What would you recommend? next eyepiece.

[nobby2 (Neil)]

I own a new bintel DOB BT 202: Aperture 203mm, f/5.9, 1200mm Focal length.

Bintel 30mm wide view, Plossl 20mm, Plossl 15mm, Plossl 9mm.

What would you recommend be my next purchase?

Should i go down the Barlow path? I realise this may open the gates to many suggestions but was hoping there may be an obvious next step.

[pw (Peter)]

I have the same scope and the eyepieces that came with it.
I wanted more magnification for Saturn and other planets, so I bought a TV Delos 6mm as that's about the maximum magnification the scope can handle. So far I haven't been able to use it very often, the seeing in the suburbs isn't up to it.
Since then I bought a secondhand Pentax XW 10mm and I'm able to use it more often. It is notably better than the 9mm Plossl that came with the scope.
I think my most used eyepiece is the 2" Superview 26mm that came with the scope.

So if I was starting over again, maybe a good quality 10mm wide view such as a TV Delos 10mm or a Pentax XW 10mm.

A zoom eyepiece such as the Baader Hyperion might be handy too, the ability to change magnification on the fly has appeal.

[AG Hybrid (Adrian)]

Edmunds Optics RKE 28mm. If you don't have one. It should always be the next eyepiece you should get next until you do.

ymmv

[pw (Peter)]

Adrian, tell us more. What does it offer over the 26 or 30mm superview?
I don't think I've heard of it before.

OK, got over my laziness, Google says it gives floating views and has a cult following.
Thanks for the tip.

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

I am going to offer some alternative advice...instead of suggesting a new eyepiece I would suggest getting a good adjustable height chair instead and using what you have for a while.

There are many great eyepieces available today (we are blessed) but final preference often comes down to small differences based on the observer. It takes a little viewing time to understand what you like and do not like so I would take my time before upgrading...the stars are not going anywhere...and attend a star party or two and look through a few other folks gear to learn what you like.

Unlike eyepieces which individually will be used depending on what you are looking at and sky conditions, a good adjustable height chair will be used each and every time you observe regardless of eyepiece. I have also found that when I am comfortable I observe longer and glean more detail from what I am looking at regardless of the eyepiece I am using on the night.

As I get older I find the ergonomic improvements in a good chair make looking at the night sky even more enjoyable.

Enjoy your new scope and eyepieces that came with it...use them for a while and get familiar with what they can do and your likes.dislikes about them. You would not want to put a first time driver in an F1 race car without some practice time in a regular car...

If you feel the absolute need to buy something else new...consider the adjustable height chair, for me it was one of the best investments after the scope that I made.

Clear Skies!

[Renato1 (Renato)]

If you want to go hunting faint Deep Sky Objects, a 2mm exit pupil is best as far as I am concerned. For you that means a 2X5.9= 11.8mm eyepiece, and the closest a 12mm eyepiece.

And you'd want that 12mm eyepiece to be at least a wide angle, or better yet an ultra-wide angle, which make life a lot easier when pushing a dob around.

A Barlow or Powermate would only really give something useful in the high power range with the 9mm eyepiece. Personally, I'd go for 4, 5 or 6mm wide angle eyepiece (perhaps a TMB). Again, I mention wide angle because the field of view will be small, requiring a lot of pushing the dob around to follow planets.
Regards,
Renato