Diagonal and eye piece set recommendations

[Rattler]

Hi guys. I'm after a diagonal and eye piece set for my Explore Scientific ED80. Don't want to be spending a fortune but don't want any rubbish either. Any suggestions please? Thanks.

[iPeace]

Just to get a better idea of what you're after. Do you currently have a diagonal? Have you used your current eyepieces with the ED80? What would you like to gain?

 

[Timebandit]

 

The Tak 1.25 diagonal is supposed to be very good. I think these are around the £90 mark new . So for something with Tak on it of quality it will not break the bank.

BST starguiders have good feedback from users on this site. Around 60d fov and 18mm eye relief, and optical wise good. At £50 new then a good buy. Also the Vixen SLV are good, a bit more money though.

 

I hope the above helps☺

 

       

[Stu]

The Tak Prism is very good quality for a reasonable price. The twist lock on it does catch one the undercut on my 24mm Panoptic to the extent that I have filled the undercut with a wrap or two of tape, problem solved.

Mike's questions are very valid though. An ED80 makes a very nice widefield scope, so do you want to consider a 2" eyepiece or two to give you that extra fov? Obviously that would lead to a 2" diagonal....

[Rattler]

I don't currently have a diagonal or eye pieces as it didn't come with any. I have seen on some that you can get an adapter with them to convert from 2" to 1.25" which would give more options for eye pieces 

[iPeace]

OK, I read some eyepieces in your signature, that's why I asked. Did you part ways with the dob? Did you not like it - why? What are your favourite targets? Don't worry - we'll get to specific recommendations soon.

[iPeace]

By the way, what kind of mount will you use?

[Rattler]

I sold the Dob about 5 years ago. I picked up the ES ED80 on Saturday and will be getting an NEQ6 in the next week or so.

I liked the 200p Dob but my interest was heading towards DSO imaging which I will be doing but I would like to observe aswell 

[iPeace]

Right, a new chapter, then! Sounds good.

I'm inclined to think that a good starting point would be a Explore Scientific 24mm 68 degree eyepiece. It gives the widest possible true field for a 1.25" eyepiece and is sharp to the edges. Not too big or heavy, with performance equal or very close to the "top tier", more expensive, equivalent TeleVue 24mm Panoptic.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/explore-scientific-eyepieces/explore-scientific-68-degree-series-eyepieces.html

Even if you were to opt for cheaper ones for the other (likely shorter) focal lengths you want, this one would not disappoint.

If this is a bit more than you'd like to spend on a single eyepiece, then the BST StarGuiders are very highly regarded as solid pound-for-pound (sterling) performers.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/bst-starguider-eyepieces.html

Just work out the magnifications you'd like to start with, and base your selections on that. If you're wondering how high to go max., I would suggest around 120x magnification for starters.

If you like wide fields of view, and don't mind the bulk or weight of 2" eyepieces, then be sure to get a 2" diagonal. They all come with an adapter for 1.25" eyepieces - but check to be sure - so both formats are supported by a 2" diagonal.

A decent mirror diagonal is a good starting point, and possibly/probably all you'll ever need. It's hard to go wrong with anything that's "dielectric" with 99% reflectivity - you can check back in here with anything you find in your price bracket for specific opinions.

You must be wanting to know more - I'll break for now but will follow with interest and respond whenever I can contribute specifically.

[Rattler]

Thanks for your help. I'll have a look and post back on here when I find something.

[Rattler]

How are these?

http://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/altair-2-dielectric-diagonal-push-fit.html

http://ensoptical.co.uk/burgess-optical-2inch-dialectric-diagonal

[iPeace]

Haven't used either, so can only comment on what the sites say. The Altair looks to be decent, while I'm not getting much in the way of detailed info text on the Burgess, though it looks similar.

[laowhoo]

We went with these. At the time they came with a gushing review of performance at half the price

https://starizona.com/acb/ISTAR-2-BK7-Dielectric-Diagonal-P3165C105.aspx

What surprised me was that they're of the Czech Republic. Here's their site, and they're dedicated builders. If we ever went the refractor route we'd go with them and never give a 2d thought.

http://www.istar-optical.com/index.html

Here's a UK vendor

http://www.peak2valleyinstruments.co.uk/

Cheers

 

[Louis D]

22 hours ago, Rattler said:

How are these?

http://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/altair-2-dielectric-diagonal-push-fit.html

http://ensoptical.co.uk/burgess-optical-2inch-dialectric-diagonal

The Altair appears to be a rebranding of the GSO 2" dialectric diagonal.  I have the OPT (now TPO) version of it.  It is quite nice.  I have no complaints about it.  It's sturdy and doesn't degrade the image to any noticeable degree.  Read this article for a comparison of what's available in diagonals.

[25585]

FLO have certain eps in their sale.

[Rattler]

Thanks guys