Sky-Watcher Lunar/Planetary Filter Set

[Saffstar]

I'm about to purchase the Skywatcher 130P EQ2 for OH for Xmas and have found a place that offers the Lunar/Planetary Filter Set half price with this purchase.  Usually £30.  Its his birthday in Jan so I am thinking I could give him some astronomy extra's then.... 

Are they worth having/buying?

[rwilkey]

Hi Saffstar, to be honest it would be better to leave them, colour filters hardly ever get used for night time astronomy, the Moon filter will also probably be a cheap one, only a few astronomers use them (myself included).  No, there are better astronomy gifts out there, such as the book 'Turn Left At Orion' - a very good guide on how to find deep sky objects (DSO's) in the night sky.

[Saffstar]

Thanks Robin, In my haste I placed the order before I saw this!  I guess it'll be a little extra for the stocking if nothing else.  Just purchased Turn Left at Orion also, thanks! 

Saff

[rwilkey]

Hi Saff, no harm in giving them a try, to some they make a difference, to others not so good.  I use mine in daytime solar white light viewing* where I think the colour helps enhance.  The Sky Watcher ones are quite good quality if I remember.  I have now replaced these with Lumicon from the US.  Good luck with your purchase.

EDIT: *With the appropriate full aperture solar filter at the front of the scope.

[Saffstar]

Thanks Robin, I guess if they are not much use to him he can always send to the great ebay in the sky in the future!  Thanks very much for your advice!  Solar filter... aah there's another idea!..

[bomberbaz]

Hi Saffstar. As Robin says not many people use filters although some do and I am one of the ones that do. If the set you got has a yellow filter I find this very useful on the moon. It is also useful for Jupiter as is the Blue. I do have others but those are the two I use most.

HTH 

Steve

[rwilkey]

If I remember correctly I think the Sky Watcher one is a red, blue, a polarizer and a Moon filter (last two completely illogical).