telescopecomparison · 2-way
Astro-Tech AT12RC vs Meade LX200 10" ACF
Astro-Tech
AT12RC
Best suited for experienced imagers chasing detail running a permanent observatory setup.
Meade
LX200 10" ACF
Best suited for experienced imagers chasing detail running a permanent observatory setup.
Key differences
+20% aperture
Faster by 2.0 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Astro-Tech AT12RC | Meade LX200 10" ACF |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | ritchey-chretien | sct |
| Optical design | Truss Ritchey-Chrétien | Advanced Coma-Free |
| Aperture | 305mm | 254mm |
| Focal length | 2432mm | 2540mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/8.0 | f/10.0 |
| Image circle | — | — |
| Full-frame support | Yes | No |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 26.5kg | 13.6kg |
Advantages of Astro-Tech AT12RC
- 20% more light-gathering aperture
- Faster optics at f/8 vs f/10
Advantages of Meade LX200 10" ACF
- Lighter (13.6kg vs 26.5kg) — easier to travel with
Best for — Astro-Tech AT12RC
- Small galaxies, planetary nebulae, lunar & planetary detail
- High-resolution long-exposure work
- Faint-object imaging under dark skies
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Meade LX200 10" ACF
- Small galaxies, planetary nebulae, lunar & planetary detail
- High-resolution long-exposure work
- Faint-object imaging under dark skies
Astro-Tech AT12RC — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.85° × 0.57°Scale: 0.32"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.55° × 0.37°Scale: 0.32"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.27° × 0.27°Scale: 0.32"/px
Meade LX200 10" ACF — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.81° × 0.54°Scale: 0.31"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.53° × 0.35°Scale: 0.31"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.25° × 0.25°Scale: 0.31"/px
Astro-Tech AT12RC — recommended user
Best suited for experienced imagers chasing detail running a permanent observatory setup.
Meade LX200 10" ACF — recommended user
Best suited for experienced imagers chasing detail running a permanent observatory setup.