Meade telescopes

code3collector · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 2

I am looking for a telescope for someone extremely interested in astronomy. I am looking to spend up to $600, excluding any photography enhancements. These are the particulars, or issues:

1). Ease of travel - We must be able to store this item in carry on luggage for travel purposes. We do not trust airlines with something of this caliber and plan on travelling with it.

2). Quality/size of image - Which scope of these will have the clearest image and maximum range..ie...which scope is able to "see" the farthest?

3). This is for a novice user. Ease of setup and functionality are important.

4). Ability to utilize astrophotography without extreme/complicated setup and able to generate quality images.

These are the scopes I am currently looking at:

DS-2080AT-LNT
DS-2114ATS-LNT
DS-2130ATS-LNT
DS-2090MAK
DS-2102MAK

As the prices range from 279 to 479, I am still well within my range. But with the range of upgrades...ie eyepieces and other accessories to extend the magnification and image quality, is it better to go with the 279 scope and get add ons...or pay more up front with less add ons and get the 479 scope. Or, are there others you recommend up to my price range that are better for the money? Right now the focus is on the scope, with the astrophotography capability coming at a later date...so it just needs to have the functionality.

What is the farthest planet or object that each of the 5 scopes above will be able to produce an excellent quality image of? (in order to reasonably compare the scopes). Same question would apply to any other scope you recommend up to the $600 price.

Thank you very much. This is an excellent site, one of the best I have found. I know I will be purchasing from you, just a matter of which scope. Also, since I am relatively close, (Naperville), would it be possible for me to come in and actually look through some scopes or view other info - (ie sample images or any other documentation you have to help make a decision)?

We will be using this scope in the rocky mountains, grand canyon, and grand tetons, along with upper michigan and upper wisconsin. All of the locations of course will be excellent in terms of minimal external light interference.

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5662

Hi

If you are trying to go carry on, then your best option is a quality APO refractor, such as Meade 80 ED APO, then add a good alt-az, such as the Vixen Portamount. This is a very common type of traveling combination for astronomers on the go. If worse came to worse, you could check the mount in baggage, but the OTA is easily small enough to carry on the plane. No, you won't get a computer, but you will get excellent optics and a scope that is as portable as it gets.
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code3collector · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 2

Thanks for the quick response...but I have to say I'm completely in the dark when it comes to these things..However...I want to get the most at $600 or less. If I purchase the meade 80 5000 ed apo, that in and of itself is $598.99, plus the Vixen portamount in the link you gave is $450, for a total of $1050.00. Not sure I can spend that for a first scope...which is another reason I want to have the computer for ease of finding planets and other solar objects.

Going back to my original post, what are the noticeable differences in image size and quality of the 5 different scopes, and what other scopes (with computers) are comparable in price and features.

Is there anywhere online that you know of where someone could compare images between scopes? How else does one compare a scope without being able to view an image? I guess what I'm asking is how the layman compare the image from an 80 mm refractor scope vs a 114 reflector vs 127 mm reflector vs. 90 mm and 102 mm maksutov cassegrain scopes? If I came into the store, would I be able to look through scopes outside to compare images before deciding which scope is best? One can generally assume with high tech products that the higher the price of a product the better...but with so many variations and options it is also easy to pay for a more expensive product without being able to observe any image size/quality differences. Sorry for the long posts...I have a lot to learn..I have already read the article on reflector vs refractor..and magnification.

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5662

Hi

Elinate the reflectors, because they don't travel well (easily knocked out of alignment) and are really too large for carry on. The Mkas will be your best choice in terms of size and portability.
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Phone: 847-513-6201
Fax: 847-919-3003