Your E/P Opinions Please.....

[chrisdg1968]

Hi all,

Well after having to sell up my scope and e/p's back in 2010, I have finally managed to now acquire a Skywatcher Heritage 130p with the stock 25mm and 10mm e/p's, and 2 x barlow (not the terrible one which was being offered with these scopes at some dealers), in order to haul myself back into this great hobby.

The 25mm is not bad at all and works well with 2 x barlow (unbranded but seems not too bad), but 10mm is not great and of no use with Barlow so could do with something better which will offer greater magnification for lunar / planetary.

I can really only manage to get one new e/p at the moment, so am wondering whether to go for a good 15mm which can then be barlowed for greater lunar / planetary magnification - or to go for say a standalone 7 or 8mm?

Your assistance is appreciated folks!

Chris

[nicnac]

the 12mm Xcel LX is a corker, whats your budget? (if you dont mind me asking)

[chrisdg1968]

Nick, I would love the Xcel LX but I fear my budget at this time won't run to this! Absolute maximum would only be around £50 & no problems with s/hand.

[nicnac]

these are regarded nicely

First Light Optics - Vixen NPL eyepieces

[chrisdg1968]

Thanks Nick, the Vixen looks just about right I reckon.

Chris

[chrisdg1968]

By the way, any shout out / recommendations for Skywatcher Ultrawide (slightly better eye relief and FOV to Vixens)? I did have one in the past & quite liked it, any idea how it compares?

Thanks

Chris

[John]

By the way, any shout out / recommendations for Skywatcher Ultrawide (slightly better eye relief and FOV to Vixens)? I did have one in the past & quite liked it, any idea how it compares?

Thanks

Chris

The Skywatcher UW's are a mixed bunch Chris. The 9mm is rather good and the 6mm not far off. The 15mm and 20mm are OK in slow scopes like F/10 but not great in an F/5 like yours to be honest. I'm a fan of Vixen stuff and would go with the 30mm NPL over a SW U/wide.

[andrew63]

Well this would be a cheaper alternative but very much in the same ballpark as the xl - i don't think you'd get better under £50. The BST explorer 8mm or 12mm could fit the bill. These are always getting recommended on here and i think most people are very pleased with these lens. As John says you can't go wrong with vixen either, but the bst will give a wider field and more comfort.

1.25" Eyepieces

andrew

[chrisdg1968]

Many thanks all - lots of food for thought there!

Chris