Beginners Eyepieces for 150PDS

[Cableguy]

I have just posted this in the eyepiece forum but it probably should have gone in here as it's a beginners query (the clue was in the title really)...

I'm looking to buy a Skywatcher 150PDS as my first scope and have been trying to work out which eyepiece(s) I should buy to complement the 25mm it's supplied with and would appreciate your thoughts. Initially it probably needs to be a bit of an all-rounder until I work out exactly what sort of observation interests me.

Firstly what type of eyepiece should I go for, I have read that for this type of scope something optically "simple" such as a Plossl is a good idea or should I consider another type?

Once I know that, What size/make? Have seen the following chart from Oliver http://stargazerslounge.com/showthread.php?t=132489 and I think an 8mm seems sensible but then not sure what to go for after that. Have budgeted about £200 so it could be..

- 2x£100 eyepieces

- 1x£100 eyepiece and a better quality barlow

- 3x£65 eyepieces

- 2x£65 eyepiece and a barlow

or is some other combination of cheaper items a better idea?

Not too worried about getting lots of eyepieces, so would rather go for quality over quantity.

Thanks in advance

Cableguy

[nightfisher]

I think a lot of people will suggest the BST explorer range from skies the limit, they really are rather good, ans £41-47 per eye piece, very good value, i have the 18mm and i plan on getting some other focal length bst`s

[Qualia]

Celestron's X-Cel LX series come highly recommended (look for Stargazers' threads on them in the search option) as do BSTs.

I have no experience with the latter, so all I can say is that the former LXs will do you proud.

[chownsie]

I have same scope and got myself two plossl's for a little under £60, a 32mm and a 6.3mm. I'm very happy with them both!

[RikM]

The 150P is an f/5 scope so the better eyepieces you can use with it, the better views you are going to get. There are other things to consider as well.

How dark is your sky? If you have quite a bit of light pollution then low power EP's (32mm) may be too washed out.

Do you need to wear glasses to observe? Plossl and orthoscopic EP's give great sharp views, but the eye relief can be uncomfortable in the shorter focal lengths and if you wear glasses they can be impossible to use at less than about 15mm.

People's eyes are all different. The best bet would be to go along to an observing evening at your local astronomy society and have a look through some different types. If that's not possible then my vote would be 12mm, 8mm and possibly 5mm BST explorers.

[Cableguy]

Thanks to all for your help and suggestions.

Rik...my light pollution is probably below average, I'm right on the edge of a small town so streetlights but fields in one direction,definitely not as bad as a big city. No glasses required as yet.

[Jon Sales]

Vixen NPL eyepieces are quite good. Around £35 each from Telescope House.