Wanted to buy: starter ep's

[Roobi]

Hi there,

I'm looking for a few basic ep's 1.25" for my astromaster 130eq, rather than spending heaps on brand news before i learn a bit more about what exactly i need. I'm looking for around a 3mm 6mm and 8mm
doesnt have to be exact. Otherwise a 2x barlow or maybe even a 3x.
If anyone has any surplus they wish to sell, please pm me.

Cheers

[Jeff]

Personal Message sent.

[Roobi]

looks like i may have a 4mm. Any others out there for a newb to buy?

:)

[miki63au]

Hi there,
I have a spare 12.5mm Plossl. You welcome to have it :)
If you want it PM me for the posting address.

Regards,
Mick.

[Roobi]

Thanks for the ep's guys. That should keep me going for a bit, tho il leave this thread here incase anyone else has any surplus theyre willing to sell.
so far i have 4mm, 10mm, 12.5mm and 20mm. so anything thing else il consider buying. Also if anyone has any ideas on some other good starter kit, or has any to sell, i'm open to suggestions. Filters for example i could probably use, but i havn't learned much about them yet.

Cheers guys

Roobi ;)

[Jeff]

Suggest you grab a 1.25" Moon Filter (aka "neutral density" filter) for checking out the Moon and bright planets. Will cost you $19 from Bintel in Camberwell, or $12 plus postage from Andrews Comms.

Maybe grab a LED torch (red & white LEDs) also. Good for fumbling with gadgets (eyepieces, filters, notes, etc) without wrecking your night vision. $32 from Bintel. Not sure if Andrews still carry these.

Hope this helps.
Jeff

[Jeff]

Also, replacing the cheapy 20mm eyepiece that would have come with your 130EQ, and getting a 25mm GSO/Bintel Super Plossl eyepiece (52deg apparent field of view) would round out your beginner's setup well. Being a 1.25mm shaft eyepiece, it would also be compatible with your focusser.

This would make rich open clusters and star fields (around Carina, Centaurus, etc.) look so much better than through your 20mm. Only $39 from Bintel, or $29 (plus postage) from Andrews.

Remember, lower magnification is better for lots of targets since:
- you can fit the whole target in
- targets are actually brighter at low mag (since the light is more concentrated)

Cheers.

[Roobi]

Awesome jeff thanx for the info, I'm writing a list!

:)

[trent_julie]

if you can get your hands on a 14mm radian it is a pure delight in that telescope

[taxman]

I have a moon filter if you like.

If you PM me your address details, I'll send it to you.

Just tack on an extra couple of bucks next time you donate to a charity...

[StarGazer72]

gday Roobi,
have just posted a thread regarding beginners eyepieces and case. you may be interested in some of the eps offered. thanks mate.

[Roobi]

Just bumping up this thread as iv'e had a fantastic time with the extra lenses over the last few months, but i'm ready to move on again. the 12.5 is a great eye piece thanx miki63au and i have my nice lil moon filter which i love as well.
I'm still considering a barlow lense for planetary viewing. tried out my uncles 2x barlow and though the images were a little on the blurry side, i got a big kick out of seeing the planets at a little higher mag. So once again if anyone has an old barlow lense in surplus or any other ep's that would be suitable, and theyre willing to sell them, i would certainly be interested.

Cheers guys.
:)

[mental4astro]

Hi there,

have a look at the ad Sylvain has put up for the TMB type II Planetary 6mm & 9mm eyepieces. I have the 6mm, and all I can say is WOW! Now I'm getting the 9mm too, and for $49, they are a steal!

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=66161

You won't find better high power EPs for this price anywhere!

The 6mm will leave a barlowed image with your 12.5mm for dead.

Hmm, just looked at your avatar, looks like you could be a little bit further out than a couple of hours drive from my place, :rolleyes: :doh: :lol: .

If you're in Sydney, you'd be most welcome to try out my TMB 6mm first. They really are so good.

[Roobi]

cheers mate, i've been thinking about those ep's actually, and thanx for the offer to come and try em out, but im in melbourne so it might be a bit of a drive. lol. but thanx anyways, the offer is appreciated.


I've also just found a few adds for some cheaper Barlows. I know buying cheaper may obviously mean not great quality, but for me, as a beginner, i'm really thinking cheap would be better until i know a little more of what i'm doing and what i really want.
let me know what you think of these couple.
http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-Omni-2X-Barlow-Lens/dp/B00008Y0TM/ref=pd_cp_p_3

http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-content-section-10-accessories.htm

http://www.ozscopes.com.au/achromatic-barlow-lens-saxon-2x-1-25-inch.html

Thanx

[mental4astro]

Hey there,

Yes, a cheap barlow is less expensive than a new eyepiece, but if your highest power EP is 12.5mm, you would still be better off with a shorter focal length EP than a barlow. It will only put more glass between you and the object, and if your 12.5mm is of modest quality too, you will only be going backwards. If, however, you choose both a really good 6mm, & the barlow, you will be set up for those special atmospheric occasions that really allow for some real high power observing, say 300X and over.

I have the inexpensive GSO 1.25" 2X barlow. It is ok for my needs. Do I really use it regularly? NO. My eyepiece compliment gives me all the magnification range I need, so I keep it to use on my 8" f/4 reflector whose short focal length then allows me to kick up the power as my EPs alone won't test its resolving capability. Horses for courses. Would I use it on my 17.5"? I really doubt it, as my 6mm gives me 333X, and I rarely ever get to push things that far as the atmosphere rarely allows for it.

Still, the choice is yours.

[Roobi]

cheers thats pretty much what i was planning to do. The andrewsradio site has a 6mm for $29 and the barlow for the same price, so im thinking il go that way.
cheers for the advice mate.

[andrew2008]

Depending on what you're looking for i have a couple of plossls that haven't been out of the box. 10mm & 25mm.