alfi1966
super member
Reged: 08/24/09
Posts: 111
Loc: norway
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hi folks!
i am looking into buying a Meade Series 5000 80mm Triplet, does anyone have any experience with the scope?
im looking at using it as a combined AP and guidescope, together with my other scopes.
alfi
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skywatcher 200mm f/5 newt, 150mm f/8.3 refractor w/ moonlite upgrade, Skywatcher EVOSTAR ED80 Pro DS,Meade Series 5000 80mm Triplet, eq6 pro synscan, eq5, canon 450d unmodded, canon 1000d modded, TS duomount and LVI Smartguider.
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David Pavlich
Postmaster
Reged: 05/18/05
Posts: 8645
Loc: Mandeville, LA USA 30.22 X 90....
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I just bought a used one. I did a search on CN before I bought it and found that the optics are fine. The only minor complaint is the fact that it has a single speed Crayford type focuser instead of a dual rate. I bought mine for guiding and the occaisional widefield refractor imaging. I didn't read anything about how much weight the focuser can handle, but I have a QHY8 Pro on order which is a fairly light camera, so that shouldn't be a problem here.
You might want to do a search and read for yourself. I just got mine a couple of days ago. The way the weather has been, it may see first light in 2011. 
David
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Proud Member; PAS NOLA,
"If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research..."
A. Einstein
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4490
Loc: Sunny California
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I've owned one now for a year and seven months and find it to be a great performer.
Being a triplet it does take longer to cool down.
It's best for wide field viewing although it will handle magnification. Using the 2.5mm Nagler I get 192x. Using that much magnification on Jupiter provides quite a bit of detail providing turbulence is minimal. Plus the scope has almost no false color. I say almost because when compared to either my 6" SCT or my NP-101 I do see a tad. Not much mind you and I really need to have a comparison going, but a faint amount. In that I doubt it's any better than my TV-85 which has very low amounts of CA. Head to head with the 85 it comes very close. The 85 will handle far more magnification. And the field is slightly flatter with the 85.
The scope comes with a single-speed Crayford which is kind of stiff in operation. Loosening the tension can make it very smooth, but if a heavy eyepiece is used and I'm pointing towards zenith, the focuser drawtube will slide down a bit taking the image out of focus. So I tighten the tension until it holds. Using a heavy eyepiece, the somewhat stiff focuser works well. Sort of counteracts the weight. There are times I wish it was a two-speed, but only when I'm up over 100x.
The scope is extremely well constructed. And the paint job is flawless. The sliding dew shield remains in place even when the scope is pointed straight up. I like the screw-on black anodized aluminum lens cap. Nice touch. Slide-on's tend to fall off at the most inopportune times.
I bought mine with the version that comes with a 2" Meade Series 5000 dielectric diagonal plus a nice fitted aluminum carrying case.
There's no provision for mounting a finder directly onto the scope so I solved that by using a Rigel Quickfinder that's base sticks to the OTA using a strip of double stick tape. It works well with this scope. not particularly attractive, but it gets the job done.
I would highly recommend this scope, especially considering it's lower cost. In this price range you only get doublets. Plus it works great with my Nexstar goto single arm mount.
Another scope to check out would be the new Explore Scientific 80mm triplet. It's not that much more than the deluxe Meade version plus the Explore version comes with a two-speed focuser and a very nice optical finder that has an illuminated reticle. Tube rings, a 2" dielectric diagonal and a fitted carrying case are all standard. The Explore is pretty much the Meade, made in the same Chinese factory, except for the fact it has the two-speed focuser, the finder and can be collimated. The Meade cannot.
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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Mike Cook
member
Reged: 07/13/08
Posts: 75
Loc: Moncton NB (Cloud Central)
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I have the Meade 5000 80mm triplet. It is an excellent scope for the price, with the case and series 5000 diagonal. Vega is color free in mine. I have never used it for AP yet, but I love the views and it is an excellent portable scope. I use mine a lot for daytime terrestrial use and birdwatching as well. As Starlighter notes, it is solidly built. Single rate focuser is fine. Mine was a bit sticky too but application of small amount of wax on the flat surface under drawtube has made it smooth. When mine arrived the drawtube was a bit out of collimation.
