Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 37

ROD M OLLISE (4)

a pretty refractor. Although similar in
appearance to many current APOs, it
has the distinctive "Meade" blue lens
cap and trim. The build quality is very
good for the price; not quite the same
as units costing twice as much or more,
but solidly built. The multi-coated
objective coatings were visibly effective;
incident light falling on the lens seemed
to practically disappear.
The scope includes a 3-inch
Crayford-style focuser with a 10-to-1
fine-focus knob that incorporates a
non-marring compression-style system
to secure your star-diagonal, camera,
or eyepiece. The focuser itself can be
rotated independently of the tube, a
big help for astrophotographers when
composing shots. Up front is a sliding
dew shield that can be retracted when
installing solar filters, or to save space
when storing or transporting the scope.
Accessories included with the 115
ED are few. A nice set of tube rings are
bolted to a robust Vixen-style dovetail
bracket. The rings are drilled on top to
accommodate an optional bracket for a
guide telescope or other accessories.
Finally, there's an attractive lightweight carrying case for the telescope.
While this aluminum-framed plastic
case holds the scope snugly in place
with die-cut foam and is sufficient for
storing and transporting the scope, it's
not meant to take much abuse.

ture produce on some of my favorite
targets? As you'll see, this refractor novice now concedes that some of the stories about the telescopes' performance I
used to dismiss as myths are true.

First Light

p The telescope's 4½-inch triplet objective
showed reflections only under bright sunlight.

Meade provided several optional
accessories with the telescope, including
a 2-inch mirror star diagonal, though
no finderscope, which is an extra-cost
option. Luckily, the scope is fitted with
the industry-standard finder base,
which permitted me to use the 50-mm
finderscope from my own refractor.
The 115 ED is an f/7 triplet refractor
with one ED element to improve color
correction. This is a sizeable aperture
telescope as APO refractors go, yet it
weighs in at a mere 12.2 pounds.
I was curious to see how well this
reasonably priced 115mm APO performed, and was expecting good things.
How much detail can this modest aper-

When you take the false color of simple
achromatic objective lenses out of the
refractor equation, you are left with an
instrument featuring superior sharpness and contrast thanks to the lack of
an obstructing secondary mirror, which
reduces contrast in the views through
reflectors and compound telescopes.
While the 115mm would not have
stressed out my lightweight Go To German equatorial mount (GEM), I chose
to place the Meade on my 50-poundpayload-capable GEM to give the scope
its best chance to shine. The triplet is
noticeably front-heavy, thanks to its
3-element objective lens. Fortunately,
the tube rings provide plenty of room to
find balance even with heavy eyepieces,
binoviewers, or cameras attached.
First light in my backyard was spent
soaking in views of bright stars and the
first quarter Moon. Nothing tests the
mettle of a refractor like our nearest
celestial neighbor. But first I turned to
brilliant Vega, riding high in the West.
While it's not uncommon for an ED
refractor to display a little color fringing on a bright star that's slightly out

p Left: The beefy 3-inch focuser included with the 115 ED includes a blue anodized 10-to-1 fine-focus knob. Right: The unit's drawtube is marked in
centimeters to help quickly repeat focus with your favorite eyepieces and other accessories. The 2½- to 2-inch visual back can be independently rotated
by holding the large knurled ring and turning the "captain's wheel" with aluminum pegs.
s k y a n d t e l e s c o p e . c o m * M AY 2 0 1 8

37


http://www.skyandtelescope.com

Sky and Telescope - May 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Sky and Telescope - May 2018

Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - Cover1
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - Cover2
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 1
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 2
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 3
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 4
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 5
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 6
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 7
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 8
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 9
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 10
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 11
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 12
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 13
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 14
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 15
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 16
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 17
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 18
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 19
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 20
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 21
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 22
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 23
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 24
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 25
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 26
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 27
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 28
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 29
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 30
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 31
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 32
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 33
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 34
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 35
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 36
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 37
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 38
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 39
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 40
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 41
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 42
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 43
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 44
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 45
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 46
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 47
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 48
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 49
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 50
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 51
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 52
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 53
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 54
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 55
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 56
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 57
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 58
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 59
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 60
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 61
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 62
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 63
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 64
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 65
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 66
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 67
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 68
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 69
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 70
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 71
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 72
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 73
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 74
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 75
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 76
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 77
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 78
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 79
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 80
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 81
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 82
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 83
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - 84
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - Cover3
Sky and Telescope - May 2018 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202406
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202405
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202404_qr
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202401_aus
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202312_aus
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202304_qr
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/skywatch_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201911
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201907
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201811
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201807
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201711
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201707
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201706
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201611
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201606
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201511
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201507
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201505
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201411
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201407
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201406
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_mars
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201405
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201001
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com