Meade LightBridge 16" F/4.5 Dobsonian Telescope

The 16" LightBridge is the largest LightBridge model. Its incredible light grasp offers four times the image brightness as an 8" telescope used at the same magnification and 75% more than a 12" model. This is one BIG scope. See deep sky objects in spectacular glory especially when used from a dark location.

The 16" LightBridge Dobsonian Telescope features a superior Meade quality multi-coated, diffraction limited 16" primary mirror, focal length 1829mm (f/4.5). The optics of this style of telescope are only as good as their mounting, which is why Meade engineers gave the LightBridge primary mirror a top of the line, fully adjustable, high strength but light weight aluminum stress free floating multi-point cell with built in cooling fan. The included battery pack for the fan takes 8 (user supplied) AA batteries and is used to speed the cool down process of the primary mirror, improving image quality.

Standard equipment includes a high quality, precision machined dual ratio 2" Crayford-style focuser with 10:1 micro focus control, and 1.25" adapter so you can use either 1.25" or 2" barrel eyepieces. Includes a 2" diameter Meade Series 4000 26mm QX Wide Angle Eyepiece for stunning wide angle views. The viewfinder is an easy to use red dot unit with four user selectable reticle pattern options and seven step brightness control. Also includes bonus Meade AutoStar Suite Astronomer Edition Software for checking star charts and planet locations.

The open truss design of the LightBridge Dobsonians means portability of the telescope is dramatically improved over a solid tube design. Taking only moments to set up and take apart for travel, the extremely rigid truss frame design ensures a no-compromises view through the telescope. Hand driven Dobsonian style telescopes by their nature need good mounts with smooth and stable movement to be enjoyable, and here again the LightBridge excels. The sturdy laminated finish wooden Dobsonian mount includes premium features such as roller bearings on the azimuth (side to side) axis and large diameter aluminum altitude (vertical axis) bearings with a hand adjustable variable tension brake for smooth and stable movement.

Fully assembled weight of the optical tube is 33.5kg, mount weight is 24.5kg. Ships in 2 boxes with weights of 41kg and 28kg.

Features:

• Fast 16" f/4.5 1829mm focal length Newtonian Reflector
• Open truss design for ultra portability
• 2" Meade Series 4000 26mm QX Wide Angle Eyepiece