Barlow / EP

[Astro-Nova]

I'm getting my scope soon this week, that if the provider don't mess up. It is a Skyliner 8" dob. dual fit 1.25" / 2" focuser.

My first investment will be a 2x Barlow. Would that be good investment and which kind should I get? or is it better to start off with a 3x or 1.5? And would I get a 2" or 1.25" barlow? Eyepieces provided are 1.25" of 25mm and 10mm.

Investment after that will be better eyepiece. For now I'm going for planet observing, any tips which eyepiece I should get? And is 2" better than 1.25"?

on both barlow and EP I need it as cheap as possible but with decent quality.

[DOBBY]

You are far more likely to want to 'barlow' a 12mm or similar...& these come in 1.25" so.. a 1.25" barlow will get more use than a 2"

I got a used 2.5x (revelation/GSO/whoever) barlow for £25...& had the chance to try it last night in a 200pds with some X-cel LX eyepieces...great views of mars & jupiter. For lower mag. views...the 26mm or 32mm panaviews come in 2inch fitting

[Astro-Nova]

thanks dobby, gonna do some hunting on the inet in a minute

[knobby]

And the 2" would be more expensive, nice thing about a barlow is it makes the magnification higher but you still get the perception of the wider eyepiece ... or is that just me ?

[Carbon Brush]

Quite a few people have reported good views through the stock 25mm EP, but not so good through the 10mm EP.

Maybe see how you get on with the stock EPs and buy the 'planetary' EP first?