rwilkey

Hi Alan, thanks for clarifying, much appreciated!

Apologies Alan, I was going by the given sizes in mm (of the eye lense) in the actual advert and projecting up. Is this not the eyepieces that come with the scope?

Hi Twiga and welcome to SGL. I have found the best place to order stuff is AgenaAstro in CA, I have made many happy purchases here and they have great customer service and fast delivery, found here: https://agenaastro.com/

Hi Banjaxed, I always use a Moon filter as I don't like the light you still see in your eyes after viewing. The Baader Neodymium filter suggested by John above is a great one and the first I ever bought, it is also good on light pollution. The ones I use now are called Neutral Density (ND) filters, they come in three main flavours, 13%, 25% & 50% light transmission or ND13, ND25 & ND50. Of these I find the best one is the ND13 for telescopes 100mm aperture and over. The variable polariser is also another alternative as you can vary the light transmission from 1-40%. I prefer the fixed density filters myself as you don't have to faff around with adjusting it. Just my thoughts!

Not sure about you, but I make it that the telescope takes the older 24.5mm (0.965") eyepieces so recommendations will need to be adjusted accordingly. Hi Talley, unfortunately this size eyepiece is rarely available and when/where they are offered are not available in many focal lengths, I am afraid your options are very limited unless you can find some s/h (sorry 'preowned'). Also, the eyepieces tend to be the old designs with very few elements, so not upgradeable, here are some examples: https://www.nipon-scope.com/0.965-inch-eyepieces https://www.opticsplanet.com/zhumell-0965-plossls-eyepieces.html You might also consider an adapter to enable you to use 1.25" eyepieces, where you have much more choice, here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Solomark-0-965-Telescope-Eyepiece-Adapter/dp/B00OXKG8BS Hope this helps

Hi Bluesilver, please note that planets will always look the size of a pea through any amateur telescope, but the detail will be improved with larger apertures.

Hi Pete, it's quite a difficult choice buying new ep's because there is so much out there. My recommendation is the Explore Scientific 62º Series, they have average/good eye relief (13 - 22mm) and work well in fast scopes, they are also within your price range, found here: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/explore-scientific-eyepieces/explore-scientific-62-series-ler-eyepieces.html

Hi there, I find flight cases serves me quite well, you can also get ones with foam that you just press out to the shape of your equipment. Many places sell them, some found here (check actual sizes before you order): https://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/flight-case

I chose the ES82's, so your option 2 was my preferred choice, however, a few XW's thrown in for good measure will not go amiss (option 3), what a choice!

Hi Miguel, a warm welcome from me too. I also love refractors for double stars, planets and Moon, so we are very similar!

Hi Ignoro, no, not that big, like the naked eye planets, it is about the size of a pea. However, I did see light shadows on it like those in the picture, which is why I posted it. It is well worth a look as it's still slightly above Arcturus in the evening and slightly below in the morning. Hope this helps.

Hi Andrew, a warm welcome from me too, here in sunny Swindon!

Hi David, yes, it's a proper little gem. The AFoV of 50º does not matter when you are working at high powers. The zoom is super-smooth and so easy to use, there are so many things you could say about this eyepiece!

Our speaker for May is Mark Woodland FRAS, he will be speaking on 'Exoplanents and the Charterhouse Exoplanet Project '. We meet at Liddington Village Hall, Church Road, Liddington, Wiltshire. SN4 0HB. Start time 7.30 pm. For more details please visit: http://www.swindonstargazers.com/clubdiary/clubdiary.htm

Hi Alan, great that you have seen a first time asteroid like us, we were viewing with my wife's 90mm refractor, apparently it is also a binocular object according to Ian Morison, well, it's bright enough as you would have found!