-Mike
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Meade ETX125PE Maksutov
Meade series 5000 80mm triplet on AT Voyager alt-az
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alfi1966
super member
Reged: 08/24/09
Posts: 111
Loc: norway
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hi guys
i have now bought one second hand.
im really looking forward to testing it out.
i like that it seem to have very little color, ans short focallenght.
should be a good performer on AP, and a good guidescope.
alfi
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skywatcher 200mm f/5 newt, 150mm f/8.3 refractor w/ moonlite upgrade, Skywatcher EVOSTAR ED80 Pro DS,Meade Series 5000 80mm Triplet, eq6 pro synscan, eq5, canon 450d unmodded, canon 1000d modded, TS duomount and LVI Smartguider.
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4490
Loc: Sunny California
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Quote:
I have the Meade 5000 80mm triplet. It is an excellent scope for the price, with the case and series 5000 diagonal. Vega is color free in mine. I have never used it for AP yet, but I love the views and it is an excellent portable scope. I use mine a lot for daytime terrestrial use and birdwatching as well. As Starlighter notes, it is solidly built. Single rate focuser is fine. Mine was a bit sticky too but application of small amount of wax on the flat surface under drawtube has made it smooth. When mine arrived the drawtube was a bit out of collimation.
-Mike
Geeze! I was told never apply anything to the plate on a Crayford. What type of wax did you use?
How did you collimate the drawtube? What did you notice that drew your attention to it?
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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Mike Cook
member
Reged: 07/13/08
Posts: 75
Loc: Moncton NB (Cloud Central)
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The same basic technique as what was used here:
http://www.backyardvoyager.com/gsofocuser.html
Only thing different being mine is a single rate focuser so I mostly 'waxed' lol. I noticed the tube was a bit off collimation by observation. With tube fully racked in, there was a very tiny gap on one side where the black ring on the tube and the focuser end face meet. A laser collimator in the tube, and some small adjustments to the tension setscrews that adjust the 4 internal roller bearings and it was properly aligned.
-Mike
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Meade ETX125PE Maksutov
Meade series 5000 80mm triplet on AT Voyager alt-az
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alfi1966
super member
Reged: 08/24/09
Posts: 111
Loc: norway
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hi
do you think the focuser is good enough for AP, or would it benefit from a moonlite replacement?
alfi
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skywatcher 200mm f/5 newt, 150mm f/8.3 refractor w/ moonlite upgrade, Skywatcher EVOSTAR ED80 Pro DS,Meade Series 5000 80mm Triplet, eq6 pro synscan, eq5, canon 450d unmodded, canon 1000d modded, TS duomount and LVI Smartguider.
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danieL-
newbie
Reged: 04/15/09
Posts: 1
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Hi, my name is Daniel and I'm from Portugal.
I recently bought this model from Meade Europe. It now comes with a dual speed focuser and a finder. Exactly like the 102mm and 127mm models.
Has Starlighter always said, it is built like a tank and I can't see any color aberration in the moon  I use it as grab n'go with a TV Plossl 15mm,8mm and the Nagler Zoom 3-6mm. Perfect match 
Best regards.
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alfi1966
super member
Reged: 08/24/09
Posts: 111
Loc: norway
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hi daniel
it is nice that they have upgraded it to 2 speed.
i have bought secondhand, so no such luck.
but i will check with meade if i can get the new one, for a ok price.
alfi
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skywatcher 200mm f/5 newt, 150mm f/8.3 refractor w/ moonlite upgrade, Skywatcher EVOSTAR ED80 Pro DS,Meade Series 5000 80mm Triplet, eq6 pro synscan, eq5, canon 450d unmodded, canon 1000d modded, TS duomount and LVI Smartguider.
