ArkansasMaverick
member
Reged: 05/26/07
Posts: 78
Loc: Eureka Springs AR
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---Well after a couple weeks of deliberation I have decided on my scope. I am getting a 10" Zhumell Dob. As for accessories I plan on only getting a Telrad and a cheshire tool to start with. After I play with it for awile I will start filling out a wish list. I expect that different sized EP's will be high on the list.
---Anyways I am leaning towards getting only 2" EP's for it as it comes with a 32mm. I understand that the 2" gets to be quite addictive.
---My question's are: Are there any advantages of getting 1.25 EP's over 2" ones?
---What would make a good set of 2" EP's (both size and make)? I'm not looking for top of the line, but not bottom either...
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Eureka Springs AR.
N 36° 29.777 W 093° 43.800
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Protheus
Vaguely offended
Reged: 09/01/07
Posts: 4657
Loc: Illinois, US
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There's a problem with using only 2" eyepieces. Very simply, you can't get a lot of short focal length eyepieces in 2" barrels; there would be no point in making them that way, really. What I mean is that you'll likely still end up with a 1.25" planetary eyepiece, at least...
Chris
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"To tread the sharp edge of a sword;
to run on smooth-frozen ice,
one needs no footsteps to follow..."
"Well, people sometimes ask me 'how did you get involved in astronomy?' I said 'I got born, what's your problem?'" -- John Dobson
"In discussing the large-scale structure of the cosmos, astronomers sometimes say that space is curved, or that the universe is finite but unbounded. Whatever are they talking about?" -- Carl Sagan
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Kolenka
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/01/08
Posts: 600
Loc: Seattle Area, WA, USA
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Well, the upside is that some of the bulkier 1.25" eyepieces (like the Hyperions) also work as a 2" eyepiece. Once I realized that my Hyperions didn't bump into the mirror in my 2" diagonal, I use them all in 2" mode now. Just saves time moving from the 31mm down to the 8mm when I switch what I am looking at.
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Meade 10" LX200R
Orion 80ED
Nagler 7T6, 9T6, 13T6, 17T4, 26T5
Canon XSi (Modded), TIS DMK 31AF03
Northwest Astro Photoblog
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Lamb0
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/25/07
Posts: 668
Loc: Fairbury, Nebraska
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 The majority of eyepieces are 1.25" only. However, I do prefer for the stability of 2". The 2" 32mm Burgess is my finder eyepiece, the 20T5 is my favourite, the 2X Powermate and Paracorr are 2", and my favorite high power eyepiece is an original 5-8mm Speers-WALER (it handily outperforms 5mm & 8mm Hyperions on axis, at the edge of the field, and contrast) - but it's 1.25" only. So, I bought a 1.25/2" adapter threaded for 2" filters that moves it closer to the tube with the eyepiece locked in place with an Allen screw - this eyepiece requires plenty of in-travel anyway, though my scope doesn't need the help. A 2" eyepiece between the 20T5 and the 32 Burg would be nice, but is beyond my current budget, however, I have a 1.25/2" adapter, also threaded for 2" filters, handy for more standard 1.25" eyepieces. My 24 Pan provides almost as large a TFoV as the 20T5, and my other 1.25" eyepieces are also available to use on the Moon, planets, and nebulae with my few 1.25" filters - 4 Wrattens, variable polarizer, and SkyGlow. My important filters are 2" - the Lumicon UHC, (though I'd prefer a DGM NPB), O-III, and an Astronomic Hb. 
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John "Have eyepiece - will travel!"
8" f/5 Dob w/2.14" sec in a 12" alum tube 'The Mortar' - w/PCorr 2° TFoV @ 36.5X ~70% illum *NICE*
Typical eyepieces: 32 Burg, 24 Pan, 20T5, 5-8 SW, Others ALL 2": Pcorr, 2X PwrMt, Ast H-b, Lum UHC + OIII
60mm $50 Walmart Special in training - aka "Backpack Observatory"
Minolta Activa 12x50 , Steiner 15X80
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werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 7444
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
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I must be an old curmudgeon, but I do not see what's so great about a 2" ep myself. I keep the object I'm viewing more or less centered anyway. If I want wide-angle vews, that's what binos are for.
