Dan Watts

Thank you I have been saving for ages to get these - I did go a little crazy getting the whole bunch...oh well, it's xmas! lol.

Think i will have to hold fire on the 30mm as my scope will tip over...The 24mm is borderline when I put it in, might need to counter weight it.

Finally got my Maplins case and yes, I went a bit crazy over Xmas and now have a nice little collection of 82° Explore Scientific Eyepieces I have yet to go outside with these new EP's as of yet, I cannot wait to give them a run!

Got other little bits in there...some filters (UHC / Moon & Neodymium), Baader x2.5 Barlow etc.

Let the fun begin

Finally got my Maplins case and yes, I went a bit crazy over Xmas and now have a nice little collection of 82° Explore Scientific Eyepieces I have yet to go outside with these new EP's as of yet, I cannot wait to give them a run!

Got other little bits in there...some filters (UHC / Moon & Neodymium), Baader x2.5 Barlow etc.

Just before taking the scope out the other night when we finally got a clear sky...Can't wait for ISON to become clearer, hope it ends up being as bright as they hope it to be

I took the dive...bought from the good ole US of A.

I Used Agenastro in the end - Bought the 6.7mm, 11mm and 24mm = £313 delivered on the quickest priority mail (5-10) days.

You cannot fault that price, I worked out with shipping from Europe i'd be be easily looking at £500! I know might hit some customs charges but I can live with that I can't believe the smaller EP's work out to £66, that's an absolute steal!

I have seen an 18mm in the classifieds, think I might complete the set with that as well...then gradually fill in the gaps over time with the other EP's in the line. Next stop a case from Maplins!!

Thank you again for all your help with this topic and I promise to lay it to rest now

Dan.

I would def be getting a few of them but in dribs and drabs as I can't afford them all just yet...will def keep an eye on the 2nd hand market

There's an 11mm in the classifieds at the minute Dan.

Thank u for the heads up Damo!! I have just seen this as I've been away with the other half...I've had a look and it isn't there now which is a [removed word] but will def keep an eye out! Thank u for letting me know though

I can see me getting a few extra of these EP's! Lol

That's interesting to read...I used to have the Baader Zoom 8-24.

I used the Baader Barlow x2.25 to accompany it (which I still use) and found barlowing and going all the way to 8mm did start getting a little hairy!

I am thinking the 8.8 might be a bit more manageable un-barlowed and barlowed.

Thanks John.

Apologies for restating this thread up again but I have finally got round to getting the money together to get my Explore Scientific 82° and i will be def buying the 11mm but want to get a higher mag as well...I am really torn between the 8.8 and 6.7.

Realistically, is the 6.7mm going to be a bit too powerful (especially when I barlow it @ x2.25) for my scope being 8" 1200mm focal length?

Thanks again everyone.

Dan

Ah ha, thanks for the heads up on the European suppliers, i didn't look into ones closer to home! Sounds like a plan

Hawaii +1

We are going there for our honeymoon - Can't wait to go up Mauna Kea for stargazing some of the darkest skies in the world! Congrats and I hope you find somewhere nice

Dan

If you intend going for the 24mm ES 82° as your lowest power widefield, I would skip the 14mm and go with the 11mm. The 11mm is not only the pick of the line (apparantly), but its a better jump in magnification, as well producing an almost perfect 2mm exit pupil for medium power observing with your 1200mm fl f6 scope. I would then choose the 6.7mm as the highest power fixed focal length. The 11mm + 2.25x barlow would get you to 4.8x (250x) if conditions allowed. :-)

That's interesting to hear! I will prob make the dive in the near future - prob from the USA, so much cheaper than the £157+ over here...It's almost worth the customs charges!

Dan.

That's interesting to know! I will save a little more cash up i think and do it in 1 go.

With my current obsession with DSO's, this will be a very welcome addition! I also noticed the 8.8mm is only available in the USA at the moment, I may take a chance with the import as they are only $99 at the moment, unless you get stung by the customs, prob still worth the risk though...maybe!

Thank you all so much for your input in this thread.

It's been really informative to hear of the different EP's that are simliar to the ES°82 as well, I had not considered Meade EP's before now! Dude_with_the_tube thank you for your input in regards to the the sizes to look for etc.

Spaceball - Thank you so much for your informative thread you posted above, duly read and noted all the points you have put down there...I'm going to chop in my Baader Zoom and then start with a high power 8.8mm ES°82 and prob a med power 14mm as you mention then save up for the 24mm I think

Again, thank you all that have given advice on this as i was really stumped originally but i'm much more up to speed

Dan.

Hi,

Thank you so much for your valued info! The focal length is 1200mm for the XT8. Yeah, I was looking at starting with 3 EP's then gradually increasing the collection. I have a x2.5 Baader Barlow at the moment...I have also heard of these focal reducers, what exactly do these do?

I am really getting into DSO hunting of recent so would be nice to have something to have something to bring that out for sure! Def a planetary and there is always the Barlow for the 2" EP route I could go down as well, that gives a few options

Thank you for your time answering, I really appreiate it

Hi all,

I have finally decided on starting building a fixed focal length collection.

I settled on the Explore Scientific 82° range but due to only having a Baader Zoom 8-24mm and a couple of cheap EP's that came with the scope, i just wondered due to starting from scratch, what selection of EP's would be the best?

I'm thinking starting with 3 EP's from the range, but really can't decide...If anybody has any guidance or suggestions to make this easier, that would be great

Thank you for reading this and I appreciate any feedback.

Dan.

@Spanners360

You can when it's a 1.6m f/l 14" in a solid tube - it does not play ball in a wind! I guess I should count myself lucky I couldn't get out

Haha...You make a good point there Haitch!

I've literally just read this as well, doh!

Managed to crack the scope out last night for a few hours, bit of a wind but when your using a dob you can't use that as an excuse

First time I have managed to get out this year in fact so was great...finally got to use my new UHC Filter, Orion Nebula looked amazing, if a little low in the sky when I viewed it + next door neighbour thought it would be a great idea to go out and leave most of her lights on. I'm sure it would look even better under dark skies.

Also managed to tease out a very faint Crab Nebula which was nearly overhead before I went in...with averted vision there was def something there!

thats next on my list to buy. You will have to let me know what you think of it.

Definately, I hope it is clear tonight and i will give it a spin...I am out Sat, would've loved a meet if it was clear! Grrr.

Still forecasted clear sat. Fingers crossed its true.

I don't believe it!! haha...Just had a new SW UHC Filter...I haven't seen through one before, dying to try it out on M42!

I have the Baader version of this and as Moonshane mentions, use it regularly with planets. It really brings the bands of Jupiter out and adds a bit of contrast to Saturn and Mars. I would really recommend it

Really hope it's clear, been ages since we had a good clear night.

Tell me about it...Just 1 night with the scope outside would be great! Thought i was going to get out there on Weds but as soon as i lugged the Dob downstairs the clouds had started to roll in

So has anyone managed to get out and do some observing?

Found any more good sites to use?

It's terrible at the moment, I haven't been out for ages due to the bad weather and being sooo busy over Xmas!

Had a 2" Skywatcher UHC for Xmas and really want to get out for a look at Orion's Nebula and the like!!

Dan.

Hi everyone,

I have visited blakelands and that would be a great site, not sure about the lights from nearby wolverhampton international airport though! Ive also though himley hall may be a good site, I used to play golf there and still know the owner, if I could get enough interest im sure I could sort something out.

Rich T

I'm only in Kingswinford, keep me posted too, would love to have a dark site viewing!

Dan.