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sctchun
sage
Reged: 03/26/06
Posts: 208
Loc: HI
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Hi Alfi,
I've had my Meade 80mm for awhile now, I really like it as wide field imager as well as well as a grab and go, and now solar scope. Attached is a image of M42 that I made with this scope and my XTi this past winter. I believe it's 4 10 minute guided subs. As for the single speed focuser, it hasn't been a problem since I've been using a Bahtinov mask for focusing.
Steven
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AT 8" IN
Meade 8" LX200-R (ACF)
Meade Series 5000 80mm
Vixen Sphinx SXW
Edited by sctchun (09/28/09 08:48 PM)
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cygnus72
sage
Reged: 06/13/07
Posts: 245
Loc: State College, PA
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I'll toss in my two cents.
Back in March a member of my club invited me to his house for an evening of observing. He was using the Meade 5000, and let me take a look through it.
My jaw fell open.
I own a 120ST, and would GLADLY trade my 5" achromat for his 3" apo.
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We have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.
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MeadeMan
member
Reged: 08/25/08
Posts: 73
Loc: West Sussex, UK
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Here's my little 80mm mounted next to its big brother, the 127mm.
I've owned my 80mm for the best part of 18 months plus now and have to say I'm extremely pleased with it.
I also have the meade 127mm ED APO as well and there have been occasions where the little 80mm has afforded a clearer, sharper view of Jupiter than the 127.
Mine has a single speed focuser, and until reading this, I hadn't realised that they are now shipped with a dual speed crayford, however, I have found the single speed focuser to be superb in its operation and smoothness and I have always been able to achieve pin sharp focus no matter the magnification being used.
I have also fitted mine with an Orion EZ Red Dot Finder which simply sticks to the OTA using sticky pads.
For me, this is probably the ultimate grab and go scope. I also have had more enjoyment using this little beauty than I have had from my other larger refractors.
If a well made 80mm triplet is what your after, you won't go wrong with this little scope. In fact this month here in the UK, in Sky at Night magazine, it was pitted against other 80mm scopes and the Meade won first place due to build quality and pin sharp, colour free optics.
You cant do better than that....certainly not in this price range.
Regards
Mike G
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Chromatic aberration? I'm sorry, I don't know what you're talking about. I only use the finest triplets!
Meade 8" LX200 R
Meade 5000 series 127mm ED APO Triplet
Meade 5000 series 80mm ED APO Triplet
Meade 5000 UWA 30mm/18mm/14mm/8.8mm/6.7mm/5.5mm/4.7mm
Meade 5000 Plossl 40mm/32mm/26mm/20mm/14mm/9mm/5.5
Meade 5000 2x TeleXtender
Meade 5000 5x TeleXtender
William Optics FLT 98mm Special Edition
EQ6 Pro
Berlebach UNI 24 Tripod
Giro 2 Deluxe
SynScan EQ6 Pro
Canon 450d DSLR
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4490
Loc: Sunny California
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Something I forgot to mention and that's this scope has a problem focusing when using a 2" barlow. I noticed there just isn't enough in-travel to reach focus. But when I swapped out the Meade 2" diagonal with a 2" Lumicon, I discovered the 2" barlow worked. The answer is the Lumicon has a shorter light path to the mirror. But since I use this scope chiefly for wide views, a 2" barlow really isn't needed so I put back the Meade diagonal and the Lumicon went back on my C4-R.
Here's my Meade 80mm with the Lumicon diagonal plus a Lumicon laser pointer:
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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mblack
Throw me a bone here
Reged: 10/31/05
Posts: 3435
Loc: Naples, Florida
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Quote:
Hi, my name is Daniel and I'm from Portugal.
Welcome to Cloudy Nights Daniel.
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Dave B.
"Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others." Groucho Marx
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joelimite
sage
Reged: 09/01/08
Posts: 234
Loc: Fayetteville, AR
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So wait, can anyone confirm that Meade is offering the dual-speed focuser in the United States as well? If so, that's a terrific deal!
