And_yB

Yeah sorry that did sound smug. Thanks for the steer seriously. Simple is best... particularly for me at the moment.

Understand your advice John, and thank you for it. Not wanting to sound in any way smug though but, I fortunately will soon be retiring to my house in the mountains of Eastern Spain, where the sky is clear most nights and that any light pollution will have been caused by... well, me Also, I have a very secure and stable patio to set up on , plenty of room to rest my wine, and will be able to sleep during the day. Hence my astronomy hobby choice.... I can't wait to get started.

Thanks Mick. Your words of caution are noted. I will try the Stellarium first.

Interesting. Thanks Agnes for your advice. It's appreciated. I will have to do a bit more reading with regard to reducers. I am drinking a bit from a fire-hose of info at the moment. Very enthused though... so much to learn

That's what I want to hear Dave.. I may get some dinner later now

Incidentally... my wife is 'asking' whether the PowerTank was absolutely necessary, as it was not cheap. Someone please tell me, and her, that it was essential. My life would be made so much easier....

Good idea. I like that. Thanks

Mick, are these programs that are paid for much better than the free one. Do you use one with a Mac and if so which one. I also note in the Celestron documentation that it is possible to update the software of the hand controller through this USB connection. Is that also possible through these programs. Apologies for asking so many questions... I guess I'm being a bit lazy, and I should just read a lot more

Another very useful reply. Thanks Dave... and others for your help. I can now focus (ex pun) my research a bit better.

Thanks. I will have a look at those

Thanks Mick... very useful. I will check those programs out.

The standard eyepiece that came with the Scope was a Celestron 25mm PLOSSL.... if that means anything to anyone, which Im sure it does. I did manage to get a view of the moon last evening which was great with impressive detail.. I thought. But when I looked at Mars, it just seemed to be a little small in the viewer and a bit disappointing I have to say. I concluded, that I would probably need a different lens.. hence the question. I've been looking at the Celestron 8-24mm zoom for 99 quid. I'm not really sure if that is a bargain or a similar quality can be found with a different manufacturer . Understand the point re FOV advantages of fixed... but still not really sure what size would be best suited.

Thanks. Appreciate the feedback. I assume the BST Starguider is a fixed eyepiece rather than a zoom. I read somewhere that there are some advantages to getting a zoom as it saves with the costs of building up a variety of different sizes. That said, if you were me and you were only getting one more eyepiece and you were going for a fixed, what size would you get.

Hello all. Well after years of quiet subdued interest I've finally bought a telescope in readiness for my new retirement hobby. Any advice and guidance would be gratefully received. So, a couple of days ago I unpacked my new Celestron SE6... a telescope that I was advised to go for as it was significantly reduced as a black Friday purchase.. and in the view of my 'knowledgeable' brother was an ideal starter. I have to say, I was impressed and found it reasonably straight forward to assemble and start using. I'm now at the point where I'm considering how to enhance the set-up. I've read a bit that seems to point me towards getting a new eyepiece, and I'm considering the merits of a zoom. I'm also considering a GPS, and have ordered a Powertank. I would also like to understand more regarding how I can interface with my computer. I regularly use Apple equipment... MAC, iPhone and iPad, so compatibility with this would be welcome, but early reading seems to suggest that most of the support is aimed towards PC based equipment and software. I would appreciate any pointers that readers could provide. Kind regards to all Andy