Timebandit

If you have a mirror diagonal in the refractor, then you are introducing a mirror into the optical chain of your refractor anyway, so may as well look at a reflector 🙈🙊🙉 That's a nice grab and go set up for your dark site trips away 😁

Save yourself some money and get yourself a nice second hand SW 120ED ,a great scope in my opinion, otherwise I would not own one 🙂. For doubles, Luna, planetary and some DSO this scope would be ideal. And the money you will save by getting a used SW120ED . Then for the fainter DSO then look at getting yourself a decent size aperture reflector .I know you say you are not a reflector chap. But bang for buck especially on fainter DSO then aperture with dark Sky's are where it is at. I personally prefer my refractor views on targets also. But on fainter DSO then aperture wins and will show you so so much more, and bang for buck this means a reflector .

Good decision on ordering a XW 5mm. I have had mine many years and a great quality eyepiece, you will not go far wrong with it IMO. The only problem is you may then want the 3.5mm XW ,7mm XW and 10XW. All cracking eyepiece's and IMO "Keepers"

At the less expensive end of the eyepiece range for an extra couple of pounds then you may of well finish the set for the price of an extra eyepiece. But when you start to go up the eyepiece price range, then I do think it makes sense to know what you really need to get the best out of your individual eyepiece set . For someone who likes the Ethos for example, then the odd one or two so you can "Finish the set" is just Sooo expensive to do . So you really need to get out of being a "collectionist " to finish a set ,unless you want an empty bank balance 😕

If this is your first scope, then you have not just dipped your toe in have you, and gone large 😀 For fainter DSO then aperture is where it is at , together with Dark Sky's. I would up my budget a bit, and look out for some second hand Pentax XW in the 3.5XW to the 10XW range. And some second hand Televue( possibly Naglers) , to which I understand are test down to around F/4 so fine for faster scopes .A good set of eyepiece's will last you a life time and are transferable from scope to scope ,so well Worth the sensible investment

I take it that you require a quality light weight finder for your 24" Dob 😀

A lesson to be learnt here I think LEAVE YOUR MIRROR ALONE I have never washed or cleaned my mirror. Its been in the scope for years. And I read an article some years ago about the mirror coatings are so so easily damaged. So unless your mirror is in really terrible condition then personally I would not clean it

Probably the best " all rounder" when it comes to scopes at sensible money is a 200mm reflector on a dob Mount. Over the years the 200m reflector has probably been the best "proper" starter scope out there. And this scope will keep you entertained with numerous targets for many years. A good 200mm reflector is the best bang for buck "proper" scope available IMO Hope this helps

Helio , I would opt for something in the 12mm to 15 mm range for DSO. And a higher magnification eyepiece around the 6mm to 7mm for Luna and planetary targets. A good eyepiece with great reviews are the BST Starguders, very sensible money new and great value on second hand .

The Nirvana are very decent eyepiece's. I don't think you would see any benefit going to an ES 52,s .

I am sure the Bank manager will most understanding , NOT 🙉🙊🙈 😣 There are some jolly good 92/100 Degree eyepiece's out there without taking a loan out to buy a Nikon 👍😁

Hello Or keep a look out in the for sale section on SGL for some used BST starguiders if you wish a quality single eyepiece's at very reasonable cost

Wooow . I thought my Pentax XW , Nagler and Vixen LVW were not the cheapest eyepiece's (and purchased used). But they look a complete bargain compared to the Nikon. Good job I have not got a taste for 92/100 wide angle eyepiece's 😱.

