What is Reddit's opinion of
Vbestlife 66°Astronomical Telescope Wide Angle Eyepiece 6mm for Astronomy Beginners for Teenager & Adults?
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A 3X barlow would tripple the magnification of any eyepiece. Especially cheap ones reduce the contrast though.
They are common on Aliexpress (just search 6mm 66 eyepiece) but the cheapest one from China is on Amazon Marketplace at the moment (YMMV), https://www.amazon.com/Vbestlife-66%C2%B0Astronomical-Telescope-Wide-Angle-Astronomy/dp/B083LQTTX9/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=6mm+66+eyepiece&qid=1594046396&sr=8-3
The HR Planetaries perform a bit better, but have a smaller apparent field of view.
The 6mm 66 has a bit of kidney-beaning/black-out if you don't look through it straight (I never had issues when using the eye-cup) and they are cheap, but only available in four focal-lengths.
Both work fine in such a telescope IMHO :)
4mm plossl lens that came with the scope?
Few reasons-
- Lens is dirty
- Telescope is out of collimation
- The scope is going to struggle using a 4mm.
Personally I'd go for a 6mm goldline planetary eyepiece with a wider degree of view. That way you get better eye relief and clearer details something like this
A gift of course. Worse yet it was from my girlfriends mom so I can never get rid of it.
I just saw last night this big bastard and I really want it. Unfortunately I live in Central Illinois so dark skies are hard to come by and getting more and more rare as every asshole thinks they have to light up their farm like its a prison. Would probably be smarter to get something more portable that I can more readily hike in to darker areas.
I view Jupiter and Saturn with a 9mm eyepiece on my 1200mm focal length telescope, so it's at 133x magnification. I use a 2.5x barlow, which boosts it up to 332x magnification, but honestly the image quality reduces so much that it's better without the barlow. I have a wide angle 6mm planetary viewing eyepiece on the way from Amazon, which I think will give me some pretty incredible views at 200x magnification
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B083LQTTX9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I don't know anybody who's interested in telescopes either, so I relentlessly research on this subreddit before I make any purchases, and try to get the best bang for my buck
Hello :-)
> Best
In the US, the Apertura AD8, as it has a dual-speed focuser, right-angle finder, and 2" overview eyepiece. Also a laser collimation tool, fan for the scope to reach ambient temperature faster, and a different base than the basic ones.
(Possibly the GSO from Romer Optics with the encoder kit / electronic guide, but I do not know anything about that shop, and the telescope does not have the right-angle finder and some other things!)
Outside the US, GSO Deluxe or rebrands (e.g. Bintel in Australia)
...or a 10" from $569, as a 10" is the better 8" ;-)
> zero equipment
6mm 66° for planets, Simulation, China, US. Possibly the 15mm as well.
"Turn left at Orion" - the missing manual :-)
- Dimable red light.
Binoculars for easier finding DSO when starting out. (E.g. even just the Celestron Cometron 7x50, ~$30)
An adjustable chair or DIY Lybar.
> zero equipment
Make sure you have realistic expactations;
Clear skies :-)
Hello :-)
Congratulations on your telescope :-)
> set
Do not get these eyepiece set. They are overpriced, often redundant, and mediocre. The short Plössl-type eyepieces under 10mm have poor eye-relief (https://imgur.com/FkEaOBG). You many have noticed the difference between your two kit eyepieces already.
The barlow is mediocre and results in too much magnification with some eyepieces, and with some longer eyepieces you get nearly the same magnification as some other eyepieces in the set.
You do rarely need color filters (their effect is limited and usually one or two will do- if ever- IMHO).
You don't need a lot of eyepieces to enjoy your views. Fewer, but some decent ones are the way to go.
Sadly many common budget eyepieces are sold out, but I'd recommend,
Planets (common seeing conditions)
- 6mm 66° or 58°/60° for planets,
Possible kit eyepiece replacement
- 9mm 66°/58°/60°
"In-between"
- 15mm 66° for planets (or 52° Plössl can work)
Larger overview
- 30-36mm 2-inch Erfle (65°-72°, not a Plössl, not a DeepView eyepiece).
The smallest focal length (highest magnification) depends on atmospheric seeing conditions. More than 200x wont work on most nights. A 4mm 58° from Aliexpress for $29 can be nice to have around for the rare occasion.
Bad atmospheric seeing preventing focus
The maximum overview focal length depends on how dark your sky gets (Do you know the limiting magnitude or Bortle class?)
((Too large exit-pupil, but this graphic is for a F/5 telescope))
Difference in apparent field of view (not a sign of quality, but it's nice when tracking manually or trying to find things).
Eyepieces
The 6mm 66° shipped from
- China https://www.amazon.com/Vbestlife-66%C2%B0Astronomical-Telescope-Wide-Angle-Astronomy/dp/B083LQTTX9/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=6mm+66+eyepiece&qid=1594046396&sr=8-3
- directly from Amazon (at the moment sold out / not all focal-lengths in stock) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H8YZHFT/ref=twister_B07MVSSW4V?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
- EDIT: A bit more https://www.amazon.com/SVBONY-Telescope-Eyepiece-Accessories-Astronomy/dp/B07JWDFMZ4/
- 6mm suffers some kidney-beaning/blackout if not positioned right, I never had issues when using the eyecup.
The 58° type (Better, at least in the lower fl, slightly smaller afov)
- Agenaastro.com for example
- (~<=$30 via Aliexpress, 1), 2 <- 4mm won't work every day)
The better/newer 60° type, but of course, the sky's the limit. E.g. Explore-Scientific 82° if you want something great. Not all eyepieces of a series perform equally well though, always check individual reviews.
Avoid the cheap 62° type and short Plössl under 10mm.
2-inch eyepieces can be pretty expensive.
- The Erfle-type (around 70°) still works well enough in a F/6 aperture ratio telescope like the 8" dobsonian.
- Locally, these cost $80-$120+ (GSO, SWAN, ...). No-names from Aliexpress or eBay start at around $33-$40 ("Angeleyes").
Clear skies :-)
Hello :-)
No rush. While collimation is important to achieve best contrast, especially with the kit eyepiece you won't probably notice a difference even if it's off :-)
Do not get a laser collimation tool, the cheap ones are often misaligned themselves and you can do more wrong than right when starting out.
Look through the empty focuser and see if everything appears more or less centered, (https://images.app.goo.gl/gPQiznaajN9yzPrv8)
There's the no tool method, but a lot of different tools to make it easier. A (diy) collimation cap or $10-$15 cheshire will be enough :-)
May I ask why you've chosen the Orion over the Skywatcher? (Availability?)
The XT6 comes with just one eyepiece, you'd need to add at least 1-2 to really be able to observe different things.
http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/dobson8eyepieces1200.png
https://www.amazon.com/Vbestlife-66%C2%B0Astronomical-Telescope-Wide-Angle-Astronomy/dp/B083LQTTX9/ (Ships from China)
Don't get a Celestron eyepiece set, or the Orion PLUS sets. Not worth it, mediocre at best.
