Customer Reviews

Meade DS-114EC 325 x 60mm Reflecting Telescope

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

Look, as an amateur astronomer I can tell you most beginners would be much better served buying a different telescope. While the price may seem attractive for a "computerized" scope, the reliability of its electronics are poor, and the optics are below average (the most important part). If you are truly serious about getting yourself or someone else into the hobby, please spend a little more and buy a 6" or 8" reflector on a dobsonian mount. This will enable the user of the telescope to actually learn the sky first! Any dobsonian by Orion, Celestron, or Discovery telescopes should do. I hope this helps.

Once aligned, the object is very difficult to center. Focusing moves the object out of view...if it locates it. The motor drive stopped functioning correctly after 2 hrs of use. Pretty dissapointing!

This telescope is an excelent buy at the moment for [amt]. The review that states you should save yourself the trouble by buying a Newtonian/Dobsonian telescope did not meantion that the average price is around [amt] for a cheap telescope. Dobsonians ARE quality telescopes for their price, but if you just want to get started and don't care too much about all the tecnical stuff (but eventually want to know what it's all about) you should start with this telescope. I am happy with mine, although, I bought it a year ago near the price Amazon lists at above [amt], but I've been happy with it because of its nice electronic control, which is necessary to keep track of objects you are viewing at high magnification (adjusting the telescope by hand is difficult). The scope comes with TWO eyepieces instead of one. Each eyepiece has a magnification of 36X and 101X for the 25mm and 9mm pieces respectively. Add a 2X or 3X Barlow lens and you can double or triple those magnifications. Note that Meade suggests a maximum of 325X magnification is the limit of the scope.

I bought this for my daughter who wanted a telescope. I have had a few over the years and know my way around a telescope and the night sky. Over all I like the scope, especially at the price. It could use better eye pieces and a the finder scope that comes with it is a pain. I plan on buying more eyepieces and replacing the finder.

Hello! Thinking of the Meade DS 114, 4.5" reflector? It's a very good starter telescope, provided you get 1.25" eyepieces and not 0.985" eyepieces, and a 30mm finder and not a 24mm finder.

Once you get used to the electronic controller, you may want to buy and add (a) an electronic focuser that is operated from the little controller, or (b) a go-to 495 or 497 controller.

However, you can get this telescope on eBay for $122 from the manufacturer, meade Instruments. Sure, it may have a scuff on the tube, but it's half price and has a full guarantee.

- Canadian astronomer

Bought this for my daughter for Christmas - got some drawbacks - but for the price, and for a beginer, this is one heck of a deal..we have had a blast with this scope in the backyard just goofing around and figuring it all out together. I am very happy with this scope and for an entry level scope it is well worth the money. I looked at plenty of scopes before this one, and for under $200 this is the biggest bang for the bucks - anyone that was disappointed in this scope was looking for a Cadillac on a Yugo budget. We totally dig it and two of my adult friends are ordering one!

It's a great price. It gives clear views and the objects are very detailed when looking through a high magnification eyepiece.
Also it is easy to operate and it's a perfect first telescpe for people who are just getting started in amateur astronomy.
It's hard to keep the telescope lined up with the object while changing eyepieces and it's hard to move it indoors and outdoors because of its size.Those are the only bad things I could find.