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Orion XT8 Dob w/ Moonlite 2-speed Crayford focuser, Vixen A80MF w/ GSO 2-speed Crayford and Porta Mount
32mm Televue Plossl, 31mm Hyperion Aspheric, 24mm Meade SWA, 17,13,8mm Hyperions, 6,5,4mm TMB Planetary, 5mm Baader Genuine Ortho
Garrett Optical 20x80 UL Binoculars, Nikon Action Extreme 10x50 Binoculars
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4490
Loc: Sunny California
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The 80mm Meade still in inventory at dealers as well as their website carry the single-speed. They are close-outs. Meade has announced it will sell the 80mm, the 102mm and the 127mm triplet, all with two-speeds, but so far the larger aperture scopes are not available nor is the upgraded 80mm. But Meade is taking orders on all of them.
New Meade 80mm triplet
It would be nice if they offered a two-speed upgrade for the older model.
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4490
Loc: Sunny California
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Fascinating. The link I provided for the New Meade 80mm has reverted back to the old one. I now wonder if Meade has once again decided not to make the larger triplet available. The link did show three new versions, the 80mm, the 102mm and the 127mm, all with two-speed focusers. Now they're gone. Vanished.
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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joelimite
sage
Reged: 09/01/08
Posts: 234
Loc: Fayetteville, AR
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I noticed the same thing too, Starlighter. I'm in the market for an 80-90mm doublet or triplet and will definitely consider the 80mm Meade while I save up some funds. Thanks for the link regarding the new dual-speed focuser edition.
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Orion XT8 Dob w/ Moonlite 2-speed Crayford focuser, Vixen A80MF w/ GSO 2-speed Crayford and Porta Mount
32mm Televue Plossl, 31mm Hyperion Aspheric, 24mm Meade SWA, 17,13,8mm Hyperions, 6,5,4mm TMB Planetary, 5mm Baader Genuine Ortho
Garrett Optical 20x80 UL Binoculars, Nikon Action Extreme 10x50 Binoculars
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alfi1966
super member
Reged: 08/24/09
Posts: 111
Loc: norway
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hi
i found them here http://www.telescopes.com/cart/product_comparison.cfm
ill recieve mine on monday, secondhand.
contacted ron over at moonlite, and ordered a black 2 speed focuser from him.
alfi
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skywatcher 200mm f/5 newt, 150mm f/8.3 refractor w/ moonlite upgrade, Skywatcher EVOSTAR ED80 Pro DS,Meade Series 5000 80mm Triplet, eq6 pro synscan, eq5, canon 450d unmodded, canon 1000d modded, TS duomount and LVI Smartguider.
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4490
Loc: Sunny California
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Nope. Doesn't work. I get the following message:
Sorry, but you must define which products you wish to compare.
Please go back choose a product.
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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alfi1966
super member
Reged: 08/24/09
Posts: 111
Loc: norway
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hi
try this
http://www.telescopes.com/telescopes/optical-tubes/8197+8198+8210.cfm#N=8197+8198+8210+8268&Ns=Name+%28Ascending%29&view=36&Nao=0&display=grid_view
alfi
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skywatcher 200mm f/5 newt, 150mm f/8.3 refractor w/ moonlite upgrade, Skywatcher EVOSTAR ED80 Pro DS,Meade Series 5000 80mm Triplet, eq6 pro synscan, eq5, canon 450d unmodded, canon 1000d modded, TS duomount and LVI Smartguider.
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4490
Loc: Sunny California
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Since Meade USA doesn't carry them on their website, those sold by Telescopes.com must be coming in from Meade Europe.
