
( Brand: Celestron ), ( Manufacturer Part Number: 52286 ), ( Model: CELESTRON 52286 ), ( Type: Catadioptric ), ( Finderscope: Spotting ), ( Aperture: 90 Mm )
The Celestron 52286 Spotting Telescope, also known as the Meade Instruments Series 5000 77mm Apochromatic Refractor Telescope, is an excellent instrument for both terrestrial and celestial observation. This telescope's Optical Tube Assembly (OTA) is manufactured by Meade Instruments, a well-known brand in the astronomical community for producing high-quality telescopes.
The telescope boasts a powerful 77mm (3-inch) achromatic refractor objective lens that provides a generous light-gathering ability. Its apochromatic design reduces chromatic aberration, ensuring that colors remain true at the edges of the field of view. This results in crisp, clear, and accurate images, making it an ideal choice for observing fine details in the Moon, planets, and other celestial bodies.
The Celestron 52286 Spotting Telescope features a dual-speed 2-inch Crayford-style focuser that offers fine adjustments for focusing. The focuser comes with a 1.25-inch adapter, allowing you to use a variety of eyepieces. The telescope also comes with a 25mm Meade Plossl eyepiece, providing a generous 22.5x magnification, and a 10mm Meade Plossl eyepiece, which increases the magnification to 72x.
The telescope's altazimuth mount, also known as an altitude-azimuth or alt-az mount, allows for easy and smooth movement in both altitude (up and down) and azimuth (left and right) directions. The mount includes a setting circles and a slow-motion control for fine adjustments, making it an excellent choice for terrestrial observation as well.
The telescope's sleek and compact design, coupled with its lightweight build, makes it easy to transport and set up. The OTA measures 16.2 inches (41.1 cm) long, 3 inches (7.6 cm) in diameter, and weighs just 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg). The telescope comes with a star diagonal, finder scope, and a soft carrying case, ensuring that you have everything you need for your observing sessions.
In conclusion, the Celestron 52286 Spotting Telescope is a versatile and powerful instrument suitable for both terrestrial and celestial observation. Its high-quality optics, adjustable dual-speed focuser, and sturdy altazimuth mount make it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced astronomers.
The Celestron 52286 and Meade Instruments 773 are both high-quality spotting telescopes designed for terrestrial observation. Both models offer excellent optics and features, but there are some differences between the two that could influence your buying decision. Here are the pros and cons of each telescope:
**Celestron 52286**
Pros:1. High-quality optics: The Celestron 52286 features fully multi-coated glass that provides excellent light transmission and reduces glare and image distortion.
2. Adjustable focus: The telescope comes with an adjustable focus knob that allows for fine-tuning of the image.
3. Compact design: The Celestron 52286 has a compact design, making it easy to transport and set up.
4. Good value for money: The telescope offers excellent features and performance at a reasonable price.
Cons:1. Limited eyepiece options: The Celestron 52286 comes with only one eyepiece, which may not be suitable for all observation needs.
2. Manual altitude adjustment: The telescope's altitude adjustment is manual, which could be a drawback for those who prefer a more convenient setup.
**Meade 773**
Pros:1. High-quality optics: Like the Celestron 52286, the Meade 773 features fully multi-coated glass for excellent light transmission and image clarity.
2. Dual-speed focus: The telescope comes with a dual-speed focus mechanism, which makes fine-tuning the image easier and more convenient.
3. Adjustable tripod: The Meade 773 comes with an adjustable tripod, which makes it easier to adjust the telescope's position and height.
4. Wide field of view: The telescope's 77mm objective lens provides a wider field of view than the Celestron 52286, making it suitable for observing larger areas.
Cons:1. Heavier and larger: The Meade 773 is heavier and larger than the Celestron 52286, making it less portable and more difficult to set up.
2. More expensive: The Meade 773 is more expensive than the Celestron 52286, which could be a barrier for some buyers.
In conclusion, both the Celestron 52286 and Meade 773 are excellent spotting telescopes with high-quality optics and unique features. The Celestron 52286 offers a compact design and good value for money, while the Meade 773 provides a wider field of view and more convenient focus mechanism. Ultimately, your choice between the two will depend on your specific observing needs and preferences.
If you value portability and affordability, the Celestron 52286 may be the better choice. However, if you prefer a wider field of view and more convenient focus mechanism, the Meade 773 may be worth the extra investment.
Recommendation:Based on the pros and cons of each telescope, I would recommend the Celestron 52286 for those who prioritize portability and affordability. However, if you require a wider field of view and more convenient focus mechanism, the Meade 773 may be the better option. Ultimately, it is essential to consider your specific observing needs and preferences before making a decision.
If I did not have better scopes would keep this one for my collection. Celestron 90mm spotting scope, correct image diagonal, optical viewer, Meade SPL26mm/MA9mm eyepieces, all lens caps. Retail list price without hard case and extra eyepiece is $225-$279.