BGO 18mm - Worth getting?

[crazyjedi]

I'm extremely tempted (I have my wallet in my hand right now) to order the BGO 6mm and 18mm from FLO as they are the only two FL's available on the web site. Now the 6mm is a no brainer to me as a good planetary EP but what of it's longer FL sibling?

It has a narrow FOV and so just how useful is it for DSO's such as globs etc?

rapid answers greatly appreciated - I have my finger on the trigger and I've got the buying itch

[Stu]

Globs are not so big so should be ideal for those, and other smallish DSO's like m57, depending of course on what magnification it gives in your scope. Fov shouldn't be an issue. Not so good for bigger stuff of course.

Stu

[nightfisher]

if it helps the 18mm is my most used ep in my long focal length scopes, they wont be about much longer and if you dont get on with them you will be able to re sell for near purchase price

[crazyjedi]

My scope is fairly short FL and fast and I've heard nothing but good things about the whole BGO range. I do have a hole in my EP collection at the high teen FL's so it could be ideal. Maybe?

[twotter]

It's been nearly 1/2 hour since you first posted. I'm not sure I would have the willpower to have waited so long

You did buy the 18mm didn't you???

[rwilkey]

I would have thought your TV Radian 12mm would fill the gap for globs, but as others have said, the 18mm BGO won't be around for much longer, I prefer wider fields myself so would not go for these. But if you have that 'need it' feeling, then go for it, it is Christmas and you deserve it after all haha!

[crazyjedi]

It's too late for anyone to put me off now - I have just ordered both the 6mm and 18mm BGO's!!

I hope the post man hurries up. ....I want them NOW! :grin: :grin:

[John]

The Radian and the 18mm BGO will show around the same amount of sky though the higher magnification of the Radian will darken the background sky slightly more which should make faint DSO's a little easier to spot. A comparison between the two would be very interesting if you have time to jot down some notes of how they fare

[crazyjedi]

I would have thought your TV Radian 12mm would fill the gap for globs, but as others have said, the 18mm BGO won't be around for much longer, I prefer wider fields myself so would not go for these. But if you have that 'need it' feeling, then go for it, it is Christmas and you deserve it after all haha!

My Radian gets heavily used in my collection for all sorts of things. I usually find the object with my ES 24mm then examine said object with the Radian. However I wanted the BGO 6mm for planetary work and thought the 18mm would fill a gap at the longer FL. I've heard nothing but good things about BGO's and simply did not want to miss the experience of them before they vanish.

[Naemeth]

It's too late for anyone to put me off now - I have just ordered both the 6mm and 18mm BGO's!!

I hope the post man hurries up. ....I want them NOW! :grin: :grin:

Who knows, they might arrive without clouds .

[crazyjedi]

The Radian and the 18mm BGO will show around the same amount of sky though the higher magnification of the Radian will darken the background sky slightly more which should make faint DSO's a little easier to spot. A comparison between the two would be very interesting if you have time to jot down some notes of how they fare

As soon as they arrive and I get a clear night I will do you a direct comparison of the Radian against the 18mm BGO and perhaps the 6mm BGO vs the 5.5mm Meade 5000 super plossl.

I always try to keep notes of my observations so it won't be a stretch to include some notes on how the EP's perform too.

[crazyjedi]

Who knows, they might arrive without clouds .

That would be a welcome miracle. Every single astronomy related purchase that I have ever made has been cursed with clouds for many days after. (even TLAO arrived with a cloud escort and its a book!!)