1.25mm or 2" eyepieces??

[stringbean]

What are the benefits of using 2 inch eyepieces over 1/25mm? When I bought my Celestron 6 inch refractor I could just about afford a little case which had half a dozen 1.25mm Celestron eyepieces. Would I get better views of objects because I would get more light from a larger 2 inch eyepiece or should I invest in better quality 1.25mm eyepieces? If it's recommended in favour of 2 inch, then should I start off with say a 32mm? I would of course have to invest in a 2 inch star diagonal because I don't have one of those either. That's why I would like some advice please before spending.

Thanks.

Ann.

[CGolder]

the only visual advantage of a 2" eyepiece is when you are veiwing at low power are you able to use less magnification and a wider field of view. the maximum field of view (fov) you can get with a 1.25" is 32mm 52 degree (or 24mm 68 degrees, Same fov at higher mag) with a 2" eyepeice you can use 41mm 68 degree's or 55mm 52 degree's so you can take in more sky at the same or lower magnifications, anything higher power (mag) than that can be done using a 1.25" eyepiece and will have no effect as the light path is less than 1.25" wide

[johninderby]

First thing to realise is that 2" eyepieces are no better than 1.25" eyepieces quality wise. 2" eyepieces do allow for a wider FOV at the longer focal lengths, 17mm aprox and over, due to the maximum potential diameter of the field stop inside the eyepiece. At shorter focal lengths the maximum required field stop is less than 1.25" so there's no advantage in a larger format eyepiece.

So it's basically 1.25" for most of your eyepieces and a couple of 2" for the longer focal lengths

John

[todd8137]

if your after wide low power then a good 2" is a must in my eyes if you want brighter views get some good quality eps 1.25