Customer Reviews

Meade DS-2114AT-TC Altazimuth Reflector

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Great Telescope, it does everything as advertised. I'm still figuring out everything it does. I highly recommend this telescope for the begining astromomer.

I ordered a used DS-2114AT-TC for a very nice price (about $160 total), which arrived in its original packaging complete with the eyepieces, carrying case, manual and DVD. Assembly and initial operation went as expected, with no surprises. The DVD was very informative, and a pleasant surprise to receive with the scope. Several years ago I paid around $200 for a reflector telescope made by a different company; that scope had a slightly larger (five inch) mirror, a more traditional electric drive and an aluminum tripod, a CD with astronomy software, plus 'cheaper' eyepieces and Barlow lens. The tripod was the only thing I truly missed on that older scope, as I'll explain below.

At the time that I ordered my scope, I knew that I'd want to supplement -- if not replace -- the MA9mm and MA25mm eyepieces that come with it. So I ordered Orion Telescopes' Explorer II 7-21mm Zoom eyepiece and Shorty 2x Barlow 1.25" to get the most out of the optics. On a warm summer evening I was able to use these together to get a really nice look at the crescent moon even before the sun had set. I was quite pleased with how well I could see features such as craters and mountains. However, the tripod was extended to its fullest reach so that I could (more or less) stand up while viewing. Particularly at higher powers, it was easy to nudge the whole thing while focusing and make the image wobble a little. Not enough to really screw things up, but enough to be a potential bother.

To me, this shows a shortcoming of the Meade DS-2114's tripod, at least in some circumstances. I'm pondering how to 'tweak' things to reduce the problem; lowering the tripod height is the obvious first idea, but depending upon surrounding obstructions like trees and houses that may not be the best solution. Anyway, if I come up with something useful it'll be written up here as an update. Otherwise, I have no real complaints about this scope for the price.

Great for viewing the Moon, Saturn, Mars and the rest of the planets. Once you get used to it, you're gonna like it.
Tracking works, but not for astro-photography. Relatively easy procedure to align. Point the scope to North in a leveled position and then confirm 2 bright stars. Takes about 30 seconds to get it aligned. Unfortunately you have to do this every night. Set the date, the time and align it. Works on batteries or you can buy (build) an adapter. Batteries last a while, no need for adapter unless you spend all night looking at the stars. If you need to collimate it, that's going to be a bit tough, but at least for the first 6 months you should be fine. In actuality you are paying for the motorized mount more than the telescope. Reflective telescopes gather more light than reflectors.Recommended for starters not for medium-advanced users.