Another EP question.

[Orange Haze]

Hi All

I am waiting for a Tal x2 barlow to arrive, but continue to read on here about the massive importance of quality eyepieces. I have the 10mm and 25mm supplied EP's, but would like to add a 15mm to my collection. Looked at the Vixen NPL range which is about right for my budget, but no idea on quality.

Any thoughts or experience you are able to share would be great.

Thanks, Lee.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Quality EPs are not massively important. Many outstanding discoveries were done with very poor EPs by modern standards. Quality EPs are a lot more fun to look through, once you have enough time behind the scope. Vixen EPs have a good rep, I have used a couple and liked them a lot. I only replaced them when I could afford even better ones, with wider FOV. If your scope was supplied with Plossl EPs, they are quite often OK, if the are labelled MA-10 and MA-25 (modified achromat), they are not that good (in particular the MA-10).

[Orange Haze]

Thanks Michael. The two supplied EP's were labelled "super", although unaware yet if this label is fitting?

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Possibly super plossls, but it could mean something else. Which brand are they?

[Orange Haze]

Skywatcher. Supplied with the scope itself. From my amateur perspective they seem fine, but with the barlow on its way I know I need to look at better.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

If they seem fine, they work for you. I only ever bought better EPs when I spotted limitations in the ones I had. Only replace things that do not work for you.

[stonemonkeylives]

I've use my 10mm EP that was supplied with my skywatcher with the x2 Barlow I got to and had some very good clear images of the Moon and Mars. Only used my scope a few times so not really had chance to view anything further a field yet, but from a noob perspective they were good. And will do me until I've saved for some better ones. Hope this helps.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

[rwilkey]

The supplied SW ep's are MA's, super or otherwise, and can be improved upon when you have more experience and know what your viewing preferences will be.

[Orange Haze]

I suppose what I am looking at is adding to my EP's rather than replacing any at this stage. I didn't want to go basement bucket and regret it so wondered if the Vixens fell into the decent range.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Vixen is a well respected maker of optics. The NPL range are good Plossl design EPs. I had a few Vixen plossls and Vixen-made Celestron Plossls, and they were good EPs.