Suggestions?

I'm returning to astronomy for the first time since I was 12 years old (40 years ago). Just want to put things into context before posing a question.

I just purchased a used Orion Skyquest XT10 telescope with a dob mount. It came with no finderscope and no eyepieces so I need to get the following items for it:

1. A finderscope
2. A 20-30mm eyepiece w/ 68-82 degrees to max FOV
3. One other more powerful eyepiece

I'm tight on funds so I'd probably go for the "best value" - not top of the line but also not introductory. Any suggestions about what to get . . . . and where to get it?

Finally, would you recommend using a barlow lens with this setup??

Thanks for your insight!

Attached Image:

Dan:

Welcome back...

1. Finder scope: 8x50 Orion/Celestron/ either Straight-through or Right Angle Correct Image (RACI) These are commonly available used right here on AM. If you are going to be viewing from Dark Skies, a Telrad would be nice alternative.

2. Lots of choices for eyepieces. With a scope like yours with it's F/4.7 focal ratio, until you get into the expensive stuff, they will all show quite a bit of edge roughness, stars and just not sharp near the edge. But that's OK, they're sharp in the center and still make good finder eyepieces.

I think the GSO Superview 30mm would make a good widefield finder eyepiece for starters. It would give you a nice widefield of view and it's pretty good for the money, I have one which I loan out. If you are willing to fore go the maximum field of view, then maybe a Hyperion 24mm though for me, I am not a fan.

- Eventually you will want more than 2 eyepieces but for now I suggest a 9mm widefield, it will provide enough for some nice views of the planets and still provide good views of small DSOs.

I recommend two: TMB/*** Planetary. These are nice eyepieces with lots of eye relief and quite sharp. Used these are $40-$50.

The 9mm Synta Widefield: These are sold under a number of names, Orion Expanse is the best known. These have a 66 degree AFoV (though I measured it at 70 degrees), good eye relief and are available for under $50 new.

-Barlow: Yes but if you go with a 2 inch eyepiece, you will want to hold off

Jon

Dan,

For the lower-power eyepiece...

Televue "Widefield" eyepieces show up on Astromart occasionally. I see a 24mm sold just last week for $115.

The 32mm version has a 33mm field stop, and the 24mm has a 24.7mm field stop, so they are not quite as wide as a Panoptic.

Regards,

Duane

I'd forget about the finder scope and mount a Telrad on there instead - I have both on my XT10 and the caps never come off the RACI finder now.

Not inexpensive as you want, but after trying zillions of wide field EPs in the 20-30 range, really the only one's I've been satisfied with are the Pentax 20XW and the TV 24 Panoptic. Both expensive unfortunately but worth it. If I had to go with less expensive then probably the Titan-II ED 30mm 70 deg 2". Should do fairly well without a Paracorr.

As for the 1 more powerful EP, would probably go with the Meade 5000 6.7mm Ultra Wide Angle (82 deg). Have one now I'm running thru the paces and increadibly sharp across the FOV, nice build and ergonomics, and only $140 new. Does quite well on planetary as well (to my surprise). So this, or the older TV T1s in 9mm or 7mm as already mentioned if you want to go retro (eye relief a bit tight on these for me though).

If you got the 20XW then this barlowed very well so would give you a nice 10mm with barlow. The 24 Pan is picky with a barlow so you'd need a Telecentric (i.e. TV Powermate) instead so more money.

If all this is too much money, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a few TV Plossls and a barlow. I would do the 32, 25, 20, & 15 TV Plossls then a TV 3x Barlow to get you to higher powers and keep some nice eye relief. Regardless of how you build your wide field collection of EPs, always nice to maintain a set of Plossls also as they are often handier for quick views being so small and light and still being able to put up fantastic views.

Antares W70 eyepieces. Wide fields, low prices and in my opinion, quite sharp and under appreciated.