Eyepieces and Barlow for 200mm Newtonian.

[Langdale]

Hi,

Is anyone able to give me some advice about what i should purchase next in the way of eyepieces and barlows for my Blackdiamond f/5. I have a few hundred to spend if there is something worth the investment.

It came with a 28mm eyepiece (I can't tell what the brand is). Then i inherited a 4mm plossl made by celestron. I'm a beginner and have been viewing everything possible from my position (Northern beaches, sydney) with these two. Clearly a massive difference.

I've been reading about a powermate being a good investment. Would this be a good choice for myself?

Thanks

[astro_nutt]

Hi Ben.
Check out the 2"/1.25 inch 2x barlow from Bintel. As for ep's, a 32mm and a 20mm would be nice to have.
Cheers!

[barx1963]

Ben
Quality eyepieces are a great investment in the enjoyment of your scope.
I am a big Televue fan. Others have their preferred EPs but I have found that the TV ones have satisfied me.
My fav budget EP is the Televue 24mm Panoptic (see http://www.bintel.com.au/Eyepieces-and-Barlows/TeleVue-/Panoptic/TeleVue-Panoptic-24mm/242/productview.aspx ) but it is reasonably pricey and may be a bit close to the 28mm you already have.
Next one may be a 13mm Nagler (see http://www.bintel.com.au/Eyepieces-and-Barlows/TeleVue-/Nagler/TeleVue-Nagler-VI-13mm/187/productview.aspx ) In your scope using this EP along with the 28, you would get powers of 36x and 77x. I have owned this EP and it is a cracker for the money.
Unless you are going for plabets and small PNs that will do almost all your observing.

Malcolm

[bigjoe]

Ben, just adding to what Mal has said.

Save up for a quality ep and you will NEVER look back (only up).

Purchase one of high quality, such as the 13mm Nagler or 12mm Delos.

Both very sharp and barlow extremely well, especially the delos.

This will save you going on the ep merry-go-round, and end up costing you more

in the long run.:)

Cheers bigjoe.

[dannat]

Depending on price, you could go high end or get something like a 6mm tmb clone for planet views, and maybe a 12-13mm eyepiece for dso's (or Barlow the 28mm)

[Langdale]

My thinking was to spend a bit of cash on a quality EP, so thats what i will do. I will look into the 13mm Nagler or 12mm Delos and a barlow.

Thanks for all the advice

Ben

[RobF]

+1. I've got a 22mm Panoptic and a 13mm Type VI Nagler. Your 8" scope is capable of fantastic views. I'd suggest the Nagler first, coupled with a decent Barlow. Just outstanding!

(Just don't tell people the eyepiece is worth more than the scope when they're looking ;) :lol:)

For the extra $100-$200 over other options, the Televue stuff is very very good. If you buy mid-price, you'll likely end up buying again at some point, so remember to factor that into your budget. Pentax eyepieces have a very strong following here too, but I can't comment.

[Langdale]

Great, looks like i'll go for the 13mm VI Nagler. What would a decent barlow be? I was thinking of getting the Tele vue Barlow. Any recommendations on these looking at the Tele vue section on the Bintel website? x2, x2.5.... Barlow/Powermate:question:

Thanks for your help

Ben

[RobF]

Hmmm. I'm not really reference material on visual options for barlows Ben. I have a 1.25" and 2" barlow, both GSO and very happy. The 13mm Nagler + GSO barlow is up there with my 6mm Radian, particularly because of improved FOV and eye relief.

I would suggest spending most you can on eyepieces rather than barlow. Happy to be corrected by the experts though - I'm sure Televue barlows are top quality.

[bigjoe]

Hi Ben. Bintel barlows. ED ones very good, as is the 2.5*.

Cheers bigjoe.

[mark3d]

You want a nice wide-field EP; for finding objects, viewing the big objects and just scanning the milky way. Based on their reputation you couldn't beat the value of a 32mm or even 42mm GSO superview. That's what I would get.

Then most importantly you need a mid-size workhorse. 17mm was recommended to me and it is about perfect as a good balance of zoom and fitting most things into the view. I got a Baader hyperion and really like it, but I would probably have been just as happy with the equivalent GSO superview.

I also bought a second-hand Vixen LV 6mm planetary EP and that is fantastic for those rare occasions I can use that much zoom. Very rare occasions actually.

This range of magnification is just right and I think we made good choice. However, if I had to do it again, I would seriously consider a 42mm GSO superview for wide-field, and then a Baader zoom EP to get a wide spread of magnification (with the significant bonus of not having to change the EP). Easy!

[RobF]

It really is worth looking through other people's eyepieces at a star party or weekend local gathering if you can Ben. Just don't go anywhere near an Ethos or top of the range eyepiece too soon. Unfortunately you do get what you pay for. ;)