Meade 395

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Brand and Model:Meade 395
Price ($USD):$399
Type:Achromatic Refractor
Attributes: un-checked Go-To un-checked PEC
Aperture:90mm (3.5")
f Ratio:f/11
Focal Length:1000mm
Finder:6x30
Electric Power:dc
Mount:equatorial
Tripod:aluminum
Weight (lbs):25 lbs.
Dimensions (w/h/d):
Description:Includes one 25mm 1.25 inch MA eyepiece, multicoated optics, slow motion cable in both axis, accessory tray.

Vote Highlights Vote
Meade 395
Back in 1992, I received a Meade 390, and with an AZ-3 alt-azimuth mount. The mount is a Taiwanese clone of the Vixen "Custom-D"(made in Japan), but the design of either is not for me; too wonky and ineffectual.

The telescope itself, a 90mm f/11 achromat, arrived with a trashed objective, so I never got to observe through it. I returned it, and got a Parks PRT-813, made in Japan, and a much finer kit, albeit an 80mm f/11 achromat.

On the other hand, a couple of years ago or so, I got a Meade "Polaris" 90mm f/10 achromat, just the OTA, and it performs quite well.

My vote of "1" is for the 390's AZ-3 mount only.

Overall Rating: No Vote
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=625779

Meade 395
Back in 1992, I received a Meade 390, and with an AZ-3 alt-azimuth mount. The mount is a Taiwanese clone of the Vixen "Custom-D"(made in Japan), but the design of either is not for me; too wonky and ineffectual.

The telescope itself, a 90mm f/11 achromat, arrived with a trashed objective, so I never got to observe through it. I returned it, and got a Parks PRT-813, made in Japan, and a much finer kit, albeit an 80mm f/11 achromat.

On the other hand, a couple of years ago or so, I got a Meade "Polaris" 90mm f/10 achromat, just the OTA, and it performs quite well.

My vote of "1" is for the 390's AZ-3 mount only.

Overall Rating: No Vote
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=625778

Meade 395
The main lens is very well color corrected for a achromatic as it can be that is, and the focuser isnt bad either. The tripod is cheesy period and should be beefier and heavier.

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=236729

Meade 395
My sample has a very decent and sharp objective that provides nice views of Jupiter/Saturn and some brighter deep sky objects with little false color. A great value (model 386 costs $129 new!) and perfect beginner's scope. Performance compares well to high-end Japanese apochromats if decent eyepieces are used at low power (less than 150X). This made-in-Taiwan scope is definitely a keeper and a little marvel.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Mount:2 Ease of Use:3 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=62142

Meade 395
I purchased the 395 (actually 390) used off of Astromart. Although in my case, I did not get the original mount, diagonal, or eyepieces so you'll have to judge my review accordingly. The OTA seems to be put together well but does have some problems. The scope is well baffled, and the lens cell is machined out of a nice solid chunk of aluminum. There is no way to adjust the lens in the cell, but check to make sure the cell is threaded on to the tube correctly. Mine seemed to be cross threaded. Another reviewer commented that the focuser drawtube was crooked. I had a similar problem with mine. However, I was able to adjust mine by loosening the screws on the focuser/tube joint, adjusting, then re-tightening the screws. If you tighten up the focuser too much, it will force the drawtube to scrape the focuser housing making for rough adjustment. I'll try putting some teflon tape to smooth things up. Plan on replacing the finder. Not very well constructed and I never could get the thing to focus well no matter how much fiddling I did.

Although I quibble with some of the construction, the images are quite nice and sharp. The long focal length makes for very minimal color even on Jupiter. Using Orion Sirius eyepieces and a no name diagonal, this scope produced some very sharp images. Several bands were visible on Jupiter, and Saturn clearly resolved Cassini's division. Star test seemed OK.

All in all, this is an okay scope. It does have it's problems, namely the finder and the focuser, but coupled with the right eyepieces, it does produce some very eyepleasing views.