Clear skies :-)
Hi :-) It doesn't fit into the focuser?
There are either 1.25" or 2" diameters, a 2" barlow should be noticeably bigger.
Picture?
Also, get a 6mm 66° instead.
- With the barlow +25mm you'll loose some contrast and get 96x, with a decent 6mm you'll get 200x magnification. Avoid short Plössl-type though.
- Amazon Marketplace (China): https://www.amazon.com/Vbestlife-66%C2%B0Astronomical-Telescope-Wide-Angle-Astronomy/dp/B083LQTTX9/
- Amazon: Sold out (this listing usually has all 4 66°-type LINK, it's JUST the 9mm atm)
- US https://agenaastro.com/agena-6mm-enhanced-wide-angle-ewa-eyepiece.html
- eBay/US Red-line (ymmv, I only had the gold-line 66° type, supposedly they perform the same) https://www.ebay.com/itm/SVBONY-Eyepiece-FMC-1-25-68-Degree-Ultra-Wide-Angle-6mm-9mm-15m-20mm-for-Astro/143648877138?hash=item217223ea52:g:sx4AAOSwVnZe~26y
Hello :-)
> ( i am very young so im on a $500 budget)
That will get you an amazing telescope :-)
Where are you from? Offers differ from country to country.
A dobsonian would get you a large reflector on a simple but sturdy rockerbox instead of a tripod, leaving most money for the actual optics - without sacrificing stability like most sets!
Links on what to expect in different telescope aperture sizes
$500 could get you an Apertura AD8 with a lot of good accessories already included (precision dual speed focuser, ergonomic right-angle eyepiece, large overview eyepiece. The later two aren't required for planets, but still nice to have).
- Else: A Skywatcher 8-inch costs $405, a Skywatcher 6-inch $280 currently.
All that's missing is a decent(!) 6mm, $13 from China, $29 from Amazon when in stock.
> planets
Planets can be observed anywhere, but aren't up all the time (http://www.nakedeyeplanets.com/visibility.htm).
If you want to observe deep-sky as well, a dark location is key (milky way visible?). Thus portability can be a requirement.
For scale:
- 6" full tube: https://images.app.goo.gl/aJ1gw7WscnMdtWfT7
- 8" full tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiW7rRSApBA
- 5" table-top: http://www.zudensternen.de/Teleskop%20Skywatcher%20Heritage%20Dobson%20130.html (OneSky/Heritage, Z130)
- 6" table-top: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyhViri1utU&t=522s (Heritage 150p)
- 6" closed tube table-top: https://images.app.goo.gl/jXRig3pCvYBv3M9U7 / https://images.app.goo.gl/mjdAG7ZFDHyh24DN9 (Starblast 6)
Clear skies :-)
Hi :-) Amazing!
It's certainly a bit more difficult than your typical beginner telescope, but 10" shows a lot. Like the others mentioned, "Turn left at Orion" is a good starting point. Perhaps a decent budget 6mm eyepiece for planets (https://agenaastro.com/agena-6mm-enhanced-wide-angle-ewa-eyepiece.html, Marketplace/China https://www.amazon.com/Vbestlife-66%C2%B0Astronomical-Telescope-Wide-Angle-Astronomy/dp/B083LQTTX9/)
Have fun! :-)
Awesome :-)
Depending on what you want to spend: A 6mm 66°
Older list on possible accessories ;-)
https://old.reddit.com/r/telescopes/comments/hcqd4j/apertura_ad8_accessories/
I hope it'll arrive soon!
Clear skies!
Great :-)
8"
- Best accessory 8": https://www.highpointscientific.com/apertura-ad8-8inch-dobsonian-telescope-ad8
- Skywatcher: $100 cheaper, less stuff
- size: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiW7rRSApBA
-6"
Best accessory 6": https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1141699-REG/sky_watcher_s11600_6_traditional_dobsonian.html
A lot of the good telescopes are on back-order right now, contact the stores.
The DT6 is still in stock but shows less than the 8" and has less accessories.
Zhumell, Orion, Skywatcher, GSO all make good dobsonians, accessories aside, if you can find another one or a local deal.
Accessories:
"Turn left at Orion" if he doesn't have a good guide, maps already.
6mm gold-line for planets
Oh, regarding eyepieces, does he wear glasses, does he have astigmatism? If he has astigmatism, for lower magnifications, long eye-relief eyepieces, ideally 20mm, would be important. You can adjust focus without glasses, but not compensate for astigmatism. Only at high magnification it's usually no issue due to the small exit pupil not being affected as much.
I just did :)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H8YZHFT/ref=twister_B07MVSSW4V?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32805977303.html
For deep-sky, the 25 and 10mm will get you started. The 15mm from the above type is also nice to have. The 6" Skywatcher can also take 2" eyepieces for a larger overview, these cost $80 locally though and $40 or so from Aliexpress for a cheaper one.
The best optics for deep-sky would be a larger aperture :-) Do check for a used 8" perhaps!
> edit:yes i know you wont see much with your eye looking at deep sky
You can see quite a bit if you know what to expect and some practice! And under dark skies.
(Sketches. Mostly 8" though. http://www.deepskywatch.com/messier-dso-sketches.html - Even in 6" you can see the entire Messier catalog)
The optics will perform the same :-)
The Skywatcher as a 2-inch focuser for larger overview eyepieces (Field of view simulation) and a bit different accessories.
Oh :-) What barlows are they? From a previous telescope?
Consider a decent 6mm eyepiece (1^China, 2^US, no short 52° Plössl), it will probably give you better results.
(25mm kit eyepiece and 2x barlow= 96x, 3x barlow = 144x, stacking them is not a good idea and results in over-magnification anyway. Cheap achromatic barlows reduce the contrast.)
Depends on your budget (and where you're from),
6mm 66° - Great budget eyepiece, not perfect
China,
US
Amazon $29 sold out ((9mm listed only atm https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H8YZHFT/ref=twister_B07MVSSW4V?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1))
https://agenaastro.com/agena-6mm-enhanced-wide-angle-ewa-eyepiece.html
Better:
58° HR Planetary clone,
Random links, YMMV!
Otherwise, for a larger budget, the sky's the limit :-) (Suggestion: Explore-Scientific 82° https://explorescientificusa.com/collections/82-series-eyepiece)
Be aware that 250x won't be usable every night due to seeing, and it's pushing the optics. More isn't always better.
Hello :-)
Are you from the US? Offers differ from country to country.
While you will find many overly enthusiastic reviews on Amazon and fake review sites promoting referral links, avoid all telescopes on a tripod. You'll end up with a small telescope, flawed optics, bad mount - often a combination of all three.
The best value in the $500 range is the APertura AD8. It maxes out your budget (and still could use a planetary eyepiece, 1/2), but it will show a lot.
Links on what to expect in different telescope aperture sizes.
The Skywatcher 8-inch, Apertura DT8, Orion XT8 are cheaper, but especially the later has very basic accessories.
You will find computer telescopes in this price-range, but you'll end up with a smaller aperture and quirky mount, that can't show half the objects in it's database with any detail.