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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BajaPaco
member
Reged: 10/30/09
Posts: 35
Loc: Baja California, Mexico
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I am a real novice and bought my first telescope, the Meade Series 5000 80mm Triplet APO in April '09. I did a lot of searching and really wanted the Explore Scientific but didn't want to wait for it to be built and delivered, so the Meade was my second choice and it was available. I can't give you a lot of technical answers but my practical use of this little beauty for planetary observation and just getting to know the sky have mostly been great. I seem to have a little difficulty with the single speed focuser (it seems a bit sticky on occasion). I read with great interest one comment on waxing and will check into that further. I use mine on a Sky-Watcher AZ4-NEQ5 Mount and Steel Tripod and it is really solid and very easy to maneuver. Other than the focuser issue the finish and feel of the scope as you handle it is superb. Although my primary use is visual observation I have used the Meade 5000 APO with a T-Ring adapter and Canon EOS for some elementary photography, all with success - at least satisfactory and pleasing to me. In summary I love it and plan on keeping it as my primary grab-n-go scope even as I later add to my observational arsenal.
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Paco
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Nikon 10X50 Binoculars
Meade Series 5000 80mm ED Triplet APO
Sky-Watcher AZ4-NEQ5 Mount on steel tripod
Celestron Sky-Scout
Plossls, 32mm, 15mm, 9mm, 3X Barlow
WO SWAN 25mm, Nagler T4 12mm
-I have gone to find myself, if I get back before I return keep me here.
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Brian L
super member
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 116
Loc: The garden paradise of Pittsbu...
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I nearly bought one and would have if it were not for the focuser. I found it hard to make fine adjustments and it did not seem like it would take a heavy camera. It just felt second class. Tube vs. focuser rotation seems like a less than thoughtful approach. Using tube rings it seems like it would be very cumbersome to rotate a camera to frame a subject. Nice optics though...it's a pity meade put such a mediocre focuser on an otherwise fine instrument.
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WO FLT-110 f/6.5, TEC optics
Losmandy G-11 Gemini
Meade 10" LX200 GPS/UHTC
Questar 3.5" Standard
Vixen VMC-110L
Canon 450D, unmodified
Assortment of TV Panoptic, TV Radian, Vixen LVW, and WO eyepieces
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4490
Loc: Sunny California
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Well, I don't find the focuser to be mediocre. At least not the one I have. Yes, it's a tad stiff and loosening the tension enough where it's smoother causes the drawtube to slip when a heavy eyepiece is used, but I've never had a problem focusing and that's when using high magnification. Images seem to snap into focus. But I tend to use it more as a richfield refractor so when I plug in say a 26mm Nagler, there's no problem reaching focus.
I'm quite happy with this scope. The optics compare favorably with my far more expensive TV-85. With a focal length of 480mm, I can get a wider field with it when compare to the 85.
That said, I do wish Meade would make the two-speed focuser unit available as a retrofit. I've looked at it and can see how easily it could be installed. When I called up Meade they informed me they do not plan on ever making it available. This is unfortunate. Other brands make two-speed retrofit units available such as Takahashi, Televue and Vixen. I don't see any reason why Meade can't do it.
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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Brian L
super member
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 116
Loc: The garden paradise of Pittsbu...
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That's what I define to be a mediocre focuser...sure it will come to focus. Even bad focusers come to focus. But, if you can't hang a camera or a heavy eyepiece off the back and make fine focus adjustments without the drawtube slipping...
Maybe Moonlite or another third party will make a retrofit focuser for that OTA. It would otherwise be a wonderful wide-field APO instead of a very nice one with a few small issues. It's a pity that Meade won't offer that focuser... they are going to find it hard to compete in the APO refractor market with the Skywatcher/Explore/Synta and WO with these offerings as standard.
--------------------
WO FLT-110 f/6.5, TEC optics
Losmandy G-11 Gemini
Meade 10" LX200 GPS/UHTC
Questar 3.5" Standard
Vixen VMC-110L
Canon 450D, unmodified
Assortment of TV Panoptic, TV Radian, Vixen LVW, and WO eyepieces
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alfi1966
super member
Reged: 08/24/09
Posts: 111
Loc: norway
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hi
moonlite makes a focuse for it, i have bought one for my 80mm triplet, and it is a really great upgrade for this scope.
alfi
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skywatcher 200mm f/5 newt, 150mm f/8.3 refractor w/ moonlite upgrade, Skywatcher EVOSTAR ED80 Pro DS,Meade Series 5000 80mm Triplet, eq6 pro synscan, eq5, canon 450d unmodded, canon 1000d modded, TS duomount and LVI Smartguider.
