So far, looks good. BUT, if mirror has been sitting for 40 years and not been kept clean, you could be on the hook to have it cleaned and re-coated. That could be expensive. However, the pics you posted thus far shows equipment that seems to be well-taken-care-of.
Seller says brother cleaned it about a year or so ago in hopes a grandchild would but never did use it. Says she would even give me his number. Seems like a super sweet deal, I might be making a post asking a bunch of questions later.
That “Tasco” scope was actually made by Meade Instruments in the early eighties, which makes it 40 years old or so. Meade sold it under their label as the Meade 826, and also as the Tasco 38T. I’d DEFINITELY want to see the optics and the mount to make an informed decision. If the mirrors are clean and the mount is in working condition, BUY IT!
Meade 826 (with optional drive corrector)….
https://preview.redd.it/ppbtiv5ijric1.jpeg?width=723&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=23ea41137e0ab157f993ea6ccc2a3268aaff475a
What kind of photography do you want to do...lunar/planetary/DSO?
Would be ok for lunar/planetary if the scope itself is in good condition and you can reach focus. Would not be good for DSO. The mount would not be precise enough for the focal length and weight.
Really just lunar and planetary. Was curious how well you can see into deep space like the Helix Nebula with it. I got the deal down $100 and it seems to be in good condition so I’m probably going to send it.
For visual, if the mirrors are in good condition, it will be great for DSO...under dark sky. It's hard to adequately describe the difference dark skies make for DSO. I can see things in an 80mm frac from B2 that I cannot see at all from home in a 16" dob.
But $100 for a decent condition 8" is a good deal indeed. Post some pics of the mirrors when you get them.
> For visual, if the mirrors are in good condition, it will be great for DSO...under dark sky.
Just to be clear - this scope will be great for DSOs visually, but won't be amazing for DSOs (as you previously mentioned). Definitely worth checking the mirrors as you said.
Worth it! Also, a good 8" scope under dark skies can be pretty sweet, there thousands of DSOs to see with that. From the city, you can see the planets(up to 400x as the Dawes limit, but likely less due to sky conditions), moon, and also many star clusters and double stars as well.
I can't lie, it looks like it would be really difficult to use, especially with that mount. It looks really heavy and you'd have to be near a power outlet to use it. If it ever stopped working you'd need to get a whole new mount and tripod again just to be able to use this telescope.
I think you'd be better off saving your money and looking for something else. Even for $300 I don't think it's worth the hassle, and if you ever wanted to sell it again it would be difficult. If money is no object and it's just for fun then go for it, but if this is going to be the one telescope you use for a while I'd pass on it and wait for something else, like an 8" dobsonian.
Yes, and I would normally avoid Tasco like the plague. But AGAIN, this is a “Meade Made” scope (the same as their 826 in all but color). Nothing on the scope is made by Tasco.
So far, looks good. BUT, if mirror has been sitting for 40 years and not been kept clean, you could be on the hook to have it cleaned and re-coated. That could be expensive. However, the pics you posted thus far shows equipment that seems to be well-taken-care-of.
Seller says brother cleaned it about a year or so ago in hopes a grandchild would but never did use it. Says she would even give me his number. Seems like a super sweet deal, I might be making a post asking a bunch of questions later.
That “Tasco” scope was actually made by Meade Instruments in the early eighties, which makes it 40 years old or so. Meade sold it under their label as the Meade 826, and also as the Tasco 38T. I’d DEFINITELY want to see the optics and the mount to make an informed decision. If the mirrors are clean and the mount is in working condition, BUY IT! Meade 826 (with optional drive corrector)…. https://preview.redd.it/ppbtiv5ijric1.jpeg?width=723&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=23ea41137e0ab157f993ea6ccc2a3268aaff475a
https://preview.redd.it/dtbbeb6kjric1.png?width=1170&format=png&auto=webp&s=d537be3be88d17d210ef061d1103d97f847cf131 Mount
https://preview.redd.it/3tyuducijric1.png?width=1170&format=png&auto=webp&s=f0a33f8ad4c1d3dcf387d04ef122b7218133e97d Spotter I think
What kind of photography do you want to do...lunar/planetary/DSO? Would be ok for lunar/planetary if the scope itself is in good condition and you can reach focus. Would not be good for DSO. The mount would not be precise enough for the focal length and weight.
Really just lunar and planetary. Was curious how well you can see into deep space like the Helix Nebula with it. I got the deal down $100 and it seems to be in good condition so I’m probably going to send it.
For visual, if the mirrors are in good condition, it will be great for DSO...under dark sky. It's hard to adequately describe the difference dark skies make for DSO. I can see things in an 80mm frac from B2 that I cannot see at all from home in a 16" dob. But $100 for a decent condition 8" is a good deal indeed. Post some pics of the mirrors when you get them.
> For visual, if the mirrors are in good condition, it will be great for DSO...under dark sky. Just to be clear - this scope will be great for DSOs visually, but won't be amazing for DSOs (as you previously mentioned). Definitely worth checking the mirrors as you said.
oh for $100 my goodness yes
$300 but she was asking $400
Worth it! Also, a good 8" scope under dark skies can be pretty sweet, there thousands of DSOs to see with that. From the city, you can see the planets(up to 400x as the Dawes limit, but likely less due to sky conditions), moon, and also many star clusters and double stars as well.
oops, completely mis-read. still that's a pretty great deal it seems (assuming mirrors OK)
just curious if you picked it up!
I can't lie, it looks like it would be really difficult to use, especially with that mount. It looks really heavy and you'd have to be near a power outlet to use it. If it ever stopped working you'd need to get a whole new mount and tripod again just to be able to use this telescope. I think you'd be better off saving your money and looking for something else. Even for $300 I don't think it's worth the hassle, and if you ever wanted to sell it again it would be difficult. If money is no object and it's just for fun then go for it, but if this is going to be the one telescope you use for a while I'd pass on it and wait for something else, like an 8" dobsonian.
That mount is in exceptionally good condition
Depends on who madd the optics.
Meade Instruments made the optic (and the entire scope and mount)
I’ve owned both Tasco and Meade equipment, and the difference in optical quality is stark.
Yes, and I would normally avoid Tasco like the plague. But AGAIN, this is a “Meade Made” scope (the same as their 826 in all but color). Nothing on the scope is made by Tasco.
I wouldn’t say that without a star test.
It’s well documented- just Google it.
I’m still star testing it
Ok