Recommended eyepieces

[dpastern]

I'm looking at purchasing a few better quality eyepieces over the next 3-4 months. Something in the 4mm range and 12mm range initially, then the 25mm range and an UWA later on. Any suggestions? What brand/type of eyepiece would you recommend, and why (in each category)? I understand that quality costs money, so feel free to suggest both medium and higher cost products that you think would be a good idea.

Dave

[Quark]

Hi David,

I am sure you will get a lot of opinions on this subject, but they will be other peoples opinions. Try and form your own opinions by going to the observing nights of your closest astronomy group or club. See if you can look through other peoples scopes with their eyepieces. This is such a subjective topic and what impresses you might not impress someone else and vice versa.

The SPSP is coming up shortly and it would be an ideal place to go to help you with this decision.

Good luck with it
Regards
Trevor

[dpastern]

What's SPSP?

I don't have a car at the moment (planned for 2nd half of 2009), so getting about isn't easy. Despite having lived in Brisbane for nearly 2 years now, I really don't know my way around (I'm really a Sydney guy).

Dave

[Screwdriverone]

Hi David,

SPSP = South Pacific Star Party, check the links on the left menu for event details - VERY big and well attended event on the calendar.

As for my two best eyepieces that I could recommend,

Andrews ED 12.5mm = $69 - great bang for buck and compares VERY well against eyepieces that cost $400 to $500 more than it.

Pentax XF 8.5mm =$235 - absolutely gorgeous EP. Best buy I have made apart from my 12" collapsible DOB.

Can't go wrong with these, in my opinion.

Cheers

Chris

[Wavytone]

Hi David,

I'd suggest an 8-24mm zoom - three eyepieces in one, plus:

- if you want to go below 8mm, a 5 mm then maybe 3.5 if you're really determined

- at the long end, a UWA around the 35 - 40mm f.l, as long as possible commensurate with an exit pupil no greater than 5 or 6mm.

[CoombellKid]

If your living in Brisbane, Why not go to Astrofest QLD, it's only about
1.5hrs drive from you. You'll probably find somone on IIS that can give
you a lift up there. It goes for longer, a bit cheaper than SPSP. And was
voted by Si Patrick Moore's to be one of the worlds top 10 astro meets.
Plus it has better facilities from what I hear. Anyways it would seem a
lil stupid to drive all that way just for two days.

regards,CS

[wavelandscott]

I'd first echo the recommendation to get out and see some different eyepieces before you buy any...

Having said that, I generally recommend buying a few high quality eyepieces instead of lots of others...

In my opinion plossls are always good all around eyepieces and TeleVue makes some very fine ones...but the smaller focal lengths can be uncomfortable to use because of short eye relief.

If you want to step up to wide field eyepieces (think expensive) and assuming that money was not an object I'd recommend Pentax XWs for 10 mm focal length or less as the top of the heap. Above 10 mm I'd point you toward the TeleVue Ethos,Nagler and Panoptics...

If budget is a concern...Pentax does offer the XF line...Vixen also has some nice "mid price"...others might be Baader/Hyperion (I'm sure there are others too).

There are many choices that can fit your needs but it is important to uderstand what you want before you buy...so get out and try some gear!

[Paddy]

Hi David, you didn't say what type of scope you use and what you want to look at, or how important FOV and eye relief are. I would definitely echo the suggestions of having a look through some in a similar scope to your own, but the main thing I want to say is that it's worth waiting and getting very good eyepieces as you'll have them for a long time. I reckon my Naglers are costing me less each time I use them! I also think its worth working out what focal lengths you use most and plan around that - you may only need 2 good eps and a barlow.

[dpastern]

Thanks everyone. Without a car, it's not really easy or convenient for me to get to star parties etc.

I want to view both planets and DSOs. This is what I currently have:

Andrews 2" 30mm 68º UWA - I really like this eyepiece
GSO 2" 40mm - this is a nice eyepiece as well
GSO 25mm Plossl - haven't used it yet
GSO 15mm plossl - I think it's quite good, haven't noticed any optical aberrations
Andrews 4mm Plossl - not very good imho
GSO 2x Barlow

These were all bought on the cheap. I'm happy with all of them except the 4mm. And I haven't tried the 25mm yet. My favourite is the 30mm UWA - breathtaking views imho. My previous scope (as a kid/teenager, some 20 years ago) only had 0.965" eyepieces, and the cheapies that came with it were a H12.5mm and H5mm. I replaced them with some Bintel Plossls @ the same length. Current eyepieces, other than the 4mm, easily outclass the ones from my old scope setup.

My eyes are pretty good still. I'm not quite sure how much eye relief will affect me, I do know that the 4mm has a horrid black tunnel effect, that makes viewing with it not very pleasant. Said black tunnel is always moving around, making it hard to centre the object and view it. I'm not sure what the technical term for this is.

I realise that quality costs money, and I'm happy to pay a bit more.

I'm currently considering some TMB plossls, which are on special at one store at the moment. They seem to have a good reputation, but are they an increase in performance over the current GSO/Andrews ones I wonder. They're only $89, so it's not like I'm throwing a huge amount of money away if they don't work out.

I note that many forum members use Pentax eyepieces, I've also seen on CN that they have a good reputation. Where's the best place to buy them in Australia? I know of one place, but it has a very limited selection...

Dave

[Screwdriverone]

Hi Dave,

I bought my Pentax XF 8.5mm from Frontier Optics. Daniel's service and pricing was outstanding, highly recommended.

Also, you can buy these at Bintel, for around the same price, but I am not sure as to what Focal Lengths they have.

Cheers

Chris
p.s. not affilitated with either...

[dpastern]

Thanks Chris. I didn't see any Pentax eyepieces on Bintel's site, maybe I'm going blind in my old age ;-)

Dave

[astroron]

David, we have a get together on the 24th this month at Cambroon near Kenilworth why don't you join us:D
there are people who live in Brisbane who come up who may give you a lift, just put a message on this site and see how you go:)
We would be happy to have you along:thumbsup:

[troypiggo]

G'day Dave,

Might help if you let everyone know what scope you currently have, and what you are likely to purchase in the future. It's an ED100, isn't it? Focal length and aperture of scopes determine suggested minimum and maximum eyepieces, as I understand it.

[dpastern]

Thanks Ron - looks like I'm doing the 9am-6pm shift @ work, and won't probably get home till near 7.30 or so. Might be a bit late?

Where abouts on the site should I post about potential lifts to the meet? I don't really know Brisbane at all, I commute from Ipswich to Toowong via train and that's it. Any other part of Brisbane I don't know, maybe other than central/roma st/brunswick st stations.

Barring time issues, I'd love to come along if someone is kind enough to give me a lift there and back home.

Hey Troy - Equinox ED100. f9 900mm.

Dave

[Screwdriverone]

Hi Dave,

Yeah I dont think its listed per se.

Try this link https://www.bintelshop.com.au/Product.aspx?ID=7620

or better yet, give them a call to see if they still stock them in the size you are looking for.

Cheers

Chris