Eyepieces for 12" Dob

Tamtarn · #1 22-05-2006, 04:25 PM

Hi all
We are purchasing a Bintel 12" Dob in approx 2 weeks time. Our current Scope is a Meade ETX125PE with Autostar which we will use to locate Deep Sky Objects to view with the Dob.
Our eyepiece selection at this stage is Meade 26" SP- Meade 15mm SP -Meade 15mm QX- Meade 12.4mm SP- Meade 9mm 5000 Series, and 32mm 2" supplied with the Bintel Dob.
We would like to get a better quality 2" for overall viewing and we feel we need specific FOV and magnification to view Nebula and Galaxies at their most detailed clarity. Either 2" or 1.25".
As this is our first experience with a Dob we need lots of advise on the most suitable eyepieces for our specific needs in the Mid Price Range we can't afford the High End of the market as yet.
Any suggestions from the forum experts would be great.

Barb & David

ving (David) · #2 22-05-2006, 04:36 PM

you know, youhave a good range of mid-priced eyepieces already and if they come to focus you should be set. alot of people like to go for wide angle (70-80 degree) eyepieces tho cause dobs generally dont track. I could sugest a 31mm nagler but its not exactly mid-price range... how about a pentax?
anyhow, welcome aboard. people will be coming to your rescue soon

xstream (John) · #3 22-05-2006, 04:54 PM

Hi Barb & David, welcome to IIS.

I was thinking the same as Ving you already have a fairly good range of eyepieces. Maybe a 2x barlow might be a better option?

Striker (Tony) · #4 22-05-2006, 04:56 PM

I would say a http://www.staroptics.com.au/index.p...cessories&p=53

But they are a bit expensive but well worth it.

Come on John back me up here.

Tamtarn · #5 22-05-2006, 05:01 PM

Thanks Ving we'll check out the Pentax we're thinking about a wide angle but of course they're higher priced also. We apppreciate your info Thanks a million

Tamtarn · #6 22-05-2006, 05:14 PM

We're pleased that you think that our range is pretty good I suppose we need to have some Good viewing with the Dob and gain a bit of experience and get the feel of what our priorities may be. Thanks John & Tony for your input

janoskiss (Steve H) · #7 22-05-2006, 05:24 PM

Welcome guys. Two members with one login name. I think that's a first.

Quote:

We would like to get a better quality 2" for overall viewing

A low power wide or semi-wide eyepiece at modest cost is a tough ask. 30mm Superview works okay and it's cheap, especially if you buy used. It's not great in an f/5 Dob but you could do worse. Probably a good idea ask Bintel to swap the 32mm RKE that comes with the scope for one of these.

Quote:

we feel we need specific FOV and magnification to view Nebula and Galaxies at their most detailed clarity.

That you can have for not a lot of money (e.g., UO orthos), but if you want a wide field of view (FOV) and good eye relief as well, it will cost you, or you need to trade a bit of performance for comfort. The Orion Stratus or Baader Hyperion eyepieces are very good all-rounders at modest cost. Bintel should be able to get the Stratus EPs for you. The 13mm would be the most useful one to get. The 21mm is a nice low-mid power eyepiece as well, although the LVW version (the original which is a 22mm) is a lot better at that focal length. Check out MyAstroshop for LVWs.

One EP I have to recommend is the 8.5mm Pentax XF --- optically this is just about as good as an eyepiece gets, up there with the 10mm XW for half the cost, and with a slightly narrower but still generous 60-degree FOV. O/S it sells for under $US150 which makes it amazing value. I'd be inclined to recommend the 12mm XF too, but I have not tried it. It might have field curvature issues in the 12" Dob.

The 8.5mm I own and it is brilliant. Very useful mid-high power focal length for the 12" Dob.

Grab a good barlow for high powers.

Tamtarn · #8 22-05-2006, 06:25 PM

Actually I have investigated the Stratus and Baader on the web and thought they seemed to be good value Steve but was unsure of which mag to go for. I wil also check out the other EP'S suggested. Your ifo is a great help.
By the way glad to hear we're a FIRST at something !!
David

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #9 22-05-2006, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamtarn

we feel we need specific FOV and magnification to view Nebula and Galaxies at their most detailed clarity. Either 2" or 1.25".
Barb & David

Hi Barb & David,

I have the 12" Dob and I am a Galaxy Hunter and about the best EP I have ever seen 'Galaxies at their most detailed clarity' is the Takahashi 7.5mm ED LE.

I have used one at our last Astro Camp and these EP's bring out exquisite detail on galaxies. I am waiting to read a review about what else they can do.

Apparently they are available in South Australia but I am unable to find out where, but they are easily available from the U.S. at around $140 yanky dollars. The ED lense really helps sharpen up any faint detail.

Steve, Doug and Sue also go under the one username (dugnsuz).

circumpolar (Matt) · #10 22-05-2006, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xstream

I was thinking the same as Ving you already have a fairly good range of eyepieces. Maybe a 2x barlow might be a better option?