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Pete
6" Apogee/LXD55 - "The Beast"
Starhopper 6" Dob - "Shiva"
Spaceprobe 130 EQ - "Spacey"
Bushnell Fatboy
The Abomination
Sun Pak Pro 7500 Platinum Edition
10X25 Bushnell Camo Roofies
7X35 Tasco Classic Plastic (good views though)
7X42 Tasco Rare Bird
10X50 Nikon Actions (Type 7)
15X70 Skymasters - "DroolMeisters"
One ratty old IBM 600E LapTop
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vinnie
Latinist
Reged: 01/05/08
Posts: 1446
Loc: Queensland, Australia
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Hi Maverick,
I guess your question really comes down to "what sort of EP's are going to give above average performance without breaking the bank" The Baader Hyperion range as mentioned are hard to pass up. Although they are not a true 2" they all mount with better mechanical stability in a 2" receiver. These are heavy EP's (about 1lb if my conversion from metric off the top of my head is correct).
This is the opinion of another old curmudgeon 
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Lamb0
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/25/07
Posts: 668
Loc: Fairbury, Nebraska
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The original 5-8mm Speers-WALER can stick out so far, and is heavy enough, a regular 1.25/2" adapter - even a TeleVue - can be a jiggling nuisance unless proper care is taken when swapping for a 2" eyepiece. The longer 2" adapter is rock solid stable, and requires no special attention. 
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Saycbon
super member
Reged: 08/14/08
Posts: 163
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I'm too new to be giving anyone advice on anything, but I will say that Vinnie and Lamb0 steered me toward the Vixen Lanthanum LVW's and I am very happy they did. As you can see in my sig, most of my gear is 2" format. I have no regrets. You won't go wrong listening to Vin and Lamb0. They have a wealth of knowledge and are willing to share.
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ArkansasMaverick
member
Reged: 05/26/07
Posts: 78
Loc: Eureka Springs AR
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---It is evident I have much to learn about EP's. What I have gathered is in the short focal length go with 1.25" and longer focal lengths go with 2" ones. My focuser (per the ad for the scope) is a 2" Crawford with an adapter for 1.25"
---I'm still looking for input on what a good size range of EP's is. I am starting with a 9mm / 1.25" EP & a 32mm / 2" EP.
---Also what make and model....
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Eureka Springs AR.
N 36° 29.777 W 093° 43.800
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Shawn H
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/16/07
Posts: 1132
Loc: Southern France 43°56'N-4°50'E
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I think youve made excellent choices! The 10", Telrad & cheshire is the same route I took! I also observe only in the 2" mode for convienence! All my 1.25" ep's have 2" skirts, sooo no messing with an adapter in the dark! Shawn
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xt10i with Telrad on 4" risers & feather touch focuser & huge Boston Red Sox decal
Starblast
15x70 Celestron Skymasters
35Stratus
27Pan
13 Ethos
8 Ethos
Orion ultrablock
Astronomik OIII
Tele Vue 2x barlow
Antares 1.6x barlow (2")
CATSEYE collimation tools
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Wobrak
super member
Reged: 04/18/08
Posts: 186
Loc: SC, USA
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Baader Planetarium Hyperion 13mm or 17mm would be a great middle focal length eyepiece. I used to own the 17mm Hyperion and it worked great with my Z10. It was my primary viewing eyepiece until I bought my recent collection.
Since you didn't state if you owned an observing chair, I highly recommend either making or buying one. Comfort just makes the observing session that much more enjoyable.
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Karl
Zhumell 20x80 Binos
Zhumell 10" Dob
WO 28mm UWAN
TV 13mm Ethos
TV 8mm Ethos
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Saycbon
super member
Reged: 08/14/08
Posts: 163
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It would appear to me (a newbie) that the answer to your question is somewhat related to how much money you want to spend, both as to how many different EP's and as to the quality of the EP's. Since you have a 9mm and a 32mm, you might consider a 5mm and something in the middle of your range, say a 22mm. Of course, if you have some money that is burning a hole in your pocket, add a 13mm, 17mm and keep going until you run out of money.  Quality usually equals money. I will defer to people with far more knowledge than myself, but the Vixen LVW's are good quality, and for a lesser price the Baader Planetarium Hyperions are recommended by many. There are many good EP's out there that will suit your needs and people like Vinnie and Lamb0 can give you some good advice in that regard.
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ArkansasMaverick
member
Reged: 05/26/07
Posts: 78
Loc: Eureka Springs AR
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Lol. Nope I only wish I had money burning a hole in my pocket. I am merely compiling a wish list of EP's, which I will fill in one at a time over a period of time. So far I have ...
5mm (1.25")
13mm (1.25")
17mm (1.25")
22mm (2"?)
2x Barlow
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recommended: *Baader Planetarium Hyperion (which I can't find for sale anywhere lol)
*Vixen Lanthanum LVW's
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Eureka Springs AR.
