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Condition:
This is a used Meade Series 5000 80mm Triplet APO in decent condition. The outer body has many cosmetic issues as you can see in the photos, but the optics are in better, more clean condition though there is still some dust on the glass. We have taken these condition issues into account in the pricing.
This includes the OTA, the mounting rings and dovetail, a Hotech field flattener, a ZWO EAF (new 5V version, already attached), and a generic metal hard case to carry the tube itself in. This does not include a diagonal or any items to use this scope visually such as eyepieces or a finder scope/red dot.
Description:
MEADE OTA:
The Series 5000 80 mm Triplet ED APO OTA from Meade is a 3-element apochromatic refractor telescope with an aperture of 3.1" and a focal length of 480 mm. It's designed to deliver crisp wide-field viewing capability, and outstanding astrophotography performance.
Featuring a triple objective lens manufactured from high-quality ED (extra-low dispersion) glass, the Series 5000 ED APO virtually eliminates all chromatic aberration. The absence of color fringing allows for textbook-perfect pinpoint star images - with the Series 5000 ED APO, deep-sky observers can depend on stunning high-resolution viewing.
The Series 5000 ED APO OTA comes fitted with a 2.0" Crayford focuser and a Series 5000 2.0" diagonal. The manual dual-speed focusing unit offers a 10:1 gear-reduction for ultra-fine focus control. The 2.0" diagonal accepts 2.0" eyepieces, and its optical path is reported to provide up to 99% light transmission.
The Series 5000 OTA can be attached to standard photo-style tripods with its included mounting bracket that offers 1/4"-20 mounting bolts. This mounting bracket can also be secured to the existing dovetail on Meade's LXD75 tripod without modification.
- Objective: 3.1" / 80 mm
- Focal length: 480 mm f/6.0
- Optical design: 3-element apochromatic refractor
- Optical lenses: fully multicoated to enhance light transmission. Air spaced lens cells with extremely low dispersion glass
- ED glass: nearly eliminates secondary chromatic aberration. Achieves a very small change in refractive index with different wavelengths of light
HOTECH FLATTENER:
High Quality Optics Designed for Refractor Telescopes! This field flattener is fully multi-coated on a two-element lens allowing the most efficient light transmission without sacrificing the precious light collected from your telescope. It accommodates f/5 to f/8 refractor telescopes. You will see bright and sharp images across the entire field.
The Field Flattener has built-in standard 2"/48mm (M48-P0.75) female filter thread on the telescope side. On the camera side is a male T-thread (M42x0.75) that accepts all kinds of 35mm cameras (Camera specific 42mm T-ring required for this is not included). Note that this T thread is not the same as the newer 48mm T thread found on a few adapters and accessories.
The flattener's back-focus requirement is 55mm (2.17") from the male T-thread to the CCD chip on your camera. This is to be measured from the shoulder of the flattener (where the male T thread begins). The length of the male T thread is approximately 2.5mm but this will be covered by the T thread spacer or T ring. Many T rings have a thickness of 16mm, of which 5mm will be inserted into the camera body, leaving an effective optical path length of 11mm for the T ring. So, for example, threading a T ring on this flattener will provide a spacing of 16mm from the shoulder of the flattener to the end of the T ring, or 11mm to the camera lens mount. With many of today's SLR cameras, a T ring might provide all the spacing you need with this flattener. T thread spacers are sold separately if you need additional spacing.
The image of Vega above (third photo) was taken with a Takahashi TSA-102 (f/8) telescope using a Canon SXi DSLR. Stack of 4 x 5 min exposures without sharpening or noise reduction. Note that the enlarged star at the right edge of the photo remains circular.
SCA (Self Centering Adapter) Brings your Camera to the Closest Optical Axis in the Drawtube/Visual back for the Best Imaging Result
To capture great images from your telescope, it is essential to position your camera firmly in and on the optical axis of your drawtube/visual back. The SCA T-Adapter center loads your camera in the drawtube/visual back with the simple threading of a compression ring forcing the built-in rubber rings outward radially, thereby centering the camera in the drawtube/visual back for optimal installation.
