EDISLA Astra 114 vs Meade EclipseView 114: Honest Comparison

Both the EDISLA Astra 114 and the Meade EclipseView 114 are excellent 114mm tabletop telescopes — the same proven, library-grade parabolic design that NASA outreach programs and hundreds of public libraries chose for beginners. Because they share that core design, choosing between them comes down to a handful of real, specific differences. This is the honest comparison, with no inflated claims, to help you pick the right one.

What They Have in Common

First, the shared foundation — both telescopes are:

• True 114mm (4.5-inch) parabolic Newtonian reflectors — not Bird-Jones designs
• 450mm focal length, f/3.95 — the fast, wide-field formula of the famous library telescopes
• Mounted on stable tabletop bases — no wobbly EQ tripod, no polar alignment
• Capable of showing Saturn's rings, Jupiter's moons, the Moon in detail, star clusters, and bright deep-sky objects
• Fully supported and serviceable by EDISLA in India

In other words, optically and mechanically, you cannot go wrong with either. Both are the genuine article. The differences below decide which suits you.

The Real Differences

Difference 1: Eyepieces — Plossl vs Standard

This is the most meaningful optical difference between the two. The EDISLA Astra 114 ships with all-metal, glass Plossl eyepieces (10mm and 20mm) plus a 3x Barlow lens. The Plossl is a four-element eyepiece design that delivers a wider, sharper field of view, better contrast, and more comfortable eye relief than the simpler eyepiece designs typically bundled with budget telescopes.

Good eyepieces matter more than most beginners realise — they are half of the optical system. A telescope is only as good as the eyepiece you look through. The Astra's metal-bodied glass Plossls are a genuine quality upgrade, and the 3x Barlow effectively doubles your magnification options, turning the two eyepieces into four magnifications. This is a real reason the Astra costs more.

The Meade EclipseView 114 includes serviceable glass eyepieces (26mm and 9mm) — perfectly good to start with — but they are not Plossls, and there is no Barlow. Many owners upgrade eyepieces later; with the Astra, you already have quality glass in the box.

Difference 2: Solar Observation — The Meade's Unique Strength

The Meade EclipseView 114 includes a white-light solar filter and a dedicated sun-finder — letting you safely observe the Sun by day, including sunspots and solar eclipses, in addition to night-sky astronomy. The Astra 114 does not include solar equipment.

If safe daytime solar observation matters to you — for example, for children who can use the telescope during the day, or to watch the solar eclipses visible from India — the Meade's included solar kit is a genuine advantage that the Astra does not match. This is the Meade's standout feature and a real reason to choose it.

Difference 3: Brand and Backing

The Astra is EDISLA's own brand — current-production and fully controlled by EDISLA, which means parts, replacements, and support come directly from the company that makes it, with no dependence on any external manufacturer. For buyers who want long-term peace of mind about support and spares, the Astra is the most reassuring choice.

The Meade EclipseView is an American-designed telescope. Meade as a global company has wound down its operations, which is precisely why EDISLA is able to offer the EclipseView 114 at a lower, value price — and why EDISLA backs it directly with India-side support. The telescope itself is mechanically simple (a tube, mirrors, focuser, and base) with essentially nothing to "service," so EDISLA's local support fully covers what an owner needs. You get a proven design at a keen price, supported in India.

Which Should You Buy?

Choose the EDISLA Astra 114 (₹24,999) if:

• You want the best eyepieces in the box — all-metal glass Plossls plus a 3x Barlow
• You value buying a current-production, fully-backed, India-owned brand
• You want the telescope with 1,500+ Indian reviews at 4.9/5
• Long-term support and spares peace of mind matters to you

View the EDISLA Astra 114 — ₹24,999 (limited stock)

Choose the Meade EclipseView 114 (₹16,999) if:

• You want safe daytime solar observation — the included solar filter and sun-finder are its standout feature
• You want the proven 114mm design at the best value price
• You are happy to upgrade eyepieces yourself later if you wish

View the Meade EclipseView 114 — ₹16,999

The Bottom Line

Both are the same excellent, library-grade 114mm parabolic tabletop design — there is no "bad" choice here. Buy the Astra 114 for the premium eyepieces and the reassurance of a current, fully-backed in-house brand. Buy the Meade EclipseView 114 for solar observation and the best value price. Either will show you Saturn's rings, Jupiter's moons, and a sky full of wonders for years to come.

Compare both side by side at the EDISLA telescope collection, or see the FAQ for more help choosing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the EDISLA Astra 114 better than the Meade EclipseView 114?

They use the same 114mm parabolic optical design, so neither is "better" optically. The Astra 114 includes superior all-metal glass Plossl eyepieces plus a 3x Barlow and is EDISLA's own fully-backed current-production brand. The Meade EclipseView 114 includes a solar filter for daytime observation and costs less. Choose based on whether you prioritise premium eyepieces and brand backing (Astra) or solar capability and value (Meade).

Why does the Astra 114 cost more than the Meade EclipseView 114?

The Astra 114 includes higher-quality all-metal glass Plossl eyepieces and a 3x Barlow lens, and is a current-production telescope from EDISLA's own brand with direct long-term support. The Meade EclipseView 114 is offered at a lower value price and includes a solar filter instead of Plossl eyepieces.

Does the Meade EclipseView 114 work for night-sky astronomy too, or only solar?

Both. The EclipseView 114 is a full night-sky telescope — it shows Saturn's rings, Jupiter's moons, the Moon, clusters, and nebulae — and additionally includes a solar filter for safe daytime solar observation. The solar capability is a bonus on top of full night-sky performance.

Are the Astra 114 eyepieces really better than the Meade's?

The Astra 114 ships with all-metal, glass Plossl eyepieces — a four-element design that gives wider, sharper views with better eye relief than the simpler eyepieces commonly bundled with telescopes. The Meade's included eyepieces are serviceable glass eyepieces but are not Plossls. For eyepiece quality out of the box, the Astra is ahead.

Is the Meade EclipseView 114 still worth buying given Meade's brand changes?

Yes. The EclipseView 114 is a mechanically simple telescope — a tube, mirrors, focuser, and base — with essentially nothing requiring manufacturer servicing. EDISLA backs it directly with India-side support and spares. You get a proven, library-grade design at a value price, fully supported locally.