Need to borrow a good EP to test optics

[TAHAIC (Nige)]

Hi,

I purchase my first scope which is an 8" Newt 750mm FL. I have been talking to some guys on this forum about it here. The surgestion was made to ask for help in borrowing a good quality EP to test my optics in general chat forum. I am happy to buy an EP but I don't want to waste my time and money if this scope is not up to standard. It takes 1.25 EP's at the moment but if my optics are good enough I would probably like to change the focuser to a 2" and purchase 2" EP's and a Barlow. I live in Brisbane on the southside - can someone please help me out?

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Can't help you with the loan EP but the best starting EP's to recommend are the GSO Superview 15mm & 20mm EPs. At the price they are excellent value and give good wide viewing.
I don't think you will gain anything by going to 2" EP's. They are heavier and cost a lot more. I have a 32mm which gives big clear views but the GSO SV's are as good or better. 2" only really become useful on much larger aperture scopes from what I understand. I picked mine up at an Astro garage sale as an experiment and haven't really found a use for it yet.

[Shark Bait (Stu)]

Brisbane Astronomical Society is holding their last meeting for 2013 this evening. The venue is Kelvin Grove School Library and it sounds like the perfect chance to meet up with people who can offer some assistance. An astro buy / sell / swap is being promoted as part of this meeting. Someone might have eyepieces on hand for you to try if you bring your scope along.

http://www.bas.asn.au/Meetings.html

[TAHAIC (Nige)]

When I say borrow an EP I really only mean for someone to come around and let me use their Ep in their presence for 15 - 20 min just to find out if the optics in my scope are good/bad or indifferent. I don't mean for someone to handover their valuable EP to a complete stranger i.e. me.

Originally Posted by Shark Bait

Brisbane Astronomical Society is holding their last meeting for 2013 this evening. The venue is Kelvin Grove School Library and it sounds like the perfect chance to meet up with people who can offer some assistance. An astro buy / sell / swap is being promoted as part of this meeting. Someone might have eyepieces on hand for you to try if you bring your scope along.

http://www.bas.asn.au/Meetings.html

Sounds like I should get on my bike and take my scope. Is there somewhere to set my scope up and view the night sky at this venue? I hope so! The city lights might be an issue too?

Thanks for the tip.

[Shark Bait (Stu)]

Yes, they can and do set up scopes before the meetings if the sky is clear. Being so close to the CBD and being surrounded by school buildings does limit the horizon somewhat, but there is still plenty to point a scope at for a test run.

Regarding fellow amateur's sharing their equipment, this is something almost all amatuer astronomers do very well. If they know that you are seeking some help, you will probably have trouble getting them to stop talking.

I assume that you don't have access to a car if you intend on using a bike. It might be safer if you went along without your scope and find willing members on the Southside who live nearby.

[TAHAIC (Nige)]

On my bike is just a figure of speech Stu - LOL, I must be showing my age or something. I have a car, its all good - Thanks again for the info, this a great help.