Meade 16" f/8 ACF OTA

For sale is a very nice Meade 16" f/8 ACF.  The scope performs very well.  Out of focus stars have even intensity rings from central obstruction to the  peripheral ring.  Ronchi pattern shows straight lines with a 100 line grating (best I've got).  Lunar images are very sharp.  The scope has always been kept on a mount in a dome with air conditioning in the summer and mild heating in the winter.  (So Cal does not get that cold, always >35, summers seldom >100.)  The focuser is an internal two-speed Crayford with impressive stability of the big mirror with very minimal side shift.   I usually used a Moonlight focuser on the back most of the time (for sale separately if you are interested--I have other scopes I can use it on.)  There is the usual Losmandy sized dovetail plate on the bottom.  However, I have a pair of Parallax rings for mounting the scope--more solid, less flexure than the dovetail plate.  These are available for $450, shipping extra.  This will be great for deep sky viewing, lunar and planetary and imaging.  I have to say that Meade has done a good job on the optics. There are no dents or scratches in the tube, just dust on the outside as seen in some pictures. The inside of the scope is clean.  I closed off the vents with cardboard and masking tape as the scope was used temperature equalized . I used a Stellarvue finder and that is not for sale.  The OTA weighs about 70 lbs. and it takes two to lift it.  I have the original box that Meade used to ship it to me and it is in good shape.  I highly recommend a local sale as shipping will require truck transportation with the box on a pallet.  I can get a quote but better if you pick it up.  I am also willing to drive up to two hours to meet you (and I won't hit you for the gas bill!!)  I have a Honda Odyssey van that fits a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood in the back.  You will need a similar sized vehicle if picking it up.  If meeting somewhere in the middle, four people total will be needed to move the box.  You can use a smaller car if the scope is not in the box (which is 42.5" long x 39.5" wide x 27" high).  Please note that all checks, personal or cashiers and wire transfers need to clear--this takes two days or so. Paypal can be used but the 3.5% or so must be added.

Let me know if you have any questions and thanks for looking,
Andrew