Meade DS-2080-AT refractor

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DennyD
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Meade DS-2080-AT refractor

#1

Post by DennyD »


Hello all. I was given a Meade DS-2080 AT refractor many years ago by my wife. As an 80mm refractor for a beginner how is it, and any recommendations for eyepieces to upgrade it? Thank you. Denny.
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Re: Meade DS-2080-AT refractor

#2

Post by JayTee »


If you use it as it was intended it will be a fun little scope. Any of the less-expensive Plossl eyepieces will work well with it. I own the DS 2102 and am surprised at all the different category of objects I can see with that scope.

Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

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DennyD
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Re: Meade DS-2080-AT refractor

#3

Post by DennyD »


Thank you JT. Any recommendations for eyepieces? I have room for three, and was thinking 7.5mm, 12.5mm and 30mm. Denny.
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Re: Meade DS-2080-AT refractor

#4

Post by JayTee »


Personally, I would go with the 30mm (27X) and then a 10mm (80X). I would also supplement with a 2X Barlow essentially giving you an additional 15mm and 5mm.

Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

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Re: Meade DS-2080-AT refractor

#5

Post by DennyD »


JT my Meade came with a 9.7mm and a 25mm. Is that pretty good? Thank you. Denny.
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Re: Meade DS-2080-AT refractor

#6

Post by JayTee »


Let's use those for now.

After you've had a chance to scan the skies and the moon you'll be in a better place to see if those EPs meets your needs. Unfortunately, both Jupiter and Saturn are pretty much unusable right now and those would give you a gauge as to the maximum magnification you would like to use. You could try it on lunar craters but that's a bit subjective. Also, if you are really Jonesing for a new eyepiece, then something in the 32mm or larger arena would give you a nice low magnification wide-field image.

Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

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Re: Meade DS-2080-AT refractor

#7

Post by notFritzArgelander »


DennyD wrote: Sat Dec 28, 2019 12:14 am JT my Meade came with a 9.7mm and a 25mm. Is that pretty good? Thank you. Denny.
Depends. It's good to start but be alert to possible low quality eyepieces that come with a scope. OTOH I had a recent surprise with a refractor I got for a grandson. The bundled Kellner eyepieces were surprisingly decent!
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: Meade DS-2080-AT refractor

#8

Post by DennyD »


I just tried out my Meade on Venus (I'm guessing it's visible evenings here in Northern California). Couldn't really make much out. Going to have to practice viewing the moon first. I also ordered a spotter scope as my telescope is missing the one that came with it.
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Re: Meade DS-2080-AT refractor

#9

Post by notFritzArgelander »


DennyD wrote: Sat Dec 28, 2019 1:57 am I just tried out my Meade on Venus (I'm guessing it's visible evenings here in Northern California). Couldn't really make much out. Going to have to practice viewing the moon first. I also ordered a spotter scope as my telescope is missing the one that came with it.
Venus often shows a featureless shape.
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: Meade DS-2080-AT refractor

#10

Post by JayTee »


It's not uncommon for Venus to look as if you are viewing it while it's underwater. Viewing the moon should give you a much better gauge although right now it's not a whole lot higher than Venus so maybe not for a few more days.

JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

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Re: Meade DS-2080-AT refractor

#11

Post by Mandrew »


Plossl EPS will work well, but I would not bother with anything smaller than 12mm. Instead use 32mm down to about 12mm and get a 2x and 3x Barlow. You will cover all of your bases and have much better eye relief.
Devout bino lover and Lunaholic! Scopes - Celestron RASA 8, Orion 180mm Mak-Cass, 6"f8 dob, ST80. binos - Orion 7x50, Oberwerk 8x56 LW, Oberwerk 10x50 Deluxe, 15x70 Deluxe, Oberwerk 100mm ED Binocular telescope.
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