8 replies to this topic

[Jon Isaacs]

Hello to all and Happy New Years....

I recently found this Meade 314 at quite a good price. It is mostly brass and in reasonable condition, though it needs some cleaning. From what I have seen using during the day, its 80mm F11 Optics promise to be clear and sharp. This scope was made in Japan and my guess is that it is from the early 80's. It looks like a keeper to me.

Please excuse the condition of my backyard, a storm is brewing and I had to clear a section of snow in order to get a clean view of the scope.

Best wishes to all...

Jon

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[EJN]

Except for the brass parts, it looks identical to
the blue-tube 80mm f/11 Meade refractor I have,
which was made by TOWA.

[Jon Isaacs]

Except for the brass parts, it looks identical to
the blue-tube 80mm f/11 Meade refractor I have,
which was made by TOWA.
----

I would guess it was the same, how are the optics on your scope??

Jon

[EJN]

I would guess it was the same, how are the optics on your scope??

Outstanding - better than a Vixen 80mm f/11.4
I once owned.

[Don W]

Very nice, Jon. Did the mount come with it?

[BCB]

Yep

Thats the mount it comes with.. I have one exactly the same here.

His tube looks to be in much better shape than mine as well..

Looks like his has the tripod tray, which is missing on mine.

This was the scope that was given to me by a close friend that got me back into the hobby again, and set me looking for the original Meade 4K plossls (it came with the 12.4)

[ngc6475]

That's a beautiful scope, Jon! Lucky you!

[Jon Isaacs]

Very nice, Jon. Did the mount come with it?
====

Don:

The mount came with it. The scope seems to be all there, the only problem I have found so far is that the cross hairs in the finder seem to be trashed. The focuser also needs a bit of work. It is all there but quite tight. THe original "anti-friction" strips seem to be dried out and I may have to replace them with teflon.

A while back I had a Celestron Firstscope 80EQ, an 80mm F11 refractor on a CG-3, I enjoyed that scope, minimal false color, reasonably portable. It gave nice planetary views of Jupiter and Saturn. I ended up giving to a friend who is/was going to give to a school in the mountains of Mexico, I think this scope is a worthy replacement and with its looks and hopefully fine views, it should be a keeper.

Best to all

jon

[donnw]

Hi Jon:

I know this thread has been lost in the binkie-weeds for some time, but I must say, its a beauty! (I know, because I have one too!) I'm not sure if they still have more (they did early this year) but Hands On Optics in Damascus, MD had some cosmetic blem BRASS Brandon eyepieces (8mm or 12mm and 40mm) that were being sold for about $160 each (and they are EXCELLENT eyepieces - very sharp and contrasty!) They look great on a brass 314 ;-)

When I got mine late last year, all I needed to do was a minor cleanup and the views have been great! Definitely a keeper. (And I can get away with keeping it in the library - out in public and all - because it looks so good even to my lovely wife!) Enjoy!