Clear skies :-)
Hello :-)
> diopter or focuser
Do you have astigmatism?
> blurry
You should be able to focus with most finders! :-)
> or silver/gray tube (The photo above shows the silver model). The dewshield, diagonal and eyepiece are black in all three models. The finder is easily focusable from the objective end by turning the objective assembly and locking focus using the focus lock ring just behind the dewshield. (https://agenaastro.com/gso-8x50mm-right-angle-correct-image-finder.html)
Else, you could consider a Telrad (older post with info) or get a finder with interchangeable eyepieces to put in some ~20mm eye-relief eyepiece.
> 30 mm 2” and 9 mm 1.25” but I've heard 6mm may be a good choice. Also maybe some filters for DSO
How happy are you with the 9mm? It should be difficult with glasses due to the short eye-relief of around 6mm.
> 6mm
Do not get a short Plössl-type due to very poor eye-relief. Under ~10mm they are almost unusable.
The 6mm 66° gold-line is better (13-14mm eye-relief). For glasses a longer eye-relief eyepiece might be a better choice. Though you can observe without glasses, even astigmatism isn't much of a deal at <=1mm exit pupil usually.
Eye relief, https://imgur.com/FkEaOBG
Astigmatism, http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/asti.png
Field simulation: http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/dobson8eyepieces1200.png
- (China) https://www.amazon.com/Vbestlife-66%C2%B0Astronomical-Telescope-Wide-Angle-Astronomy/dp/B083LQTTX9/
- https://agenaastro.com/agena-6mm-enhanced-wide-angle-ewa-eyepiece.html
- Usually $29 via Amazon, sold out atm.
Clear skies :-)
Oh, that's fairly moderate magnification, even the Starblast could handle even a fairly bit over 100x for planets.
If you're getting the Zhumell z130, a decent(!) 4mm for planets is nice.
Field of view simulation: http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/130-650-high_3.png
The decent budget 4mm 58° type https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32823985645.html (<- China. $50-$55 locally)
But don't get a cheap barlow, and don't get a short older eyepiece type due to poor eye-relief, or the bad 62° type.
Barlow, magnification: http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/awb_Heritage_Magnifications_small.png
Eye-relief: https://imgur.com/FkEaOBG
The 6-inch dobsonian would show a lot more. Even with just the kit eyepieces you can reach 120x, and it can handle 200x easily for moon and planets. For deep-sky, magnification isn't as important as many deep-sky-objects have a fairly large apparent size.
6" for size
- https://images.app.goo.gl/BHEBJZCFU5uvxzrc9 (I would not want to carry it like that for a mile ;-)
- Ideally observe seated https://images.app.goo.gl/hh6U9Azo44B6J3Yc7 (never mind the model with the remote)
6" and 8" Field simulation http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/dobson8eyepieces1200.png
- 6mm 66° $17 @ China/Marketplace, $29 at Amazon when in stock
What's your budget?
On a smaller budget, the 6mm 66° or a 58° eyepiece. Usually Amazon has these for $29, but sold out often right now. Via China, $14-$17.
(Amazon Marketplace, ships from China:
(Amazon US, only listing the 9mm right now:
I had an older post with accessories, but the links are outdated (https://reddit.com/r/telescopes/comments/h7qi49/looking_for_a_telescope_parts_first_time/fumpqn7/).
All telescopes lack a decent planetary eyepiece;
On a budget, the 66° and 58° type are nice starter eyepieces that don't break the bank. Cheaper ones have poor eye-relief.
6mm shipped from China:
66° listing at Amazon (right now only the 9mm in stock listed)
There's quite a bit possible in a bortle 5 area, so there should be some things you can see :-)
Great, let me know if you need a few links (locally they are sold out often atm, but very cheap via Aliexpress/Amazon Marketplace/eBay from China)
> fov
See the graphic earlier, http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Mangofication-On-114900-Didgeridoo.png
https://www.amazon.com/Vbestlife-66%C2%B0Astronomical-Telescope-Wide-Angle-Astronomy/dp/B083LQTTX9/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=6mm+66+eyepiece&qid=1594046396&sr=8-3 <- These are the gold-lines sold from various brands, available in 6/9/15/20, good budget eyepieces.
32mm Plössl would give you just a tad more field of view https://www.amazon.com/1-25-32mm-Plossl-Telescope-Eyepiece/dp/B07BXR2JGL/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=32mm%2Beyepiece&qid=1594794591&sr=8-3&th=1
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000084447764.html <- 58° type, random link, not a recommendation. Just to elaborate which ones I've meant. Available in more focal lengths, often $30 or a bit under.
Are you from the US?
:-)
> Like this
> like this
Hi :-)
Great! If you don't need the portability, check out the Zhumell z130 (closed tube has some contrast benefits, traditional more sturdy focuser).
That said, I have the Heritage (same as the OneSky just different design) and I love the little bucket :-)
A cardboard shroud can help regarding contrast if you have lights interfering nearby (Simple roll, pencil marks, cut / [Version with dimensions(https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/463109-onesky-newtonian-astronomers-without-borders/page-176#entry10263216)).
The kit eyepieces of the Z130, OneSky are decent to begin with, but as with every telescope, you'd benefit from one more (planetary) eyepiece.
http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/130-650-high_3.png
- 4mm 58° https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32823985645.html
- 6mm 66° 1/2 - Not quite as much magnification, but cheapest, can be modified
- AVOID short Plössl type due to poor eye-relief. Avoid the bad 4mm 62° even though they're cheap.
A decent budget barlow can work too, but especially very cheap ones will reduce the contrast
http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/awb_Heritage_Magnifications_small.png
$15-$25 or so via Amazon, cheaper via eBay, Aliexpress
"Turn left at Orion" <- the missing manual :-)
Clear skies!
Hello :-)
Are you from the US?
> 200-300
The best telescope in this price-range is a dobsonian. A reflector on a simple but sturdy "dobsonian rockerbox" instead of a tripod, leaving most money for the actual optics without sacrificing stability (as almost all sets on tripod do in this price-range).
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1141699-REG/sky_watcher_s11600_6_traditional_dobsonian.html
Links on what to expect in different telescope aperture sizes
> transported
By car?
Usually a dobsonian fits across the back seat- There are table-top versions of the 5" and 6". (AWB OneSky, Zhumell z130 / Orion Starblast 6, Heritage 150p)
> damage
Reflector telescopes have a mirror, but unlike household-mirrors, it's a thick chunk of glass :-) The tube's pretty rigid and protects the mirrors.
> a little more
For $405, sometimes $380 or so, you can get a 8-inch dobsonian. It would show more, regarding deep-sky especially. It's a bit bulkier but the same length, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiW7rRSApBA .
> city
Planets can be observed from within a city, but aren't always up (http://www.nakedeyeplanets.com/visibility.htm). Deep-sky requires a dark site (milky-way visible).
> starsense explorer
Avoid. Overpriced. Mediocre to weak mounts. Smaller telescope for your money. Nice gimmick but not worth it. Some of the telescope sets even have flawed optics.