I agree. A good barlow is a must. A 2" barlow with 1.5" adaption gives you a versitile unit. Look in the IIS reviews, there is a review on University Optics 2" barlow. I use the Tele Vue 2" Big Barlow. I find that it corrects almost all the defects in my lesser EP's. Bintel - $335.00.

mickoking · #11 22-05-2006, 09:04 PM

I have been doing a lot of galaxy hunting with my 300mm Dob and the 13mm Nagler has become my 'galaxy eyepiece'. I know its a bit pricey but its well worth it for the views. I also use a 20mm superview for nebulae, it is not in the same league as the Nagler but it is much cheaper and produces a 'trasty image. I personally dont use barlows.

hope that helps, cheers Mick

janoskiss (Steve H) · #12 22-05-2006, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

Apparently they are available in South Australia but I am unable to find out where...

This is the dealer I was thinking of for the Tak EPs: http://www.astronomy-electronics-centre.com.au/
They have the LE 7.5mm is listed at $295, but better contact them and find out what they really want for them.

The Tak LE sounds very good. I'm not sure if ED glass has anything to do with it. I presumed it's mainly there for planetary viewing, to minimise off-axis false colour. I think you would like the Pentax XF 8.5mm on galaxies too. Similar US price to the Tak LE.

Quote:

Steve, Doug and Sue also go under the one username (dugnsuz).

Ah yes, but dugnsuz is usually just Doug.

Tamtarn · #13 22-05-2006, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickoking

I have been doing a lot of galaxy hunting with my 300mm Dob and the 13mm Nagler has become my 'galaxy eyepiece'. I know its a bit pricey but its well worth it for the views. I also use a 20mm superview for nebulae, it is not in the same league as the Nagler but it is much cheaper and produces a 'trasty image. I personally dont use barlows.

hope that helps, cheers Mick

Thanks for your input Mick, info on 20mm for nebula very helpful.
Maybe a Nagler further down the track.

Barb & David

Tamtarn · #14 22-05-2006, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoskiss

This is the dealer I was thinking of for the Tak EPs: http://www.astronomy-electronics-centre.com.au/
They have the LE 7.5mm is listed at $295, but better contact them and find out what they really want for them.

The Tak LE sounds very good. I'm not sure if ED glass has anything to do with it. I presumed it's mainly there for planetary viewing, to minimise off-axis false colour. I think you would like the Pentax XF 8.5mm on galaxies too. Similar US price to the Tak LE.

Ah yes, but dugnsuz is usually just Doug.

Hi Doug
Have followed up on the website you suggested and the Takahashi will certainly be considered as it sounds great for galaxies.
Thanks a lot
David

Tamtarn · #15 22-05-2006, 11:30 PM

Back again Steve
Have checked out Pentax 8.5mm after your recommendation and will add it to our list of choices
Thanks again
David

iceman (Mike) · #16 23-05-2006, 05:58 AM

The Tak LE's are great eyepieces, but I'd recommend getting them second hand from the US (astromart). You'll get them at much cheaper prices than buying brand new.

A Pentax 14mm XW or Nagler 13mm T6 would be a great DSO eyepiece in a 12" dob. Just depends on your funds, as they are quite expensive.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #17 23-05-2006, 09:13 AM

After my first serious dark sky session with 10 & 14mm XWs, I'd say the 10mm is the best match to the 12" Dob on DSOs. Seems to bring out the most detail, both on faint fuzzies like galaxies and planetaries and on larger brighter objects like the lagoon (although for framing such a large object you do need a lower power EP). If you get one premium EP, my vote would go to the 10mm XW. Field curvature of the 14mm might also be an issue. But this depends not only on scope and EP but also on observer's eyesight...

Downside of Tak LE's is that they only have a field of view equal to plossls.

Tamtarn · #18 23-05-2006, 09:25 AM

Thanks Mike, the Tak LE new is in our price range so it's on our list of choices.
The Pentax XW is a little high in price at this stage. But we're sure that with experience we will invest in one top class eyepieces in the future.
Barb

janoskiss (Steve H) · #19 23-05-2006, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamtarn

... The Pentax is a little high in price at this stage. ...

The Pentax XFs would not be, only the XWs.

Tamtarn · #20 23-05-2006, 12:09 PM

Thanks a million guys. The info you have all given has been invaluable to us. We appreciate the wealth of experience from everyone. It seems at this stage the Tak LE 7.5 or the Pentax XF 8.5 would be one of our choices, then maybe ? 10-12mm XW Mid Price and maybe ? 20-22mm Mid Price. Including our own EP Range it seems we would cover all bases for Nebulas and Galaxies. Then at a later date we can decide on one favourite Premium EP.
WOW ARE WE GLAD WE JOINED IIS!!!! Thanks again guys
Barb and David