This scope (as I mis-spelled in my origial post) was an equatorially mounted
scope. I didn't see a disclaimer in the ad saying "for visual use only".

It's self-evident from the size of the mount shafts and lack of amenities such
as a polar alignment scope and leveling bubbles that this scope is expected to
be used mainly for visual use, *especially* when the selling price is taken into
account. The ad writer probably assumed that the buyer would have some minimal
intelligence and astronomical knowledge, and that he wouldn't have to have every
possible use and limitation spelled out. These equatorial Meades were the
functional descendents of the Caves, Starliners and Criterions of yore, none of
which were expected to be used for serious astrophotography, at least not when
used with the delivered mounts.
--
Curtis Croulet
Temecula, California
33° 27'59"N, 117° 05' 53"W