cajen2

A bit noisy and frenetic towards the end for such an idyllic scene.... 😂

I was gently suggesting that the stock 10mm EP could be improved upon....😉

With a 650mm focal length, your 10mm eyepiece is only giving you 65x magnification and your scope is capable of over twice that. So when you're used to it and start thinking about upgrading your view, check out EPs at 4 or 5mm focal lengths. You can then get super close-ups of the Moon and planets. 😉

No, I have the same EP and 2" WO diagonal. It's fine.

Yes, I have the Ultima Edge 30mm, which I bought just before the SL range was introduced 🙄 and I'm reliably informed is optically the same EP, though the CUE is prettier! So yes, buy the SL: you won't regret it - an excellent EP.

Nice one. Even if we have only a few hours of clear weather, it'll be worth going as my garden is a light playground.....

You're very welcome, Jimmy. I got so much help from here when I was starting out that it's nice to give some back. I was a little worried that you might look at the lurid green of the FO EPs and go "uuuurgh!" but then I reasoned you wouldn't be able to see it in the dark anyway! 😄

Oh, and if you decide on a SL, also check out the Founder Optics range, which I believe are the same EPs but significantly cheaper: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/telescopes-in-stock/founder-marvel-ultra-wide-eyepieces.html I have the SL 4mm but wouldn't recommend it unreservedly: it has a notably softer image than my Morpheus 4.5 mil. It seems there are few EP ranges where every F/l is excellent.

The SL 68° is a perfectly good EP, as good as some better-known names but it isn't outstanding. The 14mm 80° one is much better (I haven't got one but a friend of mine has), as good as the 20mil. I don't quite understand the eyecup problem but there again, I have the eye cups rolled down on virtually all my EPs as I hover my eye over the EP when viewing. I suggest finding your ideal cup height and then putting a tiny bit of Sellotape to stop it rotating. There's something about both SL 80° EPs which they share with the Morpheus range: they give almost a 3D effect - very satisfying.

My personal choice would be a Morpheus 17.5mil, or the 14mm if that suits you more. I have the 17.5 and it's excellent but I'm told the 14 isn't quite as good.

In my case, it isn't so much the skyglow which is the problem (my skies are supposed to be B5). It's all the local lights - mainly street lights, which are all sodium, but also the usual insecurity, garden and just pointless lights which people seem addicted to ATM. Put it this way, I can normally pick out the brightest stars in U. Major or Orion but that's about it. So it's planets, the Moon or doubles/multiples only for me.

I have the WO 2" and the Takahashi 1.25" prism - both excellent.

I find both EPs excellent and different enough in their FOV and mag to both be useful. That's in my Starfield 102ED - your mileage may vary! 😄

The "issue" with scatter which keeps being referred to was a tiny ring in the light path which was originally silver. A few people said that there was a refection from this. Long Perng changed that ring to a matt black one after the first version of the EP and most certainly all the StellaLyra iterations have the black one. Have another look at my review where this is discussed. I think there may be a lot of truth in your final assertion....😉

I have both of those and I am sure you won't be disappointed. Oh, by the way, the SL has NO light scatter that I can discern.

Yes, I've had two dobs (still have one) so I'm very used to doing without slo-mos. That's possibly why I appreciate them so much now I've got them! 😉

Great advice, friendly, like-minded people and most importantly, the vast majority are capable of saying "sorry, I was wrong". I've been wrong enough times to appreciate that! 😜 It's my go-to place (sorry!) for all things astro related. Certain other sites leave me cold.

Yes, the AZ4 is a cracking little mount, but no slo-mos, sadly.

Hi NN. I think an F/11 would be pushing the limits of the mount a bit too much for comfort. As I've said, with an extension pier and my F/7 Starfield, I do get vibrations at high mags (150x plus) when focusing, though these dampen very quickly. A longer OTA plus perhaps a heavier weight might be a little much. The original set of photos on the FLO website had one with a reversed mounting as you describe, but this seems to have disappeared.

Looks an interesting little mount but won't be any improvement on the Sightron, I don't think.

Not quite sure why there's a feeding frenzy on the Sightron alt/az mount. I bought one as a grab & go mount for my Starfield 102 - it weighs only 1.45 kg yet can hold up to 7kg. Yes, it isn't cheap and I had to experiment quite a lot to find an arm position which allows a near vertical attitude for the scope but it's extremely convenient for my use. I can pick up scope, mount and tripod and be outside in seconds, it's easy to set up and the slo-mo controls are smooth. At high mags (say 150-200x), there are vibrations when focusing but I expected that and they damp down immediately. The only thing I really object to is the positioning of the az slo-mo knob - as said, it has to be on the far side of the mount if you're viewing near the zenith, but I'm used to that now. I have a long-term plan to find something with slow mos, a high payload capacity and which is lightweight and cheap......but I haven't found a mount like this yet. I suspect I never will....😉

Likewise: same scope, same Morph 4.5mil. These two seem to be made for each other. You won't regret it - fabulous scope. Mine's on a Berlebach tripod too, though it's a Report 312.

Right at the budget end of the price range, the Vixen NPLs (I can only recommend the longer f/l ones as they have reasonable eye relief). I bought a 30mm back when all I had was budget EPs but it's a brilliant bit of kit for the price. Another Plossl but with a slightly wider FOV at 50°. I've never wanted to replace it and always use it as a finder EP for when I'm using my 1.25" diagonal. Sharp, clear views.

The 20mil LER/UWA is a real gem: mine is sharp, flat to the EOF and almost a 3D image. A friend of mine also has the 14mm and says it's just as good. HOWEVER, I don't think this is true right across the range. I also got the 4mm for planetary views and find the image much softer and less detailed than my Morpheus 4.5mil. So two of them highly recommended but one not. Edit: I also own a Celestron Ultima Edge 30mm (same as the UFF range) and it's excellent. The SL 20 is as good imo.

Oh, I've just thought about it: the 30mm SL is a 2" and I don't suppose you want the expense and trouble of getting a 2" diagonal. My other recommendation would be a Vixen NPL 30 or 40 mm. 1.25" but a narrower FOV than the SL. I use a 30mm when I can't be bothered to change my diagonal and it's excellent for its price.