Meade Starfinder 8" dob

Ratings:Top:Astronomy:Equipment Reviews:Telescope Reviews:Meade Starfinder 8" dob

 Info  Votes  Messages  More Stats  Up One Level
Brand and Model:Meade Starfinder 8" dob
Price ($USD):$850 Cdn
Type:Newtonian
Attributes: un-checked Go-To un-checked PEC
Aperture:203mm (8")
f Ratio:f/6
Focal Length:1220mm
Finder:6x30mm
Electric Power:No
Mount:Dobsonian
Tripod:No
Weight (lbs):lbs.
Dimensions (w/h/d):
Description:I add a telrad and Magellan 1 computer. Mirror is perfect. Focuser could be better.

Vote Highlights Vote
Meade Starfinder 8" dob
I bought my Meade 8" Dob used three years ago as my first scope. It came with a Telrad so I can't rate the finder. All you hear is true. The OPTICS ARE EXCELLENT. Since day one I have always had detailed views of planets as well as DSO. The DSO did seem some what dim so I darkened the interior of the tube with flat black paint. This was an easy way to improve contrast and the improvment was notable. THE TUBE CURRENTS CAN BE VERY BAD. I recently sent the mirror out for recoating and made a few more adjustments. I removed the cast iron counter weight and mounted it outside the tube, moved the balance bearings up about an inch, changed to a two inch focuser (still rack and pinion and I'm not that happy with it) and cut 1" vent slots the length of the tube(they are covered to keep out stray light). The difference these modifications made is amazing. Tube currents are virtually non-existent, the contrast has also improved. If you have a Meade Dob your not happy with these few modifications will make a big difference in the enjoyment you get out of your scope. Painting the inside of the tube and cutting the vent slots made the most difference so I would recommend those as fairly easy first steps.

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:10 Mount:7 Ease of Use:8 Value:8
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: https://www.excelsis.com:443/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=82829

Meade Starfinder 8" dob
I bought my Starfinder second-hand from a guy that had it for several years. The primary mirror was dusty and yellowed from apparent cigarette smoke and use, but overall the scope was in decent shape. After a mirror cleaning, collimation, and re-squaring the focuser, the scope produces excellent images of planets and DSOs. My scope also had the Meade 7x35 finderscope which is pretty sweet.

Really the only downsides to this scope is the low contrast, tube currents, and the nylon bushings for the mount. My bushings are a little 'sticky' from a decade of use and I want to upgrade them, possibly to PTFE. As for the contrast, I will certainly blacken the inside of the OTA to sharpen it up. I have been toying with the notion of placing a small fan with vents in the OTA, but my slackness keeps me from doing it!

All in all, I would buy one of these scopes again, and I recommend someone who wants a good 'entry-level' large aperature scope to check it out!

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 Mount:7 Ease of Use:7 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: https://www.excelsis.com:443/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=127720

Meade Starfinder 8" dob
I bought my Meade 8" Dob used three years ago as my first scope. It came with a Telrad so I can't rate the finder. All you hear is true. The OPTICS ARE EXCELLENT. Since day one I have always had detailed views of planets as well as DSO. The DSO did seem some what dim so I darkened the interior of the tube with flat black paint. This was an easy way to improve contrast and the improvment was notable. THE TUBE CURRENTS CAN BE VERY BAD. I recently sent the mirror out for recoating and made a few more adjustments. I removed the cast iron counter weight and mounted it outside the tube, moved the balance bearings up about an inch, changed to a two inch focuser (still rack and pinion and I'm not that happy with it) and cut 1" vent slots the length of the tube(they are covered to keep out stray light). The difference these modifications made is amazing. Tube currents are virtually non-existent, the contrast has also improved. If you have a Meade Dob your not happy with these few modifications will make a big difference in the enjoyment you get out of your scope. Painting the inside of the tube and cutting the vent slots made the most difference so I would recommend those as fairly easy first steps.

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: https://www.excelsis.com:443/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=41122

Meade Starfinder 8" dob
Very rubbish instrument

Overall Rating: 4
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: https://www.excelsis.com:443/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=41121

Meade Starfinder 8" dob
Optically this scope is perfect. Good for deep-sky, planets/moon. Even with the badest skies I observed I could see Cassini's division easily (Saturn). The only negative side is the focuser. BUT it is usable. I love my MEADE...

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: https://www.excelsis.com:443/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=41118

Meade Starfinder 8" dob
Sorry, these comments were intended for the 6" version of this scope.

Overall Rating: No Vote
Weight: <none>
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: https://www.excelsis.com:443/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=41120

Meade Starfinder 8" dob
Just wanted to comment on the glue/mirror clips issue. I have owned a Meade 10" Starfinder for 2 1/2 years. When I initially received it, the mirror, which was glued on, was very badly pinched. I could see no detail at all on the planets. This required that the mirror be cut, with a flay knife, from the mount and be reglued. The reason? Glue, as used by Meade (three huge blobs with no flotation) can indeed stress i.e., pinch a mirror. I have read about others with this same problem. Clips can simply be loosened.

I do agree with the above post regarding mirror quality. My mirror is really superb and its seems this is generally true with all Meade dobs. So if you feel like rebuilding the mechanics of the scope to get at the mirror, these Meades may be perfect. If you do not want to replace focusers, finders, or deal with figuring out how to vent or balance the tube - they are not.

As always, your best bet is to try the scope you intend to buy and compare it to others. From personal experience I have found you will make up your mind for you very quickly.

Overall Rating: No Vote
Weight: <none>
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: https://www.excelsis.com:443/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=41119

[Click Here to Login]
Don't have a login? Register!

Checking Your Telescope
Starting out in Amateur Astronomy
 
How to use This Site
Why Register?
[Get rid of the ads!]
Voting Guide