Close-Up View of the LX200 Smart Drive Interface Panel

Copyright: Stuart Kingsley

Although the Meade LX200 SCT has a computer in its base unit and a huge database of astronomical objects, it is more convenient to control the SCT by means of a PC and one of the many sophisticated astronomical software programs that are now available. The base unit has been modified to include a reed-relay switch on the declination axis to cut the power to the motors if the PMT at the rear of the SCT gets too near the base of the fork mount.