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Tosuny 6mm 1.25inch Ultra Wide Telescope Eyepiece/Telescope Lens, Fully Multicoated, Wide 66 Degree Apparent Field, Threaded to Accept Standard 1.25 Inch Filters?
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For $300 the 6" dobsonian will be the best choice for planets. If the size doesn't bother her.
It will show more and is a much more stable telescope than anything else in this price-range :-)
The Skywatcher has better accessories but is $299, almost as much as a refurbished XT8 if it were in stock.
The XT6 with accessories is also $299, but the barlow isn't that good of a deal (a dedicated eyepiece would be better), and the Skywatcher's finder and focuser are still better.
Telescope.com also has the XT6 refurbished. https://www.telescope.com/Fall-Red-Tag-Sale/Clearance-Telescopes/pc/468/81.uts?&refinementValueIds=4566
For the 6" or even 8", a planetary eyepiece,
//Edit: Cheapest 8" for now I think, https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1291501-REG/explore_scientific_fl_dob0806_01_203mm_f_6_alt_az_dobsonian.html
The AWB OneSky isn't going to show the planets quite as sharp as the XT6 would, but the OneSky is still a nifty starter scope. It's easy to transport. The larger field of view makes it easier to get oriented (for deep-sky). Instead of a tripod the Ikea Bekväm works fairly well (and a fishing chair) :-)
http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/130-650-high_3.png
http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/awb_Heritage_Magnifications_small.png
Do not buy eyepiece sets / kits, they are never worth it and contain mediocre eyepieces at best. :-)
Hello :-)
- A larger maximum true field of view. The limit on a 1.25" focuser is a ~24mm (~70°), or 32mm Plössl (52°), or 40mm (43°) <-- Note the smaller apparent field of view.
For shorter focal-lengths, you don't really need 2" (unless for some super-ultra-wide angle eyepiece like 9mm 120°).
A 30-36mm Erfle-type 70° will work well enough on a 8" dobsonian with F/6 (any larger results in a too large exit-pupil that will be larger than your dilated pupil).
- If you want to save money, a Chinese erfle-type from eBay is cheap; E.g. this (random example).
The SWAN eyepieces or some other brand names will perform a bit better.
- ~70° is nice, affordable. 80° Erfle exist (e.g. the 30mm 80° and 20mm 80° that's the same eyepiece with barlow-attachment) but the outer field will degrade in sharpness. The Explore-Scientific 82° will perform better... but cost over $300 :-)
- If you have a 10mm and 25mm, consider the inexpensive gold-line for planets. It's a decent eyepiece for planets :-) More than 200x is possible, but atmospheric seeing is rarely as good. 200x will definitely be useful. At least when the planets are back ;-) But also for the moon, some double stars and small DSO.
http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/dobson8eyepieces1200.png
6mm gold-line
(4mm HR Planetary clone can be nice to have, but seeing often won't allow good observations).
For overview, a 36mm Erfle, a ~30mm if there's some amount of light-pollution.
Clear skies!
That's the basic one with nothing but the 25mm;
It only has 1 eyepiece, you need 3-4 to get the most out of it.
China - http://www.aliexpress.com/item/32805977303.html
(YMMV, random links, check recent seller/product ratings).
More magnification is rarely possible due to atmospheric seeing conditions often being the limiting factor, so 6mm is the most versatile.
25mm as an overview and 6mm for planets/moon/small DSO cover the very basics :-)
In the long run, I'd also recommend one or two between 10-15mm, e.g. the 9mm gold-line (66°) or red-line (68° type), though at this focal-length you can also use the Plössl-type (52°, like the one included with the XT6).
Clear skies!
Hello :-)
What's your budget?
The eyepieces that came with it aren't that good anyway :-) But even some cheaper ones will cost almost as much as the entire set.
Check if the focuser accepts 1.25" or only older 0.965" eyepieces.
Good set:
I can look up some eyepieces shipped from the US but it'll cost more.
