Eyepiece question

[michaelg]

Hi all

I have posted a couple of threads on these boards over the last couple of days and want to say a very big thank you to everyone for the help very much appreciated

I have decided I will be getting a sky watcher aero 2" 30mm for my deep space viewing but have one last question Do I get the 7mm or the 12mm celestron x-cel lx I want it for planetary viewing my current eyepieces are a 10 & 25 mm plossi

Would the 12mm be a better option for overall viewing leaving me to get the 7mm at a later date or would I be better getting the 7mm first

Thanks

[michaelg]

I forgot to mention the eyepieces will be used on a 250px goto

[Capricorn]

7mm should be OK on that scope it is if I recall 1200mm focal length, just keep it collimated as it is also pretty fast and so collimation is a bit more critical.

[Capricorn]

Cannot add as an edit:

The 12mm would be OK for viewing DSO's once you find them with the 30mm, in a 30mm many will be too small to view.

Something like Saturn is good at around 120x and above, bit bothered that at 100x you may not see all you would like to.

Jupiter at 100x is good, but that is just one planet, Mars need around the 200x - 250x and a lot of luck.

So for planets I would go for the 7mm.

[rwilkey]

I agree with the above, 7mm best for planets, but I have a preference for the middle range so 12mm would be a good, more often used ep in my view, so both would be useful but the 12mm will be used more often.

[RikM]

I use 7mm for planets. The eyepieces I use most are 10mm and 14mm it depends on the night which gets the most use. I would agree a 12mm would be my first choice. I do have a 30mm but I seldom use any lower power than 20mm from home.

[paul schofield]

= 1 for the 7mm. Never tried the x cel series but have only heard good things about them. Great choice the Aero 30mm, mine gets so much use, a great eyepiece, quite light for a 2 inch ep, so comfortable to use too. Let us know what you think when you get it.

[rory]

how about the 12mm and could add a x2 barlow later on giving a 6mm option .?

[Qualia]

+1 for the X-Cel LX 7mm. I know my system is a little more forgiving but it is a really nice eyepiece.

[Qualia]

Post Script: Make sure it is the LX series and not just an X-Cel, there is allegedly quite a significant difference in quality.