Buying my first scope: a few technicalities

[Alan64]

On 05/09/2019 at 07:53, grjsk said:

Follow-up question: I certainly will try out the equipment that comes with the scope (even though I understand that the 10mm has a bit of a bad reputation around here), and I see no reason to upgrade anything just yet. However, I do lack a barlow and a 90 diagonal (the scope comes with a erect 45). Since the 10mm eyepiece "only" gives me 50x, I feel like buying a barlow right away, and I think my back will thank me for buying a 90 diagonal. 

Planning a bit ahead, I would like to buy something that wouldn't need to be upgraded even If I end up buying a better scope down the line. have any of you have any experince with:

Celestron X-Cel Barlow (https://www.firstlightoptics.com/barlows/celestron-x-cel-barlow.html)

versus the much cheaper:

Astro Essentials (https://www.firstlightoptics.com/barlows/astro-essentials-125-2x-barlow-with-t-thread.html) 

and the: 

Sky-Watcher Di-Electric Star Diagonal (https://www.firstlightoptics.com/diagonals/SWdiagonal-20967.html)

versus the much cheaper: 

Astro Essentials 90 (https://www.firstlightoptics.com/diagonals/astro-essentials-90-erecting-prism-diagonal.html)

At f/7.1, you can use a more durable star-prism diagonal...

https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/celestron-star-diagonal.html#SID=566

I have one, and it's quite good, and you can't beat that price.

[Geoff Lister]

15 hours ago, Alan64 said:

Astro Essentials (https://www.firstlightoptics.com/barlows/astro-essentials-125-2x-barlow-with-t-thread.html) 

The T-thread gives you the option of attaching a DSLR camera + t-ring directly, in place of the eyepiece, so your telescope becomes the equivalent of a "long lens". The photo below shows an equivalent setup, but without the Barlow lens in the adaptor.

Geoff

[grjsk]

Thanks for all your help. I ended up with a BST 2x Barlow and the SW dielectric 90 star diagonal. Scope arrives in a week, can’t wait!