Just purchased a 10" Meade LX 90 GPS and need to purchase eyepieces. What are your opinions on which eyepieces to choose covering all aspects, contrast, largest FOV, DSO's and planetary viewing etc. The focal length is 2500mm and it's an f10. The choice would be purely for visual observing. Thanks to all who take the time to answer.
Eyepiece choice for 10" Meade SCT
Started by wizz, 01/03/2010 11:18PM
Posted 01/03/2010 11:18PM
Opening Post
Posted 01/04/2010 02:20AM
#1
Hi Mark.
You've got all kinds of options.
I started out with an 8" LX-90 and after using the standard plossls for a while I added a Meade (4000) 14mm and 8.8mm UWA. That gave me a lot more FOV at my higher power levels. Then I added some Panoptics for the low and mid power range... the 41mm was my maximum FOV and the 27mm and 19mm filled in the mid range very well. At some point though, I bought my first Nagler, the 20mm T5, which I would highly recommend. That put the 19mm and 27mm out of work.
Later, I got some other scopes and the EP's evolved accordingly. But those served me very well for the LX-90.
You'll get lots of other ideas.
Best wishes.
Linton
You've got all kinds of options.
I started out with an 8" LX-90 and after using the standard plossls for a while I added a Meade (4000) 14mm and 8.8mm UWA. That gave me a lot more FOV at my higher power levels. Then I added some Panoptics for the low and mid power range... the 41mm was my maximum FOV and the 27mm and 19mm filled in the mid range very well. At some point though, I bought my first Nagler, the 20mm T5, which I would highly recommend. That put the 19mm and 27mm out of work.
Later, I got some other scopes and the EP's evolved accordingly. But those served me very well for the LX-90.
You'll get lots of other ideas.
Best wishes.
Linton
Posted 01/04/2010 10:15PM
#2
As Jon mentioned, you don't need top tier glass since your scope has a very eyepiece forgiving f/10 focal ratio. However, if one enjoys premium for premium's sake, that's OK as well. Only you can answer that though.
If you have no eyepieces and need a set to get going, then I would say think of it from a basics rule such as th 50x, 100x, 150x rule. These three magnifications and a Barlow can get you just about anywhere very effectively. I take this rule and adjust it some, so I pick 2 anchor eyepieces to give me widest true field of view (TFOV), one in 2" format and the other in 1.25". I usually only like one 2" eyepiece as for me, switching between 2" and 1.25" is a bit of a hassle (it's just me).
For the 2" widest TFOV you can get a 70 deg wide field like a 41 Pan, 40 Paragon, or 40 Pentax XW or XL, or even things like the 82 deg 31 Nagler T5 or 28mm UWAN, 30 Meade 5000 UWA, etc. All pricey of course. Or you can take a bit more practical route and go with something like the TV 55mm Plossl or the Meade 4000 56mm Plossl (the latter being a very reasonable $99 and works great). If you think you will only be in this wide field scanning mode only infrequently or for finding stuff, then I would choose the Meade 4000 56mm Plossl myself and save some bucks. I use to use on with my C8 and loved it in that role. It has a 50-52 deg AFOV. btw, these 55mm/56mm eyepieces will give you about 45x, so near the "rule's" lowest setting.
Next is the widest TFOV 1.25" which can mean something like a 24 Pan (68 deg) or 32mm Plossl (50 deg). Your choice as either will produce a nice smallish exit pupil for you and keep the background sky looking rich and black. Persoanlly I would spend some money here and get the 24 Pan (104x in your scope). Why? Well this is a "magic" eyepiece in the market place as far as I'm concerned. No other 24-25mm out there produces as nice and clean of an image as this and it works in any scope, regardless of how fast the focal ratio is. One of the few out there IMO that is worth every pennie of its cost and is a lifetime keeper eyepiece.
OK, done with 50x and 100x, time to find a 150x eyepiece, so around 17mm. Again, to same some cash but still not sacrifice much of anything, would probably go the 17mm Hyperion (68 deg AFOV). Very comfortable and great performance and around $120 I believe new (although I'd get everything used from here on AMart, 99% if not 100% as good as new). Of course, if you want to go premium then a 16T5 Nagler or a 17T4 for the more pricey premium level.
If you want to go a step higher and get a 200x also, then the 13mm Hyperion fits that spot nicely. Again, if you want the premium level then could go with a 13T6 Nagler with 82 deg AFOV.
So to sum it, at premium levels:
1 - 41 Pan (need to ask others if the 41 Pan will vigneete in yoru scope -- if so then the 35 Pan) or 31 Nagler
2 - 24 Pan
3 - 16T5 or 17T4 Nagler
4 - 13T6 Nagler
Bringing it down a few notches in price but still great performance:
1 - 55 TV Plossl
2 - 24 Pan
3 - 17 Hyperion
4 - 13 Hyperion
Bringing it down further, but still great performance although smaller AFOV for the shorter FLs:
1 - 56 Meade 4000 Plossl
2 - 25mm TV Plossl (or Sterling Plossl with as it has a little larger AFOV of 55 deg)
3 - 20mm TV Plossl (or 17mm Sterling)
4 - 15mm TV Plossl (or 12.5 Sterling)
5 - 2x Barlow
Tons of choices out there for your scope that work great, not just these.
