Meade 152ED


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Brand and Model:Meade 152ED
Price ($USD):$4995.00
Type:Apochromatic Refractor
Attributes: un-checked Go-To checked PEC
Aperture:152mm (6")
f Ratio:f/9
Focal Length:1370mm
Finder:8x50
Electric Power:DC
Mount:LXD-750
Tripod:Variable Height Giant Field
Weight (lbs):153 lbs.
Dimensions (w/h/d):?
Description:Fortunate indeed is the observer with a Meade 6" ED apochromatic refractor at his or her disposal. With its 44% increase in light grasp and image brightness compared to the 5" model, and 125% increase compared to the 4" model, the 152ED is a professional-class instrument capable of serious research. Observe transits, and shadow transits, of Jupiter's Galilean satellites across the planet's disc, as well as structural detail and color variations within the Red Spot and at the boundaries of 8 to 10 cloud belts; resolve all three of Saturn's rings and substructures within the rings themselves. A wide range of photo-visual accessories is available to suit virtually any observing requirement. For the dedicated amateur, or for the school or college observatory, there is no finer telescope available.


Specifications of 6" Model 152ED: 6" ED apochromatic refractor optical tube assembly with Super Multi-Coatings on both surfaces of the front lens element (D = 152mm, F = 1370mm, f/9); manual slewing handles on the rear cell; #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 (53X) eyepiece; LXD 750 equatorial mount with micrometric azimuth and elevation controls, and with worm gear manual slow-motion controls, settings circles, and locks in both both R.A. and Dec; retractable counterweight shaft and counterweight; latitude elevation scale; giant variable-height field tripod; operating instructions.


Meade's Apochromatic Refractors Page
Accessories for Meade ED Series Refractors
Ed Ting's Meade 178ED Review
Ed Ting's Meade 152ED Review
Meade 127mm ED vs Tak FS128 vs AP 130EDT f/8
Meade 6" Semi-Apo Review

Vote Highlights Vote
Meade 152ED
I purchased the OTA previously owned and reviewed by Tony Grigsby above. My rating is not for the stock OTA, but rather after I subststantially modified its lens cell to allow the lenses to be precisely centered.

Vega has a thin ring of purple around it. Under scrutiny, at any magnification up to about 600x, the limb of the moon shows a very thin cobalt blue fringe of false color which can't quite be focused out completely. The terminator shadows are very black and the moon surface is very white when the scope is properly focused, and does not show any fringe. When out of focus, I see either a slight purple or slight amber fringe to the images, depending on if it is intra- or extrafocal. I have taken this scope up to 400x+ on a regular basis when viewing double stars, which show their true colors very well. 200-300x seems to be the sweet spot for Saturn, considering the crappy seeing here in Phoenix as of late. I get a crisp cassini division, surface banding, 3 moons easily, and perhaps some contrast variations in the ring bands themselves using my 8mm and 6.5mm UO Konigs. Saturn's images mimick those seen from the best scopes I have ever sampled, Ie: 12.5" Zambuto equipped Starmaster, Cervallo 8" Mak-Newt, 6" f/9 AP.

The scope exhibits a dark sky backround: with a basic low power wide angle eyepiece (40mm Widefield, 30mm Widescan II), I can see detail in the two main halves of the Veil neb. without any filters in, and can nearly get a spiral to M33. Andromeda (m31) shows its two main dust lanes when favorably positioned above the horizon, quite similarly to a 16" Starfinder dob which was nearby on the night I tested. M22 and M13 appear completely resolved with my 13mm Widescan, even though this eyepiece only provides just over 100x. The double double splits at 60x and is clean and wide at 200x. And I am sure it goes without saying that the star images are pinpoints, even up to 100x per inch of aperture, though bad seeing tends to light up a few diffraction rings around the airy discs on brighter stars.

The focuser is much, much better and smoother than the Synta focusers, but not quite a Televue, Takahashi or AP focuser. It's about 80% as smooth as the premium types but certainly feels serious and precise. Critical focusing at planetary magnification is no problem for me, as I have adjusted the gears for no backlash and minimal roughness.

