thing of the past, I have done test after test and it has worked 100% of the time. The GoTO accuracy is wonderful, I can consistently put objects in the field of view of a 14mm eyepiece. I love the ability to interface the telescope with a computer without the need for adapters or expensive programs, it worked without a hitch with free programs like Stellarium. The Meade optics continue to impress me, and the ACF optics are fantastic, so much so that I can honestly say that I'll never own a standard SCT again. I've been use to the Astronomer Inside feature from the earlier ETX-LS 6, and not much has changed with the LS 8 ACF, its still fun and downright informative, and a big hit when your sharing the view with family or the public during star-parties.

I recommend a few things. One, obtain a large PowerTank, the largest you can get to supply power to the LS 8 ACF, batteries just aren't going to cut it. Two, get an AC adapter, so you can plug it to power from home or a camp site. Three, purchase a miniSD card. I purchase a Kingston from Amazon. You will need this to upgrade your firmware if needed down the line. I used 1.6a, and its been very solid for me.

Some things I didn't like. The finder LED is too bright, and the tinted plastic makes centering challenging sometimes. The AutoStar Suite is outdated software, just use Stellarium like I do. There is some vibration noticeable when your focusing with this telescope. This has more to do with single-arm 8" scopes then anything else, the Celestron's have the same issue with their 8" models, this direct from some of their owners. Although this initially was irritating to me, I don't even notice it anymore.

All in all, the LS 8 ACF has great optics in a very portable package that has made stargazing downright easy and fun, from novices to experienced observers. If your a visual observer like me, I can't imagine you not enjoying the LS 8 ACF. Big Fun.

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I received my Meade LS 8" ACF two weeks ago fom another dealer, but I only took it out yesterday, 3-30-2010. Upon switch on, the handbox controller read:

"LS 1.4a

Flash error

Reload firmware".

In spite of this message, it proceeded to align, supposedly finished the alignment, but was way off. I shut it down, and repeated the procedure.

Same error appeared, but the alignment seemed better, so I did a "goto" Mars.

Mars was not in the field of view (FOV) of the supplied 26mm eyepiece. I managed to get Mars in the FOV after 7-8 manual movements at speed 5.

Next "goto" Saturn: nothing in view, could not get to Saturn although I could clearly see Saturn with naked eye.

I tried the Meade webside to see if I could reload the firmware LS 1.4a. It does not exist. Meade's customer service says they do not have the firmware either, and the only option is to send the scope back for a replacement!

Is this a joke or what?

If the new one works it promises to be fun.