I think a lot of people would love to get to Darker Sky's at the moment, with the lock down that has been in place. We are missing our fix of Dark Sky's😱 On SGL we do have our little banter going on at times especially around refractor v reflector posts and the Tak club 😁. But mostly taken with a pinch of salt and a smile👍

A Dark site really is worth the effort especially for the fainter DSO. Where a true Dark site will bring out the best on the aperture of your scope. Fainter DSO where you may just see, or possibly not see in light pollution areas will start to pop to your eyes. It really is a woow moment and certainty worth the time and effort for fainter DSO targets As I see you are not far from the usual SGL star party event. Then you will have to try and pop across, so many people with so much knowledge on this forum. I am sure yo would find it most interesting and helpful Also when transporting my scope, I put some old camper foam type sleeping mats on the boot floor first, then an old duvet on top and wrap the scope up , so its safe and does not move around. Look after the kit and the kit looks after you. Like you John, because of numerous factors at the moment, then a Dark site trip has not been possible this year, and I do miss the fainter DSO woow factor at a Dark site. But even in light pollution areas, then there are luckily the Luna, planetary targets and double stars to have a crack at . So it is still possible to enjoy the hobby from home with light pollution issues.

Views through a 14" on faint DSO are spectacular, at a true Dark site. In a light pollution area then the 14" is outgunned in performance by the 8" Dark site experience easily IMO I see the eyepiece advice has began😉 In my option you will not go far wrong with the Pentax XW 3.5 to XW10 range and in the range above that in TV Naglers or Delos. Not the cheapest eyepiece's admittedly, but second hand are more reasonable. And buy once and buy well and eyepiece's will last you a life time. Enjoy your new scope 👍

That is one Full report Louis. Unfortunately I have not been a big fan of Meade generally . I think it was because I compared Meade eyepieces to that of the likes of Televue and Pentax . And Meade always seemed to be runner up. The one Meade that did leave a positive impression was the Meade Research Grade Ortho. Still got the Research grade , but the likes of Televue and Pentax really do take some beating IMO

Having a 14" reflector and 8" reflector then from my personal experience with regards to the faint fuzzies DSO. Then the 8" at a dark site will easily out gun the 14" at my light pollution site. Aperture is king on faint fuzzies , but only if you have dark skys to take advantage of the aperture. The 14" is a Big scope, I don't really think you will see the benefit of all this extra aperture at your light effected garden on faint DSO, its a lot more work if you keep having to move it around ,and you will probably get fed up with the hassle. If I was you keep the 8" for the time being and maybe hope you can disappear to a dark site for a couple of hours, maybe once a month. It really is worth the effort, A Dark site will Woooow you with your 8" reflector, compared to your light pollution back garden. If faint DSO is what you want then there is no substitute for Dark Sky's.

Personally I rate some of the Vixen NLV and LVW very highly. The 13mm LVW is a cracking eyepiece in the F/ 4.7 newt of mine, and the NLV 4mm is a great eyepiece in the refractor at around F/7.6 . Some of the Vixen eyepieces are really hidden Gem's and come up for sale second hand at reasonable money

I take my diagonals out and put them in the foam case. We all have are own little habits to storing our astro gear. If its kept safe and in great condition then no wrong answer I suppose 🔭

Woow , getting on for 4 years now . where does time go ? XW Still as good as ever and is still in the eyepiece case . A keeper

Horses for Courses What are you trying to achieve with getting a refractor? If you are wanting to go after DSO ,especially faint fuzzies . Then its aperture is King, and this is where a good aperture Dob reflector is best If you want a scope to produce sharp clear crisp images of double stars, planetary, Luna ,this is where a good quality lens Ed refractor comes in. As said Horses for Courses

Hello. A lot of people prefer the refractor image on planetary, Luna and double stars to the reflector. In my opinion you get a slightly cleaner sharper image through a good refractor, compared to a reflector, So this is the advantage. If I was in your shoes a and wanted a quality refractor for sensible money. Then I would start off with a SW 100ED. Purchased second hand. Great value for money especially purchased used .

Hello. If your getting into AP then I suggest you get a copy of " Every Photon Counts"

You certainty are not doing things by half's ,are you ☺. That is going to be a large box of goodies to sort through. I can see lots more questions coming. Welcome to SGL , second time round😉🔭