Supplied eye pieces

[staffop]

Does anyone know what type of eye pieces are supplied with a skywatcher 102 refractor? I assumed there might be a code on the side but can't see one - are they plossi?

[Jay T]

Judging by the picture on FLO's website of the 102 Refractor they do indeed look like 1.25" plossl eyepieces similar to these...

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-eyepieces/skywatcher-sp-plossl-eyepieces.html

[Charic]

I think Sky-Watcher just supplies the standard MA (Modified Achromat) non Plossl type EPs the 10mm being the first to replace?

Check here ( copy / paste the link into your browser )  this video shows  the 120 refractor? and clearly shows  basic EPs

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuwN1VRnD1A

Hopefully someone with the 102 will confirm your request.

[John]

I think it's more often the pair below that are supplied. They are a modified achromatic design similar to a Kellner.

Plossl eyepieces tend to have the word "Plossl" or "PL" marked on them somewhere, usually next to the focal length.

[Jay T]

It appears I was wrong lol. They definitely look like the EP's my SW 200P Newt was supplied with...

[ronin]

I think over time the supplied items have drifted "downwards".

Manufacturers used to supply Plossl's, then it went to MA and I have read of a few now being Huygens and the occasional Kellner.

I have read of two people getting the same scope and each having different eyepieces supplied.

I generally work on the basis of use the supplied items to work out what to do and find your way around the scope, but consider an improvement almost immediatly. Lets face it the idea is to see things and to see them with some degree of quality.

[staffop]

I think it's more often the pair below that are supplied. They are a modified achromatic design similar to a Kellner.

Super10u25.jpg

Plossl eyepieces tend to have the word "Plossl" or "PL" marked on them somewhere, usually next to the focal length.

Yeah, thems the ones - i assume a basic Plossi would be a step up in that case?

[John]

Yeah, thems the ones - i assume a basic Plossi would be a step up in that case?

Yes, although things like the BST Starguider / Explorers are a bigger step up and get you a very good eyepiece for a bit less than £50 a throw. You can see how easy it is to spend as much as you have on the scope on eyepieces can't you ? !!

One thing I ought to say though is the additional investment gets you what you could call "presentational improvements" that is maybe a wider view, slightly crisper, less light scatter and distortion, that sort of improvement. There is no eyepiece upgrade that I know of that will enable to to actually see anything that the basic ones won't show you at all. A bit of "expectation management" there !

[staffop]

I can see how easy it would be to bankrupt oneself very quickly - i never anticipated how broad the field was in terms of kit! Thanks for the advice with regards expectations - gives me another reason not to push the boat out excessively (though the Explore Scientific 120° 2" 9mm Eyepiece does sound amazing - not sure i'd still have a wife though!)

[staffop]

Taking expectations into account, the Celestron, Skywatcher and Meade zooms are all in the same price bracket, whereas the Badder Hyperion is nearly twice as much - is it really worth that much more...?

[brantuk]

The cheapo zooms are just that - cheap. IMHO they're great if you are after a basic bargain zoom and not too worried about precise mechanical integrity, internal reflections, non specialised glass, and flexibility of use.

The Baader is an all together more professional instrument, several steps up in quality over the cheaper models, and more flexible in it's uses. The coatings and lens configuration just give sharper, more contrasty and pleasing views throughout  the range of field stops.

For me it certainly was worth it being my first introduction to a higher quality eyepiece without going over the top money wise. And it does retain a good resale value if you ever decide to pass it on. See if you can borrow one to try out at your local astro soc. Nearly everyone I loaned mine to ended up buying one for themselves - it's impressive. Hth

[John]

Taking expectations into account, the Celestron, Skywatcher and Meade zooms are all in the same price bracket, whereas the Badder Hyperion is nearly twice as much - is it really worth that much more...?

Like all these things, it all depends on what you are prepared to pay for better optical performance. The Baader is a better performing zoom than the others you mention. Leica do a zoom that is better again and that costs 3x as much as the Baader. A number of members of this forum own the Leicas and feel they are marvellous things

I've found the Baader pretty good overall and the cost not bad if you think of it as the same as buying 4 fixed focal length eyepieces at around £50 each.

[Charic]

If your needing Plossl EPs, surprisingly the Revelation Astro [GSO] Super Plossl 9mm and the 12mm supplied from Astroboot are very good, and only £15.oo each! 

Don't let that price fool you, either will  better the supplied Sky-Watcher Super MA 10mm.  You have to remember that any eyepiece you purchase will only be as good as your eyes accept.  What's good for one user, may not suffice for the next.  I`d rather own the TeleVue 8mm on report and branding alone, but I found after testing with my eyes, I much prefer the 9mm GSO. Yes, only 1mm difference in focal length but the the 9mm feels more comfortable of the two EPs, but Plossl EPs are renowned for short eye-relief at the higher magnifications.