Opinions on Meade 12.5" F4.8 Dob

"Rod Mollise" wrote in message
...

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.

Right on the money Rod. The mirror seems very nice indeed. The focuser is
definitely junk, and the Naglers use up almost all of the travel outward.
Glenn (previous owner) installed a spring tension system like the Orion
Correct Tension and put magic sliders under the altitude bearings, that seem
to work out pretty well. The base needs some work, but compared to the 16"
Meade, the 12.5" is way better in this regard (it is at least usable, where
the 16 was beastly). Glenn also put a carry handle on the OTA, although I
feel it needs to be moved closer to the balance point. Not sure why, but he
has it back a little too far toward the primary for a one handed carry. At
55 pounds, a one hand carry is doable for me. Well positioned carry handles
is something I'd like to see on all the Dobs 10" and over. They're cheap
enough that it makes sense to me to have them included. Even the XT10 would
be an easier carry with a handle or two. Same with the bases. The XT base
has a single handle which is difficult at best, and the Meade has two "slit"
style hand holds, but they are in uncomfortable carry positions. Generally I
think you need one at a heavy point and a second at a light point to help
with maneuvarability (sp?).

It was nice to get a few hours of clear skies to try this out on the very
first night, and to be able to do a reasonable collimation. The seeing
wasn't great, but Saturn held up at 170x and the Trap E and F were easily
detected. The extra aperture over the 10" definitely helped with seeing the
dark rift in M81, and M43 just keeps getting better and better with more
aperture. I'm pretty happy with the optics.Tomorrow and Tuesday look
promising on the CSC and Weather forecasts. I just wish I had a replacement
focuser on hand.

Stephen

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!
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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 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

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

As long as it wasn't the Meade 2 inch Plastic Rack and Pinion focuser....

I have one of those, its the defining piece of my "Junk Box."

jon

I have one of those, its the defining piece of my "Junk Box."


Hi:

Yep. If _anything_ it was even worse than the plastic 1.25" job they used for a
while. Wanna see focus shift in a Newt? Get one of the plastic 2 inchers! I
believe Jerry is talking about the old metal version.

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

yes, all metal .... the good ones. 3" travel? something like that.
jerry



Rod Mollise wrote:


I have one of those, its the defining piece of my "Junk Box."


Hi:

Yep. If _anything_ it was even worse than the plastic 1.25" job they used for a
while. Wanna see focus shift in a Newt? Get one of the plastic 2 inchers! I
believe Jerry is talking about the old metal version.

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

by the way, in this outta the way place lte me say: dont go, linger... rest,
recoupe.
Do some fishing with Mr Bushmills in the duffle bag. All will refresh in the
morning
and look better. ...... then you can give me the same advice later! hee hee
Have a good one OM. 73.
Jerry



Rod Mollise wrote:


I have one of those, its the defining piece of my "Junk Box."


Hi:

Yep. If _anything_ it was even worse than the plastic 1.25" job they used for a
while. Wanna see focus shift in a Newt? Get one of the plastic 2 inchers! I
believe Jerry is talking about the old metal version.

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