Wanting to spread my Eyepiece wings

[Stu Ward]

So I'm here waiting for clear skies with nothing better to do than dream of what might be overhead.

I'm a visual observer with an 8" Dob with standard Plossl eyepieces.

I like to view Planets, Clusters, Galaxies, the Moon and Nebulae. So my likes are extremely varied.
Could someone give me some indication as to which eyepieces i should be looking to invest in next.

I have been observing for less than 12 months, but am confident that this is not a "flash in the pan" hobby, therefore i will not put a budget limit on the price atm

Thanks for your help

Stu

[PCH]

Hi Stu,

I use a Hyperion Click Zoom 8-24mm ep. The Hyperion stuff is excellent quality and the benefits of a zoom of this quality are significant. When I bought this, they were about $350 here and only $220 (posted) from the US - so I bought from the US. The exchange rate is better now so it may be as cheap here.

The ep is also parfocal - meaning you don't have to re-focus every time you switch magnifications.

Other than that, the Televue plossls are great value at around $150 each. Of course, if you can afford the top end TV stuff, that would be a terrific addition to any collection, but they can cost as much as some peoples' scopes :P

[wavelandscott]

I'd encourage you to get to a viewing night and try a few high end eyepieces.

Hard to beat the Televue Naglers and Ethos eyepieces and the Pentax XWs are not too shabby either.

I really enjoyed by 24 Panoptic, 13 T6 and Pentax XW 10 and 7 mm in my 8 inch Dobs

[Suzy]

Hi Stuart,
+1 with what Scott said about Pentax XW's. I wouldn't part with mine for quids. Same is said about Naglers & Panoptics (tho, I've never tried them). Vixen LVW's are fantastic too (I have it in the 22mm). With a widefield you can zoom in on high mag and still have the whole object (e.g. Omega Centauri) within your field of view, with the most gorgeous quality.

Have a read of a thread of mine, it's very informative regarding eyepieces for dobs. http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=59484&highlight=5mm+%24200

I knew it would only be a matter of time before you started the upgrade path. :thumbsup::lol:

[JethroB76]

If premium prices put you off, consider also the Pentax XF and XL range - premium performance at less than premium price, due basically to a lesser AFOV than their big brothers the XWs.

[Paddy]

Ditto for Scott's advice about trying eyepieces if possible and ideally in a scope like your own.

Other questions - Do you need good eye relief/do you observe with glasses? And how important is field of view? And how much are you prepared to spend? On the last, I would argue that good glass is a good long term investment as long as you know what focal lengths/mganifications you like using.