Getting started with eye pieces.

[Red_Dog]

Seeing there are a few eye piece kits about at wildly differing prices and qualities l thought I'd ask how the Vixen Super Plossal EP and filter kit stands up as a good base for a beginer.
https://www.myastroshop.com.au/products/epkits.asp

It's not all about quality either it's about experiencing different lens' on different views, with/without barlow and filters and how they perform in my scope not someone else's.

After working out what works best for me then l can invest wisely in rare earth unobtanium EP's. (or not).
:thanx:
Red_Dog :thumbsup:

[Wavytone]

What sort of scope are you using these with, and what sort of things do you like to look at most often (i.e. what application) ?

[Allan_L]

Hi Rod.
Wavy has asked the right questions.
But if you are new at this, I know that (what are you interested in) is a difficult question to answer, and it will change.

For myself, like many others, I was mainly interested in planets initially, so was chasing highest magnification.

But soon, it was DSO's and generally, this requires wider FOV and low magnification, but improved contrast.

Personally, with experience, I would not buy one of these commercially available eyepiece sets. Nice to look at, but $389 could be better spent.

Better to buy specific eyepieces that work for you and your circumstances.

Best option is to try to get to an observing session locally (or other) where you can try other peoples eps and listen to their stories.

Having said that, Vixen is a good brand, but for $389 I would want something a little better than Plossl (which is a good standard but not special). Vixen LVW's are very good (IMHO as a medium cost high quality range).

[Red_Dog]

While planets will consume a lot of my attention to start with while getting used to the scope l will endeavour to uncover some DSO's with a Bresser 127L refractor.
So really a bit of everything.
Cheers.
Red_Dog :thumbsup:

[dimithri86]

For years I used high quality 25mm, 8mm and barlow with my 3inch newt, 10inch dob, and 5 inch apo.

2 or 3 good quality pieces and a barlow will probably give you better bang for buck.

[Red_Dog]

Yes l just read the thread titled 2nd and 3rd eye piece.
Sounds like the Long Perng from Andrews might be a good start in a few sizes.
I will have to sit down and work out the wide field of view stuff for my scope and focuser one day soon to get a good EP for DS viewing. Lots more reading to do.

Will start with planetary ones in 3 sizes first.

[barx1963]

Rod
The most pertinent question to ask is what EPs you already have or what EPs are coming with the scope? Many scopes will come with a couple of eyepieces, quite often a 25mm and a 10mm. My usual advice which I think is sound, is that if your scope comes with eyepieces use those for a while before spending money. Reasons for this are:
- it is very easy to spend a lot of $$$ for not much value with eyepieces
- my experience with a variety of scopes was that a moderate power one such as a reasonable 25mm will spend a lot of your time in the focuser as conditions rarely warrant high power
- main value of the higher power pieces is to teach beginners the frustrations of chasing more "power"

I am not a big fan of kits. Usually a waste of money IMHO and right up there with wobbly EQ mounted Newtonians as a plague designed to discourage beginners.

Malcolm

[Red_Dog]

Listed is a 26mm 52°AFOV only.
What actually turns up could be completely different though.
Will have to sit tight until then and it will be a month at least going of previous experiences order large items from Germany.

[Nab]

I have a vixen 20mm plossel that provides stunning (colour) saturated views of the moon in my 81ED.. I bought it mainly to keep my children's eyes away from more exotic glass - as nice as it is it doesn't get much time on other targets and I wouldn't be buying a set of them and particularly would not be buying short focal length versions - do to the inherent short eye relief. I did in fact think 3 eyepieces would be enough until the recent teleview sale allowed me to add a 5mm nagler.

Eyepieces are very subjective and a matter of personal preference, so really the best advice is to try something, see what you think and then start your considerations.

Cheers
Darren.

[Red_Dog]

Thanks Nab and thanks everyone for some great info and much needed and heeded advice.
:thumbsup:

[Red_Dog]

What's the low down with zoom EP's?
Is a reasonable quality one worth it to enable a begginer to ascertain their future single EP needs?

[raymo]

The Seben 8-24mm 1.25" zoom is tremendous value for money, by far the
best of the budget ones. Numerous people here have commented on how
good they are for around $80-90. Mine gets used at some stage during
just about all my viewing sessions.[It is also sold under other brand
names, but its container gives it away].
raymo

[Rick Parrott]

I have a couple of these Long Perng eyepieces from Andrews and they are brilliant! Intending to get a couple more... ;)

[Red_Dog]

Had to curb my spending. :(
Got a 20mm and 15mm 68° GSO EP's and a 2.5 APO barlow. :D
In conjunction with my 26mm l will have 46, 60, 80, 115, 150 and 200 x mag. :question:
The minister for fun and finance doesn't know about the new scope or the EPs yet. :eyepop: Hoping they will soften the blow of the two new custom surfboards which she also doesn't know about.:eyepop:
Been nice knowing ya'll :hi: :help: