These days, the consumer astronomy market is booming! More and more people are looking to the stars and enjoying all the mysteries the cosmos has to offer. With high demand comes some stiff competition among brands and manufacturers. Several high-profile companies produce telescopes and other optical equipment. But the best Meade Instruments telescopes are right up there with the top contenders.
No matter your skill level or experience with astronomy, Meade Instruments has something right up your alley. The brand has a sizable collection of telescopes to fit anyone’s needs. From huge Dobsonian telescopes for viewing deep-sky objects to simple refractor models, Meade Instruments has it all.
Interested in learning more about some of the best Meade Instruments telescopes? You’re in luck!
Best Meade Instruments Telescopes Reviewed
Meade Instruments – S102mm
This telescope comes with everything you need to start stargazing. It’s a simple refracting telescope with a massive 102mm objective lens. The lens is quite large, allowing light to flood in and create a bright image.
Before you start looking through the available eyepiece, you can use the red dot finderscope to hone-in on your target. This unique scope has coated glass to help you identify the object and line up the optical tube.
The telescope comes with two eyepieces and a 2x Barlow lens for extra magnification. There’s even a smartphone mount to take some killer astrophotography shots.
Key Features:
- 102mm aperture
- Two eyepieces
- 2x Barlow lens
- Red dot finder
- Smartphone eyepiece adapter
- Lightweight tripod
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Meade Instruments – Infinity 70mm
The Infinity telescope from Meade Instruments offers a comfortable and efficient viewing experience. The 70mm objective lens is perfect for viewing larger celestial bodies, such as the moon. With up to 140X magnification, you can get up close and personal to appreciate all the detail you need!
After setting up the telescope, you can enjoy the view without getting into any awkward positions. The telescope comes with a 90-degree prism. It features a mirror that angles the light up. You can view down at the eyepiece for comfort.
Key Features:
- 70mm aperture
- 700mm focal length
- 90-degree prism
- Up to 140x magnification
- Red dot finderscope
- Weighs only 7 pounds
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Meade Instruments 0810-90-03 LX90-ACF 8-Inch (f/10) Advanced Coma-Free Telescope
Here’s another model from Meade Instruments. This unit is a premium Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope that can view deep space objects without missing a beat. Take one look at the optical device, and it doesn’t look like it can do much. The optical tube is compact and portable.
But don’t let its exterior looks fool you. Inside, some premium coma-free optics deliver an impeccable image. Ultra high-transmission coatings ensure that you’re getting as much light as possible. Meanwhile, the premium lenses reduce chromatic errors for ultimate clarity.
Holding the main optical tube up is a computerized mount. It uses a SmartDrive system and the AudioStar feature. Point to over 30,000 objects with a few button presses. SmartDrive has automatic error correction. Instead of constant calibration, this feature will handle the heavy lifting to ensure pinpoint accuracy at all times.
Key Features:
- 8-inch aperture
- Coma-free optics
- Premium high-transmission lens coatings
- Computerized mount
- AudioStar
- SmartDrive with built-in error corrector
- Includes field tripod
- Weighs 47 pounds
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Meade Instruments – StarPro AZ
This beginner telescope is easy to set up and even easier to look through. The specs of this model are respectable. It has a wide aperture and a lengthy optical tube. In total, it can provide about 160X magnification.
The mount deserves some special attention. After using the red dot finder to zero-in on your target, you can use the mount to make fine adjustments. It features slow-control cables. As a result, movements feel fluid and smooth rather than jerky. It lets you position the telescope perfectly!
Key Features:
- 80mm aperture
- Slow-control altazimuth mount
- Three eyepieces
- 2X Barlow lens
- Smartphone adapter
- Red dot finderscope
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Meade Instruments – Polaris 70mm
This Polaris model takes the complexity up a notch. It’s a great upgrade from simpler models, as it features some more advanced features to help you make the most out of your time stargazing.
The most notable is the equatorial mount. This mount is sporting a counterweight and slow-motion cables. With a twist of a knob, you can make minute positional changes to follow your target throughout the night. Thanks to the mount’s compensation for the Earth’s rotation, you can follow the moon or star constellation for hours.
Key Features:
- 70mm aperture
- Equatorial mount
- Three eyepieces
- 2X Barlow lens
- Astronomy software
- Red dot finder
- Good for travel
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Meade Instruments 0.5PST Coronado H-Alpha Personal Solar Telescope
While professional telescopes come loaded with features, they are often hard to use and not suitable for home astronomers. With this personal telescope from Meade Instruments, you get all of the features that you need to find planets and constellations in the sky. A black 18mm eyepiece comes in the box that allows you to get a clearer view when looking at the stars. It also features a 0.5mm bandpass filter that weeds out objects on the outskirts of your field of vision to help you focus on a specific object.
