2 inch vs 1.25 inch eyepieces

I have restored an older Celestron Super C8Plus and want to make the most out of its capability. I have a set of the Meade 1.25 inch 4000 series eyepieces and filters but see 2inch is also an option with this scope. I want to buy a couple of higher end eyepieces to use with the C8. I would appreciate any suggestions on the 2 inch vs the 1.25 inch and which 2 higher end eyepieces would be a good choice. Thanks for reading this post and for any suggestions!

Allan Staib

Allan Staib said:

I have restored an older Celestron Super C8Plus and want to make the most out of its capability. I have a set of the Meade 1.25 inch 4000 series eyepieces and filters but see 2inch is also an option with this scope. I want to buy a couple of higher end eyepieces to use with the C8. I would appreciate any suggestions on the 2 inch vs the 1.25 inch and which 2 higher end eyepieces would be a good choice. Thanks for reading this post and for any suggestions!

Allan Staib

I'd suggest a 30mm es 2" eyepiece or the 2" 31mm nagler, with an edge to the nagler. You could go with either the 24mm panoptic in the 1.25" mode or with the 24mm es in the 2" mode. Be prepared for a big heavy eyepiece with either the es 30mm or the nagler 31mm.

I would first install either a Meade or Celestron focal reducer on the visual back before the 2 inch diagonal, then you should enjoy a wider FOV with TV 2 inch Panoptics or ES 82 or 66 degree EP's.
I enjoy using those , along with my 30mm Paragon. Hope you enjoy the better viewing.

Allan:

Everyone has posted some good advice, as you see there are a lot of opinions. Attending a club outing, as suggested, is a great idea. I'd also like to make a plug for trying binoviewers. I gave up single eye viewing years ago and have never looked back. The SCT is a great scope for binoviewing, so if you have an opportunity to look through some, see if you like it. Not everyone likes the experience and enough has been written about them already so I won't go into the benefits here, but check them out if you can.

George