[JJDOBBER79 (Jas)]

I think I am going to try a different approach to an EP collection. Let me explain. Recently, I have been on a bit of a spending spree buying up on premium EP’s. I now have a N16T2, a xw10, a Tak LE 24mm and a Parks 32mm plossl. I definately wouldn’t say that I am disappointed with any of them, but none of them stand out either. I find I enjoy the views equally in all of them which I find interesting given that they are all very different in price, FOV, sharpness etc. Those of you who have helped me before on this forum will know that I am still very new to atronomy so I am wondering if maybe my observing skills are not at a level to be able to instantly recognise the areas in which these EP’s individually excel. So, I have decided to notch it back a little.

I have recently read numerous posts on different forums by people praising the TV plossls and claiming that it is the same glass and coatings as used in their premium EP’s. If this is correct , then it would be fair to say that all we are paying extra money for is a wider field, and seeing as this is something that I obviously don’t value at the moment, I feel I may be wasting my money.

So…… I have decided to keep my parks 32mm, and I have just bought a 20mmTV plossl, I will use these barlowed with my TV 2x barlow (that I already have) and I will be purchasing a TV 3x barlow. The 3X will be to achieve a high power 6.6mm equivalent out of the 20mm because I figure I don’t like looking through a pin hole so would rather use a 20mm piece of glass and barlow it and also I don’t have a problem or find it a nuisance using barlows like others do. This will give me 30, 20, 15, 10, 6.6 which I figure is all I need and it will be my main collection which will not change. Now… I figure (going through the IIS archives and checking prices) that I have about $750 in value in my 3 premium EP’s, and the 3x TV barlow will cost me about $100. With the extra $600, I plan to always hold 1 premium Eyepiece which I will buy on the used market and sell when I have had ample time with it. (not every week, but maybe 2 or 3 times a year) I figure that I wont lose money doing this, providing I always get them at a reasonable price, because the premium EP’s tend to hold value. I have 2 reasons for doing this, 1.) It will allow me to try pretty much any eyepiece on the market which will hopefully allow me to find what I like. 2.) I can kind of tailor this choice to what targets are visible at the time or at least the ones that I like to observe regularly.

The only down side I see to this is the risk of getting stung buying something damaged on the used market, and also losing a bit on postage. I am interested in others thoughts on this particularly any from others who use a similar approach.

I am thinking I should be able to get a 13mm (or maybe 17mm) ethos to start with for $600 used. The 100 degrees will probably settle the “do I appreciate wide FOV” question.