Lidl LXD75 telescope help thread

Meade Germany finally sent me a new RA Axis Servo assembly, but this time when I turn the system on and perform the usual DATE/TIME entry, the Align item is displayed, and before I do anything, the RA axis starts to slew ever so gently all the time. My ETX-70AT doesn't do this, I've done a hard reset, I'm using an external regulated 12V power supply, so is this yet another "variation on a theme", or am I missing something?

I think thats normal. Once you have given it the date, time and location, it will assume it should start tracking.

Many thanks. After I received your post I played around some more, and found that as you suggest, it automatically starts tracking, and this can only be turned off by selecting the TERRESTRIAL mode from the TARGETS menu. It's a pity it does not remember your last selection, because it always powers up with the ASTRONOMICAL selection enabled. I am much obliged for your speedy response, I have been looking forward to using this "beast", and it is a pity it is clouding over now, ah, well, SDW - Standard Donegal Weather!

As a postscript, after an exchange of emails, I was most surprised to be telephoned by a technician from Meade Germany yesterday morning. They were most concerned about the problems people have been experiencing, and were anxious to help. The technician checked with their engineers, and confirmed that the telescope with my version of the firmware, (Build 43EG, 3 April 2007) will automatically default to the sidereal tracking mode after initialisation. This can be disabled by changing the option in the TARGETS sub-menu from ASTRONOMICAL to TERRESTRIAL, but unfortunately this change will not be preserved, and thus the system will revert to the ASTRONOMICAL mode when next powered up. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Meade for their help and assistance. Now, if only the weather will co-operate ...

That's nice to hear Titch, Meade phoning you up like that. I wonder if they plan to update the firmware for that handset then, and get rid of the fault?

Hi Tich

Great to hear that it all seems to be sorted for you.

I dont think it would be a good idea to have it defaulting to terestrial as it will make it a complete pain in the rear to do an initial allignment with the stars drifting out of the field after you centre them.

I think this is why it defaults to astronomical and this was made the norm in an update a couple of years back.

If you really want to have the option then you may do so by loading up a older version of the autostar software. Cant think why it would be an advantage though

John here,
i have the exact same problem as all the rest of the 'Faulty LXD 75 CLUB'. I called The number at the back of the manual and still no news back. I doubt there will be!