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Hi Dan, a warm welcome from me too, enjoy the ride!

Maybe the box or case you keep them loose in is the problem, they certainy should not show cracks or dirt. Any loose ep's I have I keep in bolt cases.

Hi MrL, a very warm welcome from me too!

Our first speaker of the new season will be Dr. Lilian Hobbs who will be giving a talk on 'How Astronomy Has Changed'. Graduating from Southampton University, specializing in database software development, her interests in astronomy extends to practical observing and astrophotography. She is also an intrepid traveller and motorbike touring enthusiast.

Hi Mike, that's how we all started, little steps lead to great rewards, good luck!

Hi Ben, a warm welcome from me too, just up the road and along a bit. Hope you enjoy your stay here, there's lots of info on this forum and a great lot of friendly people. Clear skies!

I used to have a couple of these SW eps. I recall it had a twist up eyeguard which I used to think was quite clever, they were modelled on the SW LET eps (or vice versa). I remember I had the 3.5mm, the other could have been a 5mm, I don't know, I have since sold them. However, here is a photo of one of them that I took in 2011:

Hi Zynch, and a very warm welcome from me too!

Hi Ankeet, your description indicates that you are not coming to focus properly or trying to ramp up the magnification too much (which the 25mm is not capable of), you need a shorter focal length eyepiece to give you more power. Apologies to Chris, the OP!

For DSO's you need low power and one of the best and reasonably priced eyepieces is the 32mm Plossl from FLO: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-eyepieces/skywatcher-sp-plossl-eyepieces.html

Your first two options are good, though I would pick the XW. As others have said, cross out Baader Hyperion from your list!

Hi Lachlan, glad you found this website. Good luck!

Hi Hoth, great story, mine is more mundane so I won't go into it!

Hi there, I have downloaded Sky Safari and am trying to get to Live Sky. Everytime I try and follow the link to 'Live Sky' it comes up with a page called 'Leaderboard'. Does anyone know how I can get past this? Much appreciated!

Hi Banjaxed, yes, you will need to find one, try the second-hand market such as: https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/ Once you find the right adaptor you will be able to use 2" eyepieces with ease.

Hi Ant, I would go back to the 16mm T5, like the 13mm T6 it is absolute gem and so compact, I also like the 19mm Panoptic like Shane above.

Hi Chris, I live just one mile from the town centre in Swindon and the colours of Alberio and many other well known double stars is amazing, you will not be dissappointed! I find my refractor the best scope for looking at double stars.

I am amazed that I can still separate Mizar & Alcor with the naked eye, when my kids and many others struggle.

Hi John, one of the reasons I got into double stars is because you can see colour, I love looking at Albireo and the Easter-egg double in CAS (Ʃ 60) for example, and I think I am a bit older than you!

Hi Allen, I too have the older version of the Lumicon and it is a very good piece of kit. If the new ones are improved as John suggests, that will be great.

Hi Starhopper13, yes, my first view was stunning and I shall never forget. When I looked it was high in the sky and very clear with the rings tilted towards their maximum. Unfortunately, the planets are not on very good view at the moment as they are quite low and you are looking at them through the thicker atmosphere but it will get better later. Depending on the atmospheric conditions you should be able to see the Cassini Division with your 10mm Eyepiece. I use a 6mm eyepiece (150x magnification) for planets, but Saturn can take a bit more magnification, 200x to 250x. Well done for getting your first view of this magnificent planet 'Lord of the Rings'.

Hi Starfivesky, astroshop.eu is a good shop to buy from, I have bought from them with absolute confidence, have a look at some of their small refractors here: https://www.astroshop.eu/

Hi Yash, I am sure you will find some good friends here, so a very warm welcome!

Though I do not have these eyepieces they are all well respected on this forum, if I was to choose I would go for the Orion, simply because it looks ergonomically superior. It seems be based on the William Optics 6mm SPL, which is one of the finest planetary ep's I have ever bought. I would think carefully about a Barlow, after a while I decided I didn't need one, though I agree they are useful to start with. The Celestron X-Cel is expensive and I think there are good cheaper options out there, always consider a 2x Barlow if you are going to get one. The best of the bunch is this one: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/explore-scientific-eyepieces/explore-scientific-2x-3x-5x-barlow-focal-extender-125.html

He Louis, that really puts into perspective and, of course, you are quite right. I love the rich starfields too, esp. in Cassiopeia, great with a good quality widefield eyepiece.