Planets are visible to the naked eye, any app can literally show you in which direction to look, thanks to the phone's motion/magnetometer sensors (even though not quite as precise).
> DSLR
Yes, you can add eyepieces, but the aperture of the telescope will remain the bottle-neck.
If you go with the 6" or 8" dobsonian, a decent 6mm is great for planets, usually $29 at Amazon when in stock.
Clear skies :-)
Hello :-)
Unless you can get a good deal, the Apertura AD10 are the better deals due to the included accessories. (The XT-Plus sets are not worth it.)
The Skyline is like the AD10, but the AD10 is usually cheaper and has a bit more extras.
Amazon messes up orders regularly. Many here reported getting only the base or only the tube. And of course Amazon can't just send the missing part but has to re-do the entire order. One more reason to order from an Astronomy store :-)
> kit
See if you can cancel it.
Avoid. They are not worth it. Redundant, mediocre, overpriced. Cheap barlow. A lot of filters you'll rarely use. Short Plössl under 10mm are horrible.
Get a 6mm with decent eye-relief, e.g. the $14 (China/Marketplace) to $29 (Amazon directly) gold-line omn a budget. More than 6mm will rarely work due to atmospheric seeing conditions.
Possibly a 15mm.
No need to over-invest when starting out.
> Solar filter
Are you aware of what to expect?
Solar filters in white light can be a bit underwhelming, just in case you expect to see what has been captured with dedicated solar scopes; Protuberances for example won't be visible like on such images. Here's a comparison of visual light and dedicated solar scopes, the left is the visual filter: image (source). And we have few sun spots atm. :-)
It's pretty easy to make one (https://astrosolar.com/en/information/how-to/how-to-make-your-own-objective-solar-filter-for-your-camera-or-telescope), saves a lot of money (and leaves more film if you have to replace it). Only get good filter, specially for visual use; E.g. Astro / Baader solar, Thousandoaks.
Clear skies :-)
Hello :-)
> Astromaser
> weeks
Can you still return it then?
What have you observed?
The telescope is not good. But it should at least show something.
> Worth an upgrade
> 8" Dobsonian
Yes :-)
> I'm trying to limit my expectations here, but seeing a blurry Saturn has quickly lost its luster.
While the Astromaster has flawed optics, another bottle-neck are the rubbish kit eyepieces.
A 6mm 66° might produce better results, is inexpensive, and works with the 6" and 8" dobsonians nicely as well. ($13-$20 in China, $29 at Amazon)
> expect
Aperture is key. But even in 8", you're limited by seeing regarding planets, and a dark site regarding deep-sky observing. Things will still not look like on pictures, but much more detailed than in the Astromaster.
Links on what difference aperture makes.
> 8"
> 6"
For deep-sky it makes a huge difference. Planets benefit from the aperture as well, but already look nice in a 6".
The 6" start at $280 at the moment, the 8" at $359. IMHO if you don't mind the bulk (Video for scale), it's worth the cost. But the true king is the Apertura AD8, as it has so many accessories already.
Clear skies :-)
Hi :-)
Great advice already :-)
Eyepieces
- Field of view http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/dobson8eyepieces1200.png
- Planetary eyepiece, 66° (1, 2) or the better 58° afov type, no short Plössl-type or Plössl-kit,
"Turn left at Orion" - the missing manual
- dim red light
(Adjustable) chair
Also see this older post: https://old.reddit.com/r/telescopes/comments/h7qi49/looking_for_a_telescope_parts_first_time/fumpqn7/
Clear skies :-)
Hello :-)
Check the classifieds :-) You can get a 8" for $300 once in a while.
Else the 6" will show the most.
> differences
The 5" are table-tops, the 6" are not.
5" size: http://www.zudensternen.de/Teleskop%20Skywatcher%20Heritage%20Dobson%20130.html
6" size: https://images.app.goo.gl/Bc6YD3kvBCsHYfA49
6", 8" observing height: https://images.app.goo.gl/wfdoFPBSBMcE5en6A
Links on what to expect: https://www.reddit.com/r/Astronomy/comments/3j2wjo/what_is_a_good_telescope_in_this_budget/cum0622/?st=k0epgl6l&sh=496220f9
> What is recommended configuration for beginner
The largest you can afford and transport.
So either the Skywatcher 6-inch, GSO / Apertura DT6, Orion XT6 - in that order. Or the smaller Zhumell z130, AWB OneSky, Heritage 130p, Bresser Messier 5.
> eye-pieces
Don't buy kits. Depends on your telescope choice.
5", planets,
6"/8" planets,
Don't get short Plössl (https://imgur.com/FkEaOBG), eyepiece sets.
Clear skies :-)
Hello :-)
What Powerseeker did you have?
Satellites will remain dots; The ISS can be observed, but it's difficult to track at high magnifications :-)
A Apertura AD8 would max out your budget, but has much better accessories than the (otherwise good) Skywatcher 8", Apertura DT8 or Orion XT8 telescopes.
You might find one used though.
The thing that's lacking with every telescope is a decent planetary eyepiece in the 6mm range = 200x. More can work, but atmospheric seeing is usually the limiting factor.
Field simulation http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/dobson8eyepieces1200.png
- Marketplace/China: https://www.amazon.com/Vbestlife-66%C2%B0Astronomical-Telescope-Wide-Angle-Astronomy/dp/B083LQTTX9/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=6mm+66+eyepiece&qid=1594046396&sr=8-3
- https://agenaastro.com/agena-6mm-enhanced-wide-angle-ewa-eyepiece.html #
- Older post on all kinds of accessories: https://old.reddit.com/r/telescopes/comments/h7qi49/looking_for_a_telescope_parts_first_time/fumpqn7/
Clear skies :-)
Hello :-)
Good choice ;-)
The Apertura AD series have the most accessories, but stock is a bit of an issue at the moment due to the lockdowns, shipping delays. It would be worth the wait.
Else all the dobsonians- Skywatcher, Apertura AD and DT, Orion XT and so on perform the same regarding optics.
> lenses
http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/dobson8eyepieces1200.png
A 6mm 66° will do when starting out :-)
> phone
That's possible, but it's not as easy as point or shoot.
Moon and planets will work, a phone holder's a good idea.
https://www.reddit.com/r/telescopes/comments/gtioa2/sky_watcher_heritage_90/fsc3h00/
As for DSO, if you have a camera capable of doing long exposures, you should try on a fixed tripod, buy or build a star-tracker :-)
> accessories
"Turn left at Orion" - the missing manual :-)
Binoculars can help too.
Older post regarding accessories: https://old.reddit.com/r/telescopes/comments/h7qi49/looking_for_a_telescope_parts_first_time/fumpqn7/
Clear skies!
Hello :-)
Awesome!
> what this can do and how best to use it!
A 114/900 can show a lot! :-)
Links on what to expect in different telescope aperture sizes.
> use it
Videos:
How to use an equatorial mount
The EQ mount isn't too stable for such a long telescope, some end up building a simple rockerbox (1, 2).
