EP recommendations

[JudeHS]

So I have the XT8 Dobsonian (It is f/6)  which comes with a 25mm Plossl. I was thinking of buying a decent 25/30mm to replace the Plossl and another 9/10mm maybe the x-cel lx, luminos or PanaView. Then buying a 2x Barlow so I have a good range or EPs at 25mm, 12.5mm and 10mm. How does that sound?

 

[RT65CB-SWL]

Sounds good to me! 

...and maybe the Baader Planetarium mk III/IV 8-24mm zoom with the add-ons later on - perfect for those 'quickie' observing sessions. ? 

[Knighty2112]

I have an 18mm Celestron X-Cel and find it probably my most used EP, at least in my C8 SCT at least. Just also bagged some Celestron Ultima duo EP’s too, but not had a chance to try them out too much as yet, but look very promising. 

[johninderby]

The Celestron X-Cel LX is great in a slower scope and at f/6 your scope isn’t to fast.for them. I usualy use a zoom for a first look as it gives me a chance to see what sort of mag the seeing will support on a given night. 

[laudropb]

I used a zoom to start with and still do. It saves changing eps as you work out the best magnification to suit the seeing conditions.  It also helps you to decide the your most used magnifications and which individual eps to buy later on.

[JudeHS]

what would be a good zoom under £100... I was looking at this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seben-31-7mm-8-24mm-Telescope-Eyepiece/dp/B00663XV8S/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1533896290&sr=1-1&keywords=zoom+eyepiece 

[Stargazer McCabe]

Hey Jude... (Sorry, sure you've heard that before. But i couldn't help myself !!)

@John did an excellent thread about just such a zoom... Have a read 

 

[JudeHS]

I had not seen that before! Thanks for sending it.

In the post, it said the views from 9.55mm to 3.2mm were most effective so should I also buy a decent low power 18mm eyepiece or still use the zoom but without 2.25x Barlow?

[Ricochet]

The zoom that John reviewed is a significantly higher quality eyepiece than the Seben zoom available on Amazon. Having looked through a zoom that outwardly appeared identical to the Seben zoom, I would not recommend it. 

[mark81]

Have you had a look at the BST starguider lenses? Great products and amazing value for money . ?

[rwilkey]

3 hours ago, JudeHS said:

what would be a good zoom under £100... I was looking at this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seben-31-7mm-8-24mm-Telescope-Eyepiece/dp/B00663XV8S/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1533896290&sr=1-1&keywords=zoom+eyepiece 

You should buy any astronomy equipment from an astronomy supplier such as FLO, the lounge sponsers, click on their name at the top of the page. 

[JudeHS]

7 hours ago, rwilkey said:

You should buy any astronomy equipment from an astronomy supplier such as FLO, the lounge sponsers, click on their name at the top of the page. 

yh i just use amazon for reviews I'll buy from FLO

 

[John]

This the same as my 7.2 - 21.5mm zoom:

http://www.opticstar.com/Run/Astronomy/Astro-Accessories-Telescopes-Opticstar.asp?p=0_10_5_1_8_330

So is this:

https://www.telescopehouse.com/lunt-7-2-21-5mm-zoom-eyepiece-1-25.html

And this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Orion-8250-7-2-21-5mm-Telescope-Eyepiece/dp/B002P780G2

And this:

https://www.365astronomy.com/SkyWatcher-HyperFlex-7E-7.2-21.5mm-High-Performance-Zoom-Eyepiece.html

It pays to shop around !

Mine was actually less expensive than all the above but it's sold out under that branding now so the Opticstar is the next lowest I think.

[JudeHS]

thanks for all the info! In your post, you said the views from 9.55mm to 3.2mm were most effective so should I also buy a decent low power 18mm eyepiece or still use the zoom Ep but without 2.25x Barlow?

[LukeSkywatcher]

6 minutes ago, John said:

This the same as my 7.2 - 21.5mm zoom:

http://www.opticstar.com/Run/Astronomy/Astro-Accessories-Telescopes-Opticstar.asp?p=0_10_5_1_8_330

So is this:

https://www.telescopehouse.com/lunt-7-2-21-5mm-zoom-eyepiece-1-25.html

And this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Orion-8250-7-2-21-5mm-Telescope-Eyepiece/dp/B002P780G2

And this:

https://www.365astronomy.com/SkyWatcher-HyperFlex-7E-7.2-21.5mm-High-Performance-Zoom-Eyepiece.html

It pays to shop around !

Mine was actually less expensive than all the above but it's sold out under that branding now so the Opticstar is the next lowest I think.

Talk about comparing the Meerkat. If it was a beauty contest, the Optistar would win. Not liking the look of the others.

[Ricochet]

10 hours ago, JudeHS said:

thanks for all the info! In your post, you said the views from 9.55mm to 3.2mm were most effective so should I also buy a decent low power 18mm eyepiece or still use the zoom Ep but without 2.25x Barlow?

If you are buying the zoom then you might as well try the zoom without the barlow and see if you are happy with it before making a decision about other eyepieces. The thing you are probably most likely to find fault with is the field of view at long focal length settings. If that is the case I would be inclined to look at something like the Explore Scientific 68° series depending on your budget.