Choosin' reasonable EPs for a 12.5 /f5

My criteria:
1) I've got an Ultima 18, 7.5, and Barlow.
2) I want 1--or maybe 2--larger EPs.
3) I can't spend all that much money; maybe $250.

I want some advice--but please don't everyone start telling me to go sell my car and buy EPs, or to buy this: http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=375962, it's not going to happen... Are there folks here who can comment on the Honda Civics of the EP world? I don't want to end up with EPs taht won't work with my scope, and I'm humble enough to admit that--without help--I might screw this up.

My thoughts on possibilities in the $100 range new are (please realize I know very little about this; I'm just browsing ATWB) are:

Meade series 4000 super plossl 1.25" 32mm and/or 56mm(2"):
http://www.buytelescopes.com/product_list.asp?t=32

Anacortes house-brand 30mm birds eye view:
http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.asp?t=27&pid=8409&m=

William Optics SWAN 25mm, 33mm, or 40mm:
http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.asp?t=27&pid=8518&m=

TV 32mm plossl
(no link needed here, I think)

then there are others that I don't know well, like:
orion 35mm ultrascopic, http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=376748

or those UP 40mm mk70 Konigs that keep popping up on classifieds.

help!

I've got a 12.5 f/4.8, and use the 24 Panoptic all the time. It's a wonderful eyepiece that you can use in any scope to get the maximum field of view in a 1.25" eyepiece at a good magnification, and is very sharp to the edge. There is one on sale now for $250.

I also have a 40MK70 to get the largest field of view period, but use it only occasionally.

Hugh Bartlett
Oakland, CA

Erik Hammarlund said:

My criteria:
1) I've got an Ultima 18, 7.5, and Barlow.
2) I want 1--or maybe 2--larger EPs.
3) I can't spend all that much money; maybe $250.

I want some advice--but please don't everyone start telling me to go sell my car and buy EPs, or to buy this:
http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=375962, it's not going to happen... Are there folks here who can comment on the Honda Civics of the EP world? I don't want to end up with EPs taht won't work with my scope, and I'm humble enough to admit that--without help--I might screw this up.

My thoughts on possibilities in the $100 range new are (please realize I know very little about this; I'm just browsing ATWB) are:

Meade series 4000 super plossl 1.25" 32mm and/or 56mm(2"):
http://www.buytelescopes.com/product_list.asp?t=32

Anacortes house-brand 30mm birds eye view:
http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.asp?t=27&pid=8409&m=

William Optics SWAN 25mm, 33mm, or 40mm:
http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.asp?t=27&pid=8518&m=

TV 32mm plossl
(no link needed here, I think)

then there are others that I don't know well, like:
orion 35mm ultrascopic, http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=376748

or those UP 40mm mk70 Konigs that keep popping up on classifieds.

help!

Hi Erik, I purchased a eyepiece here in oz called a widescan 111. They are made by Kokusai-Kohki, Japan.They make 4 eyepieces 2" 30mm,and 20mm, 16mm, 13mm, 1.25" all these eyepieces have A.F.O.V. 84Degreesit's like looking through a porthole.I have 24mm ultima and it's a great eyepiece, but compared to w/s it's like looking down a drain pipe. The price of the 1.25" are $299, the 2" is $399. Remember this is in Australian Dollars. This will be less in U.S. dollars.I understand they are sold under the name of Magellan eyepieces in the U.S. Cheers, John. 8)

Eric, I take it that you're looking for longer focal length, wider field eyepieces.

Do you wear eyeglasses? Do you need to wear them while observing? That's going to make a difference.

You also need to watch exit pupil, especially depending on your eyes and sky conditions.

Here some relatively inexpensive recommendations.

You already have the Ultimas... so I'd suggest picking up a 25mm ultrascopic or 24mm ultima off of Astromart and also a 30 or 35mm either type (the 35mm only if you like and are comfortable with eyepieces with long eye relief). (The Ult/Ultras are equivalent.) Or try a 22mm or 25mm Epic/X-cel. The Ultimas/Ultras will probably run you anywhere from $55-75 used.

I've found a 35mm Ultima wonderful in a 12.5" f/5...

If you're going after a 2" eyepiece, I really like the 32mm Burgess... I sold a 1rpd that everyone raves about because the Burgess was comparably good, had a rubber eyeguard for my eyeglasses, and was lighter. It provides good crisp, contrasty views. Here again not much $, maybe $80 new or $60 used (check that, I'm just guessing).

But some observers, and some of us some of the time, don't like the swap between the 2" and the 1.25". Hence the 30 or 35mm Ultima. (The 30mm would be parfocal with your 18mm).

Also, note, I've found I'm often jumping directly from the 35mm to an 18mm Radian even though I have choices in-between... so you might not even need more than one other eyepiece... say the 30mm Ultima (which few observers find has the blackout probs of the 35mm) for $65-70.