OK, I was dumb enough to buy a Meade. Even dumber to buy it used on AstroMart. After receiving the Meade 102 APO refractor, I noticed a flair to one side on objects viewed. I felt that the scope was not collimated properly and just let it set for awhile since I have many other scopes. I finally sent it back to Meade (going and coming it cost me $163)for collimation. After over a month a representative called me and told me that they collimated the lens, polished the lens, but that I would still see a flare to the one side because the lens is defective; the flair not as bad he said, but I would still see a flare. Well, I asked about replacing the lens and he said that particular model is no longer made and it would be impossible to replace the lens. I can't go back to the guy who sold me the scope because it has been well over a year since I brought it. It was advertised as giving APO images. I guess I am out in the cold on this one, although I feel as though Meade could do something a little better than telling me they are sorry about it. Any ideas out there ????
Defective Meade
Started by scopeking, 05/10/2007 11:02PM
Posted 05/10/2007 11:02PM
Opening Post
Posted 05/10/2007 11:50PM
#1
Hi John,
I have the same scope and just love it so I'm really sorry to hear your story. I don't think you were dumb for buying a Meade (especially this particular refractor -- they generally are a solid value) and you certainly weren't dumb for buying from a fellow Astromarter (we have a great group of people here). However what wasn't smart, and I know you know this, was waiting so long to determine you had bought a defective telescope. It's up to us all to inspect anything we buy here right away and to be as candid with each other as possible when we do find something substantial that is not right.
As sad as this is it is a good lesson to us all.
I'm actually amazed Meade agreed to service it. Especially since they have sold off all their inventory and might not even employ the same technicians that originally assembled this line of scope. And I doubt you can have a master optician repair it for a reasonable cost. I cringe to think of Roland's response if you asked him (he's so busy with all those expensive APOs people are lining up waiting for).
It's very unlikely but you could post an ad here and perhaps someone has trashed their tube and might sell you their optics. Or someone may want to buy your scope for the parts. I guess if the flairing is bad enough you could do what Jon Isaacs did and replace the objective with a 102 mm f9 achromat.
Again, I'm very sorry to hear about the bad news.
Jerry
I have the same scope and just love it so I'm really sorry to hear your story. I don't think you were dumb for buying a Meade (especially this particular refractor -- they generally are a solid value) and you certainly weren't dumb for buying from a fellow Astromarter (we have a great group of people here). However what wasn't smart, and I know you know this, was waiting so long to determine you had bought a defective telescope. It's up to us all to inspect anything we buy here right away and to be as candid with each other as possible when we do find something substantial that is not right.
As sad as this is it is a good lesson to us all.
I'm actually amazed Meade agreed to service it. Especially since they have sold off all their inventory and might not even employ the same technicians that originally assembled this line of scope. And I doubt you can have a master optician repair it for a reasonable cost. I cringe to think of Roland's response if you asked him (he's so busy with all those expensive APOs people are lining up waiting for).
It's very unlikely but you could post an ad here and perhaps someone has trashed their tube and might sell you their optics. Or someone may want to buy your scope for the parts. I guess if the flairing is bad enough you could do what Jon Isaacs did and replace the objective with a 102 mm f9 achromat.
Again, I'm very sorry to hear about the bad news.
Jerry
Posted 05/11/2007 07:00AM
#2
I'm sorry John. That stinks...but I've been down the road with Meade myself. For years, I've warned people away from Meade for reasons exactly like this. The message is finally getting out and being accepted as fact. But, there are still those who just can't see the reality of the situation, so some are still learning the hard way.
Thank you for posting. All we can do is tell it like it is... and your post may help others from making the same mistake.
I wish I could offer some helpful advise, but with Meade there's really very little to hope for. -Kurt Horsley
Thank you for posting. All we can do is tell it like it is... and your post may help others from making the same mistake.
I wish I could offer some helpful advise, but with Meade there's really very little to hope for. -Kurt Horsley
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