Overview of Typesü
The Starfinder EQs
The Dobsonians
|
The different types of Starfinders
The MEADE Starfinders come in different types. First, we have to distinguish the different
sizes in aperture.
The smallest Newtonian of this family yet has an aperture of 6 inches (153mm). Furthermore
there are aperture sizes of 8", 10" and 16" available, as well Dobsonian or equatorially mounted.
Between the 10-inch and the 16-inch Dobsonians, there also comes a mid-size 12.5-inch
Dobsonian. If you have a closer look to the German equatorial Starfinder mounts, it will be
clear, why there is no 12.5-inch equatorial version:
There are two versions of the Starfinder equatorial mount, the SF1 for the 6-, 8- and 10-inchers
and the much more mightier (and more expensive, of course) SF2 for the 16-inch scope.
The SF1 is on its limit when loaded with the 10-inch tube, the 12.5" with it's roughly 50%
higher focal length would be too bulky for the SF1. So, you would need the SF2. This one's
much more expensive. The price gap between the 12.5" and the 16" tubes has nearly no
weight in comparison to the total amount of the 16" EQ. In terms of numbers, its only about
10%! The SF2, as bulky as it is, is only usable in a stationary setup. So, why bother with the
smaller 12.5 inches of aperture?
Here if have put together a table with all the technical data of the complete Starfinder family:
Meade Starfinder
|
EQ 6"
|
EQ 8"
|
EQ 10"
|
EQ 16"
|
Dob 6"
|
Dob 8"
|
Dob 10"
|
Dob12,5"
|
Dob 16"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aperture [mm]
|
152
|
203
|
254
|
406
|
152
|
203
|
254
|
318
|
406
|
Focal length [mm]
|
1220
|
1220
|
1140
|
1830
|
1220
|
1220
|
1140
|
1525
|
1830
|
Focal ration
|
f/8
|
f/6
|
f/4.5
|
f/4.5
|
f/8
|
f/6
|
f/4.5
|
f/4.8
|
f/4.5
|
Separation ["]
|
0,74
|
0,56
|
0,45
|
0,28
|
0,74
|
0,56
|
0,45
|
0,36
|
0,28
|
Visual limit
|
13m5
|
14m0
|
14m5
|
15m6
|
13m5
|
14m0
|
14m5
|
15m0
|
15m6
|
Photographic limit
|
16m0
|
16m5
|
17m0
|
18m1
|
16m0
|
16m5
|
17m0
|
17m4
|
18m1
|
Focal scale, °/inch
|
1,18
|
1,18
|
1,26
|
0,79
|
1,18
|
1,18
|
1,26
|
0,95
|
0,79
|
Size of picture (24mmx36mm) [°x°]
|
1,11x1,58
|
1,11x1,58
|
1,19x1,70
|
0,74x1,06
|
1,11x1,58
|
1,11x1,58
|
1,19x1,70
|
0,89x1,27
|
0,74x1,06
|
Maximum magnification
|
400
|
500
|
600
|
600
|
400
|
500
|
600
|
600
|
600
|
Secondary mirror [mm]
|
30
|
47
|
61
|
102
|
30
|
47
|
61
|
66
|
102
|
Obstruction [%]
|
3,9
|
3,6
|
5,6
|
6,2
|
3,9
|
3,6
|
5,6
|
4,3
|
6,2
|
Tube diameter [mm]
|
194
|
244
|
323
|
483
|
194
|
244
|
323
|
384
|
483
|
Tube length [mm]
|
1220
|
1220
|
1143
|
1677
|
1220
|
1220
|
1143
|
1474
|
1677
|
Column height [mm]
|
610
|
610
|
610
|
458
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
Column diameter [mm]
|
102
|
102
|
102
|
153
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
Setting circle RA [mm]
|
178
|
178
|
178
|
153
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
Setting circle DE [mm]
|
77
|
77
|
77
|
153
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
Polar angle [°]
|
5 bis 60
|
5 bis 60
|
10 bis 60
|
25 bis 60
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
Total weight [kg]
|
25,9
|
31,3
|
44
|
112,1
|
|
|
|
|
|
Heaviest component[kg]
|
15,9
|
15,9
|
15,9
|
28,2
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tube weight [kg]
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
9,1
|
11,8
|
13,6
|
25
|
45,4
|
|