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4490
Loc: Sunny California
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If I tighten the tension down and use a very heavy eyepiece such as the 41mm Panoptic, I can aim the scope at zenith and the drawtube will not slip. Plus, when using heavy eyepieces, the focusing even with the tension cranked up becomes quite smooth. At least on mine. So for visual use, I have no serious issues with the focuser.
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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Mike Cook
member
Reged: 07/13/08
Posts: 75
Loc: Moncton NB (Cloud Central)
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I've hung a heavy Canon 30D dslr complete with battery grip on my Meade 80mm for prime focus and the focuser doesn't slip when focusing at zenith, that's what the tension knob is for. I like mine, works fine. It's a wonderful telescope for the price.
Mike
--------------------
Meade ETX125PE Maksutov
Meade series 5000 80mm triplet on AT Voyager alt-az
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Brian L
super member
Reged: 11/17/08
Posts: 116
Loc: The garden paradise of Pittsbu...
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It is a wonderful telescope for the price- agreed. Many who have seen it did not think the focuser design was particularly thoughtful. Considering that there are other companies that produce 80 mm refractors of comparable optical quality with rotating 2-speed crayford focusers that compete with the 5000 in price, it is easy to understand why some would be turned off a little. There are some people that don't like the focuser design, others don't find it an issue. I suppose it is what you are used to.... I just think that Meade could have put a little more thought into the design of the focuser for such a nice little scope. Perhaps they had a price target and the couldn't supply an improved focuser and realize an acceptable margin. IMHO, the focuser and the rotating tube are the weak points in this design...most scopes have some imperfections. If the tension required to hold the camera without the drawtube slipping still allows you to make fine focus adjustments, then I am perhaps just an equipment snob. The focuser just didn't feel good to me. When I had to make the choice to buy or not, the focuser ultimately made my decision against.
--------------------
WO FLT-110 f/6.5, TEC optics
Losmandy G-11 Gemini
Meade 10" LX200 GPS/UHTC
Questar 3.5" Standard
Vixen VMC-110L
Canon 450D, unmodified
Assortment of TV Panoptic, TV Radian, Vixen LVW, and WO eyepieces
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Alnitak2009
member
Reged: 04/10/09
Posts: 22
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Hi Steven,
Nice image of M42. I noticed that you field of view is flat and the stars are round all the way to the corners. Are you using a field flattener? IF so, which brand are you using?
I imaged M31 and the stars in the corner are elongated due to the curvature inherent in refractor systems.
I love this scope. It is a really buy at around $700. I pushed this thing on planet Saturn and used a 5x powermate and a 6mm EP It was still rather sharp but getting dim at this point due to the small aperture. The focuser was a bit weak at first until I figured how to make it work when a heavy camera is attached and that is to tighten down the focuser locking knob until it has suffient resistance. A dual fine adjustment focuser would be nice but not vital. I just grab both focuser knobs with both hands and slowly work the focus. There is definitely much more control when using both knobs.
Don
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Mike Cook
member
Reged: 07/13/08
Posts: 75
Loc: Moncton NB (Cloud Central)
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Yep, being Meade they had to do something different, lol. However the triplet objective is what I was after and at that price point still hard to beat. That's likely where a good part of the design money went so something else had to be sacrificed. The single rate focuser is a standard GSO unit (I think) that is also on other scopes, perhaps the Meade Lightbridge models. I've used much worse focusers in my lifetime, having used lots of junky telescopes over the years so perhaps I'm not jaded to buttery smooth Leica-like gadgets made of Quintessence.. yet. 
Mike
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Meade ETX125PE Maksutov
Meade series 5000 80mm triplet on AT Voyager alt-az
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4490
Loc: Sunny California
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The Meade single speed Crayford is light-years ahead of the junkie r&p that comes with Synta achromats. The one on my C4-R was so awful I eventually replaced it with a MoonLite two-speed Crayford.
