cajen2

Good value low-power EPs are the Vixen NPL (Plossl) - I have the 30mm and it's great for the money (£48) but only a 50° FOV.

Best I can think of for cheap is a Svbony 20mm UW - 68°, about £40. Anything with a substantially wider FOV is around the £1-200 mark: OVL PanaView 2" EPs are 70°, Baader Morpheus 76°, etc.

Not far from you, Stu. I also poked my nose out pessimistically about midnight and, amazingly, there was Sirius and Orion! I rushed back in, grabbed my scope and chair, set up without even giving the poor scope time to cool, looked up and.....it was all gone. The clouds up there are very fast moving so I gave it 10 minutes, but nothing. Sigh...back inside....

Cartes du Ciel, n'est-ce pas?

Your post and requirements are very similar to mine (I think it was my post that you're referring to) and remarkably, I came up with the same two makes of EP as you. The only problem is availability on both. I'm seriously considering buying a tracking platform (https://www.firstlightoptics.com/equatorial-astronomy-mounts/asterion-ecliptica-light-tracking-platform-for-dobsonian-telescopes.html) and this one's price isn't much more than some of the EPs mentioned. I've decided to get one EP first, then later the platform, being old and poor.....😉

My first ever proper scope (my SW Heritage 150p Flex). It frustrates and delights me in equal measure, as I'm never 100% sure if collimation is right and have terrible trouble nudging exactly the right amount! But when it's good, the views can be superb.... Not that it's stopped me from eyeing upgrades, of course....😉😄

I just take my eyepiece case outside. I've memorised which EP goes on which recess. After taking the EP out, I put the caps into the same hole. Thus, even without much light, I know what goes where and don't mix up the caps.

I should completely agree with all the comments, but in fact the Slokey scope claims are not the worst on Amazon! This sort of hyperbole is standard on all scopes of this kind advertised there.

Hi Joachim and a warm welcome to SGL. Nice to have yet another nationality here!

You don't think it'd push an f/5 150mm Newt a bit too far, John?

I tried that. There's only stuff imported from the USA, with £30-odd postage plus unknown duty.

There's a Nagler 3.5mm......but I think that's too low a f/l for me.

Good thought, though I don't often see a Delos come up in the classified.....and it'd probably be snapped up PDQ!

Reverting to your original question, FLO do the Skywatcher Explorer 150p on an EQ-3 Pro Go-To for £719. I've never had an EQ-3 (Pro or otherwise) so it's possible it might be undermounted - no doubt the more experienced on here can tell you.

From a newbie to the site, thanks so much to all for being so welcoming and not patronising. Happy Christmas and New Year to all. To Auntie Flo, thanks very much for your patience in answering questions and prompt service. Likewise, happy Christmas and New year.

Ah, not .com, then! Thanks Mark.

I can often smuggle in a new EP under the nose of SWMBO but an EQ platform may be a trifle trickier! 😁

Quite. Well, I decided to get a decent-quality EP first and then start saving for the platform.

Nobody has told me, but is the Williams Optics version exactly the same as the APM?

Sorry, Mark, we typed simultaneously. Have you got a link for Astrograph? All I get is an astrology site!🤢

Yes, thanks Don - the APM is now on my shortlist, though finding a UK stockist is a trifle tricky. Some places have it on their website but not in stock. RVO hope to see some WO ones by the end of January. Otherwise, I might just go for the Morpheus.

New Pentax! Snap..... Wish I'd had the Morpheus as well...😛

I'm another who started at about 6 with the Observer's Book of Astronomy. I even taught myself the Greek alphabet with it. I'm now 68 and have just bought my first scope! Don't like rushing into these things.....

The Pentax has finally arrived (only 24 hours late, thanks RM!). Now all I want for Christmas is some clear nights to try it out.....😳

Hmmm....RVO have the Williams Optics version at £199....I assume it's the same?