Do not buy a Meade ED refractor unless you know that you will be getting the newer cell (which I have never seen myself, but I hear that it is properly adjustable), or are willing to fix the stock lens cell with which it comes equipped. The Meade ED refractor lens design uses steep curve radii which make it of the utmost importance that the lenses be precisely centered, moreso than than with the Synta achromats (ie. CR-150, Skywatcher 120). If you have the know how or are willing to experiment with lens centering mods to its cell, the Meade 152ED should be considered a huge bargain. Its sharpness and color correction is much closer to the expensive APO's (Ie. Tak Fs-102) than the cheaper achromats. My star test showed about 1/4 wave of undercorrection at first, but I have removed the stock lens airspace ring and replaced it with a thinner ring, yielding near perfect spherical correction. The star test diffraction rings are very round and smooth. Considering that the OTA is roughly the same price used as the Tak FS102 or TV102 OTA,but provides 50% more aperture, giving up only a slight bit of color correction, it was a choice which I don't regret. But you must know how to adjust refractor lenses if you seriously expect to get the most out of a Meade ED refractor. And BTW, this scope showed horrendous star images upon delivery, having had its lenses knocked out of position thanks to UPS. I spent the first few weeks feeling quite frustrated and disappointed with the scope. But it turned out like a wild young puppy which just needed to be trained.

Jeff Quinn
jeff.g.quinn@worldnet.att.net

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=38520

"200-300x seems to be the sweet spot for Saturn, considering the crappy seeing here in Phoenix as of late.  I get a crisp cassini division, surface banding, 3 moons easily, and perhaps some contrast variations in the ring bands themselves using my 8mm and 6.5mm UO Konigs.  Saturn's images mimick those seen from the best scopes I have ever sampled, Ie: 12.5" Zambuto equipped Starmaster, Cervallo 8" Mak-Newt, 6" f/9 AP."

> I also own this scope, and I have observed Saturn various times pre and post opposition. I do not fully agree with the statement given above. 
Using high-end 7mm and 5mm orthoscopics (yielding about 200x and 270x, respectively), the ring sytem can be easily separated into crep-ring, surrounding cassini division and Encke-minimum (not-division). At very good seeing (around 9/10) it´s possible to detect spokes within the A and B ring. More than five equatorial and subequatorial belts as well as six moons are also visible under those conditions.
Moreover, the scope easily splits doubles down to 0.74", i.e. 14 Ori and gamma CrB (at more than 250x).
Finally, limiting magnitude is 14.1 and 15.3 at direct and adverted vision, respectively, as determined by the photmetric cart of the "surrounders of M57" by Brian Skiff, Lowell Observatory.
In conclusion, great scope that may compete with 6-inch high-end apochromats, such as FS-152 and TMB152.

Regards, Cord
cord.naujokat(at)med.uni-heidelberg.de
[snipped by webmaster]

>lenses if you seriously expect to get the most out of a Meade ED refractor.  And BTW, this scope showed horrendous star images upon delivery, having had its lenses knocked out of position thanks to UPS.  I spent the first few weeks feeling quite frustrated and disappointed with the scope.  But it turned out like a wild young puppy which just needed to be trained.  
>
>Jeff Quinn  
>jeff.g.quinn@worldnet.att.net

every time you read a review about one of the meade semi-apos you always hear about how they had to change this or that, these scopes should not even be thought of in the same catagory as taks or televue and astro-physics. they are decent performers but the advertising by meade would make you think that you are purchasing a true apo, and that is simply not true. all the meade ed semi-apos are over priced and truly a testament to consistant inconsistant quality control. spend your money on a tak, televue, tmb, or astro-physics. you will be very happy you did.

Meade 152ED
Purchased OTA only (New). Originally, there was a problem (I think that the lenses were wedged), but Meade did address this problem.

Outcome??? Stunning. I have owned more expensive 4" APOs that I didn't enjoy using as much as I do the 152ED.

Planetary detail is superb. Doubles are fantastic. Clusters are sublime. Deep Space is better than my 8" reflector.

I don't want to debate the "APO" issue, I will simply say that in my viewing, secondary spectrum has never been evident enough to catch my attention. If it is there at all, it is VERY minor.

Mine has almost perfect spherical correction. In focus Airy disks are surrounded by a first diffractoin ring that is almost invisable on dimmer stars! No other telescope I have ever owned presents such a beautiful in-focus Airy disk.

This aperture is about the biggest that I think you can use to really good effect in less than perfect seeing conditions. Even in my moderate conditions, the moons of Jupiter still resolve out to tiny little varied sized disks. My big SCT NEVER shows them this well.

At 4 inches, I didn't get the refractor craze, but at 6 inches, suddenly I am a convert.

