Another beginners what to buy thread?? - Page 3

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #41 05-08-2005, 12:57 AM

Glenn,

I may be jumping the gun with this statement but a Barlow is a good investment. You will buy less eyepeices if you have one.

But NOT any old Barlow. May I recommend a 2" Barlow. As some others have discovered too late, if they bought the 2" Barlow they could've Barlowed their 2" EP's as well as their 1.25".

They are a bit dearer (to be expected) but once you have a 2" Barlow you can use it on all EP's hence doubling your range. I use the GS 2" 2x Barlow and I am happy with it. It was only $79 from Andrews!!

I also have the GS 2" 30mm SuperView and I like it too. Barlowed it works fine.

I have a few 500 series EP's and they are terrible.

I have an un-named (un-branded) 9mm and it is terrific. Even barlowed in my f5 12" dobbie!

It is a lot to take in, but eventually you will filter down the suggestions made and make your own selections, but please try to avoid the 500 series. They are dissapointing!

slice of heaven · #42 05-08-2005, 09:55 AM

Steve, I have the Orion shorty + as well and dont have a problem with it.
I use a mixed bag of eps (nothing flash) with it and it works well, the most common eps I use barlowed are the 32 26 and 20 Meades .
But, like you I dont have another 2x to compare it with. I've a TV 3x which I use for the brighter objects.

Starkler (Geoff) · #43 05-08-2005, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoskiss

I have the Orion Shorty Plus. It does a decent job. I don't have anything to compare it to but there are a number of things I can pick on. Internal reflections on brighter targets (like Jupiter or bright stars), or with brighter objects not in but near FOV, are obvious. .

Reflections can happen between the barlow and the eyepiece you insert into it. The quality of coatings of both come into account. I dont have any problems with reflections with my Pentax eyepieces in this barlow.

I have compared the shorty plus to a 2 inch GSO barlow and the shorty plus came out noticeably ahead in sharpness and with much less light scatter.
You get what you pay for.

RAJAH235 · #44 05-08-2005, 10:23 PM

FWIW, No-one has mentioned the 'Meade' barlows. I have the #140 telenegative & it is great with all my E/Pcs. (not the UWA 14mm tho!). I believe they are about $120.00 now. But then I haven't checked lately.

L.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #45 05-08-2005, 10:34 PM

Laurie, is it a 1.25" or 2" Barlow?

I am of the belief that a 2" barlow is a much much better idea than it's little brother. Purely because it will take both size EP's.

chunkylad (David) · #46 05-08-2005, 11:07 PM

Does anyone know what type of EPs Andrews is offering with their GSO Dob deals in the current Aussie Sky & Telescope? They mention (for the GS980) including "4 x Plossl" EPs. Are these the series 500 type, or GS?

It seems that one would need to negotiate further if they are the 500 series!

RAJAH235 · #47 05-08-2005, 11:12 PM

I only have 1.25" E/Pcs. Ken. 'cept for the UWA 14mm, but then it's both sizes.

L.
ps. Have mentioned this before; It's purely a personal choice as to what E/Pcs., barlows, etc. etc. to buy. I just don't like the 'views' thru 2" E/Pcs. & I've tried most.

L.

davidpretorius · #48 06-08-2005, 12:02 AM

i got 4 series 500 ep's 6.5, 12.5, 25mm, 40mm free with my 10" ltd from andrews.

i can't fault them, 6.5mm is ok for jupiter etc, but not much else. no doubt as i get to look thru the better ep's i will notice a difference and won't ever buy a series 500 again. but they are not crap!

gss · #49 06-08-2005, 06:28 AM

Dave W.

Here's a quote from an email from Lee which should help...

quote
In the case of you buying a GS-580 or GS-680 Dod. you may choose any two Andrews Series 500 Plossls from the range covering 4mm~40mm, although over 30/32mm is not recommended for any reflector.
In the case of the GS-880 and GS-980 Dobs. you may choose any FOUR Series 500 Plossls and you may also choose between a bonus 26mm or 32mm 2" dia. eyepiece!
unqoute

Hope this helps...

Cheers,
Glenn

Starkler (Geoff) · #50 06-08-2005, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidpretorius

i got 4 series 500 ep's 6.5, 12.5, 25mm, 40mm free with my 10" ltd from andrews.

i can't fault them, 6.5mm is ok for jupiter etc, but not much else. no doubt as i get to look thru the better ep's i will notice a difference and won't ever buy a series 500 again. but they are not crap!

