Eyepieces for Heritage 130p

[Kreggurree]

Well I think we finally arrive at the last question regarding the purchasing of new equipment from me.

I have a set of revelation eyepieces which I got cheaply with my old scope, containing :

"Branded with the Revelation stamp, this set of eye pieces consists of 6 four-element 52 degree Plossls, all multi-coated and all with filter threads and rubber eye cups. Included in the set are 6 colour filters, one of which is a ND96 Moon filter. The filters are Wratten #56 #8 #15a #23a #80a. They all come presented in a lockable foam filled case, which is quite sturdy and seems up to the job. The eyepiece sizes are 6, 10, 12, 15, 20 and 32mm"

I am looking to improve my EP collection with these 2 EP's :

TMB clone planetary 5mm (x130) or 4mm (x162.5) - is x162 going to push a 130p too far.

BST Explorer 18mm (x36)

Will these be big enough improvements optically to justify the cost?

Should I just get one £70-80 EP instead? (considering I won't buy any more for sometime)

Any other thoughts and recommendations?

[Kreggurree]

I don't really want to bump or double post but if no one responds then I will assume that these are pretty good choices as not one has recommendations.

[Chris H]

Can't comment on the ep's but I have used my Heritage at x150 and the views were good I reckon it would go to x162 but beyond that your pushing it. I tend to use mine most with a 19mm Panoptic and sweep around the sky enjoying the 2 degree field of view.

[xboxdevil]

I've tried a 5mm TMB clone in a Heritage 130p and it's always been great, I also tried a 3.2 a couple of times but the views were probably just past the limits of seeing at the time and not quite as sharp, I think the 4mm should be fine though and even the 3.2 on nights of better seeing.

[LukeSkywatcher]

I have used the Heritage @ 162.5X (4mm Omni EP ) and that really was pushing it to the max (great lunar views though). We dont get enough nights of excellent seeing conditions to use that high a magnification.

If i were you i would forget 4mm EP. 5mm will be fine. The scope is very happy @ 130X.

Instead of 18mm...............i'd go for 12-15mm.

P.S.~~these are superb EP's at a very good price.

http://firstlightoptics.com/proddetail.php?prod=Vixen_NPL

[Kreggurree]

I was partly going for the 18mm as it is considered the best of the set and within the right range for more wide field viewing. Do you think it is too low mag. and 15 would be better then?

[LukeSkywatcher]

Ive never used a 18mm EP but its not too far off of a 20mm which i find too low a mag for planets. Many people say they use a 12-15mm for observing planets. I personally use a 9mm for planets.

Also you have 32mm and plan on a 5-6mm? A 12-15mm would sit nicely between both of those.

Just my opinion. I am not an expert or even a seasoned observer.

[Kreggurree]

Well my intention was not to use the 18mm for planets, that was for more general viewing and wider field views.

[LukeSkywatcher]

Sorry. I dont know how i got the idea of you using an 18mm for planets when clearly you intend to use a 4-6mm?

Like anything, its an open debate on what to use for general observing and wide field. My preference is 30-32mm (as is the choice of many).

[Kreggurree]

So realising that I am going to have to spend £25 on a chesire EP means I will only buy 1 EP to expand my Revelation plossl set. So considering that I have this set, what area of observing should I buy a better quality EP for? Will wide-field, DSO's or planets see a better jump from these plossl's?

I am leaning towards getting a planetary EP (prob the TMB clone above) because often planets will be what I show other non astronomers, and also I don't think the 6mm is quite enough mag for planets, where as a 32mm plossl is at max FOV for 1.25".