Exprience Shared on Using Meade Series 5000 Extra Wide Eyepieces
Meade Series 5000 Ultra Wide Angle (UWA) Eyepieces: Wide Field Views for Amateur Astronomers
The Meade Series 5000 Ultra Wide Angle (UWA) family of eyepieces is a popular choice among amateur astronomers, known for their large apparent fields of view and high-quality optics.
These eyepieces offer a typical field of view around 70° or more, providing immersive, edge-to-edge sharpness and high contrast views when used with telescopes. Key features include an ultra-wide angle field of view, high optical quality, robust build, and ideal performance for high-magnification use.
Ultra-Wide Angle Field of View
The wide field of view allows users to see a larger portion of the sky or target object without moving the telescope, enhancing viewing comfort and making them ideal for deep-sky observation and wide-field planetary views.
High Optical Quality
The Series 5000 UWA typically uses multi-element lens designs with premium glass and coatings, producing sharp, clear images with minimal distortion, chromatic aberration, and internal reflections.
Robust Build
These eyepieces are generally well-constructed, often featuring metal barrels and high-quality eye cups for comfortable viewing.
Ideal for High-Magnification Use
They perform well in telescopes requiring high resolution and contrast for detailed observations.
Comparison with Other High-Performance Eyepieces
| Feature | Meade Series 5000 UWA | Other High-Performance Eyepieces (e.g., Tele Vue Ethos, Baader Hyperion) | |-------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Field of View | Typically ~70° wide-angle | 68° to 110° (Ethos at 110°, Baader Hyperion up to ~82°) | | Optical Quality | High quality, good correction for aberrations| Often involves more advanced optical formulas, superior coatings for contrast | | Price Range | Mid-to-high, generally more affordable than premium brands | Generally more expensive, especially for widest fields like Ethos | | Build Quality | Solid metal construction, good eye relief | Premium metals, often more ergonomic designs, sometimes heavier | | Use Case | Balanced wide field and sharpness in amateur use | Designed for extreme wide fields and professional/amateur advanced imaging |
Cost and Optical Performance
Meade Series 5000 UWA eyepieces are usually more affordable than ultra-wide ethereal eyepieces like those from Tele Vue Ethos, which can cost several times more. While Meade's Series 5000 UWAs deliver excellent sharpness and contrast, the very highest-end eyepieces like the Tele Vue Ethos or Baader Hyperion offer slightly wider fields (up to or beyond 100°) and may have marginally better edge sharpness and less distortion due to more complex lens designs.
Additional Features
The Meade UWA eyepieces are parfocal, meaning that as you change from one eyepiece to the next, you should not have to refocus. All Meade UWA eyepieces are fully multicoated, providing improved light transmission and reduced internal reflections. Meade states that the eyepieces include "exotic" optical glasses, though they do not provide specifics.
In summary, the Meade Series 5000 UWA eyepieces offer a compelling combination of wide field, high optical quality, and affordability, making them a strong choice for amateur astronomers seeking immersive views without the premium cost of top-tier wide-angle eyepieces.
Telescopes equipped with Meade Series 5000 Ultra Wide Angle (UWA) eyepieces utilize gadgets offering a field of view of about 70° or higher, perfect for space-and-astronomy enthusiasts to observe wide-field planets and deep-sky phenomena without adjusting their equipment's position. These eyepieces, part of the science and technology domain, pair well with refractor telescopes due to their robust build and manual focus capabilities. Their high optical quality ensures sharp, clear images with reduced chromatic aberration and distortion. Users can complement their observing experience with eyepieces like Tele Vue Ethos or Baader Hyperion, delivering even wider fields of view, but at a higher price point. Despite being more affordable, the Meade Series 5000 UWA eyepieces maintain a balance between cost and performance, making them an attractive option for amateur astronomers.
