rwilkey

I would advise that you get used to using the supplied eyepieces first, they are not bad and are included to get you started.  Give it a few months and then consider new eyepieces, once your eyes have been trained to observe, you will then appreciate the quality of better eyepieces.

It shouldn't do that, I think it is defective, but email FLO and they will advise and change it if defective.

On 29/12/2022 at 12:45, Nigella Bryant said:

OK, I'm going to get some flack with this. I see many post's about new eyepieces arriving and pic's with all the others they have. The cost of some more than some of my scopes, lol. 

I confess at the beginning, I either use my Astro cameras to view on the computer screen or image with same camera's. I don't get why so many eyepieces and sometimes expensive one's. I own about three eyepieces but invariably use just the 32mm sometimes to centre an object before inserting the camera. 

So, may the controversy begin, lol. 

Hi Nigella, if you were an observer, you would probably understand.  As Ian says above!

8 hours ago, dark knight said:

Hiya Dylan, welcome to the forum, say hi to your stepdad. Remember you all so well as you went to school with my son,  oh and that's my tent in the background lol

It's a small world, you are certainly among friends Dylan!

On 13/12/2022 at 15:44, Yodaisgreen said:

That's me in the pic!

Hi Dylan, it's so cool that you followed in your step-dad's footsteps!

Hi Dylan and welcome to SGL.  I am sure I met you at the Salisbury Star Party in 2009 and have a photograph of you with your step-dads telescope.  I remembered you because your name is Dylan and Bob Dylan is my favourite artist, so here's the photo, also on my website at: http://www.swindonstargazers.com/members/salisbury2009.htm

In my opinion if you want a starter telescope then a refractor is the best way to go and I would avoid reflectors and EQ (equatorial) mounts.  Refractors are more expensive because they use lenses instead of mirrors  Around your price range I have found the following:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/evostar/sky-watcher-evostar-90-660-az-pronto.html

This will make an excellent starter telescope.  I hope this helps.

Hi George and a warm welcome from me too just down the road, glad you found us.  Best wishes and clear skies!

19 hours ago, Moonlit Knight said:

I think they are astonishingly good value for money in the UK at least, check out the FLO website 

I agree with you, however, I bought all mine at the early US prices from Agena Astro, they were a real snip when they first came out.

This is always the most difficult of choices.  Two initial thoughts when looking:

a) Always buy from a recognised astronomy supplier

b) Never buy a 'children's' telescope, they are usually made of plastic and are so poor they don't work basically.

My recommended supplier are 'First Light Optics' in Exeter https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes.html

I would recommend the Sky-Watcher Heritage-100P,, as mentioned above.

The concept of these table-top telescopes which have mirrors instead of lenses (often called Newtonians), are that they are fixed on what is called a 'Dobsonian' mount, which is like a rocker box that allows you to point up/down (altitude) or left/right (azimuth).  You will need to put this part together as it comes in a flatpack - it is quite easy.

The more traditional telescope (a refractor) with the long tube, lenses and tripod, which everyone pictures when thinking of telescopes will be well out of your budget at around £300.  The one on the beginners page is much too complicated for children of your ages because it has an 'equatorial' (EQ) mount, which even some adults struggle to master, the Dobsonian has an alt/az (AZ) mount which is much easier to use.   Note the eyepiece and focuser on the Dobsonian are near the front of the scope, whereas on a refractor they are at the back, so this will be a new concept to you.

With the Dobsonian telescopes above you will need a good solid picnic table or similar to sit the telescope on.  Larger (adult) Dobsonians sit firmly on the ground.

One good thing about First Light Optics is that they have an unequalled returns policy, if your child simply does not get on with the new scope you can exchange it or request a refund within a month of purchase, howerver, there is a Chistmas extension on this time scale

I hope this helps.

For the price, in my opinion the 16mm eye relief you get on BST Starguiders is around the best you could expect to get, though others views may vary.

10 minutes ago, ScouseSpaceCadet said:

All true Stu. The slight increase in mag and smaller exit pupil help to darken the background sky and improve contrast.

Hi Scouser, I totally agree, you have summed it up in a nutshell.  Well done, I couldn't put it into words, so thank you!

6 minutes ago, Stu said:

Out of interest, what makes you hold onto both as they are very similar focal lengths?

Hi Stu, I bought the ExSc first in my steady road to upgrading, so have a fond attachment to this one.  But had the opportunity to buy the 31T5 when I saw it for half price on this forum, so went for it.  I always find different ep's give you different experiences of the night sky, so am happy to hang on to similar focal lengths and quite often do!

I prefer the 1.25"s as they are easier to transport and are much lighter, but the views in my Nagler 31T5 and my ExSc 30mm are stunning and I cannot argue with these two beasts, but generally speaking I like the ergonomics and versatility of the smaller eyepiece.

In f/5 and similar scopes the 32mm Panaview is soft at the edges but absolutely stunning on-axis.  It was the first upgrade I ever bought for my 200P and led me down the 82º route, just like Bingevader above.

20 hours ago, ct71 said:

Robin - I'm just outside of Corsham.  Am lucky to have better than average suburban skies with a semi rural aspect.  Some light pollution to the East and South but mainly low on the horizon.  Aiming to visit a dark sky site one day!

Hi Chris, That's not far, I used to drive through Corsham frequently on my way to Bath.  Your nearest astronomical society is https://wasnet.org.uk/

I am a member, they have monthly observing sessions in a dark sky spot - The Red Lion in Lacock - do give them a try, they meet once a month at Seend.

Best wishes

Hi Chris, a warm welcome from me too, also in Wiltshire, where are you?  Clear skies!

I have the 35mm Panoptic and find that pretty good with the eyeguard extender and I find that helpful, eye relief about 24mm, though I don't know what the exit pupil is. 

You are so right!  I love Cassiopeia  and what it offers.  Well done!

Hi there and a warm welcome from me.  Clear skies!

The Baader Hyperions do not work well in f/5 scopes, the view gets fuzzy towards the outer 10%.

I stick by my Naglers, tried 100º, but didn't like them, the T6's and the T5's are unequalled in my view:

On 06/10/2022 at 21:17, Louis D said:

Unfortunately, that's all too true.  It's only with back to back comparisons that you start to realize how eyepieces differ from each other, and how each has its strong and weak points.

I find different ep's give different experiences and am always finding something new in their performance.

I have about 43 ep's, mostly Pans, Nags, EX Sc and BST Explorers

On 29/07/2022 at 02:30, Zeta Reticulan said:

For years I've wondered about the Hyperions. How are they in scopes at f/7 and faster?

Not good in very fast scopes esp. Newtonians, in my f/5 they were very poor in the last 10%, not recommended.