The different types of Starfinders

The MEADE Starfinders come in different types. First, we have to distinguish the different

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: