12" Meade Lightbridge Deluxe Dobsonian

SteeDee87 (Steve) · #1 10-09-2012, 07:53 PM

Hi there,

First time posting so hello to all!

Was hoping for some opinions on the 12" Meade Lightbridge Deluxe Dobsonian. I currently have a Celestron 130eq that just is not cutting it for me anymore and have been looking to upgrade for sometime now. I was looking into getting a 10" skywatcher collapsible dob but stumbled across the Meade 12" in my price range. Has anyone had any experience and would you recommend it? I've looked at a few reviews online about them and overall it gets a good wrap but I have found most reviews say it needs a few upgrades after purchase?

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Steve.

brian nordstrom (As avatar) · #2 10-09-2012, 08:15 PM

hi Steve and

mate ,I dont own one , but I have looked thru one and it was really good , 12 inches is a huge light grasp , and it was awsome on saturn and mars just receintly

. impressive it was .
One more thing it only took 10 minuites to set up , a great design I thought .
Oh yes 2 more things ,,, Meade design some of the sexiest telescopes on the planet , and the LB's are no exception , real crowd pleasers .

.
If the price is right go for it , if its in good nick.
Brian.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteeDee87

Hi there,

First time posting so hello to all!

Was hoping for some opinions on the 12" Meade Lightbridge Deluxe Dobsonian. I currently have a Celestron 130eq that just is not cutting it for me anymore and have been looking to upgrade for sometime now. I was looking into getting a 10" skywatcher collapsible dob but stumbled across the Meade 12" in my price range. Has anyone had any experience and would you recommend it? I've looked at a few reviews online about them and overall it gets a good wrap but I have found most reviews say it needs a few upgrades after purchase?

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Steve.

SteeDee87 (Steve) · #3 10-09-2012, 10:04 PM

Thanks Brian,

How did you find it to handle? I've read in a few places that people have had to make minor upgrades like counterweights to keep it in position when viewing things low on the horizon etc due to the scope being top heavy. People have also said a shroud is a must. I don't mind having to make some upgrades eventually but of course I would like to be able to view things 1st clear night I get!

Basically I just want to get a nice scope that is not to much of a hassle to have fun with!

Cheers

Irish stargazer (John) · #4 10-09-2012, 10:50 PM

Hi Steve

I picked up a 12" Lightbridge last year from Bintel. It's a pretty decent scope with easy setup and decent optics. It does needs a few basic upgrades though to make it even better. Replace the main mirror springs with bobs knob springs and the secondary collimation screws with bobs knobs screws. You will also need counterweights (I use the farpoint weight set from Bintel). This will add another $100 or so onto the scope but it is worth every cent.
The skywatcher dobs are supposed to very good also. I bought the Meade due to its smaller breakdown to fit in our car.

John

brian nordstrom (As avatar) · #5 11-09-2012, 07:14 PM

Hi steve , Irish answered most here , I found that using my mates one it was ok with the supplied eyepieces on the ballence thing , we did not even think about it so it must have been ok

.
Also the stray light issue was also not a problem , but it was very dark out that night , so in town it may be an issue , but stay out of direct street lights , porch lights , etc and it should be ok .
Good scopes I think .
Oh yes I was impressed at how small it was broken down as Irish also said .

.
Brian.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteeDee87

Thanks Brian,

How did you find it to handle? I've read in a few places that people have had to make minor upgrades like counterweights to keep it in position when viewing things low on the horizon etc due to the scope being top heavy. People have also said a shroud is a must. I don't mind having to make some upgrades eventually but of course I would like to be able to view things 1st clear night I get!

Basically I just want to get a nice scope that is not to much of a hassle to have fun with!

Cheers

SteeDee87 (Steve) · #6 11-09-2012, 07:45 PM

Thanks guys! After hours on end of research I went ahead and ordered it from Bintel today! Should be here with in a few days! Looking forward to it! Anyone reading this looking at buying a scope or any other astronomy related stuff I would highly recommend Bintel! Very knowledgable, freindly and helpful!

Thanks again!

brian nordstrom (As avatar) · #7 12-09-2012, 08:18 PM

awsome , just be aware that the new scope curse is on its way ...

