Selling a 26mm Meade Series 5000 5-element 60º Plossl. It isn't truly a Plossl due to the 5th element and also due to the wider-than-normal FOV (Plossls are usually 50º).
Why is it cheap? Because there is some damage to the body although optically it seems fine to me.
Basically, the eyepiece was dropped. The top cap is broken and there is a dent on the chrome barrel. The most significant issue is that the outer body of the eyepiece is no longer attached to the inside. The outer part is the bit that should twist up to adjust the height of the eyecup.
The twist mechanism no longer works but you can slide the body up to the position you like and it will stay there, although it will slide down if you lean your eye on it. A solution would be to wrap a thick elastic band around the chrome section to keep the body in place.
Despite the outer damage there appear to be no optical issues. Note that the edge correction isn't great but that's because the Plossl design has been stretched too far to achieve the 60º AFOV, not because of any damage.
This could be useful to a beginner or perhaps for outreach. I have several eyepieces around this focal length so there's no point in keeping it.
Asking $20. Pickup only in Ryde or Rhodes as it doesn't seem worth posting.
If someone really wants it posted I will send it without the box.
