Navigation

Blog

MySky connector cable 04549 - Oct 13, 2007

The long awaited connector cable for the Meade Mysky is finally available. You can use this 04549 coiled cable set to connect the MySky to any computerized Meade telescope equipped with either the 494 Autostar or the 497 Autostar. Pleade note that this connector will not work with the Celestron Skyscout or any other brand of computerized telescope. It is a Meade Mysky exclusive accessory.

posted by Joanie K @ 11:04 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

Computerized telescopes - Sep 17, 2007

"What the heck is a manual GOTO telescope? Is there such a thing?" The answer is, yes, though the use of the word GOTO is something of a misnomer in that the GOTO is a button on the hand control of motorized telescopes such as the Meade ETX-90. Manual GOTO telescopes should really just be called manual "computerized" telescopes since they do not have a motorized mount, or hand control or a GOTO button. On a model such as the Meade NGC-60, the computer tells you what direction to move the telescope, but you move the telescope, yourself. No motors or hand control, here, but you do get the computer.

posted by Joanie K @ 11:32 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

Meade Autostar - Sep 10, 2007

"Will the Meade LPI with Autostar suite give me GOTO capability if I use it with my Meade 114EQ? telescope" I get this question, frequently. The answer is, no. In order to have GOTO capability, your telescope first needs to have a computer. The 114EQ-A does not have a computer. The Autostar Suite is not a computer. It is a CD which interfaces with a Meade Autostar computerized telescope, but it is not the computer, itself. Meade packages it with the LPI and many other products, because it also offers a lot of useful and interesting astronomy data and information.

posted by Joanie K @ 8:00 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

New Meade ETX accessory - Sep 4, 2007

I was pleased to see Meade is now offering a back cell adapter for the Meade ETX telescopes. This adapter allows an ETX user to now use standard 50mm Schmidt-Cassegrain accessories, such as focal reducers and rear cell filters on their ETX telescopes. In the past, the smaller rear cell thread size of the ETX denied Meade ETX telescope owners the use of these useful telescope accessories. Nice going, Meade.

posted by Joanie K @ 6:09 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

APO refractors - Aug 29, 2007

Why would anyone one spend so much money on such a small telescope? This is a question I get in regard to small APO (apochromatic) refractors, which, by far, are the most expensive telescopes for their size. Do apochromatic refractors see fainter objects than larger telescopes? No. Do APO refractors see more detail than larger telescopes? No. Physics is physics and light amplification and resolution are still largely a matter of objective or mirror size. What, then, can these expensive, though small telescopes do that other telescopes cannot do? The answer is that an APO refractor can provide image quality that is unmatched in any other telescope design. Stars are tiny pinpoints of light against an inky black background. The edges on surface detail and the outline of the moon and planets are razor sharp. These telescopes provide a visual treat for those of us who are addicted to image quality. (That definitely describes me, by the way.) The good news is that there are now some less expensive (not cheap) options to consider, thanks to some new APO telescopes from companies like Meade. For those of you who want to image quality at a good price, you might want to consider the Meade 80mm ED APO. It's a third the price of some of the traditional names in the APO refractor market and it will do a nice job of getting you into the quality view game.

posted by Joanie K @ 5:58 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

Telescope accessories - Aug 28, 2007

One of the most common questions I get from customers when they purchase a telescope is, "What telescope accessories should I by?" The first thing you should buy for any telescope is more or better telescope eyepieces. Better telescopes come with only one eyepiece and you need more than one eyepiece for astronomy, since different objects require different magnifications and, hence, different eyepieces. On less expensive telescopes, you often need better quality eyepieces, since the eyepieces provided are usually of fairly low quality. I like eyepiece kits, even though you sometimes get more than you need or can use to good effect in an eyepiece kit. Kits are a good way to get started and will give you the experience you need to make decisions about more expensive eyepieces. One of my favorites has been the basic Meade Celestial Observer kit, which complements not only many Meade telescopes, but also many other brands of beginner telescopes.

posted by Joanie K @ 6:28 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

Meade camera adapter - Aug 27, 2007

Many of our customers want to know what adapters they need to mount an SLR camera (camera with removable lenses) to their Meade Autostar reflector, such as the Meade DS-2130. All you need for one of these or any other computerized reflector telescope that uses 1.25" eyepieces, is a basic camera adapter, such as the Meade 07356 and a t-ring for your brand and style of SLR camera, such as the Celestron t-rings. For more on the basics of astrophotography, see my article, Astrophotography in a Nutshell

posted by Joanie K @ 6:55 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

Introduction

GearGalaxy.com is sponsored in part by OpticsPlanet.com. The site is designed to introduce the latest and greatest products in the world of science, gadgets and consumer electronics. Gear Galaxy constantly strives to provide our customers with the hottest trends of the industry and offer you the most up-to-date information on topics that matter. Please make sure to read our blog and discussion forum.