multiple aperture eyepieces

Alright, the rig is complete and im damn near broke...but i got a problem. I have only one eyepiece, and brace yourself, its the stock celestron 25mm thats included with my ED.

Heres the question. being that the apertures are so different between my new C8 and piggyback 80 ED, are there any good EPs that would be of good use for both scopes. taht is to say that now that im broke i need 2 maybe three relatively inexpensive yet quality EPs that might work for both scopes (maybe $200-$300 left in me MAX!!). Is this a tough one? Nothing too fancy, i mean i dont want to lower the quality of the scopes or anything, but i want a good one for planets, and one for DSOs (80ed?), and possibly another all around good EP.

If you can help please do, im on the verge of buying one of those damned meade, celestron, zhumell kits...that just package them so freakin well for us newbs, but im fightin it people but im gonna need your help.

Hi:

A decent set of Plossls will work in just about all scopes. The ED-80 at F/7.5 is not picky nor is the F/10 SCT. The drawback to Plossls is that in the shorter focal lengths they have a very short eye relief. Using a barlow and a longer focal length eyepiece will help with this.

I don't know what Meade is selling their kit for these days but when it was selling for $99 it was quite a bargin.

jon

<<...new C8 and piggyback 80 ED, are there any good EPs that would be of good use for both scopes. that is to say that now that im broke i need 2 maybe three relatively inexpensive yet quality EPs that might work for both scopes...>>

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Buy used here.
Consider a 32mm plossl and a 2x barlow. This will yield you a combination of 32, 25, 15 and 12 mm ep's with decent sized eye lenses and relief, and a max magnification of about 160x. For these two, shop in the _mid_ price ranges. Even if on a budget. There is a reason budget ep's are budget.

For high power, well most folks do most of their planetary observing between 200 and 250x. That's a good upper limit to start with.

Both your scope are already well correct for astigmatism, and the C8 tracks. So your decisions at the higher power focal lengths are: wide field, eye relief, good coatings. If on a budget, then pick any two.

Chris:

My vote is for a 32mm Possl for wide field views in the refractor and narrow search views in the C8. Then a roughly 8-24 mm Zoom to give you a broad range in both. Buy used.

Congratulations and clear skies

Rey C