Reviews & Ratings for Meade LightBridge Telescopes DELUXE - 10", 12" Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope w/ AutoStar Suite — 12 reviews — Page 1

16" Lightbridge

I've been using my Lightbridge for a month or two and can comment on a few things. But first let me say that my plan was to just use the optics build a big equatorial Newtonian so some views may be non-standard.

It seems like Meade has been listening to customers and slowly making changes for a long time. For what it is, (the cheapest 16" scope on the market), there are not many complaints. I was surprised at how smoothly it goes together but a little plastic tensioner knob was broken. I was told that extremely fast dobsonian telescopes (f4.5) are extremely sensitive to collimation so I collimate with a Glatter TuBlug on each object.

Is it heavy? Oh heck yes. It is a monster. I've only used it in my yard and take it out in big heavy pieces. My plan was to use the optics in a big lightweight carbon fiber tube but the mirror mount is a giant rigid pair of heavy steel castings. Collimation benefits from them and no counterweights are needed even with the steel upper tube assembly. It may not be that great for my big plan (lightweight tube on a big equatorial mount).

It has a dimmable and highly adjustable red dot finder. It has a (no cost extra) cooling fan that I run continuously.

And the optics?? Pretty good and bright. Even collimating on each object and running the fan for an hour ahead of time, it does not focus as well as I'd like. I like high power and planets from my light polluted yard. These big light buckets are for "Dim Fuzzies" not high powered ...
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Solid telescope. Autostar suite is not particularly good, there are plenty of better alternatives for free. With a new eyepiece this thing is real fun.
Pros: Good mirrors, easy to set up & use
Cons: Included eyepiece is rubbish.

As an ameature astronomer, this was a great telescope to begin with. It is very large and makes a great impression. It gives you very clear pictures of what you are looking at, depending on the light conditions. The lens it comes with is pretty good, but you will definetly need some higher powered lenses if you want to look at anything really interesting. Overall, its a great telescope for ameatures and pros alike.
Pros: Large Appeature for the money, pre-calibrated, very clear view, simple to use
Cons: heavy, can be difficult to move around, comes with a low magnification lens

Seriously, can't think of anything i dislike of this telescope by Meade. It's whole design is just what i needed. Not only that, it's very stylish and looks great. I'm hoping/looking forward to many years of stargazing enjoyment with my Lightbridge telescope.
Pros: Great features, portability, smooth use, durable
Cons: None

This is an awsome telescope..the best value for money...it met all my expectations...the eyepiece that comes along is too good to be free..Enjoy..

My kids have saved up for over a year for a telescope. I picked this 10" model based on a number of Internet reviews, and budget. i bought from OpticsPlanet because they are authorized showroom dealer, helped me when i called in to confirm the order, and shipping was free.
It took about 40 min to setup with the kids 'helping'. Slightly cloudy night, and the moon was slightly behind a tree from our patio. Aimed the telescope, got it focused, and let the kids take their first look. My oldest said, "I think i am going to cry....i have never seen such an amazing view." The younger one swears he can see the American flag! Its that good! shopping now for eye pieces at OpticsPlanet and info on spotting Jupiter and the meteor shower that is supposed to be this Tues/Wed.
Very exciting, great puchase. Making a dolly to wheel it in/out of garage.
Pros: image quality! easy viewing angle, 2" eye piece, price
Cons: It's big..but that's fairly cool too

Great deal, easy to set up and enjoy. I've traveled 1000 miles with mine in my coupe's trunk. It sets up easily and offers top quality optics at a bargain per inches of aperture.
Pros: Portable, Powerful, Star Software and Value
Cons: Low end of moderate size telescopes

This is my first telescope, and I must say, I am very impressesed with it. I should have done more research before buying it however. The eyepiece that it comes with does not give you that much range, so plan on spending some more $. Also you will need a collimator.(More $)It was heavier than I expected so either plan on making several trips, or having a buddy handy. I prefer to just carry the whole top part while someone else grabs the base rather than break it down every time. It looks very impressive, cant wait to see the views once I can afford some more eyepieces...
Pros: Well Built. Looks Great.

This telescope is first in it's class for quality in it's price range. Lets the viewer see many deep space objects clearly, while also easily shifted from points of interest. The mirror acclimation fan is also a great feature.
Pros: Clearest image quality for the price range. Not as fancy as others, but works like a dream.
Cons: Not as precise as more intricate telescopes.

very well finished //very easy to put together//directions as usual not that defining...I have reversed the assemble//to make it easy for one person to assemble//invert seconary and install truss'es//then install to primary in cradle....The cradle needle bearing work perfectly...I'm thinking of sometype of seal to keep out dirt when I'm in the field.!.I have added 3/4" foam weather strips to the front and bottom of the contact points on the cradle....
Pros: Portability......
Cons: red dot finder........took a lot longer than expect to dial in...