Anyone else truly happy with there EP collection?

[Mike73]

At the start of last year I was in the unfortunate position of having to sell off 90% of my astro gear to raise some money, I had a pretty good selection of Delos and Naglers but they all went.

Its taken me a while to get back on my feet but I've eventually got what I think is my perfect EP collection back.

Today I received a 26mm T5 via Faulksy via Alan which completes my set of EP's to cover my 10" f/6.3 and 16" f/4.5.

Anyone else got to a point of buying EP's when they can actually say 'right thats it no more!'?

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I often say it, but there's always some reason to buy another (Radian 14mm coming shortly to stop a gap in my 1.25" solar set-up). In your case, the scopes are similar enough in focal ratio to use a limited  set of EPs, and the Leica zoom further reduces the need for more EPs, but I have a wider range of focal ratios, and might get a big Dob in the future, so I never say "No more EPs"

[brantuk]

I don't even know if I'm settled on scopes and mounts yet never mind eyepieces. I thought I was - but it somehow transpires I'm not lol.

[swamp thing]

Mike

Wait until after Dobfest II, then say that again. You'll find using others kit has a strange effect on your "finished" eyepiece collection

[YKSE]

"truly happy with their EP collection" is a VERY tuff target to meet, there're just too many causes can change that, such as

1. Wanting the best possible EP (wider FOV; better optical performance)

2. More different scopes than anticipated

3. Cchanged viewing preference (from performance to FOV or the other way round).

4. financial situation changes

..........

[Dude_with_the_tube]

ummm. i might say that in 2 weeks time when my last Ep`s turn up from US.But not sure about that lol. in last 2 weeks i have bought 16 new Ep`s 

[Joves]

I'm fairly happy with mine!

[swamp thing]

I'm fairly happy with mine!

It's quite comprehensive I must say

[Lorne]

I only have the one scope with no plans on changing it so I reckon I'm well covered with my 28mm down to 6mm ( + zoom for the gaps) I'm happy with my mostly 82° views though I admit I also enjoy getting a look through the Ethos and ES 100° EP`s that a couple of the others in our observing group use - so, truly happy here......... so far 

[Mike73]

"truly happy with their EP collection" is a VERY tuff target to meet, there're just too many causes can change that, such as

1. Wanting the best possible EP (wider FOV; better optical performance)

2. More different scopes than anticipated

3. Cchanged viewing preference (from performance to FOV or the other way round).

4. financial situation changes

..........

This is true but when you have experimented with different EPs and you've found what FoV and eye relief you need/want and then buy the best you can afford where do you go from there?

[Joves]

It's quite comprehensive I must say

A little TOO comprehensive

Truth be told, the comprehensiveness of the collection is probably he thing I dislike most. But I do like every EP, so I guess they're here to stay.

[alan potts]

I am happy with mine but that don't mean I will not add to it. I could always find space of a 5mm XO, not that is takes up much.

BTW that 26mm should start collecting airmiles.

Alan.

[YKSE]

This is true but when you have experimented with different EPs and you've found what FoV and eye relief you need/want and then buy the best you can afford where do you go from there?

I totally agree with you on this point, and it's what I've tried to apply

There will still be exceptions though, for those wanting the  best possible, e,g, there will come out new EP better in this and that aspects, and they will most likely want to become happier by buying the new toys.

Those who are happy with their EPs must know what they're going to miss not getting more EPs, and that's not very easy for everyone.

[Moonshane]

I genuinely am happy with my eyepieces. this thread started in June 2013 shows what I had then http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/188794-eyepiece-groups/ but before this I have not changed an eyepiece for perhaps 12 months. I have recently bought a 12mm T2 Nagler to replace my 13mm Ethos. This is not because I am unhappy with the Ethos but it is to allow me to release the cash within my most expensive eyepiece to fundraise for a new solar scope.

this set services five scopes though so (excuses, excuses) is not as excessive as my wife would have me think.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

The core of my EP collection (Nagler 31T5, 22T4, 17T4, and 12T4, XW10, XW7) has stayed more-or-less put in the last year or two. I cannot see any of those going anywhere. I have added a Delos 8mm (second-hand) to fill the gap between XW10 and XW7, relegating the XF8.5 to solar duties. An LVW 42mm was added to max out the FOV for those occasions I want it (turned out I regretted selling the TMB Paragon 40mm after all). The real changes have been the addition of some more 1.25" EPs for solar work: MaxVision 24mm (2x for future binoviewing or giant binoculars), 20mm (great for solar, I find), a Lunt 7.2-21.5mm zoom had a very brief stay (eye relief) and a Radian 14mm should take its place soon. 