> lenses
Make sure it accepts 1.25" eyepieces and not only old 0.965" diameter eyepieces.
On a budget:
Eyepiece field of view simulation:
- <strong>Simulation</strong> for field of view size/magnification (not necessarily realistic!)
- Apparent field of view difference
Do not buy eyepiece kits. Do not get short Plössl-type due to poor eye-relief. Avoid the cheap 62° eyepieces sold everywhere.
Consider getting "Turn left at Orion" <- The missing manual on how to observe, what's worthwhile observing, and where to find it. :-)
Clear skies :-)
Then the above are the best deals for your budget. Unless you want and can stretch your budget to that 6" dobsonian ;-)
For the 5" (130mm) table-top you'd ideally need a decent(!) 4mm planetary eyepiece;
Field simulation http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/130-650-high_3.png
Magnification http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/awb_Heritage_Magnifications_small.png
The 6-inch dobsonian already reaches 120x magnification with the kit eyepiece, and a 6mm 66° is cheaper / more readily available (usually... lock-down effects, shipment delays everywhere.) It can handle more magnification in general.
Hello :-)
> Astromaster 114
> rid of it
Free? :-) Awesome!
> cleaning
I hope you didn't wipe them clean :-)
> that was a b
Yeah, as the corrector lens system really is a cheap pile of rubbish :-(
> haven't seen the moon in such clarity before.
Glad you're enjoying the telescope despite it's short-commings!
> lens
Don't over-invest. The contrast is limited.
For planets, moon, the 6mm 66° will already be pushing the capabilities, but as it's cheap and useful in future telescopes;
US (Sold out atm?) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H8YZHFT/ref=twister_B07MVSSW4V?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Clear skies :-)
> mount my Nikon D5500
T-Adapter and decent barlow with T-Thread, to achieve focus. (Example, not a direct recommendation).
Be aware that long exposures for deep-sky aren't really possible with the Astromaster. You could try to use the camera on just the mount. Manual tracking even at moderate focal-lengths is tedious, requires practice. Motor sets exist but don't make it an excellent tracking mount.
The telescope itself, especially with barlow, isn't suited for deep-sky imaging. Some planetary shots can be possible, contrast is limited.
Clear skies, good luck!
Yeah, not great for deep-sky observing, but for planets you'll be able to observe quite a bit. :-)
Also some double stars, clusters.
The 6" would perform better, but I understand if that's over budget. I have the Heritage 130p (Identical to the Onesky mostly but the OneSky has a collimation tool included), and despite it's limits and owning larger telescopes, it's very portable and I use it a lot. Human for scale.
The z130, OneSky, 130p would require a decent planetary eyepiece:
Field of view simulaton^! http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/130-650-high_3.png
Magnifcation http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/awb_Heritage_Magnifications_small.png
Decent 4mm, https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32823985645.html, avoid short Plössl under 10mm or the bad 62° eyepieces.
The 6-inch is a bit more even though it's on sale at the moment, but even with the kit eyepieces it already reaches 120x, and a planetary eyepiece like the 6mm 66° (Marketplace/China) would be cheaper.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H8YZHFT/ref=twister_B07MVSSW4V?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
The 6mm will only give you 108x magnification It's still a bit more than the 10mm kit eyepiece, and has better quality overall.
The contrast will be limited at medium high to high magnification.
Crude simulation parabolic mirror / spehrical mirror / w.barlow: http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/saturn-sim-cropped.png
With a parabolic mirror you could magnify higher, e.g. using a 4mm 58° (not a short 52° Plössl type or the bad cheap 62° type).
Hi :-)
It really depends on your budget.
> smaller
Atmospheric seeing will often be the bottle-neck :-) 200x is nice as it will work regularly and you can get a common, cheap 6mm 66° wide-angle eyepiece. (China* / US).
The 66° type is a decent budget eyepiece. There's some kidney-beaning (if you don't look into it straight, a shadow will obstruct the view), but I never had issues when using the eye-cup. If you have a higher budget, consider the Explore-Scientific 6.7mm 82° for example :-)
The 66° is okay to get started, nothing wrong with using cheaper eyepieces. It's easy to over-invest in too many different expensive ones without really knowing what you need yet. The 6mm 66° will still be useful after an upgrade as "guest eyepiece", as you will probably have some people touching your eyepiece lens sooner or later.
(EDIT) The 4mm 58° HR Planetary costs <$30 via Aliexpress, $33 via ebay, shipped from China. That one can work nicely for the rare occasion atmospheric seeing is excellent (which won't be often!). The 3.2mm is too much usually. And in 8" the image will get dim already.
> brands
All brands have good and bad eyepieces. The 66° type is marketed as Orion Expanse ($50-$60), Skywatcher UWA, and others. And sold by many no-name brands, Chinese resellers (Svbony).
Avoid short Plössl-type (52°) under 10mm due to poor eye-relief. Avoid eyepiece box sets despite overy enthusiastic reviews. Redundant, mediocre, overpriced.
Clear skies :-)
* Random shop links, check seller ratings, ymmv.
Hello :-)
The 90/600 telescope can be nice for wide-field, but short refractors suffer of chromatic aberration when magnifying higher (=poor contrast).
> eyepieces
While many sites will suggest you can magnify 180x or even more, this is not the case.
I'd honestly stay under 100x. The planets will be visible, but small.
600mm focal length divided by 6mm eyepiece = 100x magnification.
A 6mm 66° (China, China, US) is a very inexpensive but good budget eyeiece, has a decent eye-relief and a large apparent field of view. Stay away from cheap Plössl/52° type under 10mm, and the bad cheap 62° eyepieces.
Avoid cheap barlows. They wil further decrease contrast.
A 32mm Plössl (not a 40mm) for $19-$25 or so would give you the largest field possible.
A 15mm Plössl or 66° type would be a nice in-between eyepiece for many clusters, nebulae.
Check if the telescope uses standard 1.25" diameter eyepieces or older 0.965" diameter eyepieces.
> filters
Filters have very limited effect, especially regarding these smaller ones.
But do not over-invest in accessories. A refurbishes Skyscanner 100 for $79.99 already beats the Gskyer in regards of stability and some things it can show (but isn't a big upgrade). Ideally, consider a $180-$199 Z130, OneSky, Heritage 130p, or even a larger 6" dobsonian in the future.
The bottle-neck will always be the cheap refractor optics.
What you should definitely get is "Turn left at Orion" - the missing manual :-) A lot of clusters, some galaxies are already visible at lower magnification.
Clear skies :-)
Hello :-)
The AD8 has a more ergonomic right-angle correct-image finder, a dual-speed focuser for easier finding the perfect focus, and a 2-inch wide-angle eyepiece that makes finding and observing some larger deep-sky objects easier. The base is different, and there's the cooling fan. Those are all "luxury", but very nice to have. Zhumell z8 and Orion Skyline are similar, but the AD10 is the better deal.
