227 replies to this topic

[deSitter]

Most likely, but for how long? Again reminds me of Indian motorcycles. Also, in my view the brand is tarnished. Why would I buy a Meade if there is a chance it could be gone again in 2-3 years. 

Celestron was nearly dead. The weren't allowed to die because they had something inherently valuable.

 

We are entering the optical new age of mass-produced aspheres. The possibilities are mouth-watering. But you need the manufacturing infrastructure. That is and will be valuable to someone. I'm rooting for Explore Scientific.

 

-drl

[CHASLX200]

https://www.meade.co...ctured by Meade.

 

1977

"The Company introduced the Model 628 and Model 826, priced at $400 - 500, with a 6" and 8" Newtonian reflecting telescopes on equatorial mounts. The first telescopes manufactured by Meade."

They were not in my 1977 Catalog. Seems like around later 78 into 79 is when they started selling them Newts.

[CHASLX200]

Things are never as good as we remember them.  It's finally time to grow up and get a life Chas.  The same old lamentations get tiring. Just move on.

I used up my life and not much time left and ready to get my answer answered and join all that left me if you really go somewhere when ya kick it.

[Echolight]

They were not in my 1977 Catalog. Seems like around later 78 into 79 is when they started selling them Newts.

They said they brought out the Research Grade in 78,... or 79, I forget.

[CHASLX200]

They said they brought out the Research Grade in 78,... or 79, I forget.

I think around 79=80 for the RG's.

Edited by CHASLX200, 05 September 2024 - 12:02 PM.

[deSitter]

I think around 79=80 for the RG;s.

Tim - was - there.

 

He has stated many times they used Coulter optics until they had their own optics shop, in 1981 I believe.

 

He - made - those - telescopes - with - his - own - hands.

 

-drl

[CHASLX200]

Tim - was - there.

 

He has stated many times they used Coulter optics until they had their own optics shop, in 1981 I believe.

 

He - made - those - telescopes - with - his - own - hands.

 

-drl

Both of my 826's were killers as Bomber Bob has my first 1, Guess it is hard to mess up F/6.

[deSitter]

I used up my life and not much time left and ready to get my answer answered and join all that left me if you really go somewhere when ya kick it.

You can't "use up" your life. You can, and will, take a last breath.

 

-drl

[Pat Rochford]

Most likely, but for how long? Again reminds me of Indian motorcycles. Also, in my view the brand is tarnished. Why would I buy a Meade if there is a chance it could be gone again in 2-3 years. 

 

I might be gone in 2-3 years.  I'm not going to let 'what might happen' keep me from pursuing my interests.

 

There's very little that can go wrong with an optical tube.  If it arrives at your house in new condition and it functions as it should, treat it with care and it'll last you for decades. 

 

If you're concerned with the mount (i.e. electronic failure), just buy the optical tube.  Purchase a mount separately that can have motors and/or circuit boards replaced at a later date (example - Losmandy).  As far as the mechanical aspects of the mount are concerned (bearings, etc.), it'll outlive you by decades.

 

As far as the brand being tarnished, that would mostly be in the eyes of those who have continuously wished for its demise anyway.  Celestron was able to survive a period of bad financial management with an infusion of money and having a history of producing good astro products.  Likewise, if Meade is also able to get backing it can come back as well, since it also has a history of producing good products for this hobby.  We probably shouldn't put a tag on its toe just yet.

Edited by Pat Rochford, 05 September 2024 - 01:47 PM.

[hyiger]

I might be gone in 2-3 years.  I'm not going to let 'what might happen' keep me from pursuing my interests.

 

Unless I get hit by a bus tomorrow, I'll be around a lot longer than that. OK, so I buy a Meade. A year or two later Meade is gone again. I accidently break the corrector plate. Then what? Turn it into a planter?

Edited by hyiger, 05 September 2024 - 03:07 PM.

[SandyHouTex]

Celestron was nearly dead. The weren't allowed to die because they had something inherently valuable.

 

We are entering the optical new age of mass-produced aspheres. The possibilities are mouth-watering. But you need the manufacturing infrastructure. That is and will be valuable to someone. I'm rooting for Explore Scientific.

 

-drl

I don't think machines can make SCT corrector plates.  As I recall a 4th order surface.  Celestron uses a "master plate" puts a blank on it and then polishes it. 

 

Lord only knows how Meade made makes their correctors and what power they are.

Edited by SandyHouTex, 05 September 2024 - 04:40 PM.

[tim53]

Yes but unlike Company 7, Tim worked at Meade.

 

-drl

True, but admittedly I started around June 1978, and production was already under way.  I had been a customer before then, buying eyepieces and stuff from John Diebel himself before I found out about the job availability.  I do recall asking if there were jobs on the visit previous to the one I was offered a job.  Ron Ezra had just filled the position.  Wish I could remember exactly when that was.  I don't seem to think it was in 1977, though it might have been.

 

Edit:  Also, I've been wondering if anyone who had an early 628 or 826 had one with the cast aluminum clock cover?  The first were aluminum.  The die cast plastic covers came sometime in 78 or 79 while I was there.

 

-Tim.

Edited by tim53, 05 September 2024 - 05:40 PM.

[Pat Rochford]

Unless I get hit by a bus tomorrow, I'll be around a lot longer than that. OK, so I buy a Meade. A year or two later Meade is gone again. I accidently break the corrector plate. Then what? Turn it into a planter?

 

As I stated in my post just prior to this one, it requires handling with care.  You're going to be a lot more cautious holding your wife's antique vase than you would her portable hair drier. 

 

Nothing in life is guaranteed, but that doesn't stop us from acquiring an expensive item which might be unique, fragile or irreplaceable.    

 

Now regarding your Meade, 'sans' corrector, if done creatively it could well be the first known Schmidt-Cassegrain Planter in the world, with several potential buyers on this site who've experienced a similar fate and could easily relate to it.  And if some amount of time has passed since the accident happened to the prospective buyer of said planter, he or she might actually find humor in it.  It would certainly be a conversation starter. 

 

So with the mindset of "When life gives you lemons" ... 

Edited by Pat Rochford, 06 September 2024 - 12:03 PM.

[hyiger]

As I stated in my post just prior to this one, it requires handling with care.  You're going to be a lot more cautious holding your wife's antique vase than you would her portable hair drier. 

 

Nothing in life is guaranteed, but that doesn't stop us from acquiring an expensive item which might be unique, fragile or irreplaceable.    

 

Now regarding your Meade, 'sans' corrector, if done creatively it could well be the first known Schmidt-Cassegrain Planter in the world, with several potential buyers on this site who've experienced a similar fate and could easily relate to it.  And if some amount of time has passed since the accident happened to the prospective buyer of said planter, he or she might actually find humor in it.  It would certainly be a conversation starter. 

 

So with the mindset of "When life gives you lemons" ... 

Dropped my C8 once face down onto a rock, shattered the corrector plate. Sent it into Celestron and 2 weeks later got it back. Was an expensive repair ($400 all-in if I remember correctly). Still cheaper than buying a new scope. I drop stuff for a living including expensive vases.  

[deSitter]

Dropped my C8 once face down onto a rock, shattered the corrector plate. Sent it into Celestron and 2 weeks later got it back. Was an expensive repair ($400 all-in if I remember correctly). Still cheaper than buying a new scope. I drop stuff for a living including expensive vases.  

Hire an assistant

 

-drl

[sunrag]

A little sad about Meade as I have several of their products and they all have performed great for me. Also I like blue color (and don’t like orange).  Why was everything in ‘70s orange colored ?

[abe]

And unfortunately they're closing as well.  Cumberland, their optics manufacturer closed in April.  There are two people left fulfilling parts orders.

If Cumberland goes away, what will happen to companies like Planet Labs?
​https://www.cloudyni...s-why-not-etxs/

[luxo II]

There are others that make space optics - but not at anything like consumer prices. But then if you’re making satellites that’s pretty irrelevant.

 

Edited by luxo II, 07 September 2024 - 04:21 AM.

[RCF]

I’m a little late to this party as I just saw the S&T post today.  I’m really sad to see Meade end this way.  A quick check over retailers that sell Meade products shows inventory is almost gone.  It looks like it may be real this time.  Regardless of the accusations, Meade was an innovator and pushed and challenged the status quo, even if they “stole” some concepts from other sources.  They brought features and capabilities into the hands of those of us without ultra-deep pockets.  They were the first to produce a mass-produced go-to SCT (I think, correct me).  I still remember the thrill of my LX200 (my first big purchase after college).  I had some electrical issues with that scope that Meade fixed quickly.  Later I had an ETX125 (great scope, horrible mount, I still have the USA-made OTA), RCX400/LX400, and now two LX850 OTAs (on Celestron CGE Pro and CGEM DX mounts).  I gasped in envy when they came out with the 20” MAX and it was my goal to have one in my observatory one day.  The fact that Meade support became so bad was the eventual reason that I sold my RCX400 (while it was still fully functional) and never bought another Meade mount or electronics product again.  The optical and mechanical quality of my LX850 OTAs are outstanding, and Meade made the only coma-free SCTs at f/8.  I’m going to be keeping the LX850 and the ETX127 OTAs.  These are at home alongside my Stellarvue and Explore Scientific OTAs.

 

Meade is not the best, and they never were, but they were innovative and the hobby was better with them and is better for them today.

Edited by RCF, 07 September 2024 - 10:27 AM.

[Terra Nova]

Is Company 7 closed now too?

[Terra Nova]

Just idle speculation but I wouldn't be surprised if ZWO, SharpStar or WO scoops up Coronado (assuming it's up for sale). My bet is on ZWO. 

It really needs to go back to Lunt Solar, after all Andy’s father David started Coronado and Lunt has really continued it, with a slightly updated that’s evolved from the basic Coronado front-mounted etalon and rear blocking filter. Otherwise, maybe Coronado just needs to die a natural death. We had DayStar and Coronado here in the US (Coronado started in the UK). Del Woods (founder of DayStar) and David Lunt are both dead, but we still have DayStar and Lunt here in the US. Both are fundamentally different designs so they present very different options. Isn’t that enough? I think it is.

[hyiger]

It really needs to go back to Lunt Solar, after all Andy’s father David started Coronado and Lunt has really continued it, with a slightly updated that’s evolved from the basic Coronado front-mounted etalon and rear blocking filter. Otherwise, maybe Coronado just needs to die a natural death. We had DayStar and Coronado here in the US (Coronado started in the UK). Del Woods (founder of DayStar) and David Lunt are both dead, but we still have DayStar and Lunt here in the US. Both are fundamentally different designs so they present very different options. Isn’t that enough? I think it is.

Wondering what will happen 5 years from now when we start the solar minimum. I generalist OEM would be able to survive a drop in Solar equipment sales. Again just idle speculation. 

[SandyHouTex]

If Cumberland goes away, what will happen to companies like Planet Labs?
​https://www.cloudyni...s-why-not-etxs/

They'll buy from Celestron, Explore Scientific, or Sky Watcher I would think.

[SandyHouTex]

Is Company 7 closed now too?

It's hard to tell as archaic as their website is.

[Terra Nova]

There's a completely obsolete, largely incomplete, and possibly somewhat incorrect article about the Orion/Meade closing in the new (Nov 2024) Sky and Tel that just came out. (P. 8).