In addition to the exceptional features of the Meade ETX-80AT-TC Telescope, the BackPack version has a slightly lighter field tripod with bubble level indicator and a special edition Meade backpack. This model is perfect for camping and quick grab-and-go astronomy trips. We recommend this version for travel use due to the lighter weight of the tripod. Meade’s brainy AutoStar computer solves the stargazer’s two biggest challenges in navigating the heavens with a computer telescope: aligning the telescope with the night sky and finding celestial phenomenon in the vast starry firmament. Right out of the box with a simple initialization, AutoStar makes finding the sky’s elusive jewels virtually as easy as pushing a few buttons. Observe land or over 1,400 sky objects in stunning high resolution, and learn about the sky with Meade’s extensive astro-library.
#494 AutoStar Computer Controller
The AutoStar computer controller automatically guides your telescope to over 1,400 objects. View planets, stars, galaxies, and nebulae all at the push of a button. Don’t know what to see on a particular night? Don’t worry. Just select the Tonight’s Best tour and AutoStar will automatically take you on a guided tour of the best planets, stars, nebulae, and other objects out that particular night. Want to know more about what you’re looking at? The LCD display teaches you about what you’re viewing with details like distance, temperature, mass, and historical information. AutoStar is your guide to the universe.
More Power Than You’ll Ever Need.
Any astronomer will tell you that light gathering-not power-is what matters. A small, crisp image is better than a large hazy one. Meade’s 1.25-inch-diameter Super Plössl eyepieces provide wider fields of view, allowing you to see more of the sky at greater magnifications. The Meade ETX80 also makes a fantastic land-based observing scope.
AutoStar Suite Astronomer Edition Software on DVD + Instructional Video
AutoStar Suite Astronomer Edition software will help you learn the night sky. It displays more than 10,000 celestial objects including planets, stars, galaxies and nebulae. You can print out star charts and even plan your observing sessions. It operates on any Windows-based PC.