Overall Rating: 7
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39782

Meade 395
The optics on the 395 are above average when coupled with decent plossl eyepieces, even meades. The star test is OK for a mass produced scope in the price range and OK for a starter scope. Pretty good on moon and planets, false color not readily obvious, and should not be on an F11 refractor. Not a high power scope but OK views up to 150x image breaks down pretty rapidly after that. OK on deep sky bright objects, and OK under light polluted skys. The MA25 eyepiece is not a keeper, diagonal either. Focus difficult to find at higher powers due to shaky mount. Plenty of focus travel. The mount is not very good, except at lower powers. The worm gears have a bit of slop, which can be adjusted somewhat. Steadiness of the mount can be improved if the legs are not extended. Wind moves the tube fairly easily, it is 41 inches long. Tube is pretty well baffled and painted flat black. My focus drawtube is not centered, perhaps off as much as 3/16 inch. This cannot be readily corrected, except with replacement of the whole focus assembly. Could be a typical flaw of the manufacturing process. Meade QA rather suspect. If the scope was not a gift I would get rid of it for a better quality refractor, however it is much better than any of the dept. store types, or meades other refractor offerings, expecially go to garbage they are selling. My 6" MAK with a aperture mask providing only 1-1/2" aperture blows it away on any object, except for field of view. For the price I guess one could consider the OTA a bargain, they can keep the mount.

Overall Rating: 7
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39781

Meade 395
I have the earlier model 386 which includes an OTA that was manufactured in Taiwan. The focal ratio is still F/11 and the tube has 3 knife-edge baffles installed. The optics are multi-coated and my scope (bought new) has some obvious coating marks or streaks that suggest poor quality control at the factory. However, these defects don't seem to have any impact on the scope's performance, which is brilliant. Stars brighter than magnitude 2 show a tiny trace of false color and are very sharp on axis. Close doubles (1.3 arc secs) are split easily. Astigmatism and coma are non-existent in my scope, which shows an undercorrection of about 1/6-wave at equilibrium. Coupled with a Celestron Ultima 7.5mm eyepiece and 2X barlow, I enjoyed crisp and detailed views of Saturn and its moons last night. The contrast, sharpness and quality of this achromat is quite amazing, considering its mass-production origin and modest cost ($150 - $200 new w/ EQ mount). I recommend it highly to all beginners as well as seasoned visual observers in urban areas. This could easily be the best $150 I ever spent on any telescope or accessary!

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39780

Meade 395
I bought my 395 outfit for $159.00 on EBay. Great optics and value for the little money I paid! False color is very well controlled (approaching TV Pronto performance) when scope is used under 120X. I've heard horrible stories about the quality control of these Chinese-made objectives. My sample and many others I heard of, however, seem to offer quite consistent and high level of correction and quality. For serious observing, I would throw away the EQ mount and all the EPs that come in the package and mount the tube on a Vixen SP or GP. The 90mm F/11 optics by itself could easily rival average Japanese-made 100mm objectives at a cost 3 -4 times lower! In sum, I love the quality of this Meade's optics and would keep it as long as I have a desire for high contrast, near color-free images of the planets and other deep-sky objects.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39779

Meade 395
The 90mm F11 optics on the scope give fine images of stars, deep sky objects, and excellent images of the planets. With a Meade 9.5mm Super Plossl, you get nice razor sharp views of Saturn's rings, that is, once the scope was steady enough. The equatorial mount, on the other hand, stinks. I found that the scope was undermounted with a mount that should have been used for a smaller scope. Had problems with image steadiness at 50x and above. The mount, at least the one that came with my scope, also had mechanical problems. Also, the locking knobs impeded full motion of the scope tube. The scope would have been a keeper if it had not been for the crummy mount. Meade should either equip the scope with a more heavy duty mount or discontinue production of the model 395.

Overall Rating: 6
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39775

Meade 395
A great all-round starting scope, but can cost a bit here in Australia. I paid around A$900 a few years back, when I was just starting out. Other members of my society were suitably impressed with the performance, especially on the Eta Carinae complex. Ideal for use with kids at viewing nights, due to its portability and ruggedness, although, as previously mentioned the mount is a little unstable.

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39774

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