If you have no eyepieces and need a set to get going, then I would say think of it from a basics rule such as th 50x, 100x, 150x rule. These three magnifications and a Barlow can get you just about anywhere very effectively. I take this rule and adjust it some, so I pick 2 anchor eyepieces to give me widest true field of view (TFOV), one in 2" format and the other in 1.25". I usually only like one 2" eyepiece as for me, switching between 2" and 1.25" is a bit of a hassle (it's just me).
For the 2" widest TFOV you can get a 70 deg wide field like a 41 Pan, 40 Paragon, or 40 Pentax XW or XL, or even things like the 82 deg 31 Nagler T5 or 28mm UWAN, 30 Meade 5000 UWA, etc. All pricey of course. Or you can take a bit more practical route and go with something like the TV 55mm Plossl or the Meade 4000 56mm Plossl (the latter being a very reasonable $99 and works great). If you think you will only be in this wide field scanning mode only infrequently or for finding stuff, then I would choose the Meade 4000 56mm Plossl myself and save some bucks. I use to use on with my C8 and loved it in that role. It has a 50-52 deg AFOV. btw, these 55mm/56mm eyepieces will give you about 45x, so near the "rule's" lowest setting.
Next is the widest TFOV 1.25" which can mean something like a 24 Pan (68 deg) or 32mm Plossl (50 deg). Your choice as either will produce a nice smallish exit pupil for you and keep the background sky looking rich and black. Persoanlly I would spend some money here and get the 24 Pan (104x in your scope). Why? Well this is a "magic" eyepiece in the market place as far as I'm concerned. No other 24-25mm out there produces as nice and clean of an image as this and it works in any scope, regardless of how fast the focal ratio is. One of the few out there IMO that is worth every pennie of its cost and is a lifetime keeper eyepiece.
OK, done with 50x and 100x, time to find a 150x eyepiece, so around 17mm. Again, to same some cash but still not sacrifice much of anything, would probably go the 17mm Hyperion (68 deg AFOV). Very comfortable and great performance and around $120 I believe new (although I'd get everything used from here on AMart, 99% if not 100% as good as new). Of course, if you want to go premium then a 16T5 Nagler or a 17T4 for the more pricey premium level.
If you want to go a step higher and get a 200x also, then the 13mm Hyperion fits that spot nicely. Again, if you want the premium level then could go with a 13T6 Nagler with 82 deg AFOV.
So to sum it, at premium levels:
1 - 41 Pan (need to ask others if the 41 Pan will vigneete in yoru scope -- if so then the 35 Pan) or 31 Nagler
2 - 24 Pan
3 - 16T5 or 17T4 Nagler
4 - 13T6 Nagler
Bringing it down a few notches in price but still great performance:
1 - 55 TV Plossl
2 - 24 Pan
3 - 17 Hyperion
4 - 13 Hyperion
Bringing it down further, but still great performance although smaller AFOV for the shorter FLs:
1 - 56 Meade 4000 Plossl
2 - 25mm TV Plossl (or Sterling Plossl with as it has a little larger AFOV of 55 deg)
3 - 20mm TV Plossl (or 17mm Sterling)
4 - 15mm TV Plossl (or 12.5 Sterling)
5 - 2x Barlow
Tons of choices out there for your scope that work great, not just these.
Posted 01/04/2010 11:06PM
| Edited 01/04/2010 11:24PM
#3
Mark,
An f10 scope is very forgiving on eyepiece quality, economical is OK. Where do you intend to be in a few years, with the same scope ? One of the things I have learned in the few years of great pleasure from this hobby, great eyepieces work in ANY scope, but scopes have a way of getting changed for other models. If your on a strict budget, chose carefully and judiciously within your budget. If you can afford them, seek out Naglers, Pentax XW's, Panoptics and not to mention Ethos. They will serve you for the rest of your life if taken care of while you will have gone through many scope designs and sizes. The mistake I made was trying to get the most quality for the least money. Then I had to sell those to get what I knew in the beginning I wanted. That can be done but if you stay with it you will appreciate the investment in eyepieces more than most of the scopes. Quality EP's are universal in the scope types they will work in. Don't be afraid of all this, but have fun with it now and years into the future. Work within your budget and know that a premium line up of EP's might take years to aquire.
An f10 scope is very forgiving on eyepiece quality, economical is OK. Where do you intend to be in a few years, with the same scope ? One of the things I have learned in the few years of great pleasure from this hobby, great eyepieces work in ANY scope, but scopes have a way of getting changed for other models. If your on a strict budget, chose carefully and judiciously within your budget. If you can afford them, seek out Naglers, Pentax XW's, Panoptics and not to mention Ethos. They will serve you for the rest of your life if taken care of while you will have gone through many scope designs and sizes. The mistake I made was trying to get the most quality for the least money. Then I had to sell those to get what I knew in the beginning I wanted. That can be done but if you stay with it you will appreciate the investment in eyepieces more than most of the scopes. Quality EP's are universal in the scope types they will work in. Don't be afraid of all this, but have fun with it now and years into the future. Work within your budget and know that a premium line up of EP's might take years to aquire.
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