Barlow or new eyepiece?

[inertia8 (Australia)]

That's part of the cheapness of the focuser. Some put some plumber's tape on the threads to firm it up, however it needs to be replaced every so often.

[BilliGoatsGruff (Billi)]

Originally Posted by inertia8

That's part of the cheapness of the focuser. Some put some plumber's tape on the threads to firm it up, however it needs to be replaced every so often.

I like that idea it'll definitely help with the problem.

[OzStarGazer]

Originally Posted by BilliGoatsGruff

Does you 10mm ep get wobbly when you focus it? For me to see Jupiter clearly last night I had to turn to focus wheel almost all the way out. Which makes me realise that the focus wheel gets wobbly, not the ep. Did you ever have this problem?

I often had to turn the wheel all the way out with my 1st SW (they gave me a new one because the first one had a problem with the secondary mirror). I haven't noticed the wheel problem with the new one, but I have really not used the 10mm ep much. I just checked it worked when the scope arrived.
The focusser is definitely not the best. Here is a solution somebody had found, even if it is only a temporary solution:
http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/94...is-it-do-able/

PS: Ah, I see we all posted together in the last few minutes!

[Renato1 (Renato)]

Originally Posted by BilliGoatsGruff

Renato, I'm not looking for anything lower than a 6mm right now. I've got my eyes glued to the classifieds for anything that comes up in my price range

But, assuming the specs I looked up were correct and the focal length is 650mm, then a 6mm eyepiece only delivers 108X. It's better than nothing, but is still ultimately low power for the moon and planets.

Your situation is problematic though, because if you bought an inexpensive 4mm plossl, well the eyerelief is extremely shallow (I had to take off the rubber eyeguard to see the entire field of view) - still useable, but annoying. I do have the more expensive TMB eyepieces at 4mm and 2.5mm which I got off Ebay, and they are okay because they have longer eye relief without weighing a lot like other more expensive eyepieces.

Good luck with whatever you choose. You'll soon realise that happiness is a new eyepiece in the mail.
Cheers,
Renato

[OzStarGazer]

Originally Posted by Renato1

But, assuming the specs I looked up were correct and the focal length is 650mm, then a 6mm eyepiece only delivers 108X. It's better than nothing, but is still ultimately low power for the moon and planets.

Unfortunately yes, you are right. I actually got pretty close to the moon, but planets look really tiny, even with the 6mm ep. AND the images are pretty dark because for clear images at high magnification you just need more aperture.
Even higher magnification without tracking can be even more problematic. I use the Neximage 5 with my refractor (also small) and while I can get very close to the moon and on good nights it looks fantastic, it disappears from the screen super quick, so even when the weather conditions are good or excellent with hardly any turbulences I just see a few big craters drifting across the screen for a few seconds and have to constantly recenter.
So unfortunately small scopes without tracking have limitations in terms of aperture, no tracking etc. and 6mm is probably the limit on most days.

[inertia8 (Australia)]

I concur. Seems similar to the reviews of the Orion starblast 4.5 which state it is best for rich field views.

So, good enough to have a decent look at the moon and planets to whet your appetite for a larger aperture scope but excels at cruising the sky and looking at planetary nebulae and clusters.

Even when I get my main scope, I'll be keeping this little one unless circumstances warrant otherwise

[BilliGoatsGruff (Billi)]

I ended up going with the Meade eyepiece kit in the classifieds. The seller has allowed me to pay in installments