Quote:
Originally Posted by dpastern
One other thing - from everything I've read, a 4" refractor will provide better quality planetary images than a 4" reflector etc. The same comment can be applied to any size comparison. Obviously a 10" reflector will show more detail than a 4" refractor due to the larger light gathering abilities of the primary objective/mirror.
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I don't expect Meade to last much longer to be honest - I predict that they'll go bust within the next 15-18 months. They are showing all of the warning signs already. Meade optics have a horrid reputation for either being good, or well, bad. And getting Meade to fix the problems is both a timely and costly problem.
Dave
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I don't think so Dave (to quote a well known computer).
The speculation about the future of Meade Instruments is largely irrelevant. If it goes belly up, the name (and IP) will be sold to a Chinese (or even Mexican) company in all likelihood. They DO have a good name and DO produce quality products, hence their reputation for optics is at least equal to Celestron, which BTW aren't manufactured in the USA either. So we'll end up with Meade made by GSO, which is pretty much the same as Celestron.
On the comments on the quality of Meade optics, I say show me some proof. I have had two Meade scopes (including the problem child RCX) and have never had a problem with the optical quality. I can't remember seeing too much negative on the forums about optical quality. Support could be better, and may become so once the company goes through renewal. The ACF scopes are generally regarded as one of the best bang-for-buck visual scopes on the market. These aren't SCT's, they are better, don't just take my word for it, ask Theo.
There's only one comparison between a 4" refractor and a 10" reflector, and that's price. In order to get the same light gathering power from a refractor you're up for the price of an RC, not a GSO RC either.
In summary;
- Meade optics aren't rubbish, infact they may be superior to the Celestron equivalent.
- If you have dewing problems, buy a dewshield! (another thread)
- Comparisons between refractors and reflectors for imaging aren't valid, refractors for widefield, reflectors for long FL (unless you have a large bank balance)
Cheers
Stuart