The Orion XT series comes with a very basic red dot finder that's not very useful for deep-sky, and a single eyepiece that's neither ideal for an overview nor for observing planets. The PLUS set is not worth it (e.g. the 28mm Deepview eyepiece shows less field than a $20 Plössl would). The Apertura DT10 is similar, just a different finder.
The Skywatcher has better accessories than the XT series, but not nearly as great as the Apertura.
> list
May I ask what list?
> down the line better eyepieces will be needed
A 6mm 66°* (not a short Plössl/52°-type due to poor eye-relief) costs $14-$30 and will show the planets nicely.
http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/dobson8eyepieces1200.png
Clear skies!
* (Apparent field of view; China, US)
Yes, it's a lot of luxury, but well worth it.
> portable
Yeah, tube across the back-seat (trunk only if you have a big car). Still manageable. :-)
Consider "Turn left at Orion" - the missing manual,
and a 6mm 66° for planets (no short Plössl).
Hello :-)
> holding
For visual, a 8" or 10" will be the way to go :-) Combining both imaging and visual isn't a good idea anyway. For visual, it's all about a large aperture, for imaging, a precision mount. Combining both is just going to cause a lot of headaches, and a big hole in one's wallet.
Links on what difference aperture makes
> plus
For the focuser, it's perhaps worth it. Else the deep-view eyepiece won't show more than a cheap $20-$30 Plössl even though it's 2". (http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/deepview-plössl-widefield.png). And the cheap barlow isn't really that great either.
A 2-inch wide-angle eyepiece costs cad$120 or so, a bit cheaper via eBay or a no-name reseller on Amazon. Or half of that from Aliexpress. These are usually 65°-72° Erfle-type (sold from GSO, ES, SWAN...). In f/5 they are only sharp in the center and then the sharpness degrades. A better eyepiece like the Explore-Scientific 82° cost a lot more though.
> I'm not in love with the single speed focuser
Cheap hack: https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/607401-35-alternative-to-a-2-speed-focuser/
> DSLR
You can basically only take pictures of planets. For a DSLR you need a barlow to get the planets to scale anyway, which can also fix the back-focusing issues as it brings the focal point outward.
For deep-sky, you need tracking, and can only capture a few bright objects (Orion nebula, double stars for example). But you don't need a telescope to take amazing deep-sky images (Star tracker, barn door... Tracker+camera+lens, no telescope). Even from a fixed tripod you can take some amazing long exposures of the milky-way, meteors, and even capture the Andromeda galaxy and some open clusters.
Barn-door tracker, fixed tripod imaging: https://www.reddit.com/r/telescopes/comments/2ttydz/300_budget_looking_for_a_telescope/co2ivce/?st=jed2gba0&sh=b268008b
Planets with dobsonians: https://www.reddit.com/r/telescopes/comments/gtioa2/sky_watcher_heritage_90/fsc3h00/
> add some more eyepieces as well, and with that I'd be pushing my bidget towards the limit. I'
The 66° "gold-line" (sold under various names) and the 58° HR Planetary clones are very affordable and still provide great views for the money. Compared to cheap Plössl they have decent eye-relief and a nice wide-angle afov.
Field simulation http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/1200-overview-eyepieces.png
Apparent field of view http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/AFOV_.png
6mm 66° from China, 1/2 (Usually cad$45 from Amazon directly, often even with a $5 rebate, but out of stock atm). The 58° cost usd$28-35 from Aliexpress.
Clear skies :-)
Hello :-)
Older post regarding accessories.
Eyepieces; Field of view simulation: http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/dobson8eyepieces1200.png
Planets: A 6mm 66° or 58°,
China,
US
Amazon $29 sold out ((9mm listed only atm https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H8YZHFT/ref=twister_B07MVSSW4V?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1))
https://agenaastro.com/agena-6mm-enhanced-wide-angle-ewa-eyepiece.html
Better:
58° HR Planetary clone,
Random links, YMMV!
Otherwise, for a larger budget, the sky's the limit :-) (Suggestion: Explore-Scientific 82° https://explorescientificusa.com/collections/82-series-eyepiece)
> 10mm
> Barlow
Short Plössl have rather short eye-relief (https://imgur.com/FkEaOBG).
Be aware that 250x won't be usable every night due to atmospheric seeing, and it's pushing the optics. More isn't always better. Overview: The 28mm DeepView 2in doesn't really show more field than a cheap 32mm Plössl. You could get a 2-inch Erfle, 30-36mm with 70° afov.
> camping
Great!
So the size of the 8" won't be an issue then? Just making sure :-)
> really work
Oh, what telescope is it?
> best bang for your buck
The 8" will be that, if you have realistic expectations of course.
> What exactly do I need with the 6mm? I'm going to go ahead and order it now lol
The 6mm will give you 200x magnification, showing the planets larger and in more detail than the kit eyepieces.
8" dobson field of view simulation.
Links what to expect in different telescope aperture sizes.
> out of the box
They all work out of the box, the AD8 just has a lot of goodies :-)
A good guide such as "Turn left at Orion", a planetary eyepiece, and something to sit on is what's mainly missing.
Don't order just any 6mm, the short cheaper Plössl have poor eye-relief (https://imgur.com/FkEaOBG)
US https://agenaastro.com/agena-6mm-enhanced-wide-angle-ewa-eyepiece.html
US, Amazon 6mm 66° sold out (else $29)
China, https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32727027422.html
(Amazon Marketplace, China https://www.amazon.com/Vbestlife-66%C2%B0Astronomical-Telescope-Wide-Angle-Astronomy/dp/B083LQTTX9/)
Hello :-)
Do you just have the 25mm kit eyepiece?
6mm eyepiece of decent quality will beat a barlow :-)
Field simulation; http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/dobson8eyepieces1200.png
- 6mm 66° China https://www.amazon.com/Vbestlife-66%C2%B0Astronomical-Telescope-Wide-Angle-Astronomy/dp/B083LQTTX9/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=6mm+66+eyepiece&qid=1594046396&sr=8-3
- 6mm 66° Agenaastro https://agenaastro.com/agena-6mm-enhanced-wide-angle-ewa-eyepiece.html - or the 58° eyepiece.
- Amazon: Usually listed for $29 but currently just the 9mm in stock; https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H8YZHFT/ref=twister_B07MVSSW4V?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
- http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/barlowandstuff.png
Cheshire is a bit more work but overall the most useful. The laster is more ergonomic but a misaligned, wobbly laser can make things worse than it already is.
https://garyseronik.com/collimation-tools-what-you-need-what-you-dont/
Also, https://garyseronik.com/no-tools-telescope-collimation/
Do you already have a guide, map for the Telrad?
Clear skies :-)
> I know the 40mm doesn’t have a WA field of view, but to get less magnification, it is cheaper.
The upgrade with a 40mm Plössl is minuscule.
> but costs an extra $120 for pretty bad accessories.
The overview eyepiece is worth $80 and alright for an F/6 telescope. The 40mm Plössl is still a waste of money as $6 more can get you a 32mm Plössl with the same true field but wider afov, and for $33shipped you can get a 2-inch eyepiece at Aliexpress sometimes.
