bosun21

Yeah I just saw that after I posted. Reading Steve’s reviews it seems like the lightquest range as a whole is good 👍

Are both the 16x and the 20x models of the Lightquest equally good and not one overshadowed by the other? Thanks

Thanks for the heads up 👍

Thanks again to all the members who responded to my enquiry. I see the way forward for myself are the ES range. They are optically better than the Nirvanas albeit more expensive, but at a cost i deem worth paying. As for the Luminos?, they are now out of contention. Thanks again all 🤙

I’ll have to have a look at these as for what i can see they are the ES with a different label

Thanks for the thumbs up for the ES. I had no idea that the luminos Ep’s had received negative reviews. Looks like I’ve pre ordered the wrong ones

I am now looking to try a 82 degree eyepiece to see for myself if this wide field is truly for me. I have narrowed it down to a few choices them being a) Explore Scientific 14mm b) OVL Nirvana 16mm c)Celestron luminos 15mm I have pre ordered myself the Nirvana due to hearing other folks feedback but want to know about the other makes as the Nirvanas are limited to only three focal lengths. Of which only two are really practical for me. I look forward to hearing of any folks findings with the ES and Celestron EP’s. Thanks

Hi 👋 and a warm welcome to SGL

I also have the SynScan 127 model like @PeterC65 and also like him opted for the low tec focuser mod. This is a simple 3D printed glow in the dark fitting that slips over the existing focus knob. Although not perfect it gives me good enough sensitivity to achieve focus at high magnification. A power supply is essential to operate the go to with any amount of accuracy. When I first bought the scope I tried to operate it with 8 x Duracell batteries and despite the batteries being new the go to was hit and miss. No issues whatsoever with the power bank. Eyepieces are an essential upgrade IMHO. The 25mm is useable and the 10mm is poor. I also bought the Baader Hyperion Zoom and Barlow, a range of BST Starguiders and several flat field eyepieces. I would recommend getting an 8mm and a 15mm Starguider eyepieces and using your existing 25mm to get you started. I also couldn’t stand the 6x30 finder and swapped it for a telrad which I love using. Oh and I dew shield of course which I made myself. Good luck as it’s a fantastic little scope.

Thanks for your recommendations and I now have food for thought. I may just go over budget and get the lightquests. It’s a one off purchase that will last

I forgot about the Bresser 6” Dobsonian in the for sale section that johninderby has just pointed out. All the points I highlighted in my previous post are relevant for this scope as well. And it’s at a good price

If I were you I would go for the Stella Lyra for several reasons. Firstly it has a focal length of 1200mm making it an f8 which will make it a) better for observing the planets b) making it much kinder to inexpensive eyepieces c) making it easier to collimate for beginners d) It has a 1.25 Crayford style focuser and not a helical focuser like the skywatcher The only reason I could be swayed to the Skywatcher is if the compactness is important to me. Whichever one you choose I hope you enjoy it ( oh and your daughter as well)

I bought the 8” Stella Lyra Dobsonian and a 127 Maksutov Go to when I rekindled my astronomical journey. The Go to takes a little reading beforehand but it’s a pretty straightforward process to use and find your way around the sky with. The Dobsonian with the simplicity and 8” of aperture gives me a lot of enjoyment star hopping around the sky. If I was only to buy one of them then I’ll go for the 8” Dobsonian. But one mans food, is another mans poison. Good luck 👍

Why the large difference in price when they are the same size and magnification from the same manufacturer?🤔

Hi 👋 and a warm welcome to SGL

What would you recommend as a decent astronomical binocular in the size range of 20x80? Up to about £400. Thanks Steve

I have only had a short time with the 18mm last session before the clouds intervened and I was pleased with what I was seeing. I’ll wait for my 10mm to arrive and then I’ll put them both to use. I’ll let you know how I find them

Just bought one. I bought the 18mm last week

“ A lucky bag “ Now that does bring back memories

As a rule of thumb for myself, I am also inclined to lean towards the more comfort aspects you mentioned. However I don’t mind making the sacrifices when it comes to planetary viewing. I noticed that there’s a 10mm BCO in the buy & sell for £40. I’ll have a look at it or i may just buy a new one for £49

Yes I did notice this in the BST eyepieces. I have bought the full set of the Starguiders( apart from the 3.5mm) and also the Baader Hyperion Zoom. I’ve got enough to be getting on with and have decided to now build my EP collection one high quality addition at a time. In regards to my planetary question, it’s contrast I’m chasing. Not FOV or ER. Are the orthos or TMB’s contenders?

Thanks and I obviously vary the fl of the zoom depending on the seeing conditions. What I’m asking is would a Barlowed high quality flat field EP of say 18mm be better than a mediocre 9mm. So if I bought several higher fl EP’s and a good Barlow etc could i save myself having to buy higher quality short length EP’s?

I know all this about focal length and magnification etc. In theory my Dobsonian would be 2 x 200mm = 400x and my Maksutov 2 x 127 = 254x. What I’m asking is for any decent short focal length eyepieces and whether a Barlow or extender is feasible, or am I better sticking to the EP’s alone and forgetting the Barlow etc

👋 Hi Stephen, welcome to SGL

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