Celestron or Meade Eyepiece

[stickbow]

I am thinking of a new eyepiece 15-20mm I have looked at the Celestron X-Cel LX 18mm and the Meade 4000 series 15mm, I want one with long eye relief but not sure which is best, I have up to £80 to spend and would like some advice please on these.

Thanks

[Capricorn]

The Celestron's, the Meades are advertised as 4000's plossl's or super plossl's.

There is such a price difference that I will ask do you mean the Meade 4000 series not the 5000 series?

Has been said they are the same X-Cel's = 5000's. Curious why Meade describe them as plossl's then say they can have 6 elements.

For a little extra you could get 2 of the BST's, just a thought as they have a good reputation and are close or equal to the Celestrons.

[Eastridge]

I also need Long ER and from what I have read whilst deciding what to get over a while on here most will say the Excel - LX. That said they do seem to have some quality control issues so make sure you buy from a reputable place that will readily exchange if you get a poor one.

I had discounted the BST's myself as their eye relief is quoted as only c. 12mm, which I had read wasn't enough for those of us with glasses. BUT a bit of research and questioning on here seems to indicate that this is the same as the SW supplied 10mm, which I can use fine. Maybe worth a call to Alan at Sky's the Limit to see what would happen if you ordered one but found the ER too small, as being cheaper on a par with the LX as Capricorn indicates.

[rwilkey]

Hi, I think you will find the eye-relief on the BST/StaeGuiders satisfactory, if you are not happy with them, Alan will usually take them back.

[E621Keith]

The Celestron's, the Meades are advertised as 4000's plossl's or super plossl's.

There is such a price difference that I will ask do you mean the Meade 4000 series not the 5000 series?

Has been said they are the same X-Cel's = 5000's. Curious why Meade describe them as plossl's then say they can have 6 elements.

For a little extra you could get 2 of the BST's, just a thought as they have a good reputation and are close or equal to the Celestrons.

I think it's X-cel LX = HD-60, not S5000 super plossl which is a Chinese copy of Masuyama (sold as early S4k Superplossl/Celestron Ultima/Baader Eudiascopic).

[wookie1965]

The BST double ED starguiders have excellent eye relief have a look at the 15mm which sky at night magazine voted gold star heres link to them

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-25-15mm-BST-Explorer-Dual-ED-eyepiece-/160892526415