The base is also different.
> Laser collimators are not perfect and sometimes uncollimate the telescope
This is very true, but you can adjust them. I'm a big fan of the Cheshire sight tube and no tool method. But a laser, once you've checked it, makes things much easier.
> reviews
What reviews are you referring to? You will find a lot of differing opinions here.
And the 5/10/23 are rubbish. Even if Amazon reviews suggest otherwise when some people upgrade their Powerseekers or Astromasters with these slightly better, still rubbish eyepieces.
> The moon filter and the extension tube are probably the only things that are worth it to get with the AD8,
The base is also different than (some) 8" dobsonians.
If you're looking for a budget set-up, look for a used 8" or see if some places still have the Skywatcher 8" on sale. Or get the Orion XT8 if you want to get a red dot finder anyway.
The 6mm 66° gold-line costs $17 via Amazon Marketplace, China, or $29-$35 locally. A 15mm eyepiece as well.
The Telrad finder is the next logical upgrade for finding deep-sky objects, else any kit finder will do.
Difference of overview eyepieces:
Eyepiece field of view
6mm 66°
Hi :-)
> 260x
> 150x
The rule of thumb is twice the aperture in millimetres, and then stay under that :-) More just make things dim.
> . I've also read that the aperture dictates how clear an image you can achieve,
That's right, and for many deep-sky objects medium magnification is better, as too much will just make the view very dim.
> I was wondering if anyone here could give me an idea of what the realistic expectations
Links on what to expect in different telescope aperture sizes
> Lenses
The 4mm kit eyepiece and the 3x barlow are basically useless.
A decent(!) 6mm 66° eyepiece (not a short Plössl-type) will be nice for planets. Does the telescope have a 1.25" focuser or does it only take older 0.965" diameter eyepieces?
Amazon Marketplace, China, (Amazon directly $29, but sold out atm), Agenaastro USA.
But do not over-invest in accessories. And avoid eyepiece sets or short Plössl-type.
> learning
Do consider getting "Turn left at Orion" - the missing manual :-)
> I decided to clean it up
If you ever plan on cleaning the optics, do not wipe them clean; https://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-resources/caring-for-your-optics/
Clear skies :-)
Hello :-)
You can't put a refractor on a dobsonian base, as the focuser of a refractor is in the back.
If it was for a good price, it'll already show a lot.
> used
What accessories are still included?
Does the mount work?
> stabilize
Don't extend fully. Weight on/under the center place.
> add ons
> Turn Left at Orion
Good :-)
A 6mm 66° can give you a better result and a bit more magnification than the cheap 9mm kit eyepiece,
https://agenaastro.com/agena-6mm-enhanced-wide-angle-ewa-eyepiece.html
$29 when in stock at Amazon, listing just has the 9mm at the moment https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H8YZHFT/ref=twister_B07MVSSW4V?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
A bit more might be possible, but chromatic aberration will be more prominent and the image will get dimmer, too. 800/6= 133x magnification.
I would not go lower than 5mm anyway. 180x or even more specified maximum magnification just results in a blurry, dark image.
Clear skies! :-)
The Skywatcher 6" has a better focuser, a finder scope and two basic eyepieces. Otherwise the main optics perform the same.
A 6mm 66° for planets, and the Skywatcher's set to start with.
http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/dobson8eyepieces1200.png
- (China) https://www.amazon.com/Vbestlife-66%C2%B0Astronomical-Telescope-Wide-Angle-Astronomy/dp/B083LQTTX9/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=6mm+66+eyepiece&qid=1594046396&sr=8-3
- https://agenaastro.com/agena-6mm-enhanced-wide-angle-ewa-eyepiece.html
- (Sometimes $29 at Amazon, this listing changes a lot depending on which ones are available, right now it's only the 9mm, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H8YZHFT/ref=twister_B07MVSSW4V?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1)
- Avoid eyepiece sets, short Plössl 52° type under 10mm due to poor eye-relief.
Plus "Turn left at Orion"- the missing manual on how to observe :-)
Yes, for deep-sky a dark site is key, and thus portability. But the planets as well as some brighter dso (e.g. double stars) can be observed from within a city.
Other 6" for scale
Hello :-)
Nice telescope!
The eyepieces, barlow aren't overly great though but should get you started for your first steps.
The mount isn't ideal, but unless you want to build a rockerbox, just don't extend it fully (possibly observe seated) and put some weight under the center plate to slightly increase stability.
> purchase anything that can be reused
The issue here is that you'd need a very short eyepiece (e.g. 4mm of decent^! quality), while in the AD10 a 4mm eyepiece will only work if atmospheric seeing is excellent.
The 4mm 58° HR Planetary clones work well and don't cost a whole lot (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32823985645.html).
Or the 6mm 66° which will work in both, only 108x in the 130/650mm telescope.
https://agenaastro.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=enhanced%20wa
(Amazon Marketplace / China) https://www.amazon.com/Vbestlife-66%C2%B0Astronomical-Telescope-Wide-Angle-Astronomy/dp/B083LQTTX9/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=6mm+66+eyepiece&qid=1594046396&sr=8-3
- (6mm out of stock at Amazon directly https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H8YZHFT/ref=twister_B07MVSSW4V?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1)
Field of view simulation 130/650:
Field of view simulation 1200mm focal-length (AD8, ~AD10):
The 6mm 66° and 15mm 66° are budget eyepieces that would work well in either to get started. A 32mm Plössl ($26 Amazon, $18 Aliexpress) would show a bit more field of view than the cheap 20mm you currently have (but is more than redundant with the AD's kit eyepiece).
> figure out
> tools
No-tool method, make a collimation cap, or buy a cheap short cheshire sight-tube;
Have fun!
Clear skies! :-)
Awesome :-)
Consider a 6mm 66° eyepiece for planets;
http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/dobson8eyepieces1200.png
Amazon (6mm version sold out atm) ~~https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H8YZHFT/ref=twister_B07MVSSW4V?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1~~
Do not get short Plössl due to poor eye-relief.
> accessories
"Turn left at Orion" - The missing manual :-)
Clear skies! :-)
Hi :-)
Great advice so far :-)
For the AD8, the 6mm 66°
- https://www.amazon.com/Vbestlife-66%C2%B0Astronomical-Telescope-Wide-Angle-Astronomy/dp/B083LQTTX9/ (From China, usually $29 at Amazon when in stock)
...and optionally the 4mm 58° for the rare occasion seeing's excellent.
As the budget barlows reduce the contrast and the 9mm isn't too great to begin with, I would always recommend some dedicated eyepieces. http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/barlowandstuff.png
Avoid short Plössl-type (under 10mm they have poor [eye-relief]) or other older short designs.
Depending on your budget... The Dual ED or even something Explore-Scientific 82° even are better of course.
Clear skies :-)
Hello :-)
It's a bit similar to http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Mangofication-On-114900-Didgeridoo.png
Can you reach focus with a 1.25" Adapter? Often the back-focus is not very long.
Plössl type under 10mm have poor eye-relief (https://imgur.com/FkEaOBG).
Overview
32mm Plössl, $26 Amazon, $18 China/Aliexpress
Planets
6mm 66° type, $29 Amazon when in stock, $14 China/Marketplace (https://www.amazon.com/Vbestlife-66%C2%B0Astronomical-Telescope-Wide-Angle-Astronomy/dp/B083LQTTX9/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=6mm+66+eyepiece&qid=1594046396&sr=8-3)
One or two in-between,
e.g. 9mm 66°, 15mm 66° or 15mm Plössl ;-) (Aliexpress $20-$22, Amazon $29 when in stock) / ($15-$25)
6mm / 166x won't be at the maximum of these telescope, but works even if atmospheric seeing isn't great. They can be modified. Else the 58° HR Planetary clone type (not the bad cheap 4mm 62° or short Plössl).
> larger newt reflector of at least 8" of aperture,
Get a dobsonian, sturdy, most aperture for your money. EQ mounts can be nice, but a 8" on EQ mount is expensive and difficult to manage.
Clear skies!
Hello :-)
Which zoom is it exactly? Afaik there are a few versions.
Planets;
- A 6mm 66° or 6mm 58° on a budget, especially if you want more than one eyepiece. These cost $20-$30 via Aliexpress/eBay/Amazon-Marketplace from China. The 6mm 66° costs $29 when in stock at Amazon, the 58° type $55 locally (<=$30 at Aliexpress).
- More magnification will often not be possible due to atmospheric seeing conditions. I would not go past a 5mm (240x) eyepiece, as a 4mm (300x) will push the telescope to it's limits. The image just gets dim and dull without actually show more detail, even if it's larger (http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/5MagnificationSaturn-crop.png)
- Avoid short Plössl due to poor eye-relief. So even though you have a 6.3mm, you will find a long eye-relief 6mm just makes observing easier.
Overview;
- You could get a 32mm Plössl, 52°, 1.25", but you just gain a little field (http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/1200-overview-eyepieces.png - the DT6 does not have a 2-inch focuser afaik). They cost $19 via Aliexpress, $26 via Amazon. You won't gain much, up to you. 40mm Plössl just have a smaller apparent field of view due to the limit what's possible in 1.25" size.
In-between
- You could also get a 15mm 66° for example. $22 or so via Aliexpress, $29 from Amazon when available, and sometimes from eBay US sellers for around the same. The zoom covers the range, but usually the zoom's aren't too great especially due to the small apparent field of view at lower magnifications.
Field of view simulation (For 8", but it's the same focal-length)
6mm, 15mm 66° "gold-line" would cost you $40-$60 depending on where you get them. The 9mm Plössl would work if you can live with the short eye-relief. Else you could also add the 9mm 66°.
The 58° type performs a bit better overall than the 66°, at least the shorter versions. The 6mm 66° suffers a bit of kidney-beaning (black curved spots when not observing stragiht through the eyepiece). Personally I never had issues with it when using the eye-cup.
Do you wear glasses? Do you have astigmatism? Then more expensive eyepieces with 20mm eye-relief could be better. At smaller exit-pupil / higher magnification, astigmatism doesn't bother though usually, so you can observe without glasses and adjust focus with the telescope.
If you want to spend a bit more, look into the Luminos, Explore-Scientific ultra-wide angle eyepieces specifically. The 66° and 58° type perform well on a budget though, especially as the telescope has an aperture ratio of F/8 (cheaper wide-angle eyepieces don't perform well in F/5 telescopes).
Clear skies :-)
Great :-)
> 5mm
> neither gold
Have you seen my initial link to the 4mm 58°? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32823985645.html :-)
The 58° are TMB HR Planetary clones.
> replace
You do not have to buy everything at once. You can just use the kit eyepieces when starting out, the planetary is what's lacking.
By the time you add all eyepieces at once, you can get the 6" Sky-watcher dobsonian or their new Heritage 150p table-top ;-) ;-)
> SVBONY
Svbony isn't really better or worse than any of the other resellers, but they do sell all kind of astronomy gear. Not only the good stuff though.
Amazon has a reseller that sells the 6mm 66° for $13 or so (Marketplace, China) https://www.amazon.com/Vbestlife-66%C2%B0Astronomical-Telescope-Wide-Angle-Astronomy/dp/B083LQTTX9/ -And when available they are $29 at Amazon directly. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H8YZHFT/ref=twister_B07MVSSW4V?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 (This listing changes a lot, usually they had all of the 66° for $29, when in stock).
If you're really going "all in", don't neglect the deep-sky stuff. A 15mm (either gold-line or Plössl) and a 32mm Plössl can be nice to have as well. You can find 32mm Plössl for $18 or so via Aliexpress, $26 at Amazon.
Hello :-)
As the others already said, the short spherical mirror limits the contrast.
A 6mm 66° is not very expensive- $13 from China or $29 from Amazon directly. It's not going to give you as high magnification as the 9mm with barlow, but a decent image, a nice large apparent field of view and a decent eye-relief.
It will also be most useful in a future telescope (e.g. a dobsonian... Just not in some telescope with extreme long focal-lengths).
> focal lengths and magnification but if I'm honest
Here's a simulation:
http://blog.pixelgiraffe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/130-650-high_3.png
The 4mm would be too much for this telescope. Cheap 4mm are unusable due to poor eye-relief. The 4mm 58° costs $29 at Aliexpress, but you're really just going to get a pretty blurry image.
What you can already observe with your current set are a lot of nebulae, clusters and galaxies. The short foal length of the reflector allows you to observe things like the double cluster h&chi, and some larger nebulae as well if you're at a dark location. Consider getting "Turn left at Orion"- the missing manual on telescopes, how to observe, what to observe :-)
If you're planning on upgrading, Telescope.com has a refurbished/"2nd" XT6 for just $239, and Skywatcher's 6-inch is on sale for $280 new. These would give you the most for your money and an upgrade to your current set-up. The cheaper other 5" telescopes may provide a bit better views but the 6" would be the most logical "next step" later.
Clear skies :-)
Hello :-)
8" dobsonian Field of view simulation
6mm 66° China via Amazon Marketplace
6mm 66° US
As it was already said, more magnification only works if atmospheric seeing is excellent... Which it usually is not. A 4mm 58° would be nice to have around for that occasion (300x). I also observed Jupiter with a bit more, but seeing is just going to be even less favorable most of the time.
(Avoid short Plössl 52 type due to poor eye-relief)
Also grab a copy of "Turn left at Orion" if you haven't already... The missing manual ;-)
Clear skies, have fun :-)
Hi :-)
Similar field of view simulation
IMHO, get a 6mm 66° for planets, and perhaps a 15mm 66°.
The 66° "gold-line" cost $14*-$22 from China, $30-$35 from Amazon (when available, in and out of stock all the time ATM). ((6mm 68° red-line from eBay suposidly from the US, according to others they are identical to the 66°, I have no experience with them]))
Clear skies :-)
* (YMMV, random links, check recent seller ratings)
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