Planetary EP for the 10" Skywatcher

[zumka]

Hi Everyone,

Can you please recommend good planetary EP for the 10" Skywatcher BD collapsible dob f4.7.

Majority of time viewing from my backyard in the middle of Melb

Thank you

[AG Hybrid]

budget?

[zumka]

<$200

[zumka]

Many posts suggest Long Perng and BAADER as the good planetary EP. I guess which one would work the best with the above mentioned scope. And how small (9mm or 6mm) can I go taking in to consideration city light pollution.

[dannat]

id go for a 6mm or 7mm -baader hyperion aren't great in f5 scopes
you could go for an orion expanse or one of the long prong planetary -if you can find a used WO uwan 7mm it would be good

[SkyWatch]

The Long Perng 6mm and 9mm work well in my f5 dob. Should be OK for f4.7, and will give you around 200x and 130x respectively, which are good magnifications for planetary observing. Also you can get both from Andrews and still be well under budget...
Light pollution is not really an issue for the major planets as they are bright and easily visible even from a city. A bigger problem is turbulent air rising from city buildings, pavements etc., so you will find there are times when 200x is too high, and you will be better off with the 130x.
You will also need to give your mirror time to cool down: don't expect to get good high power views when you first take it outside!

All the best, and good luck.

Dean

[MortonH]

I'd recommend a used Explore Scientific 6.7mm or 4.7mm. They are well corrected for fast scopes and have 82° FOV compared to 55° in the Long Perng planetary eyepieces.

[AG Hybrid]

Hang on a second. Didn't you say in the other thread... nevermind

[zumka]

What are your thoughts on Hyperion 5mm?

[zumka]

Do you think it's safe to buy from this guy ?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Planetary-1-25-Eyepiece-6mm-TMB-II-/111790327241?hash=item1a073905c9:g: Z1QAAOSwuWVWE2G5

[AG Hybrid]

Daniel. There's lots of review for individual eyepieces on the net. Just in case you find responses here lagging.

Reviews indicate that the TMP II planetary line are good value.

[SkyWatch]

Another option might be the Fujiyama HD-Orthoscopic series. Whilst they have a narrow fov and the shorter fl ones have very small eye-relief, planetary enthusiasts rave about orthos as the ultimate in contrast and sharpness.
Claude at Astronomy and Electronics Centre has them for $115. See: http://www.astronomy-electronics-centre.com.au/kkohki.htm

PS: the TMP ones you linked will cost pretty much the same delivered to Oz as the LP ones from Andrews... I have tried the 2.5mm version, and it was sharp and clear.

[AG Hybrid]

I wouldn't recommend those eyepieces on a scope without tracking. Optically them may be great, but constantly nudging the scope when trying to make critical observations for detail would drive him mad. Unless he has the Goto version?

[SkyWatch]

Yeah, tracking is best for high-power viewing no matter what eyepieces you use. Even the wide-field ones: although they will give a few seconds more between nudges if you don't have tracking...

[bytor666]

I agree here. Stay away from the Hyperions, they are not that sharp on planets or anything for that matter IMO.

The Explore Scientific are great bargains and the views are very sharp. The 82 degree ones have nice correction in fast scopes as well.

[zumka]

Should I go for 4.7 or 6.7?

Also I have noticed from your signature you are using Pentax for your high zoom. How do you find them ?

[MattT]

You won't get better than the Pentax XW's. Id say get 7mm eyepiece or there abouts. The ES 82º series are all very good...I'm happy with mine. An ES 6.7mm is my reccomendation in your budget...they come up everynow and then on IIS classies. Does your dob have tracking?
Matt

[bytor666]

The Pentax are the best I have ever used. I'd say go for the 6.7mm as it has better eye relief and you will use it more as the 4.7mm will be too high of a power most of the time.
I also have a 5.2mm next to my 7mm Pentax XW, but I used my 7mm XW more.

If you can afford the Pentax, I'd recommend it. If you can't, get the 6.7mm Explore.

Cheers!

[Camelopardalis]

Unless you live under a spot that regularly has excellent conditions, you will use the longer focal length more. Aim for 180-200x. Much higher than that and it's going to be occasional use only, and all you'll see otherwise is a bigger blur. There's a sweet spot between seeing good detail, seeing no more and then seeing mush.

[AG Hybrid]

Good advice. I very rarely use anything shorter then 7-8mm focal length eyepieces. To be honest I rarely get the chance to use my ES 6.7 due to seeing. Usually either the 8mm Delos Or the 8mm setting on my Hyperion Zoom. With the coma corrector they both give about 200x.

[zumka]

What about Pentax 7mm XL?

[Camelopardalis]

I don't think you can go far wrong with Pentax glass :thumbsup: if it's available to you at a good price...

[zumka]

Agree, the only problem Pentax 7mm XL has 70deg AFOV. I wonder if ES 6.7 with 82deg AFOV is the better choice for that zoom

[MattT]

Here is a review of the XL's v XW.

http://www.cloudynights.com/documents/pentax.pdf

I'd still go for an ES 6.7 or double your budget and get the XW :D

Melbourne's sky is a limiting factor. The ES 1.25" 82º and 68º eyepieces all barlow beautifully, from my experience, so perhaps the 16mm 68º and a 2x barlow would be a good choice.

[zumka]

What's the best place to buy ES at the moment ?

[N1]

Agena Astro is an option if the price after exchange stacks up. Their service is excellent.

[MattT]

Agree on Agena Astro. If you do the cheapest post US$20 or so it takes about three days longer to get here, and you save USD$40 in the process. I have done the cheap thing a few times no problems. All up about $220 Oz dollars.

[MortonH]

It's a bit more than that. The ES82 range cost US$159.99. Add US$20 for shipping then current exchange rate translates to A$250.

[N1]

Makes the 7mm Pentax XL on the classies look like a reasonable proposition me thinks. Pentax appears make good EPs. Got an 8.5 XF which is incredibly good for its price, and a 2.5 XO which is incredibly good full stop. Conditions permitting, the XO does things that by rights (read: according to what you read on many forums) shouldn't even be possible. OK a bit off topic...

[zumka]

Which Barlow works best with ES EPs ?

[AG Hybrid]

Any 1.25 inch and 2 inch barlows with an adapter.

[SkyWatch]

They will all work OK, but some of the cheaper ones will introduce some CA. GSO, Meade, Celestron, Orion, Bintel brand... should all be OK, but to respect the ES optics you might be better off stepping up a bit to an ED version (eg. Bintel 2" ED). The optical chain is only as good as its weakest link. If your pockets are a bit deeper, the Televue 2x is very nice: and I have seen them on the ISS classies.

All the best,

Dean

[AG Hybrid]

The Bintel ED is the same as GSO ED 2x barlow. 2" right? Its excellent. Optically excellent and does not introduce extra light scatter as far as I can tell. You can even unscrew the lens housing and thread it onto the end of a 2" eyepiece like a light filter for variable magnification. I think its about 1.6x in that configuration. Also, when the lens are removed you can use the body of the barlow as an extension tube for when you need more back-focus than what your focuser would normally allow.

[SkyWatch]

Yes, as far as I know Bintel just re-brand the GSO eyepieces and barlows.