Designed for amateurs with more money to spend, this telescope has an expensive look with parts in gold and black. Weighing just six pounds, the telescope is perfect for use in your backyard or if you want to use it in a field or on a camping trip. You get a 400mm focal length that goes deep into the sky as well as an internal battery that gains its power from sunlight.
Key Features:
- 0.5mm bandpass filter
- 18mm black eyepiece included
- Black and gold design
- 40mm objective lens diameter
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Meade Instruments – Polaris 127mm
Want an entry-level telescope that you can take to your favorite stargazing spot. You can try out this unit from the Polaris line. It tips the scale at about 28 pounds, so it’s not the lightest telescope. But, it is very compact.
The optical tube is significantly shorter than other models in the Polaris series. However, that doesn’t mean that it has any less power. The aperture is 127mm in diameter, ensuring that light pours into the telescope. Thanks to the design of the mirrors inside, it manages to achieve a high focal length without a lengthy tube assembly.
Key Features:
- 127mm aperture
- Equatorial mount
- Compact footprint
- Lower 7.9 focal ratio
- Good portability
- Three eyepieces and Barlow lens
- Red dot finder
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Meade Instruments – StarNavigator NG 125mm
Weighing a paltry 16 pounds, this telescope is ready to take anywhere. Bring it up to a tall hill or hike up a mountain. You can get the best view away from city lights. Thanks to the compact design and lightweight build of this telescope, it’s ready for any stargazing adventure.
It also has some great technology packed inside. The telescope features a single-arm computerized mount. The system is very easy to set up. After calibration, use the remote control to find your targets and enjoy the view!
Key Features:
- 127mm aperture
- 90-degree direct prism
- Computerized mount
- AudioStar database
- Very compact design
- Weighs only 16 pounds
- Multiple eyepieces
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Meade Instruments – StarNavigator NG 130mm
With a push of a button, you can focus in on thousands of objects above. This model is one of the most advanced Meade telescopes. Not only does it feature the database, but the motorized mount has a few more tricks up its sleeve.
The computerized mounting system operates on two different axes. Rather than simply turning to point in the right direction, it’s capable of providing variable-rate tracking. Follow your target and see how it moves through the night sky! With the ultra-wide objective lens, you can get a better view than ever before.
Key Features:
- 130mm aperture
- Dual-axis mount
- Computerized mount
- Level and compass
- Astronomy software
- AudioStar database
- Several eyepieces and accessories
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Meade Instruments LX85 8″ ACF with AudioStar, Model: 217006
If you want to try your hand at astrophotography, this Meade Instruments telescope is one of the best investments you can make. Meade Instruments designed this optical device for astrophotography and astro-imaging.
A fast, single-speed focuser and ultra high-transmission coating on the lenses ensure that you’re getting the brightest image possible. It also uses coma-free optics to prevent chromatic distortion and deliver vibrancy you never thought you could achieve!
Holding everything up is a German equatorial mount. It compensates for the Earth’s rotational axis, which will serve you well during long-exposure shots. It has a sturdy build that can support up to 33 pounds.
On top of all those great features, this telescope uses Meade Instrument’s AudioStar system. The easy-to-use remote lets you dial into targets on the fly. The servo motors move the mounting system automatically, pointing you in the right direction.
As long as you perform the calibration process efficiently, you should have no issues finding your target. Start snapping away and create the stunning cosmic photos you’ll want to share.
Key Features:
- 203mm aperture
- 2,032mm focal length
- Equatorial mount
- Coma-free optics
- Ultra high-transmission coatings
- AudioStar guide
- Database of over 30,000 objects
- It weighs about 45 pounds
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
The History of Meade Instruments
Meade Instruments is a beloved brand that has been around for over 45 years. First established in 1972 by John Diebel, the company had very humble beginnings.
In its early years, Meade Instruments sold simple refractor telescopes manufactured by another company. However, that changed in 1976 when the company started making its own products.
The decades to follow were rife with innovation for Meade Instruments! The company grew and started to make Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes. By that point, the Schmidt-Cassegrain market was largely dominated by one of the brand’s biggest competitors, Celestron. Meade Instruments went on to create some fierce competition and become a trusted provider of these telescopes.
Throughout its history, Meade Instruments has sold a wide range of distinct products you won’t find anywhere else. It developed a line of catadioptric telescopes, which combined both lenses and mirrors. With some careful engineering, Meade Instruments was able to create an innovative design that provides a very clear image. The brand dubbed these telescopes Advanced Coma-Free Optics, or AFC for short.
Meade Instruments would continue that streak of success and create some technologically advanced models, too. Called the GoTo line, these computerized telescopes can find and track celestial bodies for easy setup.
Today, Meade Instruments provides a wide range of telescopes to choose from. You can find traditional Newtonian telescopes, tabletop Dobsonians, and even solar telescopes!
Why Choose a Meade Instruments Telescope?
