Mai Ai Bing

So ditch the 11 for a 9 and go 9-14-24-40 +2xPowermate ?

Great illustration! People seem to think 9mm is only for very exceptional nights with the 8" Edge HD?

Checking it!

Thanks for your thoughts - and for the warning against getting stuck with the 1.25 Balow! No glasses right now - but that may come one day... Newbie - so have no preference. But people seem to think wider is better(??). Will be looking at a broard range of objects, planets, DOS (star, and nebula). Planets important when viewing from house due to light pollution (see below), Much light polution around our house / dark when going to the dessert ~10-12 days a year / pitch dark ~5-8 days viewing when we go to a remote absolute zero light area.

Thanks a lot. I understand the zoom is "on top" but for my wife plug-n-play trumps perfection. Also I can see some people writing they use the zoom to "dail-in" the best eyepiece to use for the day and subject. Had not thought the more narrow view would negate using the 32mm. I was thinking 16mm (with the 2x Barlow) gave a better spread than 20mm for a 40mm. So you are going to cost me some money with that ES68 or Pentax (they cost almost the same @B&H Photo)! However, the 24mm I included is also 68° like the 40mm (70° for the Pentax) - so should I just drop it and use a wide 40mm with the Televue 2x Barlow?

My scope: Celestron 8" Evolution HD Edge The eyepieces I have put on my shopping list - do they "make sense" - anything missing - something "wrong" here? Please give it to me straight so I avoid expensive mistakes 😁 : To fit also 2" pieces I am getting this: Celestron 90° Dielectric Star Diagonal with Twist-Lock (2") Explore Scientific 62° Series 32mm LE Eyepiece (2") Tele Vue Panoptic 24mm Wide Angle Eyepiece (1.25") Tele Vue Delos 14mm Eyepiece (1.25") Explore Scientific 82° Series 11mm Eyepiece (1.25") Alpine Astronomical Baader Hyperion 8-24mm Mark IV Zoom Eyepiece (1.25"/2") (any size preferable?) Tele Vue 2x Barlow Lens (1.25")

Newbie here. Is there a way to autoguide through an app by using the scope's on-board wifi (to avoid all the wire clutter and having to use a laptop etc?). Using a Celestron Evo model. Or should I ask my kids to write one... 😇

I read that the solar finder can be useful elsewhere - however, without trying it I confess being "skeptical"... What's the problem with an object so big and bright?

Read several people who thought it was not worth getting the full Celestron eyepiece "package" and many seem to use at least one zoom. Also there's the Barlow. Not easy to know how to start! Do not mind buying several pieces to be covered for various subjects. But of course want to avoid having pieces lying around that do not get used. So what are people actually happy using with such a telescope type? Do not mind paying for quality when it makes a difference.

Thanks for all the replies! Very helpful.

Buying my first solar scope and after reading tons thinking this package from LUNT seems the right choice for me: https://luntsolarsystems.com/shop/solar-telescopes/50mm-telescopes/ls50-solar-telescope-double-stack-feather-touch/ My wife wants something easy to use and I want something to also make pictures with. 2,000 USD is close to what we want to spend. Questions (sorry if some of these are "far out": 1) Will it be easy to use for my wife who wants plug-and-play? 2) Can I attach my Canon DSLR/mirrorless or do I need a special unit? 3) Can we transmit to a TV/Computer screen? 4) Any need for more than one optical eyepiece? 5) Can it use a standard Camera mount for the tripod? 6) Does it make sense to use an astrotracker (ours also does solar) 6) What am I missing (yeah I know "a lot" - but just newbie forgetfulness when you think you've got it all and still miss "that part/piece") Any help much appreciated. Can see mistakes are expensive and sometimes unforgiving. 😅