amaury

You get more mag, at almost the same TFOV, with noticeable more eye relief. Diminishing returns is something very common in the hobby to be honest. Whether the price difference is justifiable is totally your call. For most people it would be hard to justify.

I have the same telescope, and as Louis D said, it is doable to record planets with a dob, but it's not by any means the right tool for the job.

I find myself in a similar position nowadays. I started studying at night two weeks ago. I work during the day. That means I only really have time to stay up late on weekends. The moon, and doubles are my main targets. I got to say I was never a big fan of doubles. A zoom makes it much more satisfying.

I just got a planisphere this morning. Thanks a lot @Richard_B This is a really nice-to-have item for visual observation and not messing my dark adaption using the phone app.

Thanks Richard, I don't necessarily need one, it's a nice-to-have sort of thing really. I think the stars move very slowly over decades but for the most part, the sky it's mostly the same as it was 20 years ago I think. For planets it's different story I guess. I also use a couple of apps that are quite handy, they mess with your dark adaption, however.

This is my first upgrade for my 8" f6 Dob after quite a bit of research and insight from you guys. A rebranded Explore Scientific 82 24mm from Opticstar (first class dealers as John said, highly recommended).

Hi Baz, It's good to hear from you. The click-lock systems is lovely yes. The one you point at is the extension bit only. I want to change the 2" focuser fitting/adapter as well (the M54 connection) I might get this one plus the extender you mention. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/astro-essentials-2-inch-compression-ring-adapter-for-sky-watcher-newtonians-and-72ed-refractor-m54.html Going fully click-lock makes the fitting plus the 37mm extension 10mm too long, I am not sure if I'll need those 10mm of in-travel focus.

Sorry to revive this thread but I am about to do something very similar with the Baader Click-lock system. I have a SW Skyliner 200p, same focuser fitting and adapters. (11mm and 47mm respectively of optical length) That is an effective optical length of 58mm for any adapter. I am planning to change the fitting with the baader click-lock, the one below. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/baader-2-clicklock-m54-clamp.html That alone has a 30mm of optical length, I am guessing that is too short to the "stock" optical length. I'll be missing 27mm of back-travel in my 2" eyepieces. Baader also sells a 2" 37mm extension https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/baader-2-clicklock-clamp-37mm-extension.html Somewhat close to this. That brings the total optical length to 67mm for my 2" EPs, that means I'll be missing around 9mm of in-travel. Is this ok? or should I disregard the click-lock system completely? I only do visual. Thanks in advance

potentially another re-branded ES 2X 2" focal extender? @johninderby @KP82 @Stu1smartcookie even cheaper. https://www.altairastro.com/altair-lightwave-2x-2-inch-flat-field-apo-tele-extender-barlow-2833-p.asp

I had been saving globular cluster for clearer nights. Last night was probably the clearest night I've had in the last month or so. I had never attempted one before. Literally last night was my first time ever with globular clusters. I drive my 8" Dob half for 30min to get to a Bortle 4 area, just for context. I am a total beginner too. I took my time. I started NW with the double clusters near Cassiopeia. I love that one. Moved W to Auriga, M36, M37, M38, very beginners friendly and a lovely sight. Spent a good time in M35 in Gemini (although the waxing moon was too close). I always go to the Beehive too, easy to find, and still a lovely view. M67 always gives me some trouble, I find it tricky to find, I did eventually find it. That was my last stop in SW before jumping to Arcturus in the east. This is going to sound very silly but my heart was pumping like crazy. My expectations were mixed. M3 is apparently one of the brightest globular clusters in the night sky (top 3 I read somewhere), however, Turn Left at Orion warned me: "M3 is as faint as a sixth-magnitude star". Anyway, I thought it was going to be easy to find. How wrong I was. I don't know how many times I scanned the Arcturus-Cor Caroli, and the Muphrid-Cor Caroli sections expecting to come across a "super bright/compact/ grainy" ball of light. As posted in that simulated view by @mdstuart, and going back to the topic of this thread, M3 looks rather dim, I could see a lot of graininess for sure. That's how I would describe "how does M3 look like?" from a beginners perspective that the only thing I had seen before was the moon and open clusters.

I can tell you this regarding your comment. I contacted several companies, some in Europe too (they seem to have better stock), and the guys from Opticstar were the most responsive ones by a long shot. Just ordered the XL 82 24mm with them.

Thanks John, just wanted to make sure, it just seemed too good to be true. ES are already good value EP in terms of performance per dollar, and on top of that you can get a cheaper re-branded version with the same performance. Plus this, price is pre-rise. Made it a no-brainer for me considering the current circumstances with price and availability.

I reckoned I better digress here instead of creating a new whole discussion. Is it just literally an Explore Scientific re-brand? or is there a catch? Browsing around I noticed that Opticstar also has a re-branded ES82 lineup that is 40quid cheaper than the actual Explore Scientific one, and they actually have stock. http://www.opticstar.com/Run/Astronomy/Astro-Accessories-Telescopes-Opticstar.asp?p=0_10_5_1_8_322 Is it just literally a name change? I reckon if the eyepiece is made in the same factory in China, there will be zero optical perfomance difference and the is no "catch" other than a "name". Is it something like the ES/Maxvision case?

@Louis D, Do you think the same can be achieved with an ES82 24mm? the specs say it has 17.5mm of eye relief, in practice Don mentioned it has more like 14mm of effective eye relief. Haven't read any comments about folding the eyecups in the ES82 eyepieces.

Thanks Steve. Very useful information as usual. That chart from televue is handy. Another reason for me to maybe stay around the 4mm exit pupil or maybe observe with my right eye which doesn't have any cylinder correction (I tend to observe with me left eye for some reason, the one with -0.5 Cyl) I've read good things about that Omegon (and re-brands), I'll keep it in mind. The APM Ultra Flat Field 30mm have been reported to be eyeglasses-friendly when the eyecup is folded down. Still not anywhere near the 22mm of eye relief they state in the specs.