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Question re benefits of quality eyepieces.


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Being a relative novice at Astronomy I have a question for those of you with more experience of a variety of eyepieces:

 

Over the past couple of months, I have been gradually trying to improve on the eyepieces that came with the scope. I am trying to increase the variety and improve upon the quality.

Obviously I want to ensure that I get good value for what I spend.

Therefore I am trying to find out if there will be a realistic limit on the improvement I will notice due to the scope I have.

ie Will I be likely to notice any difference between a £50 eyepiece and a £150 eyepiece?

 

I have been experimenting with a few eyepieces from the used market, but I have so far restricted myself as to how much I spend as i am unsure as to how much my scope will benefit. Amongst those I have tried so far I have seen a noticeable difference with the BST starguiders compared to those supplied with the scope, but if I were to spend twice the cost of a starguider on an eyepiece would I be likely to notice any further improvement or not?

 

thanks in advance

 

martin

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Many, many years ago I used an Edmund Scientific Astroscan. My son bought it when he was 12 yrs old (he's now 57). Through the years I would read about the wonderful eyepieces made by Tele Vue in the Astronomy Magazine. Their prices where very high. I eventually got a new telescope with a few eyepieces. Years later when I retired, I found the astronomy classified. These Tele View eyepieces are now old, and newer, greater are on the market. I could now afford the Tele Vue, so I bought a used Tele Vue 40mm wide angle. It was affordable and everything it was claimed to be. I bought a few sizes to have a variety. I don't know how the market is now, but ten years ago good used eyepieces where available. My advice is to look for a few good used eyepieces and be patient.  

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I think TV prices compare well with Takahashi, Pentax or similar. TV's are mostly made in Japan or the ROC, the actual manufacturers are unknown. Although I think Ohi and GSO might be candidates. 

 

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I have to admit I'm a bit of a TV fanboy as I find the aesthetics, ergonomics and performance are worth the price. The 19mm Pan is one of my most used eyepieces.

 

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I have to admit though that I can get as much fun out of less expensive eyepieces, like these GSO SuperViews below.

 

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As long as the eyepiece is compatible with the focal ratio of the scope you shouldn't see many aberrations.

 

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These 30 quid TMB clones above are very good, especially on-axis.

 

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The 3mm DeLite above is a beautifully made eyepiece that is very enjoyable to use. I used all three of the above EP's on Mars last year on with my 102mm Altair Starwave ED doublet. The TS Optics (BST) flanking it were a third of the price. I couldn't see much difference in performance with the DeLite.

 

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  • 4 weeks later...

I'm very new to this forum but I have been an amateur observer for many years.

 

It has taken me a long time but I have now developed an eyepiece set, mostly bought used, of Tele Vue and Pentax designs.

 

I have tried many other types but have always seemed to come back to the Tele Vue and Pentax brands.

 

They are expensive (even used) but once acquired will serve a lifetime and will do well in a great variety of scopes.

 

 

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