6 replies to this topic

[Pluto 134340]

Yesterday, I found this Meade 226 at a local thrift store for $18. It came with the diagonal and 25mm eyepiece (.965). Does anyone know what year(s) this variation was manufactured? 

 

It has one minor problem. The bolt under the yoke arms needs to be tightened. It is recessed (not much room). I am having a little trouble finding a socket that will work (%#@!).

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[TxStars]

The ones from the early 80's had a metal lens cell, in the 90's they switched to plastic lens cells.

 

You can wedge a standard screw driver against the bold to tighten it up, just be careful as the castings are prone to breaking.

[Pluto 134340]

The ones from the early 80's had a metal lens cell, in the 90's they switched to plastic lens cells.

 

You can wedge a standard screw driver against the bold to tighten it up, just be careful as the castings are prone to breaking.

Thanks for the reply. It has metal lens cell.

 

Great minds think alike. I tried the screwdriver twice already. It came loose again. I had an extra yoke in the junk box from another telescope. The arms were a little wide. I bent them inward a bit, and it is working. 

 

I tried this scope last night. It is good on planets and not terribly shakey when everything is tightened down. This thing reminds of the telescopes I remember from the 1960s.

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[CHASLX200]

Around 1985- 88.

[ericb760]

I had one for a bit last year before giving it away here on CN. For lower end Meade refractor I was surprised how well it did on the moon and planets. Although  Jupiter and Saturn were rather small, the planetary details were impressive. My came without the yoke or tripod and I already had enough orphaned refractors laying around, which is why I let it go. I did buy the cheap .965 to 1.25" diagonal adaptor (not the drop in one) from ScopeStuff on ebay. That helped tremendously, although the .965 MA25mm and 9mm are perfectly useable EP's. In fact, I kept those for my other .965 scopes.
 

[Kasmos]

The 226 along with two other Towas are in a 1985 brochure that came with a scope last year.

I didn't know until getting it they were selling the Mizars as a premium line at the same time.

 

It kind of blows my mind that they retailed for $300 at that time.

 

[deSitter]

Yesterday, I found this Meade 226 at a local thrift store for $18. It came with the diagonal and 25mm eyepiece (.965). Does anyone know what year(s) this variation was manufactured? 

 

It has one minor problem. The bolt under the yoke arms needs to be tightened. It is recessed (not much room). I am having a little trouble finding a socket that will work (%#@!).

That 0.965" MA25mm is just a fantastic eyepiece - the best Kellner I own. Better than a 25mm Ortho.

 

-drl