It took a while, it took alot of time to research and many sleepless nights, but in the end, it happened just like that. While looking around and doing some reading I stumbled upon the Celestron Onyx which usually retails for 699 US but at the moment on sale down to 399!!
Highpoint Scientifc have a shop on eBay and they had one listed as Buy it now or make best offer so i did offer 350 US and what u know, offer was accepted!! cost another 75 dollars to ship so still a good deal. Dont know if i made the right decision but im pretty happy with my purchase, it is a single speed focuser and i wanted 100 mm dia scope but what the heck, i'm gonna enjoy it as much as i can then when i want something better, at least i can justify it.
It come wih a dot finder (probably useless) and built in Dovetail (no rings required). The lenses suppose to be excellent and the finish is very good.
I will be adding to it the WO CF Dia but not sure how many EPs I need to start with? i want a barlow too. So maybe 3 eye pieces? which mm?
The scope is f/6.25 and i would like the higher mag ones to view planets. Budget wise? hmm tell me what u think is value for money?
Congrats on the new scope.
Feel certain others can provide you with the right guidance on eyepieces. Something wide for the sweeping star fields and another with a little more bang for the planets. I've only used Takahashi and TV Naglers (4.5,11,22,31 - sold'em), All very nice, but not sure if its in your budget. I hear Pentax provide good value for money.
Truth behold, but I haven't looked through an eyepiece/telescope for three years so I'm probably not much help to you. Sorry.
how are you going to mount it - are you keen on photography?
if you are after med-low cost eyepiece consider william optics spl series, the 6mm and 12mm are pretty good for the pricce of about $119, not a TV nagler or pentax xw, but a whole lot cheaper.
for a widefield eyepiece I would look at the Tv plossl series, 500/20 = 25 times mag in your scope - the 20mm ep is a classic i think. will give you nice wide images
Yes it is an ED80 with f/6.25 ratio. So you think three EPs and a barlow will do?
I'm happy to go mid budget. Dont wanna spend big money on TV at this stage (getting married this yr and already bought ring and what have u not!! so u can see how much i can afford hehe).
with a short focal length scope like yours - in my opinion you only need two eyepieces to start with one for widefield low magnification, and one for detailed lunar planetary. I would try these first then maybe a barlow (i recommend picking up a good secondhand one here)
with a short focal length scope like yours - in my opinion you only need two eyepieces to start with one for widefield low magnification, and one for detailed lunar planetary. I would try these first then maybe a barlow (i recommend picking up a good secondhand one here)
Will check and see whats available here. but should i get a 2" or a 1.25"?. I guess 2" is a waste of money when my EPs will be 1.25" correct?
Yes, stick to 1.25". Unless the scope comes with a 2" EP holder, which I don't think the 80 mm scope does - does it?
Those 2" eyepieces are really heavy and ould upset the balance of a small scope
Last edited by JimmyH155; 18-01-2009 at 01:17 PM.
Reason: additional advice
Yes, stick to 1.25". Unless the scope comes with a 2" EP holder, which I don't think the 80 mm scope does - does it?
Those 2" eyepieces are really heavy and ould upset the balance of a small scope
I dont know to be honest. Very good question. The tech spec on their website doesnt say. I have to find out. i guess if 1.25 that means my dia also nees to be that size
I used to buy $60 Plossl, then went to a Meade 8mm - 24mm Zoom eye piece - loved this, before switching to the Vixen LVW eyepieces - which blew me away after the simple Plossl. They are notably less expensive than Naglers, say around $300 brand new but cheaper second hand. They give great views with excellent contrast.
But the best advice is always go to star parties and see what other folk use and record what does it for you. It was two years before I spent about $800 on two eyepieces but they effectively relegated about 8 other eyepieces to the never to be used again pile!
I'm waiting till I look through someone elses Ethos eye piece before pondering will that cause me to get rid of all the lower end eye pieces and upgrade.
A 10:1 micro focuser, a Bhatinov mask (home made is fine) to give perfect focus, a comfortable chair and a really great night for viewing can lock in you love for this field when you target something through great eye pieces.
