Help with identifying telescope: Hi folks, We were recently given a Meade telescope and I can't seem to find out what the actual model is. It is missing the hand controller as well as...

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Help with identifying telescope

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Jul 8, 2015 22:00:15 #

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

Hi folks,
We were recently given a Meade telescope and I can't seem to find out what the actual model is. It is missing the hand controller as well as the eyepiece, and I'd like to get a T-adapter and mount to use with my Nikon cameras.
I've been to Meade's website, and I believe it's a StarNavigator series, but I can't find the model number on it anywhere.
Is anyone here familiar with these 'scopes, and if so, is worth me even spending the money to get the missing parts? (are they any good?) :)
Thanks in advance for any help.
-Erik-

(Download)

Jul 9, 2015 00:05:14 #

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

http://www.meade.com/product_pages/starter_scopes/ds_series/ds_2130.php

Jul 9, 2015 00:10:04 #

Albuqshutterbug Loc: Albuquerque NM

I'm a little confused by the label on the telescope.
1000mm focal length divided by 130mm diameter is not f/10 but f/7.7
I think you may have this scope in an earlier version?
http://www.meade.com/product_pages/starter_scopes/ds_series/ds_2130.php
It at least looks the same and has the same diameter and length of your scope.
Eyepieces are easy to come by and if you have an astronomy club close by, someone might even give you a Plossel or 2 to play with. The club would be a great resource when it comes time to align the scope as well.
You might also give Meade a call and ask them for assistance.

Best I can do for now.
Good luck and welcome to the group.

Jul 9, 2015 00:11:13 #

Albuqshutterbug Loc: Albuquerque NM

dirtpusher wrote:

http://www.meade.com/product_pages/starter_scopes/ds_series/ds_2130.php

rofl.. you posted while I was typing.
Like minds..

Jul 9, 2015 00:25:43 #

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

Albuqshutterbug wrote:

rofl.. you posted while I was typing.
Like minds..

you ever put a plastic white x in you yard. then contact nasa they can give you a true Azimuth north with picture and north line drawn in?

Jul 9, 2015 00:59:27 #

Albuqshutterbug Loc: Albuquerque NM

dirtpusher wrote:

you ever put a plastic white x in you yard. then contact nasa they can give you a true Azimuth north with picture and north line drawn in?

Never heard of anyone doing that.
Is there an associated cost to that?

Jul 9, 2015 01:02:44 #

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

Albuqshutterbug wrote:

Never heard of anyone doing that.
Is there an associated cost to that?

no there wasn't :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

email them :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

give your coordinates :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Jul 9, 2015 12:03:29 #

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

dirtpusher wrote:

http://www.meade.com/product_pages/starter_scopes/ds_series/ds_2130.php

I had it for about 10 yrs it's a great starter scope.
At 5" it will get you to some Deep Sky Object.
You will have a lot of fun with it. I put my DSLR
on it one night and found it to be pretty some what unstable.
You should be able to get some ok 30 sec exposures.
It's a great starter Scope. Have fun with it.
And to Jim. I believe the f value is higher because the
Secondary Mirror blocks a fair amount of incoming
light to the Primary Mirror?
Craig

Jul 9, 2015 18:40:36 #

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

Thanks to all for the input. It looks like I have the DS-2130AT-TC, now all I have to do is get an eyepiece and t-adapter.
Craig, having owned one yourself, can you recommend a good general purpose plossel focal length? 26mm? 40mm? etc.?
I've never messed with telescopes, so I'm mot sure about the nomenclature, you'll have to forgive my ignorance :)
Thanks again,
-Erik-

Jul 9, 2015 19:40:02 #

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Erik_H wrote:

Hi Erik plossel eyepieces would be adequate for your scope. In eyepieces the larger the # the larger the field of view. A 5" telescope already has a large view so a 40mm is to large. A 26mm is a good eyepiece for a wide view of Andromeda Galaxy. And a 12.5mm is the smallest good contrast eyepiece for a narrow field of view for Stars & Planets. A 17mm would a good eyepiece for for general viewing of galaxies and star clusters. The Celestron 8-24mm zoom eyepiece is the one eyepiece I used on that scope all the time. It is a very easy to use eyepiece. Use 24mm to acquire the object in the center of the eyepiece and zoom in to a comfortable view.
Now all of this is just my experience. And I'm no expert.

Jul 10, 2015 03:04:41 #

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

CraigFair wrote:

Hi Erik plossel eyepieces would be adequate for yo... (show quote)

I love my Celestron 8-24mm eyepiece.
It's like a zoom for your telescope. ;)

Jul 10, 2015 11:02:29 #

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

PS: You can use 1.25" eyepieces in other telescopes if you decide to progress down the slippery slope.
That's a plus and reason enough to buy wisely when acquiring eyepieces. ;)

Clear Skies!

Jul 10, 2015 11:27:40 #

Albuqshutterbug Loc: Albuquerque NM

SonnyE wrote:

I love my Celestron 8-24mm eyepiece.
It's like a zoom for your telescope. ;)

Did you get the standard or the high dollar version?

Jul 10, 2015 11:51:17 #

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Albuqshutterbug wrote:

Did you get the standard or the high dollar version?

I got the Standard 8-24mm Zoom not the deluxe.
Craig

Jul 10, 2015 14:37:31 #

Albuqshutterbug Loc: Albuquerque NM

CraigFair wrote:

I got the Standard 8-24mm Zoom not the deluxe.
Craig

I'm afraid to order anything else. I might get washed away.
;)

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