Meade Super Wide Angle 40mm


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Brand and Model:Meade Super Wide Angle 40mm
Price ($USD):$299.95
Type:Misc Wide Angle
Focal Length:40 mm
Barrel Size:2 in
Apparent FOV:67.0 degrees
Field Stop Dia.:0.0 mm
Eye Relief:16 mm
Elements:6
Weight (lbs):1.5
Description:

Vote Highlights Vote
Meade Super Wide Angle 40mm
I have to say, after the initial "wow" factor of such a wide field wore off, I really started to notice the shortcommings of this eyepiece. First of all, I own a 4" f/10 refractor (C4-R). Targets viewed included the Plieades, the Beehive, and M35-M38.

Getting back to the "wow" factor... this eyepiece more than doubled my true field of view over my 32mm celestron plossl (from about 1.3 deg to a whopping 2.7). The Pleiades and beehive fit quite easily into the field at 25X. On clear nights I was able to distinguish color variation in the Beehive as well.

It wasn't until I let these objets drifted to the outer 15-20% of the filed that I had serious doubts about this ocular. Focus softened considerably and stars became extremely elongated. On a slow f/10 scope, edge sharpness should not be much of a factor but it was quite prominent here. I can only imagine what the degredation would look like in a faster scope.

This one went back to the camera shop after about 2 weeks and I used the refund to purchase a Siebert 36mm Observatory Class eyepiece (and keep some cash in my pocket!) with very impressive results. The Meade is a definate try before you buy.

Overall Rating: 7
Optics:7 Value:8
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=428367


Meade Super Wide Angle 40mm
Im not sure what all the bad press is about this eyepiece is. I just got one (in sept 2004)after debating on this or the new 41 panoptic from televue. This eyepeice is crisp right to the edge of the field of view, with my 4" Tak FS-102 and my C14. I bought this because I wanted a 40mm eyepiece to fill the gap between my 55 Plossl and my 31 Nagler. This thing is excellent. I've tried to force myself to find a flaw in the optics and it just isnt showing. As such, I cant see paying the extra $200 for the 41 panoptic, since this is razor sharp right to the edge of the field of view. Ive tried it in broad daylight and at night, and its as fine a piece as anything I own. The double cluster in Persus is increadible in this eyepiece in both my Tak FS-102 and TV-85. Andromeda is picture perfect. Panning around on large star fields shows absolutely no flaws at all in these increadible optics. Its just as fine using a big barlow before my 2" diagonal at 3.3x magnification. If this eyepiece did have a flaw in it at one time, Meade seems to have a handle on the quality control now, since this eyepeice is a proud addition to my other 2" powerhouses including the Mightly 31 and 20mm Naglers. I've been a visual observer for 30 years and this eyepiece is worthy of everyones collection who wants an excellent wide field powerhouse.
Ralph Aguirre / Sacramento, Calif.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=383515


Meade Super Wide Angle 40mm
Despite the bad press this eyepiece has gotten, I still love it. Yes the very edges are blurry compared to Panoptics and Naglers, but the view is undistorted and therefore perfect for daytime use of refractors. I have an early 1990s (late 1980s?) version without the metal ring intended to help position the eye. I much prefer mine to the newer ones with the ring, as mine is much more comfortable with eyeglasses. In fact, I would say that this is my most comfortable eyepiece.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=64199


Meade Super Wide Angle 40mm
I thought this eyepiece was pretty good until I compared it to the 35mm Televue Panoptic. Stars near the edge of field that show some flaring in the Meade are nearly perfect in the Televue. The Meade doesn't seem to care what direction you look though whereas the Televue "blacks out" unless you approach it at just the right angle. (12" Meade LX200)

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=42796


Meade Super Wide Angle 40mm
I am using the UW40mm through my vixen 120mm Diop. Images are bright and crisp from center to edge and I notice more true colour and contrast than with my Japanese 40 (Orion's) I am a big fan of large views and when Im done working on my NGC and M object list I always end up cruisin the skies for new wonders with my Meade SW40mm. Killer eyepiece Meade. I'll give you a 9+.

Davidbk1@juno.com

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=42794


Meade Super Wide Angle 40mm
Best low mag EP for 12" LX 200.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=42791


Meade Super Wide Angle 40mm
nice field, but lots of seagull artifacts in last 10 degree of field. not up to panoptic 35 quality, but lower weight easier to balance

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=42789


Meade Super Wide Angle 40mm
A real gem.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=42788


Meade Super Wide Angle 40mm
For our "little buddy" at 12.83.202.23 who ooopsed his comments about the wrong
E. P. go to http://www.klhess/Telecalc.htm and have a look around. It will all come together for you.

Your very welcome.

Sincerely,
fellow "light bright" finatic.

Overall Rating: No Vote
Weight: <none>
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=42795


Meade Super Wide Angle 40mm
Previous comment was intended in regards to Meade 40mm Super Plossl.

Overall Rating: No Vote
Weight: <none>
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=42793

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