Meade Series 4000 Eyepiece and Filter Set

Meade has put together what amounts to almost a full set of their 1.25" Series 4000 Super Plossl oculars, added an inexpensive 2x Barlow lens, moon (ND) filter, a set of colored filters and a fitted aluminum carrying case to keep it all together. Except for the four included colored filters, for which I have never found much use, the components of this set are generally useful and it is a way for the beginning telescope owner to acquire a set of good quality, matched eyepieces that, along with the 26mm Plossl ocular that probably came with his or her telescope, leaves them prepared to observe practically anything in the heavens. All of the Meade Super Plossl oculars are parfocal except for the 40mm. The 2009 MSRP of this set is $249, so you save a little money compared to buying each item separately and gain a lot of convenience. An ocular case is a practical necessity for anyone taking a portable telescope into the field and this is a way to get one.

The Plossl ocular design is well suited for general-purpose viewing. Plossls are excellent for deep space viewing and for seeing faint planetary nebula. They are a good choice for splitting close double stars and can provide spectacular planetary and lunar detail in good seeing conditions. They work well in all types of astronomical telescopes and with the Barlow lens included in the Set.

The Meade Series 4000 Super Plossls are made with four elements in two symmetrical groups, the standard Plossl optical formula. Meade claims that their Super Plossl designs are computer optimized to offer excellent center to edge sharpness, a reasonably wide apparent field of view (AFOV) of 52 degrees (44 degrees for the SP40mm), decent eye relief (particularly in focal lengths of 25mm and longer), plus minimal astigmatism, chromatic aberration and spherical aberration. Meade's Series 4000 oculars feature seven-layer multi-coatings, edge blackened elements and fold-down rubber eyecups. All of these oculars are threaded to accept standard 1.25" filters. The three longer focal length eyepieces included in this set have rubber grip rings.

The six focal lengths included in the Set are 6.4mm, 9.7mm, 12.4mm, 15mm, 32mm and 40mm. The only focal lengths not included are the 26mm that comes with most telescopes and the 20mm, which I think should have been. Order an individual 20mm Super Plossl (about $39 at 2009 online retail prices) when you order the Set and you'll have them all.

In the market place, the Meade 4000 Eyepiece and Filter Set competes directly with Celestron's Eyepiece - Filter Accessory Kit (2009 MSRP $165.99). We have previously reviewed the Celestron Kit and you will find that article on the Astronomy and Photography index page. Both sets include filters, an inexpensive Barlow lens and an aluminum carrying case. The Celestron set is less expensive, but only includes five Plossl oculars (instead of six).

Meade Super Plossl oculars generally have a good reputation for performance. (There is a review of Meade Series 4000 Super Plossl oculars on the Photography and Astronomy index page.) The knock on Meade products, including the Series 4000 eyepieces, is their spotty quality control and indifferent customer service. That is a bad combination, as it increases your chances of getting a new ocular with a flaw in materials or workmanship and decreases your chances of having the problem resolved promptly and successfully. Meade Series 4000 eyepieces come with a one-year warranty.