Skywatcher 200P eyepiece for planets

[Various]

I'm really sorry if this question is answered elsewhere (I can't find it by searching) but I would appreciate any advice on an upgrade eyepiece for my Skywatcher Skyliner 200P Dob. I've been using the standard eye pieces since my birthday last January and an EP is on the list for this year!

Due to light pollution I'm spending most of my time observing the moon and planets.

I do wear glasses but not for observing.

The budget is whatever I'm likely to get as a birthday present, but I suspect up to about £100.

Thanks

Matt

[Catweazel]

This is one of the best value EP's for Planetary viewing http://tinyurl.com/axqfb7e BST! You just need to decide what size. A good size is 7mm for planetary with a 200P, that's the size I use the most anyway.

[Various]

Thanks for the advice. I'm unsure what size I can go to so 7mm it will probably be!

[rory]

these are good value http://www.skysthelimit.org.uk/telescope%20eyepieces.html

both the bst /starguider and the tmb planetary . both under £50.

i found 5mm a little to much for regular use, id look between 6 and 8mm . also consider x-cel lx but a few pounds more .

[Catweazel]

Thanks for the advice. I'm unsure what size I can go to so 7mm it will probably be!

I agree with what rory says, the 5mm is great when seeing is good, but how often is that? My 7mm gets used a lot in all of my scopes. I don't know if you belong to an astro society, but if you do, you could always take your scope along and get some others to let you try out their EP's?

[bingevader]

I have a WO SPL 6mm with a 200p and it's super!

Cheers

[rwilkey]

The BST/StarGuiders are excellent in the 200P, you will find the 8mm just right at 125x, from Sky's the Limit, same link as given above.

[andrew63]

This is the ebay link to the 8mm BST - which are a safe bet

1.25" 8mm BST Explorer Dual ED eyepiece Branded "Starguider" | eBay

Another recommended one is the 7mm x cel lx

First Light Optics - Celestron X-Cel LX eyepiece

Either would make a very nice present!

andrew

[Various]

Thanks for the replies, they are much appreciated but it was simpler when only one of you had replied, ignorance is indeed bliss.

Why does the BST Explorer/Starguider at 60 degrees does not claim 'wide angle' but the 58 degree does? I always thought 60 degrees was a wider angle than 58 - or am I missing something?

[twotter]

For £100 I'd suggest a Baader Hyperion 8mm. Mine works well in my 200P dob (F6/1200), and with 14mm & 28mm fine tuning rings can be quickly converted to 6mm, 5mm or 4.3mm, giving a range of magnifications from the standard 125x, to 200x, 240x and 279x respectively. For me that covers Jupiter, Saturn and the Moon quite nicely.

Keep your eyes peeled and you can pick up 'pre-loved' Hyperions from £65 - £75.

[rwilkey]

Thanks for the replies, they are much appreciated but it was simpler when only one of you had replied, ignorance is indeed bliss.

Why does the BST Explorer/Starguider at 60 degrees does not claim 'wide angle' but the 58 degree does? I always thought 60 degrees was a wider angle than 58 - or am I missing something?

Claiming 'wide angle' is a selling point, it also has UWA (Ultra Wide Angle) on the barrel, which of course, it is not (80 degree). THe BST Explorer/StarGuider 8mm is the better choice in my view, proven record and well-liked hereabouts.

[Fordos Moon]

Another vote for the BST 8mm here. I have the 200P and it was the first extra EP I bought and I love it!!

[Williams]

I've got a 30mm Vixen NPL and it's the best quality i've seen yet compaired to the standard plossl ep's. For the money the image quality is fantasic.. 30mm, 15mm and 8mm for around £100. Worth a look.

[Various]

OK, decision made - I'm going for the BST Explorer/Starguider 8mm.

Thanks for all the suggestions - I'll let you know how I get on, but not until the end of January at least - it's not my brithday until then!!

[crashtestdummy]

I had the same scope(200p) and found 7mm to be the limit for normal viewing but became frustrating with the single speed focuser