Buzzillions.com - Meade LightBridge 8-Inch Truss-Tube Dobsonian Telescope - Deluxe Reviews www.buzzillions.com

Best Big Aperture Value!

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Best Big Aperture Value!

Beaverhausen from Louisville, KY

I liked many of the Dobs out there but kept going back to look at the LightBridges. I couldn't justify spending an extra $250 for an 8" over the standard designs just to get a truss tube design. That was until they dropped it another $100. That made up my mind and I ordered it that day. [...] I had it set up within an hour. Most of the instructions were good but the manual could have used some better pictures and a parts diagram. Other than that, it was an easy setup. The scope is very solid compared to anything I've used before. It doesn't vibrate much when moved or tapped even at very high power. The bearings in the azimuth base are super smooth and the alt glides pretty nicely as well. The friction brakes definitely help though. I keep the az one tightened a tiny bit and only need to use the alt brake if I have the scope up on a table and aim it almost horizontally to the ground for terrestrial use. The included EP is awesome. You will want at least one more for higher … Read more

Best Big Aperture Value!

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Best Big Aperture Value!

Beaverhausen from Louisville, KY

I liked many of the Dobs out there but kept going back to look at the LightBridges. I couldn't justify spending an extra $250 for an 8" over the standard designs just to get a truss tube design. [...]. I had it set up within an hour. Most of the instructions were good but the manual could have used some better pictures and a parts diagram. Other than that, it was an easy setup. The scope is very solid compared to anything I've used before. It doesn't vibrate much when moved or tapped even at very high power. The bearings in the azimuth base are super smooth and the alt glides pretty nicely as well. The friction brakes definitely help though. I keep the az one tightened a tiny bit and only need to use the alt brake if I have the scope up on a table and aim it almost horizontally to the ground for terrestrial use. The included EP is awesome. You will want at least one more for higher magnification or possibly a 2" barlow for the 26mm included though. I hooked up a Philips SP … Read more

Great for the interested beginner

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Great for the interested beginner

Steve from Central Ohio

I love the scope, it's very easy to transport and use. Initial setup a bit of a pain due to the instructions, but breakdown/setup since then couldn't be easier. Packs in my Civic in no time. I can't wait to take it camping. The base is simple and efficient, and pointing is smooth. Difficult to use the finder, however. This is a great scope to set up and go, with no real fuss. I guess the only messing about is with the collimation, and that's only occasionally. This scope is great: quick, easy, painless. A perfect way to easily enjoy the skies. Not really quite a 5 star, but better than a 4. The feeling while looking at the cloud bands of Jupiter is 5 stars though. And there's so much left to see... Read more

Awesome Telescope!

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Awesome Telescope!

Foul5town from Alabama

This telescope is not small. It probably stands about 3 to 4 feet tall depending on where it is aimed at, but it is so easy to move to different locations. It is extremely solid in its construction without any shaking, and when you turn it on its base or aim it higher or lower it so smooth. It's so smooth that I enjoy moving it around when I walk by it. The visual through the scope is very clear and crisp like watching HD through a telescope. The eye piece that it comes with is wonderful, although you will probably want another to get a greater magnification. The focuser is very smooth as well and very well made. I give this an A for construction, an A for looks, an A smoothness and an A for optics. Read more

Good telescope

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Good telescope

CD from Gilbert, AZ

The view through this telescope is great. The construction is solid and the mount moves very smoothly. The manual however didn't match the exact model that I received. The differences were minor, but did lead to some confusion. Also, the finder scope mount was mounted upside down compared to the description in the manual. It doesn't really matter, and it is easy to fix, but it does seem that Meade is somewhat random in how they install the mount. I've seen pictures of the scope on the internet that show it installed both ways. The primary mirror cover seems a bit cheap in comparison with the rest of the telescope. It is just a thin hard plastic lid that sits right on top of the primary mirror. The red dot finder that comes with the scope is great and makes it very easy to find anything that you can spot with the naked eye, however, when you are looking for deep sky objects that are not close to a visible star, you are reduced to guessing and trying to sweep the sky to find … Read more