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Meade 4 Inch Equatorial Refractor - Model 447

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#1 Jae

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Posted 22 December 2006 - 10:20 PM

Sorry for the delay but between traveling and stuff, I finally had a chance to take some photos and post them here. This is mid to late '70's Meade 4" Equatorial refractor.

The 1978 catalog shows 7 models, starting with the Model 420, 422 adds motor drive, 433 is the 420 with a 2" photo-guide scope, auxiliary counterweights, 436 adds the motor drive, 440 adds the variable-frequency drive corrector, 445 which is the scope I have (which was discussed in previous thread) adds illuminated reticle guiding eyepiece and battery pack. Finally the 447 adds the OM-1 astrocamera and camera adapter and piggy-back carera bracket/clamp.

What I may actually have ....yes, what I do have is the 447 as the OM-1 camera is on the way.

Many of the items have not been opened yet. Price in 1979 was $2,550 for the 447 and $2,259 fob for the 445. A tad higher I believe than a Unitron.

I'll post a lot of photos here so let's check it out !

Jae

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#2 Jae

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Posted 22 December 2006 - 10:24 PM

First light a few weeks ago w/o the guide scope

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#3 Jae

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Posted 22 December 2006 - 10:25 PM

Unprocessed digital photo at first light

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#4 Glassthrower

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Posted 22 December 2006 - 10:27 PM

That is a mighty fine looking instrument. :bow:

Nice find.

Clear dark skies,

MikeG

#5 Jae

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Posted 22 December 2006 - 10:27 PM

Mount with motor drive

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#6 Jae

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Posted 22 December 2006 - 10:29 PM

focuser with......a Circle T !!

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#7 Jae

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Posted 22 December 2006 - 10:31 PM

You'd swear it was Unitron all the way around but the Circle T

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#8 Jae

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Posted 22 December 2006 - 10:35 PM

another

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#9 Jae

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Posted 22 December 2006 - 10:37 PM

the counterweight bar slides in and turn then clamps on...I think that's different.

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#10 Jae

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Posted 22 December 2006 - 10:39 PM

lens

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#11 Jae

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Posted 22 December 2006 - 10:40 PM

drive corrector

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#12 Jae

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Posted 22 December 2006 - 10:41 PM

Here's an interesting twist....most the Towa scopes came with a light. This one attaches via small holes drilled into the unitron tray.

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#13 dbledsoe

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Posted 22 December 2006 - 10:42 PM

Jae,

WOW!!!

What a beautiful scope!!! My super congratulations to you on such a find. Please be sure to post lots of pics. I'm not sure but I tend to think this is a very rare scope that should be shared with we lovers of classics scopes.

Merry Christmas and a great big WOW!

Don

#14 Jae

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Posted 22 December 2006 - 10:50 PM

So I am curious....is this a 100% Nihon Seiko product ? or is it a Towa/Nihon Seiko combo ? Regardless, my first impressions are that this is a scope that didn't hold anything back in terms of manufacturing quality. The optics while needs more time testing, appear to be absolutely first rate.

It's a big keeper ! I'm very impressed with what Meade was offering in it's early period.

Jae

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#15 Jae

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Posted 22 December 2006 - 10:55 PM

I took the motor mount and the motor out of the wrapper and put it on..

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#16 Jae

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Posted 22 December 2006 - 10:57 PM

The 4" ota cradle is integrated with the mount

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#17 Jae

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Posted 22 December 2006 - 11:03 PM

Jae,

WOW!!!

What a beautiful scope. My super congradulations to you on such a find. Please be sure to post lots of pics. I'm not sure but I tend to think this is a very rare scope that should be shared with we lovers of classics scopes.

Merry Christmas and a great big WOW!

Don


Don,

I know !! Pinch me !! :jump: John Siple may be writing a piece on this next year some time. Maybe he can jump in and give us his view on it.

Jae

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#18 ngc6475

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Posted 22 December 2006 - 11:18 PM

I'm officially jealous! You have a mighty fine setup there. Good for you!

#19 JWW

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Posted 23 December 2006 - 01:16 AM

Jae,

Is that the one from California? Verrrry Sweeeeeeet!

Congrats,
-JWW: :bawling:

#20 KWB

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Posted 23 December 2006 - 01:29 AM

That is one whale of a scope. Your moon shot is incredible.
Any chance of more lunar images? How long have you owned it.
Any details on its history? Wow!

Kenny

#21 stevenk

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Posted 23 December 2006 - 02:00 AM

Absolutely maginificent !!
What a scope !!!!

Well done Jae


Steve

#22 Darenwh

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Posted 23 December 2006 - 02:11 AM

Oh wow, now, I truly know the meaning of ENVY... Lucky you, VERY LUCKY YOU.... Enjoy that gem, that diamond does not appear to be 'in the rough' at all..

Daren

#23 Don W

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Posted 23 December 2006 - 10:29 AM

Marvelous piece of history. Congrats.

#24 jonnyastro

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Posted 23 December 2006 - 10:33 AM

Wow! I didnt know they existed. I thought i recall Meade briefly selling a shorter focus(F10 or F9) blue tube refractor that looked similar to Celestrons C102. I often wonder about whether i just imagined that. This goes to show you i spend wayyy to uch time on this stuff!

#25 Jae

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Posted 23 December 2006 - 12:43 PM

Jae,

Is that the one from California? Verrrry Sweeeeeeet!

Congrats,
-JWW: :bawling:


JW, That's the one........I paid a premium above asking and all the shipping to get it over to the east coast but worth it. You've got that nice 3" from my neighborhood, if I recall that you're very pleased with. ;)

Jae


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