Meade LX90 ACF Telescope

Full review

The Meade LX90 stands as one of the most respected computerized telescopes in the amateur astronomy world, built around Meade's Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) optical design that delivers pinpoint stars across the entire field of view without the coma distortion that plagues traditional Schmidt-Cassegrain systems. Available in 8-inch and other aperture configurations, this catadioptric telescope combines a compact, portable tube assembly with the light-gathering power typically associated with much larger instruments. The fork-mounted design rides atop a sturdy tripod with a built-in wedge for equatorial tracking, making it equally suited for casual backyard stargazing and more serious astrophotography sessions where tracking accuracy matters.

At the heart of the LX90's appeal is its AutoStar computer controller, which houses a database of well over 30,000 celestial objects including galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, and planets. Once aligned using the intuitive two-star or one-star alignment procedure, the telescope's GPS-enabled models can automatically locate and center objects with impressive precision, essentially eliminating the frustration of manually star-hopping across the sky that often discourages newcomers to the hobby. The mount's dual fork-arm design provides excellent stability for the optical tube while the built-in motors allow smooth slewing and tracking, keeping objects centered in the eyepiece even at high magnification for extended viewing or imaging sessions.

Beyond its go-to capabilities, the LX90 rewards owners with genuinely sharp, high-contrast views thanks to its coated optics and well-baffled tube design that minimizes stray light and internal reflections. The telescope accepts a wide range of accessories through its standard visual back, including focal reducers, filter wheels, and CCD or DSLR camera adapters, giving it real versatility as an imaging platform in addition to visual observing. Its relatively lightweight, fork-mounted construction makes it far easier to transport and set up than equivalent German equatorial systems, and this blend of portability, automation, and optical quality has made the Meade LX90 a long-standing favorite among intermediate and advanced hobbyists who want reliable performance without the bulk of larger observatory-class instruments.