2019-06-01_All_About_Space

Meade Polaris 114 EQ

Sturdy and easy to set up, this reflector also allows for

pleasing observations of a wide variety of targets

As ever, Meade has provided a telescope that boasts

a superior build over other instruments within its

price range. Finished off to a high standard, the

manufacturer of the Polaris 114 EQ has provided

a very good selection of eyepieces as well as a 2x

Barlow lens for low, medium and high magnification

that not only saves a dent in the bank balance,

saving the observer from having to buy countless

accessories, but also ensures that the amateur

astronomer has everything they need for an evening

under the night sky. Similar to the telescope itself,

the accessories are well-made with no signs of

finishing glue or stickiness that we’ve encountered

with other telescopes below the £300 price range.

There were a couple of negative points, however:

the red-dot finder’s construction isn’t the best, being

made of plastic, but it certainly got the job done.

Also, the AutoStar instructional DVD that comes with

the telescope is unfortunately unable to be used on a

Macintosh computer.

Assembly is quick and easy. While Meade

Instruments always provides a comprehensive

manual with each of its telescopes, we found the

setting up very intuitive to the point that we rarely

needed to refer to it, making the 114 EQ ideal for

those wanting a telescope that’s quick and easy to

set up, doesn’t want their observing time cut into or

Telescope

advice

Cost: £250 (approx. $320)

From: Currys

Type: Reflector

Aperture: 114mm

Focal length:1,000mm

those who are in the early stages of learning their

way around the night sky. If you’re used to using a

’scope that employs an alt-azimuth mount then you

may find the setting up and use of the Polaris 114

EQ’s German equatorial quite tricky. However, full

guidance is provided in the supplied manual, which is

packed with very useful information. If you’re unsure

of how to get the best out of an equatorial mount

then we advise doing a bit of research on them

before you get stuck into your observations. Polar

aligning is an easy task once the observer knows how

to use this type of mount.

We had an excellent run of clear skies throughout

January and, combined with a dark-sky site, the night

sky was our oyster. Being a reflector the Polaris 114

EQ allows you to choose between a selection of

deep-sky and Solar System targets – small-aperture

refractors seem to fare better with bright targets,

such as the planets and the Moon.

Observing just before dawn gave us the

opportunity to make the most of gas giant Jupiter,

shining at a dazzling magnitude of -1.82. Views of the

planet were clear and crisp thanks to the refractor’s

optics, which have been smothered with anti-

reflection coating. Through the field of view we were

treated to a pale disc, with the Galilean moons strung

out either side of the gas giant's limbs as points of

light. Peripheral vision afforded us the opportunity to

spot the planet's equatorial bands.

We were keen to enhance our viewing experience

so included a selection of coloured filters – orange,

Above:

The Polaris 114

EQ employs

a German

equatorial

mount

Best for...

Intermediate

£ Small budget

Solar System targets

Lunar surface

Bright deep-sky

Basic astrophotography

Right: The
red-dot finder
is flimsy but
does the
job when
navigating the
night sky

STARGAZER