Opinions on Meade 12.5" F4.8 Dob

I'm considering this scope off Astromart, for sale by someone within easy
driving distance. He's asking $750, which seems a little high for a scope
that sells on Astronomics for $845 + $79 in shipping. I'll save some bucks
on the price and not have to pay shipping, so it's a savings nonetheless.
Scope is allegedly 8 months old.

Are the mirrors in the Meade 12.5" generally pretty good? I'm sure that the
mount will need some TLC and eventually I might build/buy a truss structure
for it, but I've learned how to doctor the cheap structures to work
acceptably well.

I've also considered the GS 12" F5 which is "pretty close" in price. What
say you? Should I expect the Meade mirror to be better than/same as the GS?

-Steve Paul

Troll, PLONK

Troll, PLONK

Are the mirrors in the Meade 12.5" generally pretty good? I

Hi:

Amazingly good, actually. When I bought one back in 1994 I was expecting
something similar to the Coulter Odyssey I. Nope. One look at Jupiter with the
Meade and I was blown away. Yes, you will have to do some work to optimize the
scope. The most important thing is replacing the nylon azimuth and altitude
bearing pads with Teflon. Magic Sliders work fine. The plastic focuser is also
a candidate for early replacement--though the 1.25" version is useable...the 2"
is pretty horrible. Some also shipped with 30mm finders...you'll certainly want
to replace one of these with a 50mm finder and/or Telrad. Finally, you'll
probably want to rig a simple balance weight system of some kind. As most folks
know, I ain't exactly a dob kinda guy, but I have very fond memories of my
Meade 12.5.

OTOH, I've heard some very good things about the GS. If you like dobs, I don't
think you can go wrong either way...though the GS probably will require
considerably less fine tuning.




Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of _Choosing and Using a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope_
Like SCTs and MCTs?
Check-out sct-user, the mailing list for CAT fanciers!
Goto http://members.aol.com/RMOLLISE/index.html

Are the mirrors in the Meade 12.5" generally pretty good? I

Hi:

Amazingly good, actually. When I bought one back in 1994 I was expecting
something similar to the Coulter Odyssey I. Nope. One look at Jupiter with the
Meade and I was blown away. Yes, you will have to do some work to optimize the
scope. The most important thing is replacing the nylon azimuth and altitude
bearing pads with Teflon. Magic Sliders work fine. The plastic focuser is also
a candidate for early replacement--though the 1.25" version is useable...the 2"
is pretty horrible. Some also shipped with 30mm finders...you'll certainly want
to replace one of these with a 50mm finder and/or Telrad. Finally, you'll
probably want to rig a simple balance weight system of some kind. As most folks
know, I ain't exactly a dob kinda guy, but I have very fond memories of my
Meade 12.5.

OTOH, I've heard some very good things about the GS. If you like dobs, I don't
think you can go wrong either way...though the GS probably will require
considerably less fine tuning.




Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of _Choosing and Using a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope_
Like SCTs and MCTs?
Check-out sct-user, the mailing list for CAT fanciers!
Goto http://members.aol.com/RMOLLISE/index.html

Stephen Paul wrote:

Are the mirrors in the Meade 12.5" generally pretty good?


The mirror on my Meade 12.5" Starfinder is really very nice. Pretty much
identical diffraction patterns both inside and outside of focus when star
testing and additionally the mirror shows little sign of zonal error using
the same testing technique.

I just came in the house after taking a quick, late dusk glimpse at Saturn
and found that Encke's Division was easy and sustained. It was very
discernable with a 7.5mm Sirius plossl and optimally presented itself when
the scope was coupled with a 6mm Orion Expanse.

I would say go ahead and get the scope. It will bring you much joy.


Martin
Remove "ilikestars" from email address

Stephen Paul wrote:

Are the mirrors in the Meade 12.5" generally pretty good?


The mirror on my Meade 12.5" Starfinder is really very nice. Pretty much
identical diffraction patterns both inside and outside of focus when star
testing and additionally the mirror shows little sign of zonal error using
the same testing technique.

I just came in the house after taking a quick, late dusk glimpse at Saturn
and found that Encke's Division was easy and sustained. It was very
discernable with a 7.5mm Sirius plossl and optimally presented itself when
the scope was coupled with a 6mm Orion Expanse.

I would say go ahead and get the scope. It will bring you much joy.


Martin
Remove "ilikestars" from email address

I saw the same ad Stephen. I defer to Rod's advice, agree. If this one
however I would offer a bit less and make it worth your while. The optics
and these have a good rep however. If you get this I would turn right around
and advertise for a Meade 2" R&P with adapter - perfect for this scope. I
found one last year for $50 mint. Good luck -
jerry



Stephen Paul wrote:

I'm considering this scope off Astromart, for sale by someone within easy
driving distance. He's asking $750, which seems a little high for a scope
that sells on Astronomics for $845 + $79 in shipping. I'll save some bucks
on the price and not have to pay shipping, so it's a savings nonetheless.
Scope is allegedly 8 months old.

Are the mirrors in the Meade 12.5" generally pretty good? I'm sure that the
mount will need some TLC and eventually I might build/buy a truss structure
for it, but I've learned how to doctor the cheap structures to work
acceptably well.

I've also considered the GS 12" F5 which is "pretty close" in price. What
say you? Should I expect the Meade mirror to be better than/same as the GS?

-Steve Paul

I saw the same ad Stephen. I defer to Rod's advice, agree. If this one
however I would offer a bit less and make it worth your while. The optics
and these have a good rep however. If you get this I would turn right around
and advertise for a Meade 2" R&P with adapter - perfect for this scope. I
found one last year for $50 mint. Good luck -
jerry



Stephen Paul wrote:

I'm considering this scope off Astromart, for sale by someone within easy
driving distance. He's asking $750, which seems a little high for a scope
that sells on Astronomics for $845 + $79 in shipping. I'll save some bucks
on the price and not have to pay shipping, so it's a savings nonetheless.
Scope is allegedly 8 months old.

Are the mirrors in the Meade 12.5" generally pretty good? I'm sure that the
mount will need some TLC and eventually I might build/buy a truss structure
for it, but I've learned how to doctor the cheap structures to work
acceptably well.

I've also considered the GS 12" F5 which is "pretty close" in price. What
say you? Should I expect the Meade mirror to be better than/same as the GS?

-Steve Paul

I would turn right around
and advertise for a Meade 2" R&P with adapter - perfect for this scope. I

HI Jerry:

I concur. This one is about the same height as the plastic one included with
the scope, right?

Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of _Choosing and Using a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope_
Like SCTs and MCTs?
Check-out sct-user, the mailing list for CAT fanciers!
Goto http://members.aol.com/RMOLLISE/index.html