Meade 102ED


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Brand and Model:Meade 102ED
Price ($USD):$2795.00
Type:Apochromatic Refractor
Attributes: un-checked Go-To checked PEC
Aperture:102mm (4")
f Ratio:f/9
Focal Length:920mm
Finder:10x50
Electric Power:DC
Mount:LXD-650
Tripod:Standard Field
Weight (lbs):14 lbs.
Dimensions (w/h/d):48"x6"
Description:The Meade 4" ED apochromat delivers flawless professional-level optical performance in a highly portable package. Stellar images appear with textbook-quality diffraction patterns, both inside and outside of focus. The Moon is an incredibly stark, high-contrast field of mountain ranges, fault lines, clefts, and rilles. Jupiter shows a wealth of changing detail and subtle color shadings; Saturn's Cassini division and the shadow pattern of the rings on to the planet's disc are routinely visible. In deep-space objects appear almost three-dimensional against the extremely dark-sky backdrop afforded by the telescope's unobstructed optical system. Nebulosities, such as the Orion Nebula (M42), the Dumbbell Nebula (M27), the Trifid (M20), and the Lagoon (M8), stand out in splendid detail, with filamentary nebular structures observable even under less than optimal seeing conditions.


As remarkable as the telescope's optical system, the Model 102ED's standard equipment LXD 650 equatorial mounting provides the extreme stability required for serious visual observing, astrophotography, or CCD imaging. Each telescope axis rides on four sealed ball bearings, assuring a precision of motion unattainable on lesser instruments. The optional #1697 Computer Drive System includes nine dual-axis drive speeds and locates and centers in the field over 64,000 objects, automatically.


Specifications of 4" Model 102ED: 4" ED apochromatic refractor optical tube assembly with Super Multi-Coatings on both surfaces of the front lens element (D = 102mm, F = 920mm, f/9); #684 giant rack-and- pinion focusing mechanism with 2.7" I.D. drawtube, 2" eyepiece-holder, adapter for 1.25", and drawtube lock; 8 x 50mm viewfinder with removable dovetail bracket; dew shield; #930 2" diagonal mirror; Series 4000 Super Plössl 26mm (35X) eyepiece; LXD 650 equatorial mount with micrometric azimuth and elevation controls, and with worm gear manual slow-motion controls, setting circles, and locks in both R.A. and Dec; retractable counterweight shaft and counter-weight; latitude elevation scale; standard variable-height field tripod; operating instructions.


Meade ED Apochromatic Refractors Page
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Meade 127mm ED vs Tak FS128 vs AP 130EDT f/8
Meade 6" Semi-Apo Review

Vote Highlights Vote
Meade 102ED
I purchased the new Meade 102 ED APO OTA for half the price of a TV 102 OTA. It has to be the best buy in 4" ED refractors. It is as color free as my 5" Mak and 10" Dob but with the contrast that APO's are known for. It has a nice solid 2.7" focuser that is not available with other scopes in this price range . I think Meade has improved the quality of the ED scopes lately to the point that they should be looked at by all that are in the market for quality refractor in the price range of these scopes.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=139775


Meade 102ED
I bought this as a factory closeout - the price was about 60% of the what it sold for new. What a great deal!

The mount is silky smooth. The tube is actually overmounted - no shake or vibration. Optics are very nice - perfectly concentric diffraction rings on both sides of focus. Resolution and contrast is what you would expect from a good quality APO. The computer drive system, while using older technology, is very good. GOTO's and tracking are excellent.

My only complaint is the weight of this thing. At 70lbs all set up, it's pretty massive for a 4" refractor. You have to carry it in pieces to avoid starining yourself.

It's too bad Meade has stopped making these. They are an exceptional telescope.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Mount:10 Ease of Use:9 Value:10
Weight: 7 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=445664


Meade 102ED
[Note: Vote moved from description by scopedreamer2032]

Gives excellent image contrast and sharpness at any usable power. Clearly superior to standard achromats of same focal ratio. Very little color on bright subjects. Some scattering of light, but not objectionable. Easy to collimate and acclimates quickly to temperature variations. Highly portable. Gives near world class performance for about half the current price of other apo"s. Highly reccommended.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:9 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 4 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=148771


Meade 102ED
My Meade 102 ED had to be shipped back to Meade for collimation twice. The second collimation was right on the money and I found that I had to have it shipped back to me 2nd day air in order to keep the collimation intact. UPS shipping accross country knocked the first collimation out of whack. My 102 ED now star tests very well and no longer shows stars as fuzzy points of light with coma like flares. The scope does very well and is a reasonably priced 4" refractor on the used market. It's styling is now somewhat dated with a rack and pinion focuser, however the giant rack and pinion with long excursion focuser keeps the usefulness of the scope intact. I purchased this scope with the LXD500 mount. The LXD500 mount just is't worthy of being paired with this scope. Compared to premium Apo's I would rate this scope's views a solid 9 out of 10. Compared to premium apo's the Meade 102ED optical tube assembly build quality is more in line with Vixen ED apo's, and isn't even close to super premium scopes. It's not a Tak, TeleVue, or a TMB; but if you find a good one that is collimated and star tests well, the views are almost as good for a lot less money. Someday I hope to upgrade my Meade 102 ED from the LXD500 mount to a Losmandy GM8. Now that would be a very decent 4" refractor & mount setup.

Overall Rating: 7
Optics:9 Mount:3 Ease of Use:9 Value:6
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=578257


Meade 102ED
Outstanding telescope at a great price.

Meade no longer makes these, but if you can find one used on Astromart for around $1000 they are a great buy.

Mine has an excellent star test, and quality mechanics.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=473260


Meade 102ED
Excellent optics. Mine has a perfect star test, and shows no false color, even at high magnification.

LXD650 mount is accurate as they get, and built like a tank. No "settle down times" at all with this combo.

A solid 10!

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=472792


Meade 102ED
Now you can't call this telescope apochromatic.
You take a 4'' objective and stick a piece of ED glass behind it.
This is more like a semi-semi-apochromat. But the optics are alright for
it's poor apochromat preformance. Since it's not apochromatic it's brightness
is going to be high for it's aperture. At least the mount is nice and sturdy.
And with Magellan II the motor tracks OK. I only vote this because it's exceptional for the money.( compared to other semi-semi-apocromats).

If it's your first expensive refractor it's a good choice.



By daSentinel.

Overall Rating: 1
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39787


Meade 102ED
No match to a Takahashi, AP or Zeiss scope, but the price is good.

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39786


Meade 102ED
Good scope for the money.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39783


Meade 102ED
No simple ED-doublet refractor should ever be called "apochromatic" - they are not!!!

Overall Rating: No Vote
Weight: <none>
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39785

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