Telescope Reviews: old meade starfinder 10"

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ronaldbrownjr
member

Reged: 12/23/12

Re: old meade starfinder 10" new

[Re: ronaldbrownjr]
#5662386 - 02/04/13 07:56 PM

also what kind/type of ep's would make this scope stand out better

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hottr6
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 06/28/09

Loc: 7,500', Magdalena Mtns, NM

Re: old meade starfinder 10" new

[Re: Glen A W]
#5663036 - 02/05/13 08:18 AM

Quote:

The mirror is likely worth keeping no matter what. The one I had was USA-made and it had a better polish than most Asian mirrors I have seen. I can't believe I let it go. GW

+1. My US-made sonotube 10" Starfinder mirror tests at 0.980 Strehl.

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hottr6
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 06/28/09

Loc: 7,500', Magdalena Mtns, NM

Re: old meade starfinder 10" new

[Re: ronaldbrownjr]
#5663053 - 02/05/13 08:29 AM

Quote:

also what kind/type of ep's would make this scope stand out better

I've run quite a few EPs (at least 30) through my 10", and the standouts include a 40mm TMB Paragon, S4K smoothie 8.8mm UWA, S5K 24mm SWA and 18mm UWA, Vixen 13mm LVW and Faworski 7mm Ortho. There are a few holes in this lineup that I have not been able to fill with a standout EP, but there are an awful lot of good EPs out there I have yet to try.

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ronaldbrownjr
member

Reged: 12/23/12

Re: old meade starfinder 10" new

[Re: hottr6]
#5663684 - 02/05/13 02:32 PM

i am kinda stuck with a small budget to buy things... my wife told me not to spend alot on this hobbie as i have another expensive hobbie...booo

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csrlice12
Post Laureate

Reged: 05/22/12

Loc: Denver, CO

Re: old meade starfinder 10" new

[Re: ronaldbrownjr]
#5663788 - 02/05/13 03:35 PM

Hey, this hobby isn't expensive, it just costs a lot of money!

However, look at it this way, for the most part, astronomy equipment will last nearly as long as you do (except mirrors may need recoated every 10-15 years, which is still better then most items made today. So, what really is the cost?

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ronaldbrownjr
member

Reged: 12/23/12

Re: old meade starfinder 10" new

[Re: csrlice12]
#5663946 - 02/05/13 05:01 PM

i agree but my wife doesn't see it that way... i do alot of diving in my spare time so she relates the cost without knowing anything about the sky life.....

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ronaldbrownjr
member

Reged: 12/23/12

Re: old meade starfinder 10" new

[Re: ronaldbrownjr]
#5668644 - 02/08/13 10:14 AM

i just found out that i might have to get the mirror's recoated since the scope sat for so long... any thoughts on that

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Glen A W
sage

Reged: 07/04/08

Loc: WEST VIRGINIA USA

Re: old meade starfinder 10" new

[Re: ronaldbrownjr]
#5669260 - 02/08/13 03:17 PM

I doubt a recoat is necessary. Maybe a cleaning. I recently cleaned up a 1957 Cave mirror with the original coating and it is still pretty good. The Meade coatings were excellent. I'd consider a cleaning first, unless you have obvious grey corrosion areas on it. GW

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Glen A W
sage

Reged: 07/04/08

Loc: WEST VIRGINIA USA

Re: old meade starfinder 10" new

[Re: Glen A W]
#5669264 - 02/08/13 03:20 PM

A good cheap 1.25 eyepiece for this is the 26mm Meade series 4000 Plossl. They are everywhere, because they came with a lot of scopes. Actually, the whole series 4000 is good and available for very little.

A good low cost 2" eyepiece is the 32mm Meade series 5000. It would cost a little more but it's worth it. I could make do with just the 32mm 5000 and the 9.7mm 4000 if I had to. Seems like I did for a while, in fact! GW

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ronaldbrownjr
member

Reged: 12/23/12

Re: old meade starfinder 10" new

[Re: Glen A W]
#5669306 - 02/08/13 03:55 PM

i spoke with hands on optics and was told that due to it sitting around the coating oxidizes about 1% to 1.5% each year so a 10" over that long of time has deminished to roughly an 8" in terms of light gathering capability and clearity

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Glen A W
sage

Reged: 07/04/08

Loc: WEST VIRGINIA USA

Re: old meade starfinder 10" new

[Re: ronaldbrownjr]
#5669308 - 02/08/13 03:56 PM

mmmmm..... maybe..... maybe not! I would clean it and use it. When I let go of mine two years ago, the coatings were still eye-hurting shiny. A 1997 model. GW

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ronaldbrownjr
member

Reged: 12/23/12

Re: old meade starfinder 10" new

[Re: Glen A W]
#5669328 - 02/08/13 04:06 PM

i believe this one is closer to the early 1990's

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cheapersleeper
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/22/10

Loc: Sachse TX

Re: old meade starfinder 10" new

[Re: ronaldbrownjr]
#5669986 - 02/09/13 12:11 AM

Ronaldbrownjr, please go out and look through that scope. They were pretty good when they were made and many are still giving good images on the original coatings. From your remarks it seems that you are anticipating problems and I don't think that is warranted. Try it out and after using it a while, decide if any work/recoating/new parts are warranted. I used a Starfinder 10" as a dob for three years and now acquired the ridiculously big mount. The Starfinder OTA provided me with good views and the focuser was adequate but not great. If I singled out the most annoying thing on it, it would be that secondary adjustment is mechanically not very good. But that is really it for my complaint list. Run out and point that thing at the sky.

Regards,
Brad

Edited my typing/spelling.

Edited by cheapersleeper (02/10/13 05:25 AM)

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Glen A W
sage

Reged: 07/04/08

Loc: WEST VIRGINIA USA

Re: old meade starfinder 10" new

[Re: cheapersleeper]
#5671485 - 02/09/13 10:00 PM

I agree, it is as close to a Dob as you can get on a EQ mount. It is so basic and will last forever, except maybe the clock drive. GW

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Pitter
member

Reged: 11/14/12

Loc: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Re: old meade starfinder 10" new

[Re: Glen A W]
#5678652 - 02/14/13 12:30 AM

If the mirror looks good don't touch it. The part about the mirrors degrading is not completely true. My 93 mirror is still like factory new because it was cared for and stored properly. Others that have been abused may be junk.

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cheapersleeper
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/22/10

Loc: Sachse TX

Re: old meade starfinder 10" new

[Re: Pitter]
#5678683 - 02/14/13 01:05 AM

It seems to also depend on climate. I have spent my time mostly in drier areas of Texas and have seen coatings stay nice for many, many years.

B

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ronaldbrownjr
member

Reged: 12/23/12

Re: old meade starfinder 10" [Re: cheapersleeper]
#5685987 - 02/17/13 09:21 PM

this scope for the age is in great shape. it was stored for many years inside the original owners home.. no markings or dust on the optics. thanks all for your help and input

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