Barlows are an option too, they double the magnification of any given eyepiece, but the cost of a decent one is at least as much as one of the above. E.g. 20mm Plössl and 3x barlow could work as cheap minimal set.
With your telescope, you could have almost bought a refurbished Skyscanner 100, that's why used telescopes are not always the ideal choice (especially if you have to replace parts).
The cheaper alternatives are ~$15 sets like the ones the telescope initially came with.
(If you have an older telescope with a small 0.965" focuser, and you really want the cheapest, bottom of the barrel, https://www.ebay.com/itm/0-965-Telescope-F6mm-H20mm-SR4mm-Eyepiece-Set-for-Astronomical-Telescopes/223184239856?hash=item33f6d13cf0:g:NTIAAOSw53hbvhl4 + )
Sometimes it's cheaper to get a second cheap scope and mix and match :-)
> Are there any other parts I might be missing?
Post a picture, my crystal ball is currently not working ;-)
Did the telescope include a finder scope?
Did the mount include center plate and slowmotion control knobs/rods?
Hi! :-)
What, it's Christmas shopping season and someone has done research? Someone pinch me :-)
Another vote for the dobsonian :-)
The Skywatcher has the best accessories.
A 6mm eyepiece, such as the 6mm 66° "gold-line" (sold under various names), it can be found for $17 on Aliexpress and sometimes $25 on Amazon.
(You're from the US, right? Offers differ slightly from country to country).
That being said, I love the Heritage 130p (US: Also see AWB OneSky) for it's portability, if that's a factor.
> not sure how much he can see with my budget?
A lot :-) But you/he need to be aware what to expect realistically compared to images. The visual view will differ, but it's amazing to see all these things with your own eyes.
What to expect in different aperture sizes (especially the bold link)
Clear skies!
Hi! :-)
There are several zoom eyepieces, these ~$50-$100 7-21 and the 8-24mm have a pretty narrow apparent field of view at their longer focal-length, limiting their use as an overview eyepiece.
> 4mm gold-line
That's not the "gold line" series everyone is speaking off. Avoid. They are horrible.
The gold-line is only available down to 6mm and looks like this:
The 6mm would give you about the max. magnification that's usable with a 70mm refractor, before things get too dim.
Clear skies!
Hi :-)
Another vote for the gold-line if you look for a decent budget eyepiece. It's $17 at Aliexpress and often under $25 at Amazon. If you want to spend more, check out the Explore-Scientific ultra-wide-angle eyepieces :-)
Do not get a short Plössl-type(52°) under 10mm as they have poor eye-relief, and not the fake Celestron 62° that are sold cheaply everywhere.
The 4mm HR Planetary clones (58°, $27-$49) can be fun, but over 200x will only work if atmospheric seeing is excellent (which it rarely ever is).
http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/dobson8eyepieces1200.png
- https://www.amazon.com/Tosuny-1-25inch-Telescope-Eyepiece-Multi-Coated/dp/B07RLS8KX1
- https://www.amazon.com/Eyepiece-Length-66-Deg-Multi-Coated-Telescope/dp/B01L1HBIME https://aliexpress.com/item/32805977303.html
- (4mm 58°) https://aliexpress.com/item/32823985645.html
- YMMV, check recent seller ratings.
Clear skies!
Yep, that's the one.
Amazon doesn't know how to sell telescopes :-) There have been some instances where they only shipped one of the two-part package of these. Unless you have coupons, you might also consider a telescope store. ;-)
The z8 (and AD8) have a 2" wide-angle eyepiece, right-angle finder, dual-speed focuser and some other benefits (if that's within your budget).
Hello :-)
As you already owned a 8" dobsonian, I'll spare you the size / what to expect stuff ;-)
The XT8 is a good choice, the AD8 has much better accessories. The Explore-Scientific is the cheapest at the moment (as far as I know).
The
A 6mm "gold-line" for planets;
Cheapest 8" for now I think, https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1291501-REG/explore_scientific_fl_dob0806_01_203mm_f_6_alt_az_dobsonian.html
Random links,
(check seller ratings)
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