Meade Zoom 8mm-24mm

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Brand and Model:Meade Zoom 8mm-24mm
Price ($USD):$219.95
Type:Zoom
Focal Length:8-24 mm
Barrel Size:1.25 in
Apparent FOV:55.0 degrees
Field Stop Dia.:0.0 mm
Eye Relief:15 mm
Elements:0
Weight (lbs):0.4
Description:

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Meade Zoom 8mm-24mm
I purchased this eyepiece mainly for use in a grab and go 5" f/12.1 Mak that I own so that I could avoid lugging along a large assortment of eyepieces. I was well aware of the downside of these zoom eyepieces with more glass elements and narrower fields of view at low power but I felt the eyepiece would fill a niche. Well in the 18 months or so that I have owned it I have really enjoyed it. It is so convenient to be able to adjust magnification with just a twist of the eyepiece instead of fumbling with inserting and removing eyepieces constantly. I was also quite impressed with the high contrast images it gives and very flat field. I have compared it to several premium plossls at equal power and was surprised how well the images compared especially in contrast and brightness (though brightness in the zoom was slightly lower). I have also used this eyepiece on occasion in my 8" f/5 reflector and my 10" f/10 SCT with very similar results. It has become a favorite of mine for use when traveling with my grab and go 5" Mak and also when doing public viewing with our astronomy club. Crowds keep coming back to my scope because they love the ability to zoom in on objects. The one downside to this eyepiece is I do find that you often do need to refocus when changing magnification. All in all I think this is a great eyepiece and it has exceeded my expectations.

Dennis B.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 Value:9
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: https://www.excelsis.com:443/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=90574

Meade Zoom 8mm-24mm
I discovered quickly that the Plössl EPs that came with my scope (120mm refractor fl=1000mm) are inferior to this EP. With the Meade Zoom, views of Saturn at all focal lengths were stunning, with Cassini's Division in the rings clearly distinguishable. I really like the fact that you can start out with the "wide view" then zoom in as desired without having to change eyepieces. The Double Cluster in Perseus was equally stunning at both long and short focal lengths. Every star shone with pinpoint precision across the whole field.

Two very slight disappointments: (1) changing the focal length requires refocusing, in other words, unlike a camera zoom, one is unable to retain focus when zooming. (2) I noticed a bit of "stickyness" in the zoom mechanism when set to the EPs shortest focal length (8mm). Perhaps a little more use will "loosen" the mechanism a bit. All in all, a very fine eyepiece.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 6 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: https://www.excelsis.com:443/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=44178

Meade Zoom 8mm-24mm
It is the same quality as the lv zoom, ive owned both. extremely sharp optics the only draw back on the meade zoom is it cost about $ 50.00 or more than the lv, i highly recommend both, but if your straped for cash buy the lv. im rating the meade zoom a 9 only because of the higher price..

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 6 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: https://www.excelsis.com:443/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=44177

Meade Zoom 8mm-24mm
Eyepiece is "tack sharp" at all focal lengths. No false color, sharp to the edges. Great contrast! Good zoom ratio.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 6 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: https://www.excelsis.com:443/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=44176

Meade Zoom 8mm-24mm
Used with ETX 90. Cost £200 new from Southwest Optics UK.
I really can't fault this eyepiece. As good as any single focal length eyepiece I have owned - certainly as good as the rest of the Meade Series 4000 plossls. High quality construction, good contrast and FOV. Very sharp images. All for the cost of three good plossls.

I also own the Orion Explorer ll Zoom, which is good (and excellent value for money). This zoom is far superior - but then it should be at four times the price!

Buy with confidence.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: https://www.excelsis.com:443/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=180665

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