Short Sighted - I think !

[PCH (Paul)]

Hi All,

at risk of sounding really stupid, - I have a question. I normally wear glasses for reading...... So should I wear glasses to observe through a scope? If the answer is yes, then why can't I just not wear them and instead adjust the focuser to suit. There doesn't seem to me to be much difference either way, and yet I hear lots of members talking about the importance of eye relief on lenses because they wear glasses.

So folks, do I or don't I? Any thoughts please !

Cheers,
Paul

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

I wear glasses to see anything further than about 1m, but I never use glasses for observing. I let the focuser focus the image for me.

I read an article (in Cloudy Nights I think) about Glasses V's No Glasses. It was suggested by an optometrist not to wear them. Just use the focuser.

The only hassle I have is when I want to look at the sky, then in the scope and back and forward. Glasses on, Glasses off, Glasses on, Glasses off etc etc etc

[erick (Eric)]

The other night under Sydney skies, I got sick of glasses off and on when using my binoculars (I'd forgotten to bring my "strap" so I could dangle them ), so I refocused for my glasses and found that worked OK. I have multi-focals, so I had to be careful of my head position relative to the eyepieces, but I got the hang of it. I'll have to continue to experiment, but I suspect with the scope, I'll still prefer to observe without glasses. (ps. helps to have your glasses sparkling clean as well!)

[rmcpb (Rob)]

The only real time you ned to wear galsses for observing is if you have astigmatism and your glasses correct this. Otherwise, you can allow the telescope focus to adjust for your eyes. This can be a pest when observing with other people, my kids hate it when I say "It there" and they have to focus each time to make the blob visible to them but thats life

[PCH (Paul)]

Hi guys,

thanks to you all for the tips. Looks like it's glasses off then, - which is much more convenient for viewing.

Thanks again,

Paul

[Doug]

Hi Paul, most fores and againsts have been well covered, except perhaps one more. I too have multifocus specs (best thing since pneumatic tyres),and find it a bit of a nuisance at the eyepiece, but the real thing to think about is the problem of stray light. The rubber eye cups are pretty good at shielding this out naked eye, but with classes not so good.

[leon]

If you wear glasses, hang them around your neck on a cord, when observing, and then just use them if you actually have to see something of importance other than stars or the like.

I never use them at the EP, for visual, however they are a must if you need to focus for imaging.

Cheers Leon

[mill (Martin)]

I wear reading glasses, but never at the telescope, and btw i have astigmatism in my eyes.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by leon

I never use them at the EP, for visual, however they are a must if you need to focus for imaging.

Cheers Leon

I'm the opposite, I have to take mine off to see the monitor.

[leon]

Yes i suppose we all need glasses for different reasons, maybe i was a bit quick to generalise.

Leon

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by leon

Yes i suppose we all need glasses for different reasons, maybe i was a bit quick to generalise.

Leon

Yep, some people use them to drink out of

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

Yep, some people use them to drink out of

Ken

[Satchmo]

Most people , even if they don't use glasses for distance in the daytime, suffer a little night time myopia. Naked eye view of the sky ( sharper stars and fainter limiting mag) is improved in most people by an average of an extra 0.5 diopeter negative correction. For looking through a telescope you won't need the glasses , just refocus.