Help with Eyepieces

[StephenRH (Stephen)]

Peter Read, of SDM Telescopes, is making me a 28" f/3.3. I have a range of Naglers including a 13mm, 9mm and 7mm. I want a smaller focal length eyepiece which I will also use with my Stellarvue SV110-25SVED, mainly for planetary viewing.

Here's my question... should I go with a dedicated 3.5mm Nagler (or Delos) OR a 2.5x 1.25" Powermate?

Thanks
Stephen

[dannat (Daniel)]

if it were me id get a powermate, but then again it will give you about 200x in the SV scope which is good for planetary / lunar, at <600x i dont think it would get much use in the big scope

[MortonH]

Originally Posted by StephenRH

Peter Read, of SDM Telescopes, is making me a 28" f/3.3. I have a range of Naglers including a 13mm, 9mm and 7mm. I want a smaller focal length eyepiece which I will also use with my Stellarvue SV110-25SVED, mainly for planetary viewing.

Here's my question... should I go with a dedicated 3.5mm Nagler (or Delos) OR a 2.5x 1.25" Powermate?

Thanks
Stephen

I used to have a Powermate with my small scopes but these days I prefer individual eyepieces. A Pentax might be another option besides the models you mentioned.

Morton

[erick (Eric)]

Originally Posted by StephenRH

Peter Read, of SDM Telescopes, is making me a 28" f/3.3.......

I'm green with envy! Please tell us all about it when you start viewing.

I was going to say "Welcome Stephen", but you must hold the record for the longest time from join date to first post!

[Profiler (Profiler)]

I can concur with Morton that it would be worthwhile giving some serious consideration to the Pentax XW range of eyepieces - especially while they are still available for purchase new. The Pentax v Televues (Delos/Naglers) are often hotly debated as to which are better but the reality is you can't go wrong with either brands of eyepiece. If I had to make a call in differentiating them (in the context of refractors) I would say the Pentax provide optically a slightly better image through the EP and have much better ER (once you get the knack of the eyecup).

Whereas the Naglers give a better fov (82 v 68) and are more portable/convenient to use as they are half the size/weight (type 6 Nag) but sacrifice ER. The Delos are a sign of Televues true genius and foresight in creating a substitute eyepiece (minus the lanthanum glass) to fill the pending void and thus capturing the potential market share that will be created in the not too distant future when the last of the XWs roll off the production line.

[StephenRH (Stephen)]

Thanks for your feedback. I am going to wait till my telescope actually arrives and try it out first. What I have MAY be enough. If not, I'll decide then.
Stephen

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Originally Posted by StephenRH

Peter Read, of SDM Telescopes, is making me a 28" f/3.3. I have a range of Naglers including a 13mm, 9mm and 7mm.

Thanks
Stephen

Hi Stephen,

I spent a couple of hours observing with Phil Townsend's new 28"/f3.3 SDM last Thursday night at Coonabarabran.

It's an excellent scope that you will be extremely happy with.

In regard to eyepieces I would wait until you get the scope and see how 28" of aperture copes with your prevailing seeing conditions. You can then determine the best range of focal lengths.

Cheers,
John B

[sally1jack (Phil)]

Hi Stephan,
As John has just mentioned i have just taken delivery of SDM #68 a 28" f3.3 with a Mike lockwood mirror which is what you will be getting.
I have a26 nagler, 17 ethos ,13 ethos ,10 ethos at the moment , at coona the seeing was average on 2 to 3 nights & good on another few nights i had my 10mm in & that was about the limit that night which is i think around 380 x i'm sure with good seeing that my scope will be able to handle much higher mags.
But most of the time i was using my 17 mm or 13mm . i will buy a 21 ethos next as i used one & it was great. As john said i'd wait & see before buying,
I would consider ethos i know they are expensive but with there wide view they gave me truly biblical views through the 28, i think they are worth it
phil