Best 'bang for the buck' eyepieces for a noob?

[bigdaddyb]

I'm picking up my first 'real' scope in a few days (Celestron Starhopper 10). I need input on those brands and eyepieces that provide the best bang for the buck.

I don't need 'research grade' stuff, but am very concerned about getting good quality without breaking the bank. I figure that these are probably like a lot of things. There are those who have better quality than their peers at a given price point.

Also, any input on what my 'basic collection' for this scope should be would be greatly appreciated.

brianb

[dmill1220]

Hi Bigdaddyb,

Welcome to the forum!
When it comes to choosing eyepieces, there are so many out there, it really depends on just how much you want to spend, what your main targets of interests are in observing, and whether you need eyeglasses to observe. http://www.astronomics.com/main/cate...EU9H902/Page/1

If you could afford it ,I would recommend the Televue Nagler's or the Radians.
http://www.televue.com/engine/page.asp?cat=2
in the medium range, the Meade Super Plossls would probably do well for someone just starting out.

I also own the 10 inch Starhopper, the 2 inch 32mm Elux eyepiece that came with the scope shows some coma around the edge of the field of view, but at F4.9 with a 2 inch 32mm eyepiece, this is expected from a low quality eyepiece.

Keep in mind that the lowest power eyepiece you should use with that scope is 32mm at the most. The eyepieces I normally use the most are 32mm, 20mm, 12mm, and 9mm, all of them in a 1-1/4 format except for the 32mm E-lux. I also own two Barlow's.
I hope this helps,

Invest in a good Cheshire Eyepiece combination collimation tool, and learn how to collimate your scope, all the eyepieces in the world cannot improve an image made by a scope that is not properly collimated. At f4.9, just transporting you scope will knock it out of collimation.

I collimate my scope after it has cooled down to ambient temperature before every observing session, If you decide on a laser collimator I would reccomend the Orion Deluxe Collimator, http://www.telescope.com/control/pro...oduct_id=05690



Dennis

[Dragon Star]

Howdy, welcome to EAF!

Hang out, try the veil.