SCA Eliminates Drawtube/Visual Back Slop
All drawtube/visual backs have manufacturing tolerances and require a larger diameter to accept various eyepieces and adapters. When the camera adapter is inserted, the gap between the drawtube/visual back and the inserted device creates a slop problem. The rubber rings in the SCA expand radially according to the users own adjustment to fill the gaps. This makes sure that your camera seats firmly in your drawtube/visual back, becoming part of your telescope for a secure and repeatable installation.
SCA Eliminates Unstable Locking from Thumbscrew or Unified Compression Ring
The optical axis is shifted when the inserted device is locked in by the thumbscrew. In some cases, some poorly made unified compression rings can cause unstable tilt when locking in the drawtube due to loose tolerances between the compression ring, inner groove, and the uneven tip of the locking thumbscrew in a drawtube. The SCA T-Adapter fits your camera without using the thumbscrew or the unified compression ring.
SCA Accepts the Imperfection of a Drawtube/Visual Back
Have small imperfections inside the drawtube like dents or scratches? The rubber rings fill the gaps and faithfully center your camera in the tube. In addition, even if the drawtube is slightly deformed in diameter or egg-shaped, the rubber rings in the SCA will compensate for the difference and faithfully center your camera.
Short SCA Profile Prevents Oscillation
The short profile design keeps the installed camera stable from low frequency oscillation transferred from the telescope in a windy environment. The back focus of the 2" SCA T-Adapter is 19mm (0.75") measured from drawtube shoulder to the bottom T-Thread.
SCA Damps Vibration
The all-around, adjustable tightness, rubber contact dampens unwanted vibrations from the telescope providing you a sturdy attachment on your telescope for stable image capture.
Weight = 5.6oz.
ZWO EAF:
This version of the Electronic Automatic Focuser (EAF) from ZWO eliminates the 12V DC port, allowing the unit to transmit data and be powered through a single 5V USB 2.0 Type-B port. This means simpler setup and fewer tangled cords!
The ZWO 5V EAF is an electronic focuser that allows for dynamic, precise focus control for deep-sky and planetary imaging alike. A major benefit of this electronic automatic focuser is its highly integrated design and support for INDI, ASCOM drivers and software, ASIAIR and ASIStudio, automatic focusing, manual focusing with hand controller (sold separately), and a temperature sensor (sold separately).
Compared to earlier versions of the ZWO EAF, the main advantage of the 5V USB is the elimination of the 12V power supply port. Not only does this allow for better cord management, but reduces power consumption and supply pressure when in remote settings. This unit receives power and transmits data through its single USB 2.0 port. A single separate auxiliary port supports either a temperature sensor or hand controller (sold separately).
The Standard EAF 5V USB 2.0 works with all capture software that is supported by the ASCOM platform. This can be added to the ASIAIR WiFi imaging and control system (sold separately) to complete the system and allow users to run their entire imaging sessions with a smartphone or tablet and can do so indoors, if they choose.
ZWO EAF 5V USB 2.0 Specifications
- Size: 59 mm x 52 mm x 41 mm
- Motor: Step Motor: 35mm diameter; 7.5-degree step angle
- Power/Data Port: USB 2.0 Type-B
- Weight: 277g.
- Capacity: 5kg
- Material: All-metal
- Color: Red
Support list:
- William Optics
- SkyWatcher Astrophotography Reflectors, SkyWatcher Black Diamond, SkyWatcher Dobsonians, SkyWatcher Maksutov-Newtonians.
- SharpStar telescopes
- SkyRover telescopes
- TS Optics
- Astro Tech
- Feather Touch
Please be aware that not all models from the brands above are supported.
More models will be supported in the future. Please stay tuned.
Parameters:
- Size: 59mm x 52mm x 41mm
- Moter: Step moter, 35mm diameter, 7.5° step angle
- Reduction ratio: 120
- Power/Data port: USB2.0 port, Type-B
- Weight: 277g
- Capacity: 5kg