It is a big sucker though.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=437025


Meade 152ED
Scope is an excellent value for the money. I obtained one of the last ones manufactured, and it had perfect collumnation. Only negatives are:
1. Focuser. Needed degreasing, and relubing. I will probably replace it with a good Crayford type
2. Don't even think of getting a Meade finder, as the one that came with the scope never reached focus. I returned it and purchased an Orion 50mm right angle finder. Much easier to use.
3. Plastic lens cover. Meade could do better here.

Color correction is excellent. Very slight purple haze around Sireus, none around moon or Jupiter. Details are very contrasty. Some details apparant on Ganymeade. If you want a good refractor, can't afford 7 to 8K for a 6 inch APO, but want better color correction and handling than a 6 inch F15 and more versatility, you can't go wrong with it.
No vote on the mount, as I use a G-11.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 Ease of Use:6 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=425459


Meade 152ED
One damn fine scope for the money.

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=176788


Meade 152ED
Compared to AP and Takahashi optics, Meade refractors are a very
far cry. Consistently inconsistent quality control on all their
refractors.

Overall Rating: 7
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=38521


Meade 152ED
Ive owned 18 scopes including AP, Tak, Intes,obsession,ect. This 6" APO is probably the sharpest Ive ever owned. Color free. I notice the views from night to night seem to be consistant. The focuser could be better, but it works fine. The only real drawback IMO is the size, but expected for a 6" APO.
Although the 750 is an excellent performer,( my friend owns the 7" which is equal to my 6" and has the 750) I chose an AP900 mount. I bought the tube used.
I took me weeks to decide to try this thing, and Im glad I did. I was considering a 6" D&G, but figured the meade was a shorter tube, and being called an APO I figured it should at least be close. After the first 15 minutes of use I sat back in relief.
Tony Grigsby.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=38517


Meade 152ED
Optics stunk. I'd rather have a celestar 8 for a third of the money.

Overall Rating: 4
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=38516


Meade 152ED
Bought the OTA only to go on my CI700 mount. A great combination. Has little or no false color even on the limb of the full moon. Out of focus star image is close to perfect. Even at the below average sky at my house last night (May 9, 2001), I'm already seeing significant surface detail on Mars using a Pentax SMC XL 7mm, which is about the most the sky would allow considering the full moon. Focuser is adaquate for the job and smoothness seems OK on mine. I use the optional SCT adapter to allow use of a 1/16 wave Intes 2" diagonal which is better than the slide in Meade 2" diagonal. Celestron mount handles this load very well even with a 90mm guide scope added. At this years Messier Marathon I did a rough alignment with the little polar scope nobody seems to like. Took a 2 hour break and Jupiter was still in the medium power field when I came back.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=38515


Meade 152ED
I have owned all four Meade ED refractors and the 152 prove to be the best of the lot. It clearly outperformed my AP 155 f/9 Starfire. The optical performance is simply prue apo. Very sharp, high contrast images. No edge softness and I found no color even on Venus, Sirius and the limb of the moon.
the focuser is rough and feels coarse which detracts from an otherwise outstanding instrument. The otas generally go for $2000- $2300 which is about the same as a Tak FS102 ota which while an excellent scope in its on right falls short because of the 2" less aperture.This is a major bargain but expect to spend some money on a suitable mount.I use a G11 which works perfectly for this 5' 22lb ota.It would rate a 10 except for the focuser.
Randy Hester
Dallas TX

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=38514


Meade 152ED
Quite perfect images... i compare my new 6" semi-apo Meade with 102FS Takahashi: no match for the different aperture but very similar imag quality...
I find more contrast in the little 4 Tak but the difference was very light.
Some initial problems with 2" focuser...
Excelent performance on solar system targets.
The famous crepe inside The Alpes Vallis, the Encke division on Saturn rings (the C ring was very easy also for my new girl-friend!), and condensation inside the Red Giant Spot on Jupiter.
Surprising vison of Veil Nebula without filters. M13 is perfectly resolved... but no tracks of Bok globes in Laguna Nebula (visible on the contrary in my old 16 inch newtonian...)
Perhaps the APO Meade could not match the solid and perfect feeling that an AP or a Tak could give but is very near in optical performance and cost less.
On large deep sky object a 6" refractor easly outclass a 10" or 12" schmidt cassegrain and is comparable to a very good 8"-10" newtonian opened to f.4 - f.5 with more correct wide field and pinpoint images.
Need a very solid mount... forget an AP 900 or a EM 500 Takahashi (too expensive) and think about a EM200 or a Losmandy G11... I use the OTA with an old custom mount and on... the "surprising" GIRO II alt-azimuth moaun... go to APM site (www.APM_telescopes. com and see)


Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=38512

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