Advice on eyepieces please.

[Varangian (John)]

Hi all,

I've had the same eyepieces for a while now, they are the factory eyepieces I got with the Saxon 200mm x 1200mm Newtonian I purchased, one 10mm and one 25mm. I also have a series 500 plossl 6.5mm and a 4mm series 500 plossl. When conditions permit I'm using a Saxon 3x Barlow for planetary observation.

I would like some advice on mid-budget eyepieces as I would ultimately like to replace the ones I am using for planetary observation (currently the 10mm and when conditions are good the 6.5mm) and I would also like to upgrade the wide view 25mm.

What are your thoughts on mid-budget eyepieces for planetary observation and also eyepieces that will allow me some better res on clusters etc?

I really appreciate your feedback.

Thanks, John.

[dannat (Daniel)]

If you want sharp views on planets IMO you can't beat orthoscopic ep's, they can be had for $60 from kk in Japan, so are cheap enough you can buy a few focal lengths. Sterling plossl are another cheap but great value ep? For your scope I would use 7mm & 8mm ep for high power most of the time.
Other options to consider are tmb planetaries (60), Orion expanse in 6&9mm (also called synta ultra wide) or vixen lv (nlv).

For the wider field I presume you have a 2" focuser? How much do you want to spend on it? I suggest the explore scientific 68 deg 20 , 24,28mm ep's

Do you wear eye glasses? How do you find the comfort of the 10&6.5 plossl?

[omegacrux (David)]

Hi John
I can vouch for the Orion expanse I have the 9mm
And for widefield I use a GSO 2in 30mm only gives me 35 mag but stunning wide views
I also have a Saxon ed they are also a good price + nice views
Most of my buying has been on a budget so I get second hand ones off Icetrade ep section

David

[Varangian (John)]

Thanks guys I'll do some research on this.

Daniel I don't wear glasses so that's not an issue. I find the 10mm fine, very comfortable and feel I could go lower and still be comfortable with the ep, possibly down to 8mm as you have recommended. the 6.5mm is pushing it a bit and becomes a strain after a few minutes, so I don't use it often.

Yes I do have a 2" focuser and my budget is $150 for the wide view so the explore scientific appears to be in my price range. I will also check out the GSO.

Sorry for posting here, it appears I created this thread in the wrong forum.

[MattT]

Hi John,
The ES 68deg series is really excellent. I have 16, 20 and 28mm ones. The 16mm is a bit tight on eye relief about 10mm and the others are fab, really comfortable to look through. Also have the 6.7 82 deg and very nice too, though the wide field id a bit too much for me I don't like moving my head to see into all of the FOV.Try the 82 deg 8.8 maybe.. depends on how many eyepieces you want to get? Or use a 2x barlow. Can't really beat value for money with ES imo. Got mine from OPT in the US great to deal with.
Cheers Matt

[ZeroID (Brent)]

My main EPs are the GSO 15mm and 20mm Superviews. About $49 each when I got them 18 months ago. Nice wide views with little edge distortion. First EP in is almost always the 20mm for searching. I've got the 2" Nagler 30mm as well, nice wide open view in the 10".

Also got TMB 9 mm and 6 mm. Just coming to grips with the 9 visually, still not comfortable with the 6 but my eyes are old and cranky and it needs good seeing for best results.

[mbyrr (Antony)]

And where do Barlows fit into all this? (sorry, been reading the Backyard Guide, and was warned it is dangerous to the purse-strings!)

[sopticals (Stephen)]

Originally Posted by ZeroID

My main EPs are the GSO 15mm and 20mm Superviews. About $49 each when I got them 18 months ago. Nice wide views with little edge distortion. First EP in is almost always the 20mm for searching..

Hi John,

I go with Brent,regarding the GSO Superviews. They give very good performance, considering their low cost. I have the 15mm and 20mm (70deg FOV) units.Also have the 2" 30mm, and 2" 42mm (68deg) Supers. With your scope being f6, any of/all of, the Superviews should perform very nicely. The 2" 42mm would give you a very rich wide field view, (28.57x magnification and a field of view of almost 2.4deg). The exit pupil being 7mm.

I also use the GSO 1.25" 2x, and 3x ED Barlows, to extend magnification range. Also the 2" 2x ED to use with the 2" oculars.

Stephen.

[Varangian (John)]

Thanks all, fantastically helpful posts, what a great forum. There is a bit to digest so I'll take my time and do a cost benefit analysis of where I'm at in terms of quality and what I can afford in terms of outlay.

I'll post up what I go with in the next few weeks and give you my own review

[MattT]

Hi John
If it helps as you are in Melbourne I have a 15mm GSO superview 16 ES and a 14mm Denkmeir eyepieces so you could see what the differences are between the price ranges. PM me if your interested
Cheers Matt

[Varangian (John)]

Hi all,

Could I humbly request some feedback on these two eps given my requirements and budget?

For planetary observation I'm looking at;

The 1.25" 8mm 58 Degree TMB designed Planetary ep

For wide field I'm looking at;

The GSO 2" 26mm 65 Degree Wide Field Kellner ep. A 32mm is also available.

If you have any experience with either of these eps or are aware of the reputation of either could you please give me some feedback? Looking at about $150.00 for the two including international postage. I am committed to the second ep (pending feedback). I understand that comfort will be improved will the first ep but will it provide superior res over my 6.5mm 500 series plossl? Bear in mind that I will occasionally be using a 3x Saxon Barlow (with questionable quality) with planetary eps.

Thank you in advance, John.

[Starcrazzy]

I just got a couple of Baader hyperion ep's. Bout $120 each, but well worth the coin. Lovely big solid ep's that can go straight into 1.25 or 2" focusers. beautiful views right to the edge. I got an 8mm and a 24 mm. The 8mm with a barlow gave me the best view of saturn ive ever had. Sharp, contrasty, crisp...beautiful..

[mbyrr (Antony)]

Originally Posted by Starcrazzy

I just got a couple of Baader hyperion ep's. Bout $120 each, but well worth the coin. Lovely big solid ep's that can go straight into 1.25 or 2" focusers. beautiful views right to the edge. I got an 8mm and a 24 mm. The 8mm with a barlow gave me the best view of saturn ive ever had. Sharp, contrasty, crisp...beautiful..

What mag is that barlow?

[Varangian (John)]

For the record I went for a 2" 30mm GSO superview and a 2" 42mm GSO superview. Should I consider a 2" ED x2 barlow for these?

For high mag I went for the 8mm TMB planetary.

Thanks again for your guidance.