Beginner looking at Meade Series 4000 Set

[Meadehead]

Hi,

I've just started and have an LX90 8" and have been waiting for 4 weeks for a Meade series 4000 Plossl & Filter set to arrive and was wondering if this is a good choice.

I understand there are better ones around with higher price tags but as I have only tried the 26mm that came with the scope I like the idea of having a range in a kit so I can experiment & experience for myself what different eyepieces & filters do, this is why I have ordered this set.

Would I be better off buying a cheaper set to "experiment" with then investing in a better type like the Televue once I see that I won't need all these sizes?

[lineout]

Originally Posted by Meadehead

Hi,

I've just started and have an LX90 8" and have been waiting for 4 weeks for a Meade series 4000 Plossl & Filter set to arrive and was wondering if this is a good choice.

I understand there are better ones around with higher price tags but as I have only tried the 26mm that came with the scope I like the idea of having a range in a kit so I can experiment & experience for myself what different eyepieces & filters do, this is why I have ordered this set.

Would I be better off buying a cheaper set to "experiment" with then investing in a better type like the Televue once I see that I won't need all these sizes?

The Meade 4000s are ok but I wouldn't waste the money buying those when for a bit more you could get the TVs. If you're unsure about which eyepieces you need there are plenty of posts here with other peoples experiences. Or you could go to the TV website which has a great article on the sort of pieces you really need (only three for an SCT). You could also go to a viewing night in your city and try other peoples eyepieces out.

Cheers

[casstony]

Hi John, for a while now I've been thinking that it would be nice to have some cheap gear getting posted around for people to try, especially those who don't make it to star parties. So I thought I might kick this idea off and offer to post you a 15mm and 9mm plossl (Bintel/Guan Sheng brand) and a moon filter. You could use the cash you would have spent on the Meade set to purchase something more special once you figure out what suits you. When you're finished with the gear either post it back to me or send it to someone else in your situation. If you're interested, let me know.

[Meadehead]

Guys,
I just had a call from Bintel re my order and it's arrived today. When I questioned him about Televue, he advised me that the bottom end TV's are very similar to the Meade 4000's with marginal difference as both are manufactured in China so probably come out of the same factory, and assured me the Meads are ok and good a value set. I read alot of reports about Bintel being a reputable retailer providing good advice and my own experience with my scope purchase was good so maybe I won't regret purchasing this set.

The TVs I looked at on their web site were around $109 - $125 each, and in comparison the Meade kit at $519 would cost around $860 with filters if purchased separately.

I read on TV's site that for planetary viewing a max of 20x - 30x per inch of aperture (total 240x) is required and for double star approx 400x. I worked out with the meade set including my 26mm, I would have 14 magnification levels to select between 50x - 624x which is too high to be useful.

Tony thanks a great gesture to offer some loan eyepieces, now I'm really not sure which way to go as I do need a core set to start off with.

[casstony]

No pressure John, go which ever way feels right. Just a couple of thoughts though: higher magnifications are usable less often due to turbulence in the atmosphere; wider field eyepieces (65 degrees plus) can make for a more enjoyable observing experience.

cheers
Tony

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

Originally Posted by Meadehead

Guys,
When I questioned him about Televue, he advised me that the bottom end TV's are very similar to the Meade 4000's with marginal difference as both are manufactured in China so probably come out of the same factory, and assured me the Meads are ok and good a value set.

I do not know where each of these companies manufacture their gear with certainty...and would not be surrised to learn that there was some overlap...however, I suspect that where diferences will occur, will be on the quality control side of things. I am not knowledgable enough in the facts to delve much deeper than my comment above.

There is a place in the market for all levels of gear and there are "gems" to be found in most manufacturer's product lines.

In your scope, with your curent level of experience I am confident that the Meade kit would work fine for you. Once you get more eyepiece time and experience you will (as we all have and do) begin to see more subtle differences between the different brands and types of eyepieces. There is no doubt that Televue and Pentax are at the top of the heap in terms of quality (as well as some other names and brands too)...but that is not to say that there are not a whole bunch of other eyepieces that are not "good value"

Like many things you can buy, one does not always need the "top shelf" stuff to enjoy the hobby.

A Kia provides as much "transportation" from point A to point B as a Mercedes...If I have never driven (or not driven much) driving 5 kms to the shops to pick up some bread and milk "I" might not notice much difference between the two (being so taken up with the excitement of having a car, any car)...but, after spending some time behind the wheel, I suspect that I might begin to see some differencs beween the two...Depending on my preferences and needs, the Kia might even be a better car choice for me...but only with some expeience would I likely see any difference between tehm (I mean they both have round rubber wheels, doors, a motor and appear to me to probably be 95% the same and no, I am not a car person).

I always encourage people to try before they buy as individuals likes/dislikes quickly come into play in the selection of gear. Get your new scope, get it set up and use the eyepiece (eyepieces) that come with it first...then with your scope go to an observing night with a local club or people from IIS and start trying our different eyepiees...once you hae some expeiences then buy ith some experience, knowledge and confidence...

Good Luck!

[JimmyH155]

When I bought my LX100 8 inch, it came with a Meade 4000 Plossl 26mm. I have used it for the last 15 years and it is still one of my favourites. I have also got a 12.7 and a 9.4 plossl. All very good. On my Lightbridge 12" I use a couple of Hyperions as well as the 26mm. One thing though, dont buy the Meade 4000 plossl 40mm - it is awful and I cant use it because of eye relief (cant get my eye to focus)
Nothing wrong with them

[citivolus (Ric)]

One thing a lot of people forget when starting out with an SCT is that it is very useful to have a cheap low focal length eyepiece (or barlow combination) for collimation. That may be empty magnification most of the time, but when you really need to collimate, it can be much easier collimating at 3mm vs at 8.

Build a simple artificial star and you can collimate even when the seeing is bad. Mine cost me about $10 in irrigation parts at Bunnings. I'll post some pictures of it one of these days

[JimmyH155]

Collimating a SCT? I've had my SCT 8 inch as I said 15 years, and never touched the collimation. No need to . SCT's dont need it (unless some terrible abuse has happened!) 3mm is too small. I can only see fuzzy blobs when I put the 6mm eyepiece on.

[Meadehead]

I have picked up my Meade set on the weekend but have yet to use them as it has been cloudy. I can't wait!

Originally Posted by wavelandscott

In your scope, with your curent level of experience I am confident that the Meade kit would work fine for you. Once you get more eyepiece time and experience you will (as we all have and do) begin to see more subtle differences between the different brands and types of eyepieces.
Like many things you can buy, one does not always need the "top shelf" stuff to enjoy the hobby.

Originally Posted by JimmyH155

When I bought my LX100 8 inch, it came with a Meade 4000 Plossl 26mm. I have used it for the last 15 years and it is still one of my favourites. I have also got a 12.7 and a 9.4 plossl. All very good. On my Lightbridge 12" I use a couple of Hyperions as well as the 26mm. One thing though, dont buy the Meade 4000 plossl 40mm - it is awful and I cant use it because of eye relief (cant get my eye to focus)
Nothing wrong with them

Thanks Wavelandscott and JimmyH155,
We all would like to have the best, but have to settle with what we can justify and afford. I have no doubt as I progress and learn more, I will build on my collection, but this is a starting point and so far I'm excited to be out there exploring the universe.

Casstony, I think you should be commended to offer a complete stranger newbie a loan of your eyepieces - I appreciate all the help and support I have obtained from the members of IIS.