Is it worth buying a zoom EP?

[zainraza]

I've been looking at different EPs to add to my collection and was wondering if it was worth buying one?

Does the zoom affect what you see?

and as I have a 2x barlow on the way, would it be better to stick to that as it'll give me another set of magnifications or still worth investing in a zoom EP

Thanks

[che guevara]

perhaps,but im not sure, worth a go at a push i you cant get one,

[John]

I think a good quality zoom eyepiece is worth considering. The Baader Hyperion 8-24mm gets lots of enthusiastic support on the forum:

First Light Optics - Baader Hyperion Zoom Eyepiece

It might seem expensive at 1st glance but it covers for 3/4 fixed focal length eyepieces which mitigates that.

I'd tend to avoid the low cost zooms though - fixed focal length EP's will give you better performance than those.

[zainraza]

What do you consider a low cost EP?

I was browsing and came across this : Skywatcher 8-24mm 1.25" Zoom Telescope Eyepiece | eBay

or would I be better off sticking to the Baader?

[ollypenrice]

Personally I'd rather have a small number of top EPs (and compromise on focal length) than have every focal length covered at lower quality, whether by having lots of ordinary EPs or a zoom. Others won't share that preference so it's hard to advise.

Olly

[jana]

With the range of eps you have at the moment and a barlow on the way I don't think a zoom would be of that much use to you as you'd just be doubling up on what you have. if you were going to go fora zoom I would say only go for the baader as it will give you a bit more quality and the price aint that bad for the piece of kit you get. I have the baader mk3 and that is all i use now until i can afford to replace that with fixed length hyperions.

BUT THEN AGAIN WHAT DO I KNOW

[brianmc]

I have the skwatcher 7-21mm but I wouldn't recommend it, I struggle to get a satisfactory focus particulary towards the higher power end, it's not too bad on lower power.

[zainraza]

Jana - thats what I was thinking, I'll have covered most of them anyway once my barlow comes.

Brianmc - ah right, I think I might just leave it and go for a higher quality piece if I have a little extra to spend

Thanks for you feedback, I reckon I'll just get a low power eyepiece for widefield views