Eye Pieces for Meade LX 90ACF 8"

[OneEye]

I am in the process of buying a new scope, and would like some suggestions as to what eye pieces I should buy for it. I like the idea of an apparent wide field of view (>50%), but by budget doesn't stretch to Naglers.

I also wear glasses so need good eye relief. Any suggestions on what brand, focal lengths, and class would be helpful. There is I understand, a range of eyepieces between the Plossl and Nagler

[MikeyB]

If eye relief is your priority, few if any cheaper eyepieces are worth considering. Not all high-end eyepieces are champions in this regard, either - some Naglers are poor and the Ethos range aren't great either.

Your best choices would be eyepieces that are designed to excell in the eye relief department: Televue Radians and Vixen LVW's - fairly expensive, but both ranges will provide excellent and comfortable medium wide-angle viewing with your new scope's premium optics.

As to focal lengths, anything less than 8mm would be pushing the limits of seeing conditions given your SCT's long focal length. Personally, the range from 13 - 24 mm satisfies most of my observation needs and I'd suggest a 19/20mm would be a good place for you to start.

[OneEye]

Thanks Michael for your advice

[DavidTrap]

Televue 32mm Plossel. Not too expensive - $127 from Bintel.

Great widefield view for an 8inch SCT - the following is a quote from the Bintel Website:

"This one of the Classic eyepieces to own offering improved edge-to-edge sharpness, and a wider and brighter field of view to the standard 25mm eyepiece that comes with most telescopes.. The 18mm of eye relief offers unvignetted viewing for eyeglass wearers. It' s parfocal with the shorter focal length Plossls. The 32mm Plossl, with its larger 50 degree apparent field, will deliver the same true field as the 40mm but with higher magnification."

Have a look at the Televue website - advice on eyepieces for 8inch SCT.

http://www.televue.com/engine/TV3_Page.asp?return=Advice&id=97

Regards
DT

[OneEye]

Thanks David for your added advice

[astro744]

I would second the Tele Vue 32mm Plossl. A great eyepiece! The Radians are very good for the higher powers and have 20mm eye relief and are currently $215.00 at Bintel. You could also try the new Meade HD-60 with 17mm eye relief at only $99.00 at Bintel. See https://www.bintelshop.com.au/welcome.htm