Super Plössl - Any good?

[h45e]

6.4mm Super Plössl
9.7mm Super Plössl
12.4mm Super Plössl
15mm Super Plössl
32mm Super Plössl
40mm Super PlösslThis is what im thinking of getting for my dobsonian. what do u guys think?

[Kevnool]

Which brand are we talking about?....cheers Kev.

[KaStern]

Hello h45e,

I think:
Allthough they are named "super plössl" I am quite sure that they are "symmetricals":
2 - 2 like the Plössl, but in the case of the symmetrical two equal Doublet lenses.
These are cheaper in Production that the original Plössl eyepiece design.

Next: The apparent field of view (afov) typically is smaller than indicated in
the catalogue. In a 1,25" eyepieve the maximum field stop diameter is 27mm.
So if you calculate with the arctan formula maximum afov is 37,3!° in a
40mm eyepiece. Add a little bit because of pincushion distortion and you
may reach 40° afov.

Same in a 32mm 1,25" eyepiece where 45,75° ist possible, with pincushion
distortion maybe 48° afov.
The shorter ones are often said to be 52° exepieces, but look more to have
50° afov. Eyerelief is about 2/3 of the focal length.
See the Televue eyepiece specifications for this:

http://www.televue.com/engine/page.asp?ID=144

In a 32mm, 25mm, and 20mm eyerelief is quite nice. But the shorter the
eyepiece focal legth the shorter the eyerelief gets.
I personally can observe well with er down to 10mm and I can accept 7mm er.

In a dobsonian you might consider eyepieces with bigger afov, at least
for higher mags, where the objects speed through the field of view.

But if your Dobs moves verysmooth you can use 50° afov eyepieces
up to about 300x without problems.
I would recommend to use a quality barlow with a longer focal length plössl
rather then a short focal length plössl.

Clear skies, Karsten

[h45e]

William optics and the other is Vixen

[Starkler]

My suggestion is to delete the 40mm (useless and no greater field than the 32mm), and the 6.4 and 9.7mm plossls (tight eye relief) and put the $ saved towards buying a good quality 2x barlow enabling higher powers with the 15 and 12mm with much better comfort.

Dont skimp on a cheap barlow, get something decent and it will grow with you if you upgrade eyepieces later.
Yes you can see the difference!
The Orion shorty plus is an excellent value performer.
http://www.bintel.com.au/OrionBarlow.html

[h45e]

Im looking for filters and eye pieces with a case so i can take it with me when i go country sky gazing.

[h45e]

I was thinking of getting a Meade Series 4000 Plossl and Filter Set but I dont know. Ive got $400 to spend on all this but it must include a case.

[JethroB76]

Cases can be bought seperately, either from astro shops or you can get good ones (and cheaper) from hardware stores like Bunnings.

With regard to the coloured filters, they are a common purchase for many new to the game but IMO they have limited usefulness for me - the only filter I use is a UHC neb filter - after using others coloured filters I didn't bother getting any.

Did your scope come with any EPs?

[h45e]

Yep, came with a 25 and 15mm EP's. But it is a bugger carrying around EP's without a case of sort.

[mldee]

Suggest you take a look at the Jaycar cases, as they include foam inserts that can be easily "shaped" by hand to make little beds for your EP's. I just bought the small one for about $30, and it holds about 9-10 1.25 EP plus a Barlow or two.

[mat,v]

I just bought a really good silver metal case from Bunnings for $25,,It's got heaps of room, seperate compartments and IMO is much better than the MEADE EP case,,just a thought,,,,,,MAT :thumbsup:

[h45e]

Im getting a Orion Shorty Plus 3- Element 2x Barlow Lens first before anything else.

Edit: just relised, if I get a 1.25" barlow, how do the EP's fit into the barlow?

[wavelandscott]

You have to buy a seperate piece of equipment...;)

No, just kidding!

Your 1.25 inch eyepieces will fit...

[pgc hunter]

These are the Meade Series 4000 plossls, which are nice eyepieces, but will start to show edge-of-field abberations, like all plossls) at F/6 and faster focal ratios, but it's Not a bad kit to start of with. I've used plossls in my F/5 dob and enjoyed them. But a higher quality eyepiece, such as a Vixen LVW or Naglar will certainly improve things, however, at several times the cost!

If you are bothered by tight eye relief, don't get the 6.4mm, (but if it doesn't bother you, then by all means get it - saves you having to juggle barlows and EP combos), but don't bother with the 40mm, you won't gain anything over the 32mm, as the actual FOVs for both are the about the same in any given scope.