Budgeted EP

[fok4tel]

Hi all,
I am wondering if anyone had a look through a Bintel SG 30mm Wide Angle EP before. The price is low, just $4 more than the GSO 2" 30mm Super View, but claims to have 80 degrees AFOV. The GSO has received some good comments. I am actually looking for a budgeted lower power wide angle eyepiece. Any comment is very much appreciated.

[dannat]

what is the focal ratio of your scope - think they can be coma tosed if used in a faster scope - as was hinted at by a bintel staff member

[Starkler]

They are ok..... as long as you're not under any illusions of getting a cut priced nagler ie you will see off centre abberations and coma a plenty in your LB.
If you can stretch the budget, the 30mm xw for sale at $450 in buy/sell is a good buy.

[mark3d]

hehe $450 is a bit of a stretch from $69 :rofl:

[fok4tel]

Thanks guys for your opinions.
Ya, $450 is a bit far from what I have in mind at the moment. Anything in between? What about the Siebert EP? The eyepiece lines look pretty attractive, in term of price and quality (as appear on their webpages, especially the comparison photos taken from various high end EP with theirs).

[programmer]

Check the links at the very end of this thread if you haven't already. I found them useful. http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=30466

[dannat]

there are a few fans of siebert ep's on cloudy nights - you might search there for some thoughts on them

You could look at baader hyperions - they fit both 2"/1.25" -

[fok4tel]

My LB's focal ratio is f4.5. Geoff, you mentioned that a 30mm Pentax xw is a good buy, do you mean that coma is reduced a lot more in xw, and also in a Nagler? Ya, coma is a major problem for me now, every star is a small comet, and can't seem to focus to pinpoints.
Will check out the cloudy night website about the Siebert.

[Zuts]

Hi,

The Pentax and Nagler will be far better but you will still pobably get coma at F4.5 on long FL ep's. You should definately try before you buy or you may be dissapointed. I know it is a lot of money, but you have a great scope that you spent over 2 grand on so why not consider a parracor to make it even better.

Paul

[wavelandscott]

I believe that the higher quality eyepieces will perform better in your "faster" scope.

I do not know your level of experience so I will add in that another area of investment that will pay dividends in a fast(er) scope are appropriate collimation tools...no offense meant if you already know this...

A well collimated scope will make a world of difference. There are a few threads that talk about optimizing the LB's collimation with respect to upgraded springs, Bob's knobs etc. If you have not already done so, they make for good reading.

I think I'd get my collimation skills and tools upgraded before I spent money on eyepieces...this will let you get the most out of your gear now and in the future.

Clear Skies...

[Zuts]

Hi,

I would have to second Scotts very apt post. If as you say you are getting seagulls everywhere then check your collimation first; and hone your other skills with you very good purchase. Still, it may pay to google Parracor and read about what benefits it can bring to a F4.5 dob.

Paul

[programmer]

In-betweens..

Baader Planetarium 30mm Scopos Extreme Eyepiece - 2" (http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=30-719-1205-7795)
Something over $150 imported from OPT. Apparently new in the Baader range.

Meade [B]30mm QX Wide Angle Eyepiece - 2" (http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=30-719-1205-9244) [ME-07262]
Something over $220 imported from OPT.

They both have 70deg AFOV not 80deg. I doubt the Bintel would be true to its specs anyway (just a guess).

I don't have personal experience with either of these but I do have 1 Baader EP. 'Big and heavy' warning :)

PS: I third the motion re collimation if you can't focus to pinpoints.

[programmer]

edit:double post

[koputai]

Why, they're only $159 locally! Judging from what everyone says about the 26mm QX 2", they are worth about that too.


Cheers,
Jason.

[koputai]

I've been after a wide eyepiece for a while now, and tried a few of the cheaper ones. They all disapointed, so last week I bought a 35mm Panoptic. It's worth every cent.

Cheers,
Jason.

[Screwdriverone]

Hey Jason,

How many cents did it actually cost you?

Chris

[Jeff]

Hi fok4tel,

I think your LB16 deserves more than a $70 EP that you will ditch quickly.
- I have a 10" LightBridge which gets heaps of use (f/5)
- I found the Biltel/GSO 2" 30mm SV good for locating stuff, but flaring beyond central ~40deg was bad (ruins open clusters)
- if SG 30mm is similar (as I expect), effect from coma will be worse in your f/4.5
- after a month with the 30mm SV, I upgraded to a 2nd hand TV Panoptic 27mm ($360) ... very happy
- previously tried a Panoptic 35mm, but my ageing eyes could not cope with the 7mm exit pupil on my f/5 scope (would be 7.8mm for you)

Since the the big Naglers a very expensive, and your eye cannot take in more than about 68deg at once anyway (so the Tele Vue Panoptics can be an good option as a quality low power EP).

Bintel guys will give you honest expert advice.

Hope this helps.

[fok4tel]

Thanks guys.
I am using a laser collimator. I find that it is only good for aligning the secondary, not the primary, because the tilted disc in the collimator can only give an approximate alignment of the primary. After using the laser collimator, I normally confirm with my own eye that collimation is done properly (by looking through the focuser hole at the image of the primary reflected by the secondary mirror). Scotts, is this a good method of getting the collimation right? I’ll check the other threads about collimation.
Programmer, how do you rate your experience with the Baader 17mm? Everyone seems to have a bad impression of the QX 26mm EP, I’m not sure about the 30mm.
Ya, Paul, the LB16 is a great scope, I’ve no regret buying it. Due to its large mirror, the Orion nebula still looks bright even under my heavily light-polluted backyard. Seems like my long term goal now is getting a good quality ep like a panoptic, like what Jeff suggested. And even a Paracorr. :)

[programmer]

Hope this isn't a dumb question, but I assume your mirror is centre-spotted?

About the Baader.. I don't think I'm experienced enough to give a good appraisal. I can say that in the few times I've used it, it does seem to give lovely views. The Orion neb is simply stunning in the 68 deg AFOV, and seems to be brighter (perhaps because of better contrast) than with my plossls. The weight of the thing is a hassle when the OTA is closer to horizontal. Seems to Barlow great as well. I wouldn't mind a full set!

[fok4tel]

No worries. Yes, it is center-spotted.

[wavelandscott]

[QUOTE=fok4tel;315354][[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]I am using a laser collimator. I find that it is only good for aligning the secondary, not the primary, because the tilted disc in the collimator can only give an approximate alignment of the primary. After using the laser collimator, I normally confirm with my own eye that collimation is done properly (by looking through the focuser hole at the image of the primary reflected by the secondary mirror). Scotts, is this a good method of getting the collimation right? I’ll check the other threads about collimationQUOTE]

There are several good sources of information on collimation that can explain/demonstrate much better than I...Andy Shotglass is a good one overall and Cloudy Nights has a great deal of information about "technical aspects" of collimation.

With respect to tools...I generally rely on my Orion collimating eyepiece that I got from Bintel (a low tech solution)...after I am happy with this, I "check"it with a "Quality" laser collimating tool...You must be careful using "just a laser" as they can get out of collimation themselves (at least the cheaper ones can).

I have invested in but have not set up and used yet, a Catseye Collimation Tool set...which by all accounts takwes accuracy to an even higher level.

Good Luck!