First scope

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PapaFox
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First scope

#1

Post by PapaFox »


https://www.meade.com/eclipseviewtm-114 ... scope.html

I'm considering getting this for my grandson's 10th birthday, it would be his first scope. I found it for $111. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this scope. This is a 114, they have an 82 for about $55. Thought the 114 is a good buy.

Thanks, Mike
SV70T, celestron 8" sct, avx, polemaster, zwo 224, zwo 178,
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Thefatkitty Canada
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Re: First scope

#2

Post by Thefatkitty »


Nothing wrong with a 4.5"; I love mine, but IMHO, with the Meade being at f/4, stars at the edge of the field will be distorted. It also has a spherical mirror, which is really a better performer at f/8 or above.

Again, nothing wrong with it, but just so you know and again, only my opinion :D


Forgot to mention; that's quite nice of you as well!! :handgestures-thumbupleft:


All the best,
Mark

"The Hankmeister" Celestron 8SE, orange tube Vixen made C80, CG4 & AZ-EQ5 mounts.
Too much Towa glass/mirrors.

H/A - PST stage 2 mod with a Baader 90mm ERF on a Celestron XLT 102 (thanks Mike!)
Ca-K - W/O 61mm, Antares 1.6 barlow, Baader 3.8 OD and Ca-K filters with a ZWO ASI174mm.
W/L - C80-HD with Baader 5.0 & 3.8 Solar film, Solar Continuum 7.5nm and UV/IR filters with a Canon EOS 550D.

Oh yeah, and Solar Cycle 25 :D
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Re: First scope

#3

Post by notFritzArgelander »


I'm in negotiations for a second scope for my grandson. The first was a refractor and likely the second will be too. An f4 scope might be hard to collimate.
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
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Thefatkitty Canada
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Re: First scope

#4

Post by Thefatkitty »


notFritzArgelander wrote: Sat Oct 12, 2019 2:11 am I'm in negotiations for a second scope for my grandson. The first was a refractor and likely the second will be too. An f4 scope might be hard to collimate.

There's that too, you're quite right :D I found a difference between my 8" f/6 and my 10" f/4.9... The f/6 was somewhat easier! :lol:
Mark

"The Hankmeister" Celestron 8SE, orange tube Vixen made C80, CG4 & AZ-EQ5 mounts.
Too much Towa glass/mirrors.

H/A - PST stage 2 mod with a Baader 90mm ERF on a Celestron XLT 102 (thanks Mike!)
Ca-K - W/O 61mm, Antares 1.6 barlow, Baader 3.8 OD and Ca-K filters with a ZWO ASI174mm.
W/L - C80-HD with Baader 5.0 & 3.8 Solar film, Solar Continuum 7.5nm and UV/IR filters with a Canon EOS 550D.

Oh yeah, and Solar Cycle 25 :D
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Re: First scope

#5

Post by PapaFox »


Thanks, all good points. I'll check refractors. I like the table top Dob type though, i'll look at slower scopes.
SV70T, celestron 8" sct, avx, polemaster, zwo 224, zwo 178,
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Re: First scope

#6

Post by notFritzArgelander »


Thefatkitty wrote: Sat Oct 12, 2019 2:14 am
notFritzArgelander wrote: Sat Oct 12, 2019 2:11 am I'm in negotiations for a second scope for my grandson. The first was a refractor and likely the second will be too. An f4 scope might be hard to collimate.

There's that too, you're quite right :D I found a difference between my 8" f/6 and my 10" f/4.9... The f/6 was somewhat easier! :lol:
My f5 Z12 is easy. My AT 8" f4 was a great scope but significantly more fussy. ;)
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
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Re: First scope

#7

Post by Arctic »


I'd go for a refractor, maybe in the 90mm range. Easy to use for a youngster, and no collimation issues. Maybe upgrade the finder, too.
Gordon
Scopes: Meade LX10 8" SCT, Explore Scientific AR102 Refractor on ES Twilight 1 Mount, Oberwerks 15X70 Binos, Nikon Action Extreme 10X50 Binos.
Eyepieces: ES 68* 24mm, ES 68* 20mm, ES 82* 11mm, ES 82* 8.8mm
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Re: First scope

#8

Post by notFritzArgelander »


PapaFox wrote: Sat Oct 12, 2019 2:24 am Thanks, all good points. I'll check refractors. I like the table top Dob type though, i'll look at slower scopes.
I got my grandson a table top frac. He lives in an urban condo so carting the scope and a table has been a hassle. I'm trying to persuade his parental units to allocate space for a full mount. Of course what's convenient depends on the home....
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
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Re: First scope

#9

Post by PapaFox »


[https://explorescientificusa.com/collec ... e-az-mount][/url]

Looks like this could be the one. They have plenty of room in the back yard, just concerned about their dogs disrupting.
SV70T, celestron 8" sct, avx, polemaster, zwo 224, zwo 178,
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Re: First scope

#10

Post by notFritzArgelander »


Looks a likely choice!
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
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Re: First scope

#11

Post by Lady Fraktor »


At f/5.5 I would suggest replacing the two Kellner eyepieces with some GSO Plossl, about $35USD each but will work well with the telescope.
If he wants to view planets the GSO 2x barlow is a good choice as well.

The mount will get you started but do not be surprised when one day you want to find the highest point in the area and throw it over.
It will work to get him started observing though.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
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