Meade DS-114EC 325 x 60mm Reflecting Telescope

by Meade

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 31 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004SPCB
• Item model number: DS-114EC
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,049 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Meade's DS-114EC reflecting telescope offers a large aperture, high-quality optics, and easy push-button electronic operation, making it a perfect instrument for the serious beginner or intermediate observer. It features improved mounting for precise, smooth altitude and azimuth movements. Its high-resolution, multicoated primary and secondary mirrors are free of the optical zones and irregularities often found on optics of lesser quality. It includes the Meade handheld electronic controller, which allows for four-speed push-button operation and easy object location and tracking. It also includes Meade's StarNavigator software, which displays more than 10,000 celestial objects for help in locating galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, stars, and planets. It comes with a full-length adjustable heavy-duty aluminum tripod with accessory shelf.

The DS-114EC exhibits Meade's fine attention to detail and quality. It offers a resolving power of 1.5 arcseconds, a limiting visual magnitude of 11.6, a 275x maximum practical visual power, and a 6mm by 30mm viewfinder. Its large 114mm aperture allows you to observe celestial objects like the rings of Saturn, Saturn's largest satellite, Titan, the moon-like phases of Venus, and hundreds of deep-space phenomena like galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters.

The DS-114EC is also built to be fully compatible with Meade's Autostar computer controller, for automatic location and tracking of celestial objects.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

140 of 146 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Amateur Telescope, June 13, 2000

By 

Michael Demmons (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Meade DS-114EC 325 x 60mm Reflecting Telescope (Electronics)

I have been using my friend's Meade DS-114 for about three months now, and I will say that I am truly impressed by the quality of this item. I have been searching for about 6 months for the right telescope, and I think I have found it.

The optics are incredible, and Meade doesn't make anything cheaply. All the materials seem to be top quality. You might wish to buy yourself a carrying case too. My friend has a couple scratches in his scope that would never be there if he had proper storage!

And just so you all know, Amazon has the best price that I have found to date. If you are going to buy a telescope (or binoculars for that matter) Meade is the way to go!

83 of 93 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not the ideal choice, December 12, 2000

By 

Michael J Edelman (Huntington Woods, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Meade DS-114EC 325 x 60mm Reflecting Telescope (Electronics)

The DS-114EC is Meade's version of the traditional imported 4-1/4" scope with Meade's new computerized pointing system. As such, it has all the advantages of the latter but retains the drawbacks of the former.

A 4-1/4" reflector is a very small scope to begin with, and the secondary mirror obstruction reduces the light gathering to that of a smaller scope. The computerized mount isn't terribly stable., and you have to be very careful not to set it vibrating when you touch it.

When you're spending in the neighborhood of [price], you have a lot of options, one of which is the wide variety of 6" to 8" dobsonian-type reflectors available from Meade, Celestron and many other manufacturers. They're more rugged, more stable, and have two or three times the light gathering aperture. Add to that a copy of a good star guide like "Turn Left at Orion" and you'll have a package that will deliver more enjoyment for a longer time.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent deal, November 10, 2001

By 

Edward E Newgen (Eagle, Idaho United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meade DS-114EC 325 x 60mm Reflecting Telescope (Electronics)

I conducted extensive research prior to purchasing this product and could not find a comparable product for the price. Not only does the telescope and software get you up and running quickly, you can increase the scopes capability by purchasing additional eyepieces. It is very sturdy and easy to use. The first night I could view Jupiter and its moons, and Saturn. Unfortunately the high power eyepiece is of poor quality so I couldn't see Saturns rings, but for the price you can buy several eyepieces and still spend less than it would cost for comparable products. The motorized tracking is great too.