Wanted: your opinion !

[frogman]

I need an EP for Lostock thats not going to kill my bank.
I want a 7, 8 or 9 ISH MM ep for my 300X1500 DOBBY....
I will put an ad in the forsale/wanted section when i get you opinion on what to buy......
I do not want, or see the need to buy a $300 eyepiece.... If theres an item at the edge of an eyepiece id like to see, I will move the scope to it ..... i dont need 100% at the edge of the EP.
I like the series 5000 plossl i have. I have been told about the Vixen LV (just missed out on one from Astro).

Any 12" DOB owners have an opinion on what i should get...........

Anthony

[iceman]

I'm looking at the same, froggy.. mine will be at the 5 to 7mm focal length though.

I've narrowed it down to:

- UO HD Orthoscopics ($125 each) - small FOV, but sharp and good contrast.
- Vixen LV ($170ish each) - small FOV, sharp, more eye relief and a bigger eye lens.
- Tak LE ($200+) - I've been using Louie's 7.5mm Tak LE and I love it. Sharp almost all the way to the edge, plenty of eye relief, good FOV and very comfortable to use.
- Nagler 7mm ($300+) - well, you know. Is the wide field of view really necessary for planetary, when I'm using an EQ platform anyway?

There's also the 6mm radian ($200+ ?) which has plenty of eye relief, and of course the TV plossls which are about $150 which have a great reputation.

So there's plenty of options that won't break the budget.

For me though, i'm delaying my purchase until AFTER Lostock so I can test these eyepieces in my own scope. That way i'll make a much more informed decision.

I wouldn't spend less than $125 for your planetary eyepiece (ie: the Orthos). While you say you're happy with the Series 500, I think if you spent some quality time side by side comparing the two, the Ortho would kill it for detail, sharpness and colour.

[frogman]

yeah ill wait for some more opinions but the Vixen is the way to go i think...... even tho (my little astroshop) has taken them off their website......

the reason for buying one is... i have a 12mm the next smaller is a 4mm..... then again louie will have the new(older) nag.....
i just dont know

[janoskiss]

Classic UO orthos are under $100, and probably just as good as the HDs. Some people do prefer them over the HDs.



Anthony, That was Series 5000, right? i.e. Meade 60 deg FOV Plossls. They are nice, with good eye relief. If you like them, a short focal length one in this range would be another one to consider.

[shredder]

Hi Anthony,

For my two cents worth I would go for the Meade Ultra Wides, or Super Wides (they come in a 6.7mm or an 8.8mm, then a 13.5mm I think), you can pick up 2nd hand 4000 series for $100-$150. They are great (though I should mention I dont have a dob but an SCT). Otherwise if you are after new why not the Meade QX series, I keep seeing them in the magazines for under $200 approx.

Cheers

Michael

[frogman]

QX.... i havent seen them yet ill do a search.....
the meade UWA 8.8 it still only just under $300 too rich for my blood

[frogman]

woo hoo
i just bought one of the older style Vixen LV's (9mm) for $107 posted !!! :)

[frogman]

And he'll post them tomorrow (after ive paid of course)

SWEET

[matt]

Hey Anthony
Was that a private sale or did you buy that Vixen through a dealer?

Was it 2nd hand?

Wouldn't mind one of those myself.

[iceman]

Good pickup Anthony! Well done.

[shredder]

Oops,

I should put my glasses on when reading some advertisements, the QX eyepieces, while looking good with a 70 deg FOV and a price of $159-$189 are only long focal length eyepieces 15mm, 20mm, 26mm, 30mm, 36mm. Sorry no short focal lengths (at least not advertised). As for the SWA / UWAs I picked up mine for a lot less than 300, all were well under $200 2nd hand and most between $100-$150 (and over time I have managed to get the entire set). The trick it to troll astromart looking for a good one at a good price and jump on it (at least it works for me, but I do spend all day every day on a PC at work with lots of time on my hands etc etc).

Good luck

Michael

[frogman]

Private seller through astromart....
and second hand, but not old... little use as you can see in the pictures its in good nick.
:D

[ving]

didnt even get to put my 2c worth in!!! :P
congrats anthony :)

I would have sugested a celestron ultima 7.5mm. everybit as good as a TV plossl, some say better :)

[frogman]

might end up with one of them too whats the lowest/smallest mm i should use n my little girl guys?

[iceman]

5mm or 7mm. The seeing usually won't support any lower than that. Even the 5mm (@ 300x) will only be useful on the steadiest of nights.

[ving]

you could always go a 10 and barlow it when the seeing is really good :)

[ausastronomer]

Michael,

Those meade QX eyepieces may be ok in an F10 SCT but they aren't worth a cold crumpet in an F5 dob IMO. Anthony has done very well with that Vixen LV, it has a narrow FOV but good eye-relief and very sharp.

CS-John B

[ausastronomer]

David,

The Vixen LV are about 95% as good as the Celestron Ultima optically with the added advantage of 20mm of eye-relief, its also about 8 light years better than the other things Froggy owns. He has done well getting a Made in Jap Vixen LV for $107.

Cs-John B

[johnno]

Hi All,
I have to agree with JOHN B Here,
The series 500 eyepieces,in a long focal length scope, are only JUST,an eyepiece,
However the short focal length,in this series, like the 6.3mm,IMHO, is about as usefull as an Ashtray on a motorbike.
I hope everyone,has a very happy Xmas,and a Healthy New year.

Warm regards.
John