12" Meade Newt on an equatorial mount - Any ideas on what it might be?- Photos!

[[1ponders]]

I'm doing a bit of research for someone on the likely sale price of a telescope (he doesn't know if he wants to sell it yet or not but he's elderly and this was left to him by a friend a few years ago).

I don't have much in the way of details atm and I haven't seen the scope. I'm posting it here because I'm not familiar with this setup. It's a 12" meade newt approx 10 years old and it is on an equatorial mount. Initially I thought of the Starfinder 12.5 but it didn't come on an eq mount, only dobsonian. My thoughts are that it was mounted eq style as an aftermarket job.

Does anyone know of an equatorially mounted 12" meade setup from around 10 years ago (or older)

Thanks

[Starkler]

Older: Meade research grade newt package.

The eq mount is very big and heavy. Google will show you some pics.

[Satchmo]

If its approx 10 years old then its probably Starfinder . There were equatorial models as well as dob versions in all sizes.

ie http://www.opticsplanet.net/meade-starfinder-eq-telescope.html

The Meade 'research grade' were made during the pre dob era in the 70's and 80's . I think the models up to 12" only had Nylon sleeve bearings on the mount. There was nothing particularly research grade about them :)

[[1ponders]]

Another thing I know is that it is on some sort of dolly/trolley to move it about. It also plugs into 240V

[Dave47tuc]

Hi Paul,
Which one of the below does it look like?
Ones the Starfinder and ones the reaserch grade model.

I'm pretty sure Meade did not make the 12.5" Starfinder.
Only 8" 10" and 16"

Reaserch grades ranged from 6" to 12" But they where in the 70's and 80's

[[1ponders]]

Thanks for the photos Dave. I'll pop over there early next week and have a look. :thumbsup:

[Quark]

Hi Paul,
I have 2 Meade General Catalog's, 1994-95 & 1996-97.
The range of eq mounted Newts in both catalogs list the 6", 8", 10" and 16" Starfinder Eq Reflecting Telescopes.

As you mentioned the 12.5" Starfinder, at least in these particular Catalogs, was only available as a Dob.

Thought the dates of these Catalogs might help to constrain the year for you, most likely the scope you mention is pre 1994.

Regards
Trevor

[[1ponders]]

Thanks Trevor. I can see I'll need to go for a wee drive and have a capt cook myself. I'll get some images and upload them when I do.

[[1ponders]]

Ok, photos

[[1ponders]]

And a few more...

[[1ponders]]

To me it looks like one of the research grade ones. I was talking to Astroron yesterday and he knows the scope and it is at least 20 years old.

[Dave47tuc]

Yep that's an old Meade research grade Newtonian.:)

Much sort after in the USA. Very big and heavy. Should have a very nice mirror in it. Mite need re coating, but very well made.:thumbsup:

[[1ponders]]

I had a look at the mirror Dave and it looked pretty good actually. I'm going to get back in touch with the guy later on in the week, if he wanted to sell it, what sort of price do you think he should be asking? btw apart from a few holes for an unknown accessory (covered by bandaids :lol: you can see them in one of the images) and a small scratch or two the thing is in excellent condition for it's age.

Oh and it has a rotating cage for the OTA, which was pretty neat.

[Dave47tuc]

Yeh most Meade and Parks Newts from days gone by had rotating rings.

Whats it worth. Here in Aus it would be hard to sell I would have thought.

But all you need is someone who wants such a rig and its sold.
I could not put a price on it here in Aus. But it would be worth posting in the CN forums to see what it maybe worth. I would do it in the classical scopes forums.

Best of luck with it.:thumbsup:

[[1ponders]]

Cheers Dave, thanks for the advice.

:cool2: