iPeace

I had originally ordered the TV model - which my supplier had (attractively) priced the same as a similar product their own brand - but someone beat me to it, so I was offered their own brand instead so as not to have to wait for the back order. I agreed, and it works perfectly fine. It's indeed threaded for 2" filters.

That's good enough for me . Are the barrel extensions themselves by TeleVue, or another brand?

Thanks - I've started using a barrel extender on the 8mm Ethos, and will probably get another for the 6mm. I notice you use them on these Ethos EPs as well, along with 2" caps. Do you keep the 1.25" caps on them when not in use? I can't get to the 1.25" cap in order to remove it with the barrel extender on (not extremely fat fingers, but there you have it), so that requires removing the extender, etc. Not using the 1.25" cap in favour of relying on the extender/2" cap combination to keep that end of the eyepiece protected in the case would seem adequate; the only thing I can think of is fine matter entering through the notch in the bottom of the EP's own 2" barrel and sloshing around inside the extender until it found its mark...

Update :

It's always difficult to keep a message simple (accessible for a novice) without leaving out (those which initiates feel are) significant parts of the story, especially if you're trying to provide a "starting point" from which to progress in a successful and enjoyable manner. As such, you're trying to give a lecture to a room full of people who know next to nothing on the subject - except for one person in the crowd who possibly knows more about it than you do, and has his/her own opinions on what you're trying to say (it never fails...). Only here on this forum, it's quite a few people... You're certainly not the only one who recommends a small refractor to start out with - as opposed to something which requires cooling and collimation; neither are you the only one to advise not to start out with astrophotography too soon. Plenty of experienced astronomers advise against using GOTO or an EQ mount when just starting out. Keeping things as simple as responsibly possible (yes, GOTO is meant to be simple, but it doesn't always work out that way in practice) for a newbie is a pretty reliable method; each individual will progress at their own pace and learn soon enough that there's also "the other side" of everything they were previously advised. Having something you can just take out, set down (unless, of course, you're using a decent pair of binos - without a mount), point at the sky and look through should get you hooked - if that doesn't, nothing will. Collimation, polar alignment, solar observing and whatever magic stuff our imaging friends do will come along in due course; no Beginner's Guide will ever stop that from happening, no matter how many opinions it has left out. And anyone - even a beginner - reading your Guide on this forum will not fail to be aware there's a bit more to it than what you've written . The views of those who have commented on your work so far are perfectly valid, of course. I appreciate your approach to this.

Scope has featured on this forum before, but has yet to make this thread... ...so, here is scope at work during another heroic effort observing Jupiter's most recent double moon and shadow transit + GRS: Not quite built like a tank....I suspect it IS a tank...

I've pondered this in my own novice manner as well...when down-shifting from "space travel" with a 41mm Panoptic, I've often not spent much time with a 26mm Nagler before shifting again to the 17mm Ethos. But then I've yet to try them all on all possible categories of targets (galaxies and nebulae other than in Orion have not worked for me at this location, yet, but soon I'll be stationed away from the buildings and LP, so I hope to see just what the TV85 can do in its natural habitat - mindful of the obvious "aperturial" limitations). And then - as you have also stated - there will always be the specific targets for which specific eyepieces seem to have been tailor-made... In short, I love both the 17mm and the 13mm but could imagine doing without either (but not both!). At the moment, I certainly don't feel the need for a 10mm. I do very much need a 6mm Ethos...spoiled rotten now.

Thanks! The part which I feel doesn't make total sense is having both a 26mm Nagler and a 25mm Plossl. And both a 11mm Nagler and a 10mm Radian. And both a Nagler 3-6 Zoom and a 3.5mm Nagler. So I guess I'm pondering selling the 25mm Plossl, the 10mm Radian, the 3.5mm Nagler, the 11mm Nagler and perhaps even the Nagler 3-6 Zoom and acquiring a 6mm Ethos - possibly to be followed by a 4.7mm Ethos... that image of an eyepiece case seems to make a bit more sense to me; whether it's in the realm of the sensible is entirely another matter ...and of course, if the gap between 13mm and 8mm starts to itch, there's a 10mm Ethos for that... ...and a 21mm obsession to be pursued... ...and a bit of 31mm anti-tank ordinance... I'm in serious need of therapy

...yes, I know, it doesn't make much sense as a whole; let's just say I'm figuring things out the expensive way

Getting old certainly beats the alternative