Choosing an eyepiece

[BlackNebula]

Hi,
I am fairly new to this forum and have picked up some really good advice just reading through the posts, awesome! I am in the market for a new eyepiece and now need some advice. I own a Nexstar SE 8" and am looking at taking the plunge on a premium eyepiece. The Nagler T6 13mm (1.25) is top of my list, but I am concerned the magnification may be a bit to high for viewing DSO's which is my first love! I dont want a 2" eyepiece as i have a few and have found them a bit heavy and big for the scope. What would the best focal length be for DSO's thinking of both field of view and a bit more magnification. Also, does a focal reducer (6.3) help here as I understand it will convert my scope from a F10 to a F4 which should increase the field of view? How well would the Nagler and focal reducer complement each other?
Any advice will be most appreciated

[astro744]

May I suggest the Tele Vue 24mm Panoptic for your 8" f10 tlescope as it will give you maximum true field possible with a 1.25" eyepiece with good magnification for DSO's and good exit pupil for a nice dark sky.

A lower cost alternative would be the Tele Vue 32mm Plossl which will give you the same maximum true field at a lower power. (This is possible because the two eyepieces have different apparent fields).

The 13mm T6 Nagler is very nice and would complement the 24mm Panoptic nicely and would give higher powers for planets, small planetary nebula and galaxies. A 16mm T5 Nagler would be a lower power alternative to the 13mm.

The 19mm Panoptic could also be an alternative to the 24mm Panoptic (You'll get a higher power but lose maximum true field). Note the 19mm Panoptic also has the same true field as the 16mm T5 Nagler,

It is always a good idea to have an eyepiece in your collection that gives you maximum true field and I can think of no better eyepiece than the 24mm Panoptic. I highly recomend this eyepiece for your telescope.

Note the f6.3 focal reducer converts your telescope to f6.3. Both the 13mm T6 and 24mm Pan work very well with the reducer. Eyepieces that don't work with the reducer are the larger (longer f.l.) 2" eyepieces since these are designed to give maximum true field without the reducer (require 2" visual back and 2" diagonal) and either cannot reach focus with the reducer or severe vignetting results.

Whatever you choose, enjoy!

[barx1963]

I have both the 24mm Pan and the 13mm Nag. Haven't used them in a scope like yours but in my 12" f5 Newt they are brilliant eps. The Pan gives fantastic clear views and very crisp while the Nag enables closer examination of smaller objects. They give me 67x and 113x respectively which is sufficient for most of my targets. Would highly recommend. The 24mm Pan is a larger heavier EP so just be aware of that.

Malcolm

[astro744]

See http://www.televue.com/engine/TV3_page.asp?id=28 for all the Tele Vue eyepiece specs.

The 24mm Pan is slightly larger and heavier than the 13mm T6 Nagler but it is certainly NOT a large or heavy eyepiece. The Pan weighs 0.51lb and the 13NT6 0.40lb. Not much in it really. Length is the same too with the 24P being a 0.3 inch larger in diameter but nothing to worry about on your 8SE.

[barx1963]

Sorry I should have said "slightly" larger and heavier! However they are noticably heavier than a Plossl and if he has found that 2" Plossls are heavy for this scope, that may be an issue as he 24mm Pan is certainly heavier than my 2" 32mm Plossl I used to have. Some of the cheaper go to scopes don't like too much weight. In the old ETX I used to have if I put anything heavier than a 25mm Plossl, it would complain!

[Sylvain]

Hi there :)

I've got a 24mm Pan, it's a real beauty! Certainly one of my favourite 1.25" EP! You can't go wrong with this one :)
But again, it depends on what kind of magnification you're looking at getting.
For your scope, it should offer nice wide field views of DSOs.

[norm]

Another vote for the 24mm Pano. Its a great eyepiece and one that I keep returning to :thumbsup:

You won't be disappointed.

Norm

[BlackNebula]

Hi guys,
Thanks for the advice, I think I will go for the 24mm panoptic!! Makes sense. But now would really also like the 13mm nagler but alas just so much money!!! Any possible recommendations on a decent but cheaper alternative around 13-15mm with a fairly wide view? Celestron Axiom maybe, although I know this one may be a bit heavy?

[barx1963]

Save up for the Nag. You will love the Pan until then.

[astro744]

I couldn't agree more!

Some will arguably say that in an f10 telescope you don't need a highly corrected eyepiece such as a Nagler, (although I feel f15 is where less corrected eyepieces are OK), but you may own a shorter Newtonian or refractor one day and a quality eyepiece purchase is for life and can be used on any telescope and you wont have to spend more money later.

Enjoy your Pan whilst you wait for the Nagler!

[BlackNebula]

Gotcha! Pan it is and Al's Nagler later. Thanks again for the advice, moat appreciated

[BlackNebula]

Hi guys,
Quick question, i have only been in Aus for a couple of months so still need to learn the ropes. If I look at importing the pan from the US, how do I calculate the import costs and tax? Is there a standard percentage based on the value of the item? Just want to see if it's worth it after paying for the shipping and import duties.
Thanks
Mark

[astro744]

BINTEL is the Australian dealer for Tele Vue and I would recommend buying from them as their pricing is quite reasonable and after sales service impeccable. If you have warranty issues or expect any after sales service you will have to go through the dealer you purchased from.

https://www.bintelshop.com.au/welcome.htm

[BlackNebula]

Hi, thanks for the info. Your are quite correct the price from Bintel is not much more than the US if I take shipping into account. However, I also want to purchase the 6.3 focal reducer and this is just sooooo much cheaper in the US. The celestron is about a 1/3 of the price. I have ordered a couple of things from BH Photo Video before with no issues, so am comfortable in this.
On the point of using a focal reducer, if I look at the 19mm PAN with a focal reducer will the TFOV not be a bit more than I would have got with the 24mm on its own? And if I use the 24mm with the FR would I not loose a bit too much magnification? Just how useful is a focal reducer? My thinking is that with my other 1.25" eyepieces (5, 15, 17, 20, 25mm) I can increase their TFOV and exit pupil as well. Just want to make the correct decision here, so apologies for starting this thread again I guess. I am just a bit torn here as all the feedback was so positive on the 24mm PAN!
Any advice is as usual most appreciated.