rwilkey

5 minutes ago, Louis D said:

A custom 8" Dob, a custom 15" truss Dob, an AT72ED, a 127 Synta Mak (Orion, I think), an ST80, and a PICO-6.  I'd like to get a 120mm to 150mm ED refractor next (preferably with an FPL53 doublet).

I can't compete with that, but I have what is shown in my signature, plus my wife has a 90mm Meade, here's a photo:

15 hours ago, awlfc said:

That's some collection. Do you get the same size eyepiece in different  makes

I am the same as Loius D, I have a large collection, and yes, I have the same sizes in different makes.  The thing is, you get different experiences with different makes , like between ExSc and TV's. The experience and pleasure of viewing means a lot to me, but, of course, it can be expensive, but my collection has accumulated over quite a few years. 

Hi Saw, there are a number of good options open to you!

Hi Saw, the best eyepieces in my opinion are the William Optics SPL's, 6mm & 12.5mm highly recommended.

Hi Flood and a warm welcome from 'down south'. It sounds like you have made a good start and have everything you need for some great viewing.  Local clubs will be your next good step.  Clear skies!

Hi Simon and a warm welcome to SGL, my wife's relations are from the Medway towns and in particular the Hoo peninsula.

Our speaker for June will be Peter Chappell, who will speak on 'My Aurora Adventure'.  His main interests is visual viewing of Solar System objects especially the surface of the Sun which changes quite quickly and also the planets.  He is very keen on observing Solar eclipses and has seen around eight in total from the Feroe Islands to China.  
Peter is a member of three local astronomy groups: Wiltshire AS (speaker secretary), Swindon Stargazers and Salisbury Plain Observing Group.  For more details please visit: http://www.swindonstargazers.com/clubdiary/clubdiary.htm

I agree with Gordon, this is a great telescope to 'begin' with, however it is not a 'beginners' scope in the truest sense because of its huge potential, which rises far above the scope (pun intended) of every other 'beginners' instrument (avoiding using the pun again).  You cannot go wrong with this telescope, as Gordon says, if ever there was a scope for life, this is the one!

Hi Metro, another vote for the 13mm LVW, it's a stunning ep and very sharp right to the edge, even in my f/5 newtonian, however, I believe they have stopped making them now, but if you can get one s/h that would be good.

Hi Alistair, just an observation looking at the focus wheels in your photo, they should be in a horizontal position so the it makes focusing easier and more intuitive, you should be able to just twist it round and then readjust the diagonal to the vertical position.  John's recommendations for eyepieces are spot on.

Hi Triton76 and welcome to SGL.  I think Ricochet has the answer in that you are using both 1.25" and 2" eyepiece extensions, this is the most common mistake made with these reflectors.  The way you describe the focus problem points to this, alternatively, if you could provide a photo of the focuser that would be helpful.  You should have only the 1.25" unit on the telescope.

Hi Leo, as John says above, a good refractor plus a couple of good quality ep's, starting with a 13 or 14mm to home in on your prey. 

Hi Sam, a very warm welcome from me too!

Also, this is a good one for finding deep sky objects (DSOs): https://www.amazon.com/Turn-Left-Orion-Hundreds-Telescope/dp/1108457568/ref=sr_1_19?crid=ZR68LK69YIKX&keywords=astronomy+books+for+adults&qid=1558965480&s=gateway&sprefix=astonom%2Caps%2C236&sr=8-19

2 hours ago, BopaTom said:

Could someone please recommend reading material?

Hi Tom, this seems a good place to start: https://www.amazon.com/Stargazing-Beginners-Royal-Observatory-Greenwich/dp/0008196273/ref=sr_1_23?crid=ZR68LK69YIKX&keywords=astronomy+books+for+adults&qid=1558965039&s=gateway&sprefix=astonom%2Caps%2C236&sr=8-23

1 hour ago, pete_81 said:

I guess ignoring the 14mm for now (it may be better to get the 8.8mm), I'm wondering if the x2 is the best choice now so that I'd have a 24 & 12. Is the x2 a good choice that would be financially beneficial as EP collection grows...
What are everyones thoughts on the ES x2? Better than Barlow? The ER won't change, which is fine, probably better. (The TV Powermate is well out of any range, so please don't suggest it!) Do most of you avoid focal-length extenders?

Hi Pete, although I have tried the ExSc Focal Extender and find it excellent I have to admit that I prefer to use eyepieces of set focal lengths and not use a Barlow or extender

Hi Alan, thanks for clarifying, much appreciated!

On 11/05/2019 at 06:56, Alan64 said:

This is the telescope in question, and it uses 1.25" eyepieces and accessories

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?

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 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 Greg, for my refractor I chose a Vixen Porta II mount and tripod, my telescope has a 900mm f/l and the mount carries it superbly, and very steady, bit expensive though but the only advantage over the AZ4 is that it has slow-mo controls, found at FLO here, along with a picture of mine: 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/vixen-mounts/vixen-porta-ii-mount.html

On 08/02/2011 at 19:20, liamsantini said:

What will the size if planets look like through the scope? I mean in my current scope Jupiter looks like a small pea, with 4 bits of dandruff floating around it lol.

Hi Liam, the planets will still look like a pea, however, your image will be much more detailed and tak-sharp with the right eyepiece; make sure you get good quality ep's for the desired result.  The moons of Jupiter will still look like bits of dandruff, but hey-ho, they are between 4 and 6AU's away from Earth.  Where you will notice a difference is with Saturn's moons, in a 3" you will only see Titan, but in a 10" you will also see: Rhea, Enceladus, Tethys, Hyperian, Iapetus & Dione.  Now that's not bad is it?  Good luck with your purchase!

Hi Terry, welcome to the Lounge.  Firstly, the 20mm 'erecting' eyepiece is mainly for daytime use.  The circumstances you describe sounds like what we call kidney-beaning, ie. you need to get your eye in the right position to get a full view, you might be viewing too far away or too close to the eyepiece, so that the view appears to wobble or dissappear altogether.  With the 10mm eyepiece you have to get your eye closer and this may explain the better view. 

Hi Sunshine, should work a treat, weather not good your way but let us know how you get on. 

22 hours ago, avtaram said:

I'm hoping this is my final setup. 

Avtar 

I keep saying that too!