What eye pieces should i get?

[Marclau]

I am looking at the Bintel 12" DOB (GSO).

What pieces are included and what should I get extra?
I'm also looking at a Barlow lense, so what brand and 2X or 3X, sizes etc?

thanks....in need this information so I can look at my total costs......including DOB........

cheers

[erick]

What do they say you are going to get?

[Marclau]

Good point Erick, I've no idea......damn.......:(

[erick]

Well, here is what the website ( https://www.bintelshop.com.au/welcome.htm ) says:-

- Eyepieces: 26mm Wide View (2"),15mm and 9mm Fully Multi-coated Plossl (1.25").
- Moon filter 1.25" for improved Lunar contrast and detail

Now, a bit of research into these eyepieces on the Bintel site can be done. They are:-
Bintel FMC 26mm (2")
Bintel Plossl 15mm (1.25")
Bintel Plossl 09mm (1.25")

I think the first you you will quickly decide needs replacing is the 9mm plossl. Many find the eye relief to be too small. So you could search for a 9 or 10mm longer eye relief design.

Or, as you are suggesting, get a barlow lens. The Bintel Barlow 2x ED (2") on the Bintel site for $89 will get you started. You might want better quality (more expensive!) later on. And that will allow you to use the 15mm eyepiece with its better eyerelief, but have an effective 7.5mm eyepiece with that doubled magnification.

[Marclau]

Thanks Erick,
I've read good reports on the Televue Barlows and noticed one in your signature..........I'm assuming this would be a better option then a basic barlow? I dont mind spending a little extra............

[erick]

Suggest you search for "barlow" threads - there has been plenty of discussion and recommendations.

Yes, I have a 3x 1.25" TV barlow. Happy with it, but it obviously cannot be used with 2" eyepieces. So I'm happy I have the GSO 2" as well. I've had the GSO barlow since it was bundled with my first (second-hand) Bintel 8" Dob. I mainly use the 3x TV on the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn if I've got good seeing.

[DavidU]

For the price I am very happy with the Andrews 30' 2" Wide angle eye pc. Great for those wide oh wow views with good eye relief.

[Modex]

I'm also researching this as I just got a Bintel 8" Dob that came with:

Bintel FMC 26mm (2")
Bintel Plossl 15mm (1.25")
Bintel Plossl 09mm (1.25")

Eric suggested first replacing the 9mm.

Budget permitting can I go wrong with Tele Vue Nagler 09mm VI (1.25") for $389? Or as a beginner is there something else I should go for?

I've also read good things about the Pentax XF 8.5mm...

Will these be fine for the moon, planets and DSO as an all-rounder?

[Astro78]

The Pentax 8.5XF is very highly rated, although I have not used one.

You'll be throwing away those bintel crap ep's as soon as you can afford. A good widefield ep is a must. Bare in mind with a dob you probably don't want to go to higher magnification. The object will be moving around too fast.

A well polar aligned EQ mount would be different story.

I cannot rate the Vixen LVW's highly enough. Well worth a look into.

But again get a top end low power, from around 22mm-40mm

[JethroB76]

Pentax 8.5XF is a super EP for its price

[Modex]

So will the Pentax XF 8.5mm be too high in mag, or will be it be as good as I hear it is, even with an 8" Dob?



Which Vixen would you recommend for a beginner with an 8" Dob?

Thanks for the help.

[Wavytone]

22, 13 and the 8mm, in that order.

Vixen also make the NLVW30mm which is an excellent eypiece, although 2" only, however I suspect this would be overkill for your dob. Using this at the low end you could select the NLVW 30mm and the LVW 17mm and 8mm for a set of 3.

Whether you will use a 5mm is a moot point, I suspect rarely.