Eyepieces & Filters for Dobsonian 8"

[varius21]

Hello,
newbie here and in the hobby.

Yesterday, after a lot of research, I ordered the Skywatcher skyliner 8" which I'll receive tomorrow.
I live in the light polluted area of Derby, UK.. and haven't purchased any extra eyepieces or filters. Can you suggest a budget eyepiece and filters?

When I say budget I mean in the ££ range

Possibly a 4mm. Or do you think x300 would be too much for it? Any suggestions?

Thank you!

[johninderby]

Hi

4mm is usable in good seeing on the moon. Something in the 6 or 7mm range will get more use though

Don’t waste your money on those coloured filter sets. Better to get specialist filters such as the Baader Neodynum filter for  general lunar and planetary viewing. UHC and OIII filters are of more use on DSOs but can be ££££££.

A variable polarising filter comes in handy on the moon and Venus.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/light-pollution-reduction/baader-neodymium-filter.html

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/moon-neutral-density-filters/astro-essentials-variable-polarising-moon-filter.html

The BST Starguiders are excellent eyepieces and not too expensive.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/search/for/starguiders/

 

 

Edited December 22, 2020 by johninderby

[varius21]

Hi John!

I appreciate your reply and tips. I will definitely buy the filters your mentioned. Seeing you're in Derby as well, you must know the right filters for our city's LP  

[johninderby]

What type of streetlights are in your area has a big effect on LP filters but in general find the Neodymium filter is my most used filter. I think of it as more of a planetary filter than a LP filter. LP filters don’t do a lot for those LED street lights though.

[rwilkey]

I agree with John, the Neodimium filter is a good one and the first I ever bought, never looked back.

[RT65CB-SWL]

Hi @varius21 and welcome to SGL. 

300x is way to much, especially under GB/UK skies. Ideally your best bet is to go for an e/p that gives you up to 200-250x maximum. You may want to purchase some e/p's that give a wider view than the supplied ones, such as these... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/bst-starguider-eyepieces.html or these... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/vixen-eyepieces/vixen-npl-eyepieces.html... avoid the so-called eyepiece & filter set.

My most used filter is, as @johninderby says is the Baader Neodymium... it is my 'Swiss-Army knife' filter.
Then a variable polarising filter when viewing the Moon or the brighter planets, (i.e. Jupiter & Venus), and for viewing 'fuzzy' objects, a UHC or O-lll.

[wulfrun]

Have you thought about maybe a zoom eyepiece? Something like this:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/ovl-eyepieces/hyperflex-72mm-215mm-eyepiece.html

It'll give you a better quality than the supplied 10mm without breaking the bank and a range of FLs too. That way you can find out what works best for your targets and conditions. Later you can buy more premium fixed FLs in a range you know you'll use. Be aware that zooms come with a compromise: they have narrower field of view than many fixed FL eyepieces, especially at the longer end - but you have that covered for now with the 25mm. Worth thinking about.

[Ricochet]

I found that a 7mm Celestron X-Cel LX was a very good choice for planetary views using my 8" dob. For DSOs, you'll want something like a 12mm (Starguider or X-Cel LX will work well) and then something about double that for wider views. A 24mm ES68° would do well, but be above your budget unless you can find something second hand, but you may want something with a slightly larger field of view (I did), so you would need to be looking at options that require a 2" barrel. I've got a 28mm Nirvana in that role, but I'm not sure if they are still available new anywhere, perhaps TS in Germany still do one.