Looking for a decent, first eyepiece for the Altair 102mm APO

[NeutronNick]

Hi All,

Saving up the pennies for a decent EP for when I finally get the Altair APO 102mm f7 refractor.

What do members think would be a good, first EP? I want to invest in a decent one, but not TeleVue prices!

I am thinking maybe a wide FOV, 80 degrees or so. I like the Vixen LVWs at around £180.00

Any feedback, advice on the EPs?

Cheers 

Nick

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

The LVWs are 65 deg. The current one to beat bang-for-buck wise would be the MaxVision 24mm 82 deg:

http://www.explorescientific.co.uk/en/Eyepieces/Explore-Scientific-Maxvision-82-Okular-24mm.html?_ga=1.211676245.1182305767.1428665840

A steal for 149 euro.

[-Aldebaran-]

+1 for the 24mm Maxvision, I have it myself, a great piece. The Argon purged by explore scientific are well priced for their performance also in the 82° range.

[NeutronNick]

The LVWs are 65 deg. The current one to beat bang-for-buck wise would be the MaxVision 24mm 82 deg:

http://www.explorescientific.co.uk/en/Eyepieces/Explore-Scientific-Maxvision-82-Okular-24mm.html?_ga=1.211676245.1182305767.1428665840

A steal for 149 euro.

Thanks for this, will check this one out.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I have the 68deg 24mm which is very good down to F/6, especially for the price. In an F/7 scope I think the 24mm should perform close to the performance of a Nagler, at a fraction of the price.

[John]

£180 is a Tele Vue price on the used market. You can get a Nagler for that or a Delos. Radians can be found used for around £100. 

If you buy new then the suggestions above will get you close to Tele Vue performance as has been said.

[alan potts]

It is an APO and as said by John with your budget you are in S/H Delos and Nagler country, feed from it, you will not look back.

Alan

[NeutronNick]

£180 is a Tele Vue price on the used market. You can get a Nagler for that or a Delos. Radians can be found used for around £100. 

If you buy new then the suggestions above will get you close to Tele Vue performance as has been said.

Thanks for the advice...I dream of TeleVue optics!

[NeutronNick]

It is an APO and as said by John with your budget you are in S/H Delos and Nagler country, feed from it, you will not look back.

Alan

Thanks Alan.

[Owmuchonomy]

I have the ES 24mm 82' Argon purged mentioned by Aldeberan above in my Altair 102 APO. Stunning. It's a bit over your budget though if you can find one! I got the last one at a well known dealership.

[NeutronNick]

I have the ES 24mm 82' Argon purged mentioned by Aldeberan above in my Altair 102 APO. Stunning. It's a bit over your budget though if you can find one! I got the last one at a well known dealership.

Thanks for the info. Are you pleased with the scope? I have ordered one from my local Astro shop.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Owmuchonomy]

Yes, you asked me about it before.

[mikeDnight]

The 20mm Nagler is tack sharp to the edge of its 82° field and will give a dark sky background with superb contrast. Its an amazingly good eyepiece for a 4" Apo and is worth every penny. The 24mm Panoptic is another superb performer well worth consideration. Another would be the 20mm Pentax XW which gives a wonderfully transparent view.

Mike

[alan potts]

Mike,

Only sold mine so I would use the 21mm Ethos which was getting case-bound, as you say worth every penny, dare I say I might get another one.

Alan