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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Screwdriver
super member
Reged: 02/22/09
Posts: 187
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Had this scope for little over a year....I freakin love it. In fact, I see no reason to ever sell it. The OTA is that nice.
I have no problems with the single speed focuser except for the mental need for a dual. Someday, I might get the Moonlite...who knows.
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Celestron 6 SE
Meade 5000 80ED
Bogen 3021 w/Manfrotto 501HDV head
Some Tele Vue Plossls and a Nagler 5mm T6...oh yeah, and a 10mm Celestron SMA...
Parks 10x52
Seeing the face of God with the PST
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4490
Loc: Sunny California
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I'll never part with mine. It's a keeper.
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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Mike Cook
member
Reged: 07/13/08
Posts: 75
Loc: Moncton NB (Cloud Central)
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I like my Meade 80mm triplet so much that the 127mm f/7 triplet is next on my purchase list.
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Meade ETX125PE Maksutov
Meade series 5000 80mm triplet on AT Voyager alt-az
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wsuriano
member
Reged: 11/13/07
Posts: 77
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I image frequently with mine and am quite satisfied with the results. It's fast and gives nice wide field views with my DSI II Pro. The focuser has never been an issue. It also gives great visual results with imperceptible CA on bright planetary objects.
Bill
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Meade 8" LX90 GPS w/wedge
Meade 5000 80mm APO
Vixen 5" Newtonian
Orion 120mm f/8.3
Orion ST 80mm
Meade ETX90 PE
CGEM
CG-5 ASGT
iOptron MT
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SanDiegoPaul
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/22/05
Posts: 1328
Loc: San Diego
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Quote:
The Meade single speed Crayford is light-years ahead of the junkie r&p that comes with Synta achromats. The one on my C4-R was so awful I eventually replaced it with a MoonLite two-speed Crayford.
I wanted to do that with my Meade when I had the '80 APO. But it's a glued-together affair and nobody had a better focuser for it. So I sold it and got the Stellarvue Raptor Triplet APO. It was more money than I expected to spend, but it's light years ahead of the Meade.
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Meade 10" Lx200-R with Mitty Evolution Wedge
Moonlight SCT Focuser
Stellarvue Raptor 90 Triplet
SBIG ST2000 XM Imager
SBIG ST402ME CCD Guider
Canon Digital Rebel DSLR
Meade DSI-c CCD Guide Cam
Please visit my gallery!
http://www.pbase.com/sandiegopaul/
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4490
Loc: Sunny California
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The Meade 80mm triplet focuser isn't glued on. At least that's what I was told by Ron at Moonlite as well as a rep from Agena Astro products who sells GSO focusers. Both sell replacement focusers that fit the Meade triplet. They both told me that the original focuser screws off.
How did the SV raptor triplet outperform the Meade? Visually, not mechanically.
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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Mike Cook
member
Reged: 07/13/08
Posts: 75
Loc: Moncton NB (Cloud Central)
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Yep, the focuser does unscrew, as I unscrewed it once. The OTA and focuser are threaded, and there's a small recessed hex nut on the edge of the flange to keep both secure once tightened. A Moonlite is an easy upgrade using the existing threads and proper 3.5" inside diameter flange for the OTA.
~Mike
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Meade ETX125PE Maksutov
Meade series 5000 80mm triplet on AT Voyager alt-az
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alfi1966
super member
Reged: 08/24/09
Posts: 111
Loc: norway
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hi
yep, same on mine, a little hexscrew needed to be loosened, easy to install the new moonlite, and a great upgrade.
alfi
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skywatcher 200mm f/5 newt, 150mm f/8.3 refractor w/ moonlite upgrade, Skywatcher EVOSTAR ED80 Pro DS,Meade Series 5000 80mm Triplet, eq6 pro synscan, eq5, canon 450d unmodded, canon 1000d modded, TS duomount and LVI Smartguider.
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