Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums
Privacy Policy |
Please read our Terms
of Service | Signup and
Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu.... uh, User
yankee
journeyman
Reged: 09/14/07
Posts: 6
|
|
I have been considering buying a telescope for the past couple of years and am getting close to making a purchase. I am looking at an 8" Dob, either the Orion classic or the zhumell. I am leaning toward the zhumell since it seems like a better deal when you consider Orion’s shipping charges. Any comments on the comparison of the two would be welcome.
My real questions are on the accessories. I would like to get a Barlow. The scope takes 2" or 1.25" EP and comes with one of each. Can a 2" Barlow be used with a 1.25" EP?
Also I would like to get a filter for viewing the moon. should I go with a neutral density or a variable polarizer? Do I need separate filters for 1.25" and 2" EP or is there a way to use a 2" filter on a 1.25" EP?
Thank you, and sorry for the Newbie questions.
|
Achernar
Post Laureate
Reged: 02/25/06
Posts: 3721
Loc: Alabama, USA
|
|
Yes, you can use a 2-inch Barlow with 1.25-inch barrel eyepieces. Most come with a 2 to 1.25-inch adapter for this purpose, and it is a good thing to have if you have a mix of 2 and 1.25-inch barrel eyepieces. Although it's certainly possible to make a 2 to 1.25-inch adapter that is also threaded for filters, I'm not aware of any being sold commercially. Therefore you will probably have to purchase one filter for both barrel sizes.
Taras
--------------------
10-inch F/4.5 Discovery Dob
6-inch F/8 Homebuilt Dob
4 1/4-inch F/4 Homebuilt reflector
|
Lamb0
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/25/07
Posts: 668
Loc: Fairbury, Nebraska
|
|
 When comparing the Orion Classic to the Zhumell Dobs, IMHO, the Zhumell has an edge in bang for the buck. We have some Zhumell Dobs of various sizes in the Prairie Astronomy Club, they are all good performers. 
 Yes, a 2" Barlow can be used for 1.25" eyepieces with a 2"/1.25" adapter that usually comes with the Barlow. Some Barlows are threaded for filters - some not. 
 I prefer a variable polarizing lunar filter. 
 I bought a 2"/1.25" adapter threaded for 2"(48mm) filters  from Camera Concepts & Telescope Solutions during the Nebraska Star Party. 
 While most of my nebula(Lumicon UHC), and line filters(Lumicon O-III and Astronomik Hb), are 2" for convenient handling, overall utility, and wide field capability; my Wratten(color), broadband(SkyGlow), and variable polarizing lunar filter are 1.25". I sometimes wish the SkyGlow was 2" also. A 2" as well as 1.25" variable polarizer might be handy as well for use in various combinations in my Dob. With half a polarizer in my Paracorr, 2X Powermate, or 2"/1.25" adapter, and another half in another accessory, or eyepiece, all it takes is a twist to adjust the brightness. 
 BTW, there are NO stupid Newbie questions only Ignorance.  Willingness to Learn, Education, and Experience are the cure - hang in there! 
--------------------
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
|
John Lacey
member
Reged: 03/12/08
Posts: 55
Loc: Central Coast, CA
|
|
I've only spent a few minutes with a Zhumell 8", but I was suitably impressed with the optics. The accessories are a little better with the Zhumell (RACI finder, fan). The 9mm Plössl that comes with the Zhumell was much better than the Sirius Plössls that come with the Orion. The Hyperions I have, however, or the equivalent Stratus EPs from Orion, are well worth the money IMHO. I think that they are both great scopes for the money. I suppose that's not particularly helpful, other than to say that neither one is a mistake. Just buy one and starting looking up with it.
--------------------
John L
Orion XT8i "Jetson", Q70 32mm, Hyperion 17mm, 8mm
Orion 10x50 UltraView
|
|
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