There’s a reason why Meade Instruments is such a big name in the consumer astronomy market. The company’s products are high-quality!
Meade Instruments doesn’t cut corners for the sake of keeping costs low. The telescopes are all well-made and feature some of the best optical technology around.
Meade Instruments has been in the game for a long time and continues to make the hobby accessible to the masses. This isn’t a company that sits back and offers the same product over and over again. The brand is an innovator that develops new ways to discover what’s hiding in our solar system.
Meade Instruments Buying Guide
With so many products to choose from, finding the right telescope to accompany you on your stargazing adventures can be tricky. If you’re an amateur astronomer, specifications and design options can be overwhelming.
To choose a telescope that’s right for you, it’s important to understand how they work and what to look for. The core design and specifications can make a huge difference in terms of performance and visibility. Here are some factors to keep in mind while choosing the perfect telescope from Meade Instruments.
Types of Telescopes Meade Instruments Offers
As we mentioned earlier, Meade Instruments has most of your bases covered when it comes to design. The company has a wide range of core designs.
Refracting Telescopes and Reflecting Telescopes
The most basic model is the refractor telescope. It utilizes a curved objective lens to provide magnification.
Refractor telescopes tend to be more rugged. You don’t have to worry so much about misaligning the lenses and ruining your image. But, these telescopes are also prone to chromatic aberration and distortion. Meade Instruments does have some higher-end APO refractors to address those issues.
Then, there’s the reflector telescope. These models utilize mirrors to focus light on the eyepiece. Reflector telescopes may need alignment every once in a while. But, they can gather light and provide a clear image.
There are some subcategories between these two core models. For example, you can find Newtonian reflectors. These have a large concave mirror and a smaller diagonal mirror.
You can also try a Dobsonian telescope. Dobsonians have mirrors, too. But what sets them apart is the ultra-wide OTA, or optical tube assembly. This ensures that the telescope can collect tons of light for a great image of the stars!
Cassegrain Reflectors Telescopes
Meade Instruments had a huge impact on the market when it started selling Cassegrain reflector telescopes. These telescopes take advantage of mirrors. But, the mirrors are uniquely shaped to provide the best results.
You can find Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes. This type of telescope uses a Schmidt corrector plate and a concave spherical mirror.
There’s also the Maksutov-Cassegrain. Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes from the brand’s ETX series have a large spherical primary mirror and spherical secondary mirrors.
Cassegrain telescopes are more advanced than your average reflector or refractor. However, their complex design improves the light’s path to produce a clear image of the galaxy above.
Aperture, Focal Length, and Focal Ratio
Once you decide which type of telescope you want, you can start paying attention to the finer details. The aperture, focal length, and focal ratio will all affect the overall clarity of the image and the telescope’s magnification power.
The aperture refers to the width of the objective lens. This is the outermost exterior lens that light passes through first. Generally represented as millimeters, this measurement will determine the telescope’s light-capturing capabilities. A larger aperture means you’re getting a much brighter image.
The focal length is a measurement that reflects the distance from the objective lens to the focal plane. You can also look at it as a measurement of the optical tube. The more the light has to travel before meeting the focal plane, the higher the magnification.
Finally, there’s the focal ratio, also known as the F-ratio. This measurement indicates the overall clarity of the picture. The focal ratio is nothing more than the focal length divided by the aperture. A lower ratio means that the image will be clearer and brighter.
Eyepieces and Accessories
The final piece of the equation is the eyepiece. Once the light has traveled through the telescope, it finally exits through the eyepiece for you to view. Meade Instrument usually includes several eyepieces with each of its telescopes.
This is a good thing! The eyepiece will impact the field of view and clarity. Having a couple on hand will let you perfect the image. Many models also come with a Barlow lens for extra magnification! You can also buy additional telescope eyepieces separately, to provide a variety of different lighting filters or magnification levels.
Don’t forget to look at the focuser, too! A smooth focuser ensures that everyone who uses the telescope is able to make fine-tune adjustments that work for their eyes.
Mounting System
The mounting system is another important consideration you can’t ignore. More affordable telescopes come with a simple mount. Oftentimes, they come with tripods, too!
There are two main mount designs you’ll need to choose from. The first is an altazimuth mount. This is the simplest option, as it only lets you move the telescope horizontally and vertically.
More advanced telescopes may come with an equatorial mount. They usually have a counterweight. The main draw of an equatorial mount is that it compensates for the Earth’s rotation and axis.
Lastly, there’s the computerized mount. The most advanced of them all, these mounts connect to a remote and database. After reading the night sky, you can direct the mount to point to whatever celestial body you want!.
Conclusion
As you can see, Meade Instruments has a lot to offer. This brand has been around for decades and has developed a solid reputation among professional astronomers and amateur sky-watchers alike. With a huge collection of telescopes, you won’t have any trouble finding a model from this brand that you’ll love.