[swamp thing]

this set services five scopes though so (excuses, excuses) .

Three scope limit Shane.........

Me thinks this has kinda......window, gone out of yes

[estwing]

Mines done... Daren't look through a 31mm nag!

[Moonshane]

LOL

In a way it's three as one of them is technically the schhol astro club scope and the other is my work white light/camping scope leaving my three main ones. did that work? oh, the solar scope will put me back at 6, I mean 4.

[AlexB67]

I can see some light at the end of the tunnel for my current scopes which is a nice feeling. Few more  things to get as well as a couple of filters, some upgrades will happen no doubt at some point though. I like the idea of squeezing out what I can get out of what I have, rather than going in a rush of upgrades a bit quickly an doing more buying/selling etc.

At some point the eyepiece chase will stop and other scopes or a scope upgrade will be entering in there as well so I'll be back to some more eyepieces perhaps.  

I feel so far that with a 10 - 12 inch Dob as the main workhorse, a grab and go smaller scope, and a bigger Dob at some point in the future perhaps I'll be happy, so there are only so many eyepieces I need. No doubt solar  observing will grab me at some point too, but  I don't think I'll ever be the type to end up with 10 scopes and a 100 eyepieces ( famous last words  ) . oh some bins no doubt if that counts.

It is a hobby after all, and I have other passions and hobbies  in life as well to not want to constantly pump spares I have into more and more astro gear.  It is all a bit of a balancing act, spend what I can afford and I am happy camper to get the most I can get and want  bit by bit, as long as it does not compromise anything else it's all good 

[avtaram]

I just need the 6mm Delos and then I'm done. I think.

..

..

Avtar

[Stu]

Have cleared out a load recently to raise cash, just waiting on a Leica ASPH 8.9 to 17.8mm zoom to go with my Baader VIP Barlow and I will be sorted and happy.

Once I start using my SX250 I shall call my Paracorr back from its little holiday :-)

Stu

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[YKSE]

I just need the 6mm Delos and then I'm done. I think.

I belíeve you 100% after reading someone has set foot on slippery road of Ultra wide FOV

[Uplooker]

Well I can safely say that I am changing my EPs, quite significantly. When I got my first scope – SW150P – I initially used the supplied 10 & 20mm EP and Swx2 Barlow, as most do. I then did what most people advise against; I bought a Revelation EP kit. I have had good use out of it and it was an improvement on the SW stuff. Later on I added a Baader BGO 9mm.

I have now come to realise the advantage of buying specific EPs. I also thought that I would rather buy the best that I could afford as I plan to keep them, however, if I do decide to change them I will get close to what I spent as I have bought them 2^nd hand for what I consider to be a considerable saving on new prices. For those reasons I decided to purchase TeleVue.

To date, I have purchased a 26mm & 13mm Nagler and a Paracorr. I am not sure as yet but I suspect that there are two other EPs I will look at near term – 17.3mm Delos or 17mm Nagler. Longer term I will look at something else a bit shorter, probably between 5 & 7mm, plenty of time to decide.

Similar to Shane I wish to cover two or three scopes – Celestron C8 XLT and a SW 300PDS. The third scope being the SW150P but I will basically use that for imaging once I have the Dob mount built for the 300PDS.

I am open to any criticisms of my choices.

Ian

[TheMightyKong]

Im reasonably happy, have been for ages but I buy new eyepieces out of curiosity to see how they do and see how they feel, not because I'm particularly unhappy about something I have.

Having said that, with a new scope just arrived things may change.

edit: just seen the OP's pics - I'd be very happy with those:-)

[ronin]

Bought the set of BST's and really I would be very happy to have those alone.

Performance is good, cost is good and they do all I want them to.

Others may perform better but I simply have no reason to spend £300 on an eyepiece.

I actually doubt I would really enjoy using it, half afraid I may damage it or something. Reason for that is an eyepiece is an eyepiece a nagler would get treated the same as a BST.

If I dropped a BST on concrete it would be a phone call to Alan to ask if he had a replacement branded as an Explorer, drop a Nagler and I would consider not replacing owing to the cost.

In addition and as a comparison I have the TV Plossl's and the comparison between the 2 is amusing. They are similar in some ways and different in others.

So my basic collection is BST's Explorers and TV Plossl's, and I cannot see a reason to change.