N 36° 29.777 W 093° 43.800
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Saycbon
super member
Reged: 08/14/08
Posts: 163
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Quote:
recommended: *Baader Planetarium Hyperion (which I can't find for sale anywhere lol)
http://www.telescopes.com/telescope-accessories/eyepieces/baaderhyperioneyepieces.cfm
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Bob Griffiths
Post Laureate
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 4187
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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ALL of my 25 mm and lower (higher powered) EP are of the 1.25 " variety ..and all of my EP over (lower power) EP are of the 2" variety..
I will warn you however about the "dual" configuration EPs' that will work in either mode... some have a very short 2 step collar that is really too short in my opinion to inspire confidence ...I have a couple of Orion Stratus EP that I will NOT use in 2" diagonals...I always use the 1.25 inch adapter with them JUST for my own peace of mind...
Bob G.
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CPC1100
Nexstar 8i + GPS & Rays Brackets
Denk S1 power switch
Orion 100 mm Refractor
Meade LXD 55 ...AR-5 127 mm Refractor
Exploradome Observatory S.I.E. (Smiling Irish Eyes)
39*21'03" N
77*28'12" W
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steveeb
sage
Reged: 05/06/08
Posts: 209
Loc: Murrieta, CA
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i pretty much use my 8mm Hyperion exclusively (in 1.25" mode). I had a 12.5 plossl, but found it difficult to look thru - I could never line up my eye with that little pin point of a hole. Also, the eyerelief was extremely short and my wife couldn't use it because she wears glasses (bad astigmatism).
I researched many types and it came down to two: TMB Planetary or Baader Hyperions. Both were in my price range and both had the needed eye relief and got great user reviews. The TMBs were hard to come by, so I settled on the Hypereions. I had also considered the Vixen wide angles, but they were just a bit too pricey for me.
I then found a 8mm Hyperion here on CN and thought I'd give it a go. I was a little concerned with the focal length given I had problems seeing thru the 12.5mm plossl, but I was pleasantly surpised at how easy it was to look thru and how clear and wide the image was compared to the plossl. It is an amazing eyepiece and it didn't cost me an arm and a leg.
I plan on getting the 21mm and maybe even the 13mm in the near future.
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Steve
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InkDark
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/29/07
Posts: 1502
Loc: Montreal, Canada
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I didn't go trhough all the response that you got until now, so sorry if I'm repeating here.
If you go with 2 inch EPs then fine, but here is one thing to think about. If you project getting a smaller, gran & go scope (like a small refractor) to complement your 10 inch, chances are it might not accept 2 inch EPs. Just something to think about.
I'm sure this as been mentioned before, but 2 inch are not better than 1.25 inch EPs. After all the Ethos is a 1.25 inch EP whit a 2 inch skirt.
Here is a 1.25 inch EP line up which I wouldn't mind having:
2X barlow (I have the 1.25 inch TV, but I guess others are pretty good as well)
24 Pan (This is the only one that I've got until now)
13 T6
9 T6
Ok I got to admit this is my actual wish list... 
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Jimmy
"Rarely Have So Many Understood So Little About So Much" - Palle Yourgrau
"...since that time, I have not complained about the weather one single time. I’m glad there is weather." – Alan Bean, Apollo 12
Edited by InkDark (09/06/08 11:49 AM)
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Crusader
sage
Reged: 08/14/05
Posts: 400
Loc: Karoo, South Africa
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Before you go on an eyepiece shopping spree I would suggest that you get a good quality barlow. Then get an additional 10mm EP.
To start out with you'll have both wide field x39 (32mm) and a higher mag 125x (with 10mm) covered. Use those for a while combined with the barlow (which should give you 250x) for a while and see which you use most and whether your seeing conditions permits higher magnification.
Once you've decided what works for you, you can add some premium eyepieces to your collection.
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Orion Skyquest XT10 10" dob.
Skywatcher Evostar 90mm F/10 Refractor on AZ3 mount.
25mm and 10mm Sirius Plossl eyepieces, Skywatcher 8-24mm Zoom EP. Orion O-III filter & Shorty Plus Barlow.
Spacewallpapers.net - The Ultimate Free Space wallpapers
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cdndob
sage
Reged: 07/28/06
Posts: 468
Loc: The Great White North
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Quote:
Before you go on an eyepiece shopping spree I would suggest that you get a good quality barlow.
I'll second that, get a 2x barlow than decide *after* you've viewed for a while what kind of EPs to get.
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ArkansasMaverick
member
Reged: 05/26/07
Posts: 78
Loc: Eureka Springs AR
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except I will need 2 different Barlows. One for the 1.25 EP and one for the 2" EP.
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Eureka Springs AR.
N 36° 29.777 W 093° 43.800
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