There are worse eyepieces you could get, but as far as plossls go they are bottom of the line and I would strongly recommend that anyone dealing with Andrews to buy a dob try to negotiate an upgrade to GS plossls.

The memebers of IIS have handed Andrews many GS dobs sales on a silver platter, so lets hope he realises this and "comes to the party".

janoskiss (Steve H) · #51 06-08-2005, 11:10 AM

I agree, as far as this: yes, definitely try to upgrade to GS EPs; they are much better.

But I disagree that the S-500s are the bottom of the line in Ploessls. Geoff, you obviously haven't had the displeasure of looking through one of the Super Ploessls that come with the Dork Smith 4.5" Newtonian.

Compared to them the S. 500s are a work of art!

slice of heaven · #52 06-08-2005, 11:21 AM

When I bought mine from Lee, the 500s had no cash back value if you wanted to upgrade to other eps . The price 'he' pays to put 4 500s on his shelf doesnt come close to the retail price of 1 gs ep. It's a big letdown in his package for a newbie with no other eps.

DaveP..That was a bold statement..re the 500s, compared to the 500s I have some very good Kellners. The 500s are good for public viewing and kids, but even my 8yr old will only use the 15 and 30 of the 500s when he's viewing with his friends as the views in the higher mag pieces arent good enough.

davidpretorius · #53 06-08-2005, 11:29 AM

shall we say they are bottom of the line of working ep's, you can use them, they work, but the only way is up.

slice of heaven · #54 06-08-2005, 11:46 AM

Thats better Dave

chunkylad (David) · #55 06-08-2005, 01:13 PM

Just when you thought it was safe........

I thought I was ready to place my order with Lee Andrews, before I read this thread

that is. It seems the more you learn, the more there is to find out.........

Andrews is offering 4xseries 500 plossls for $99.oo. This may be a basis for some negotiating when I do order. Their range of 1.25" GS plossls 4mm - 25mm are selling for $39.oo each, and the 32mm and 40mm = $49.oo each, as are the 2" x 26, 32 & 40mm. I do hope he is open to a little "horse trading".

I'll keep you all informed.

Cheers

slice of heaven · #56 06-08-2005, 01:39 PM

Good luck with the bartering DaveW.
As I mentioned in the above post , the value of the 500s to Lee, puts them as a take it or leave it package.
Let us know how you go.

Starkler (Geoff) · #57 06-08-2005, 01:44 PM

I would accept any credit offered from not taking the 500's, assuming the budget allows the purchase of other eyepieces, but thats just me. The 500's have pretty much zero resale value.

slice of heaven · #58 06-08-2005, 01:56 PM

I tried that Geoff, but the choice was "take it or leave it". I couldnt even get the price he pays in an upgrade.

The original 2 free gs plossls would be a better deal than the 4 500s.

Starkler (Geoff) · #59 06-08-2005, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slice of heaven

I tried that Geoff, but the choice was "take it or leave it". I couldnt even get the price he pays in an upgrade.

The original 2 free gs plossls would be a better deal than the 4 500s.

I agree 100% . Not much has been said about this in the Andrews vs Bintel value equation.

The 500's really are a let down considering that the scope is worthy of premium eyepieces. They really hold this scope back.

The 26 and 32mm two inch "bonus eyepieces" arent much chop either. Although giving a much clearer view than the 500's , the abberations are shocking in fast scopes.

chunkylad (David) · #60 06-08-2005, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starkler

I agree 100% . Not much has been said about this in the Andrews vs Bintel value equation.

The 500's really are a let down considering that the scope is worthy of premium eyepieces. They really hold this scope back.

The 26 and 32mm two inch "bonus eyepieces" arent much chop either. Although giving a much clearer view than the 500's , the abberations are shocking in fast scopes.

That leaves us with Bintel's offer of their 12" 'premium' Dob which includes a 2" X 32mm FMC EP, + 1.25" Bintel plossls (15mm and 9mm) for an extra $150.oo over Andrews' GS-980 Deluxe. Are there any major differences between these two OTAs, and if not, are these EPs worth the extra$$$?

Theees eees the question seeeenors