Building the perfect eyepiece set

wavelandscott (Scott) · #1 20-01-2005, 10:21 PM

Since the recent purchases of equipment have brought tonights rain, I've been busy surfing the web trying to pick "the perfect eyepiece set"...

As a place to start, I've assumed no financial limits to getting what I want...(yes, I am truly dreaming)...

There are only two constraints (and they are not binding):

I want to stay with 1.25 inch eyepieces...and as mentioned I am willing to break even this rule...

I want to limit total eyepieces to 5...(no real reason for this either but lets say may home made case will only hold 5)...

In real life I've already got a 2.5 Powermate and an 11 mm Type 6 Nagler...

So, I can pick 4 more...

As a first shot, here goes...

First, I am going to stick with Al and the TV stuff...I'm sure that there are other great manufacturers but I like his stuff...

in no particular order...

24 mm Panoptic
40 mm Plossl
32 mm Plossl
16 mm type 5 Nagler

So, these are my picks...

What do you think? Remember my criteria...

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #2 20-01-2005, 10:44 PM

40mm plossl won't be too far different than a good set of Binocs.

Probably better with

16mm Nagler
24mm panoptic
30mm plossl
35mm plossl

That would be my choice with an open wallet.

Astro_Guy · #3 20-01-2005, 11:13 PM

True field is determined by the eyepiece field stop, not it's focal length. The 24mm Panoptic, 32mm Plossl, and 40mm Plossl all have a 27mm field stop; therefore, all will show you the same patch of sky. Assuming for a moment that you have a typical 8" f/6 Newtonian with 1200mm focal length, I would suggest that you consider two of the following three choices:

9mm Nagler (133X)
8mm Radian (150X)
7mm Nagler (171X)

Clear skies,

Bob

Starkler (Geoff) · #4 21-01-2005, 12:06 AM

Assuming a dobsonian scope with 1250mm focal length these are the four I would choose .

31mm nagler type 5 for max fov ( 2 inch)
12mm nagler type4 for dso workhorse
7mm radian planetary viewing low mag
5mm radian planetary viewing high mag

If allowed to have a 5th I would have a 17mm nagler type 4.

If you get a 24 panoptic why would you want a 30mm plossl which will yield the same fov ?

Astro_Guy · #5 21-01-2005, 01:54 PM

Hey Starkler,

That's a great set of recomendations! A couple of quick comments if i may:

31 Nagler: Awesome, and in keeping with no budgetary limits, but a 35mm Panoptic is a close second at just over half the price.

12mm Nagler: Another awesome eyepiece, but spend the extra few bucks for the parfocal barrel extension.

17mm Nagler: My favorite eyepiece, bar none. Not entirely sure what use it would be in a combination with a 8-inch f/6 Newt to anyone owning either a 31 Nagler or 35 Pan.

7mm Nagler T6: This seems to be the quintessential planetary eyepiece with Dobs in the 8-10" class.

5mm Nagler T6: Controversial. Prevailing seeing conditions don't normally permit magnifications over 200X where I live. Observing out over a large heat sink, such as an ocean, does frequently allow for regular use of higher magnifications.

Clear Skies,

Bob

wavelandscott (Scott) · #6 22-01-2005, 10:44 AM

It is interesting to see what other people think and some of the reasons behind their thoughts...

It is a helpful exercise...so many choices, so many considerations

Starkler (Geoff) · #7 22-01-2005, 01:03 PM

The 27 panoptic IS a great eyepiece for the gso dob, I have one myself and its highly recommended by many others in this scope.

The 31 nagler will give the biggest fov available for a 2 inch format eyepiece and still keep the exit pupil at a reasonable size.
Downsides are cost and weight. The thing is HUGE and costs 2x as much as your scope

The 35 panoptics exit pupil is getting a little big for my liking and id be inclined to stick to the 27.

The good thing about wide field eyepieces is that you need less of them.