.
You will love this scope Steve . Good choice .
Brian.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteeDee87

Thanks guys! After hours on end of research I went ahead and ordered it from Bintel today! Should be here with in a few days! Looking forward to it! Anyone reading this looking at buying a scope or any other astronomy related stuff I would highly recommend Bintel! Very knowledgable, freindly and helpful!

Thanks again!

Irish stargazer (John) · #8 12-09-2012, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteeDee87

Thanks guys! After hours on end of research I went ahead and ordered it from Bintel today! Should be here with in a few days! Looking forward to it! Anyone reading this looking at buying a scope or any other astronomy related stuff I would highly recommend Bintel! Very knowledgable, freindly and helpful!

Thanks again!

Enjoy

When you get a chance invest in a decent wide field eyepiece. I recommend the 27mm Panoptic for this scope.

brian nordstrom (As avatar) · #9 12-09-2012, 10:06 PM

yummy , 27 Pan. 12 inches .

Brian.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irish stargazer

Enjoy

When you get a chance invest in a decent wide field eyepiece. I recommend the 27mm Panoptic for this scope.

SteeDee87 (Steve) · #10 13-09-2012, 04:33 AM

WOW! And that does not describe it! It came yesterday afternoon but I had to go to work so decided to put it together at 1am when I got home. I had to be really quite so I was not to wake anyone so was about 3am by the time I was finished and thought screw it lets try this sucker out! Was really clear and Jupiter was sitting nicely in the sky. The view blew me away. Could see cloud bands easily plus 3 moons and looked like a fourth hiding just to the left of Jupiter. Orion nebula was the coolest thing I have ever seen! Scanned the sky looking at various things for a further hour with the Meade 26mm that came with it which I am actually really impressed with! Anyway. 4.30am now, really tired. Goodnight.

astronut (John) · #11 13-09-2012, 08:02 AM

I've had my 12" Lightbridge for 6 1/2 years. Apart from some minor issues (which Meade have corrected over time) I would happily buy one again and recommend it to you.
12" is a lot of glass, and will show you enough of the universe to last you a lifetime.

brian nordstrom (As avatar) · #12 13-09-2012, 09:37 PM

Cool as mate , aint that the best times ever

....
Putting together a new scope

,, fun , fun , fun ,
Glad she impressed you , as I knew she would , good sexy scopes these Meades

.
Enjoy , SteeDee87 and I hope the weather stay as good for you.
Brian

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteeDee87

WOW! And that does not describe it! It came yesterday afternoon but I had to go to work so decided to put it together at 1am when I got home. I had to be really quite so I was not to wake anyone so was about 3am by the time I was finished and thought screw it lets try this sucker out! Was really clear and Jupiter was sitting nicely in the sky. The view blew me away. Could see cloud bands easily plus 3 moons and looked like a fourth hiding just to the left of Jupiter. Orion nebula was the coolest thing I have ever seen! Scanned the sky looking at various things for a further hour with the Meade 26mm that came with it which I am actually really impressed with! Anyway. 4.30am now, really tired. Goodnight.

Gem (Grant) · #13 15-09-2012, 12:30 AM

You did well going from a 130 to a 300 (12"). 12" is a nice size. Not too big in terms of weight, but plenty of punch. Enjoy!

Irish stargazer (John) · #14 15-09-2012, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gem

You did well going from a 130 to a 300 (12"). 12" is a nice size. Not too big in terms of weight, but plenty of punch. Enjoy!

Nice sized scope that is easy to disassemble, load into a small car and not a major strain on the lower back to carry. From a really dark site it gives great views. Never forget the night I had at the south pacific star party with the Meade. I saw objects I could only photograph before. Make sure you get a laser collimator. I have an Orion one which is adequate for the job.

SteeDee87 (Steve) · #15 15-09-2012, 06:40 PM

Yeah a big step up indeed from the 130 which provided very average views. My dad has a little spotting scope that gave me much better views then the 130 ever did. Even after being collimated and left to cool down for hours. So i have had the Meade out a few times now and i just cant get over how razor sharp everything is. First few times viewing I was having trouble collimating the primary mirror but decided to have a good go at it today and got it perfect using the laser collimator. Looking forward to checking it out again soon.