32 replies to this topic

[Ringo]

I forgot to mention I did a perfect side by side of this Meade 102 and my ES AR102 (twin 2" EP's and twin 2" diagonals) and although the ES was superior in view with a little brighter and a tad sharper image it wasn't in any way a night and day difference.  I did notice though, that although the CA on the ES was somewhat minimal, this Meade had slightly less!  Maybe the nicely place tri-baffles has something to do with that.  Still, the ES AR102 is a great buy considering it's nice 2" Diagonal, 2 speed Crayford and Ring/Dovetail setup.  I love them both.

Edited by Cyberpunk, 22 March 2019 - 11:04 PM.

[maknswarf]

Went out to the front yard of my apartment building when I got home since the moon was fully out from the clouds.

OMG!😮 It was so beautiful, I could see all the craters and dimples and the Sea of Tranquility and Tycho crater was this brilliant white contrasted with the deep grey of the Sea of Tranquility.

Wish I could've grabbed a pic on my phone but just couldn't get it aligned to take a good one, will have to check into those phone mounts.

Saw what everyone meant by how narrow these eyepieces are, definitely going to look into investing in some good ones.

Definitely a worthwhile investment for the price, effortless setup and beautiful images.

Unfortunately since I was in town and the wind was starting to pick up again I didn't get a chance to check out the stars but Ill be out again tomorrow😁

Edit: I forgot to mention I did notice some CA but extremely minimal and since the moon was so bright it surprised it was so small.

Edited by maknswarf, 23 March 2019 - 02:09 AM.

[knight_parn]

Went out to the front yard of my apartment building when I got home since the moon was fully out from the clouds.

OMG!😮 It was so beautiful, I could see all the craters and dimples and the Sea of Tranquility and Tycho crater was this brilliant white contrasted with the deep grey of the Sea of Tranquility.

Wish I could've grabbed a pic on my phone but just couldn't get it aligned to take a good one, will have to check into those phone mounts.

Saw what everyone meant by how narrow these eyepieces are, definitely going to look into investing in some good ones.

Definitely a worthwhile investment for the price, effortless setup and beautiful images.

Unfortunately since I was in town and the wind was starting to pick up again I didn't get a chance to check out the stars but Ill be out again tomorrow😁

Edit: I forgot to mention I did notice some CA but extremely minimal and since the moon was so bright it surprised it was so small.

Yeah, definitely upgrade the eyepieces and later on the mount.

 

The Astro-Tech Paradigm eyepieces are one of the best value eyepieces. They are called BST Starguiders here in the UK and I've got four of them which are primarily used with my WO M90. Very sharp views they produce and also offer comfortable eye relief (16mm), fairly big eye lenses, twist-up eye guard and 60 degree afov (big improvement compared to your stock MA eyepieces).

 

You may also want to get some filters e.g. a polarising or ND for reducing glares when viewing the Moon.

 

BTW you don't really need a phone mount to take nice pictures. Just some eyepieces with bigger eye lenses and a steady hand. Here is the full moon shot I took just a couple of days ago with my phone through a 12mm BST.

 

[MartinPond]

Which ones would you recommend? I don't mind spending a little bit more to have something more enjoyable to use.

 

A fairly heavy-duty all-metal Manfrotto(or Bogen) would be expensive new,

   but often a great deal used.

 

I have one like this:

https://www.ebay.com...6sAAOSwEWNcl9uo

(Bogen 3126)

For my 80x400  and 70x600,

 

But you might want something more solid:

https://www.ebay.com...OMAAOSwYxtckCTZ

(Bogen 3046)

For your short 102..

I know that's high (sometimes they are less),

but if you move up to an Ed scope later, it's good for high power..

There are better deals at times...I just grabbed for an example.

Edited by MartinPond, 25 March 2019 - 02:26 PM.

[PNW]

I don't mind the "shakey mount" as it settles down within a few seconds. After a few years of starhopping I upgraded to a used SLT mount for $125. It's just as shakey, but it's full GoTo with tracking. I upgraded my eyepieces to 60* FOV when I got the Nexstar 8. They work well with the Infinity. I truely enjoy stepping through magnifications to find the best combination. Over time I've come to apprieciate the limitations of this fine wide field refractor. I primaraly use this scope to seek out large rich field objects. Coming soon: Aliero, a colored double star, and M 29 in Cygnus, M 56 in Lyra, NGC 6712 and M 11 in Scutum, and M 71 in Sagitta. There's many more. Be sure to keep a list of your best sights.

Edited by PNW, 26 March 2019 - 10:00 AM.

[The Luckster]

Hello everyone! Super excited today as I just bought a Meade 102mm, it will be here tomorrow! I know its not the biggest and best but at the price and the dozens of overwhelmingly positive reviews I read, I decided to take the plunge.

This is my 1st real scope, I recieved a cheapo for Christmas, when I was 10, and could barely see Venus but that might've been my inexperience. Although it came "brand new" in a very sketchy box so who knows.

I've read the planets will be very clear, especially Jupiter and Saturn, with this scope along with bright stars and the Orion Nebula. What else should I try to find? Also how visible would VY Canis Majoris be in the winter?

All help will be greatly appreciated since I'm completely new at this and still trying to wrap my head around all the new terminology and math😁.

Thanks again and Clear Skies
Jay

 

Jay, I may be late to the party, but congrats on your new telescope.  The Meade Infinity 102 is a wonderful refractor, mine has served me very well.  And just moments ago, I gave it to a young up incoming astronomer...I'm gonna miss the 102.

 

Anyway, enjoy the 102.  Solid quality views at a bargain.

 

Oh yeah, I'd like to make two suggestions to greatly increase your quality time with your Infinity.

 

One: buy a set of anti-vibration pads.  Trust me, these work wonders for smaller rigs.  I got these... https://www.amazon.c...=gateway&sr=8-6

 

Two:  Pricier but worth every single penny, an adjustable observer's chair.  I'm telling you, this should have been my first accessory purchase.  Heck, if you're crafty, you could make your own.  Not me, I bought this one... https://www.amazon.c...1?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Clear Skies

 

jason

[belgrade]

I have the same chair. Over 5 years old and still going strong.

[BFaucett]

I have the same chair. Over 5 years old and still going strong.

 

Me too; same one.  I've had mine for about 2.5 years.  I like it. 

 

Bob F.