kev100

This looks interesting (especially if it comes with light pollution regulations) : https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/17481626.national-park-plan-tens-of-millions-for-dorset-in-major-economic-boost/?ref=twtrec

What scope do you use it with?

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to what has become a fascinating and informative thread. I guess my question now is: is it even possible to get a good 82 degree EP, for use in a fast scope, in the 14-16mm focal length range ? Without breaking the bank ....

Hi Robin, The 8.8 is a cracker, and I definitely won't be parting with it, even though the eye relief is tight. The 16mm maxvision, though, does feel tighter, and I'm starting to find the FOV restricting. Budget can't run to a T5, though Kev

Google translate did a fair job of translating Ernest's reviews, and the conclusion re the Nirvana is : "Eyepiece looks very personable. It has a huge 82-degree field of view, which, combined with a 16 mm focal length, makes it an excellent candidate for a viewing eyepiece for a 1.25 "eyepiece tube. But ... the image quality at the edge of the field of view of this eyepiece is poor. I think the best application is could be found in telescopes with a relative aperture of 1: 12-1: 15, such as the compact Maksutov-Cassegren. The high-aperture optics is contraindicated for him." I feel this rules it out for me and my scope, and I think I'll hang on to the MaxVision for a while. Cheers all, Kev

yes or perhaps holding off for a second hand SKywatcher branded one ... Essentially, I'm looking for something to fill the gap between the 20mm myriad, and the 8.8 explore scientific ... but without breaking the bank.

Thanks Paul (and everyone else). The 16mm maxvision is indeed a top eyepiece, but the 68 degree fov does seem a bit tight to me these days. Also, using it is similar to using a monocle as the eye relief is so tight.

Thanks Andrew, that's very interesting (I hadn't considered that the view would be less sharp in the Nirvana). Several reviews I've read of the Nirvana range have compared them favourably to TV Naglers ... even in faster scopes. I guess I'm just wondering whether the additional 0.2 degree in afov and slightly better eye relief will make a worthwhile difference (the Maxvision is already very good). Kev

Hi, As much as I love my 16mm Maxvision, I'm starting to find the 68 degree fov and eye relief a little restrictive, and wondered about replacing it with a 16mm Nirvana. I've read good things about these, and they seem to fare well in fast scopes. Just wondered if anyone had any direct comparisons with the Maxvision. Cheers, Kev.

Hiya. I'm quite happy just nudging. 82 &100 degree EPs help, though

Here's mine. Not too bad

Hi all, Very difficult one, this. Been mulling it over since I first saw the original post. Gave up several times thinking 'nope, can't do it'. Every time I think of a particular observation, I think 'Ah, yes, but what about this ...', or 'oh yeah, that time' ... However, here's my current top three: 1. February 2015, the first time I saw a shadow transit on Jupiter, with my 250PX. I remember being amazed at the sight. It was a couple of weeks before the partial solar eclipse a few years ago (UK), and I remember being awestruck about seeing the same phenomenon on another planet. 2. Feb 2018, all four of the Leo quartet (Hickson 44), again with the 250PX, but from my back garden! Still chuffed about this. 3. March 2018, while scanning through the open clusters in Auriga and then down to Gemini, again with the 250PX, I stopped at M35. A lovely sight in itself, and one I'd seen many times before. But then, a small smudge appeared. I initially thought it was a smear of something on the eyepiece, but swapping to the ES 8.8 showed it was another small open cluster (NGC 2158). The experience of having looked at something on so many occasions, and then seeing something completely new blew me away. So there you have it, three experiences out of so many possibles (I'm sure I'll change my mind if I don't post this soon, so here goes). Kev

The only time I can be confident of seeing the nebulosity was when using my 20x80 binoculars.

I too recommend the collimating cap. Sometimes us a laser just as a double check/fine tuner, but mostly it's just the cap: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/other-collimation-tools/rigel-aline-collimation-cap.html

Pretty poor year here. I recorded only 39 outings in my log, ranging from brief sessions with the bins to a few more lengthy scope nights. Although outings were few in number, I recorded some great sights, including two comets (Giacobini-Zinner and Wirtanen), all the planets, and managed the Leo quartet (Hickson 44) galaxies from the back garden. Also, 2018 was the year I completed the Messier catalogue. Some top nights, and occasionally some great company, but, at least towards the end of the year, a great deal of cloud induced frustration. Looking forward to (hopefully) clear skies in 2019! Kev