Eyepiece upgrade

[wormix]

Good morning all,

I figure it’s about time I start to consider purchasing some better eyepieces as I’ve been using the ones provided with scopes for a while now. 

Question is would I be better served spending ~£40 on new BST Starguiders or hanging around and try to find second hand Baader hyperions for ~£50-60?

I’m currently looking at a ~5mm and ~15mm for use on a 150pds (f5) and an ETX125 (f15)

cheers

[Raph-in-the-sky]

I'm also wondering how those compare. I have the BSTs 5mm and 15mm and compared to the stock EPs they are amazing. In fact, the 15mm is my most used EP.

[John]

The BST Starguiders are pretty good eyepieces and are generally better corrected in the outer parts of the field of view than Hyperions when used in a faster scopes such as your F/5 scope.

 

[bingevader]

If you want something to use in both 'scopes, go with the BSTs.

The Hyperions would be fine in the ETX but not necessarily so in the 150pds.

[Ricochet]

Alternatively, the Celestron X-cell LX/Meade HD60 ranges are pretty similar to the BSTs if any turn up on the second hand market. There are also the Baader BCOs in a similar price bracket, which are better optically at the expense of field of view and eye relief. 

[Louis D]

I bought sets of the HD-60 and Paradigms (BST Starguiders) and compared them for field of view, edge correction, and eye relief and compiled my results in this thread.  Under the stars, they're pretty equivalent as far as contrast and stray light control.  At the shorter focal lengths, there isn't much to distinguish between them and the more premium eyepiece lines other than field of view and eye relief.  It's in the longer focal lengths (12mm and up) where the edge of field really starts to fall apart compared to premium lines.  In the center 50%, they're pretty equivalent to the premium offerings even in the longer focal lengths.

Edited September 24, 2019 by Louis D

[wormix]

2 hours ago, Louis D said:

I bought sets of the HD-60 and Paradigms (BST Starguiders) and compared them for field of view, edge correction, and eye relief and compiled my results in this thread.  Under the stars, they're pretty equivalent as far as contrast and stray light control.  At the shorter focal lengths, there isn't much to distinguish between them and the more premium eyepiece lines other than field of view and eye relief.  It's in the longer focal lengths (12mm and up) where the edge of field really starts to fall apart compared to premium lines.  In the center 50%, they're pretty equivalent to the premium offerings even in the longer focal lengths.

Thanks for this - given me something to think about, especially as I wear glasses. 

Also makes me wonder whether 15mm is the size to go for.  My current “collection” includes a 9mm, 26mm and 28mm so I’m missing the lower end and mid range. 

Appreciate everyone else suggestions  too, though does give me more to consider!

Cheers

[rwilkey]

Hi Wormix, the 18mm BST is a good one to go for, excellent AFoV. 

[wormix]

 Thanks everyone for your comments. 

I have plumped for a couple of BSTs.  Will let you know how I get on. 

On 24/09/2019 at 14:50, Louis D said: