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pccoder
member
Reged: 02/04/08
Posts: 36
Loc: Melbourne, FL
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I just purchased and received my 1st telescope, a Meade LX200-UTC (which came with a Series 5000 26mm Plossl). I've taken it outside for the past 2 nights and am learning, etc. and enjoying what I'm seeing. I am already experiencing perhaps the limitations associated with only owning one eyepiece, so I ordered the entire set of Series 5000 Plossls yesterday.
Now, with that being said, what additional eyepiece would be recommended? I like'd that I could "sort of" see some DSO's last night, albeit tough to really bring in with all the light pollution in my suburban neighborhood. I see alot of talk about this Ethos eyepiece and might order that as well if everyone continues to rave about it.
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Chris
Nikon 10X50 Action Extreme Binoculars
Meade 8" LX200-ACF with UHTC
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Mr. Mike
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/08/05
Posts: 858
Loc: Churchville, NY
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Well, the Ethos is a far cry from the Plossls! It has a huge field of view which you will probably get addicted to. Once you experience wide-field views its hard to go back. Your plossls will serve you well for planetary study and whatever but some wider-field eyepieces are highly recommended.
The Ethos would be the top of the line. Naglers, Pentax XWs, and Vixen LVWs would also be strong choices. The Meade UWA's are also good. If your budget allows higher-end eyepieces, you have some GREAT choices. Any of the above mentioned EPs will be terrific. 
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Stellarvue NG 80mm ED
Meade 7x50 Binos
Pentax XW 5mm
Meade 5K UWA 8.8mm
Vixen LVW 13mm
Vixen LVW 22mm
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kaaikop
sage
Reged: 07/13/08
Posts: 468
Loc: Ste-Therese, Canada
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Hi Chris!
I think buying the whole set of Plossl's is not a bad idea.
I would not rush however, and buy more expensive EP's until you get a better idea what you like & dont like.
With the scope you have (GOTO, right?) the plossls might be the only eyepieces you ever need!
They are very sharp, and ultra extra super duper wide field are not necessarily to everybody's taste.
With your whole set, you will have enough to play around and learn for the whole winter!
(which focal lenghts works best on different subject, etc.)
If you are like me, you will be itching to try different types of EP's, but that gets VERY expensive, VERY fast!!!
Also good if you can join a local astro. club, you get to try all kinds of stuff from other folks,
without having to buy it first. Just my humble opinion.
Happy observing mate! 
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Benoit, RASC Montreal
-C 9.25XLT on EQ6 Pro / ED80SF on Portamount
-Plossls, Radians, Naglers, LVW's & Orthos.
-a pair of 7x50's
Edited by kaaikop (10/03/08 09:13 AM)
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pccoder
member
Reged: 02/04/08
Posts: 36
Loc: Melbourne, FL
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it just occured to me that one of the eyepieces in this new set is a 2 inch and my diagonal is 1.25. I imagine I need an adapter to use it?
...and, any recommendations on really good filters? I am not one who likes to buy something cheap hoping to upgrade later.
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Chris
Nikon 10X50 Action Extreme Binoculars
Meade 8" LX200-ACF with UHTC
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Zoomit
super member
Reged: 12/04/06
Posts: 125
Loc: Tehachapi, CA
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As far as filters, there are a number of threads that capture opinions but my recommendation is a 2" DGM Optics NPB (or Lumicon UHC) and 2" Lumicon OIII. That'll set you back about $400 and you'd be hard pressed to find an upgrade path that replaces those. There's are always more types of filters to buy, but a quality UHC-type and an OIII are a solid start.
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Brandon
AstroSystems TeleKit 18" f/4.6; Orion XT8 7.4" f/6.4
TeleVue 26Nt5, 13E, 3-6NZ; Antares 2" 1.6x
Astro-Physics 15x70; Nikon Action EX 12x50
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joe colontonio
member
Reged: 03/02/06
Posts: 82
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Chris, expensive is not always better for your eyes.
Your best bet is go to Chiefland.org sign up for their star party at the end of the month.
You can then get friendly with astronomers and try out different eyepieces. This is The best way to try and find the right fit for your eyes and your scope.
If you had my eyes and bought an ethos You would be dissapointed
Joe
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BillP
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/26/06
Posts: 2245
Loc: Vienna, VA
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Well, if you ordered the ENTIRE set that means you have a 40mm, 32mm, 26mm, 20mm, 14mm, 9mm, and 5.5mm! Not sure you will really need anything else quite yet. These are a bit different from the standard Plossl in that they have a 60 deg AFOV which is a very nice viewport. Not an ultrawide field view but still darn nice. The fit/finish/build/ergonomics is also exceptional IMO on this line.
So like others have suggested, I'd hold off and enjoy these for a while and you may find no need for anything else. Right now I'd more look at the 2" diagonal you will need, and a filter or two to help control the skyglow so you can bring in DSO better.
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250mm f/4.7 Orion XT10i Dobsonian
102mm f/8.0 Tak TSA Super-APO
66mm f/5.9 WO ZenithStar SD APO
40mm f/10 Coronado P.S.T.
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dwitek
member
Reged: 07/03/08
Posts: 87
Loc: White Lake, Michigan
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Since you have an 8" you are limited to using the visual back of the scope. So, for filters, you may want to look at the Lumicon UHC or Orion Ultrablock that is threaded for a standard SCT back. With that you put it on once and then use whatever eyepiece you want to use.
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10" LX200 EMC Classic
Peterson Eye-Opener system
2" Dielectric Diagonal
JMI NGF Crayford focuser
Meade DSI Pro III
Piggybacked Stellarvue 80mm NHNG
I need an autoguider but don't want to tell my wife
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Bob Griffiths
Post Laureate
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 4195
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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I just peeked at the set.... I did not see that it contained a 40 mm ...BUT I sure do not think you will get much use if any out of the 5.5 in your scope....Its possible since it gives you about 370x...in my neighbor (not that bad of skies) I very rarely can get up to 300x...normally 250 on planets is pushing it...
Anyway I hope the 40 mm is included.... I WOULD STOP even thinking about buying any other EP until you have at least had your scope out and under the stars a DOZEN times.. ok at least a dozen...
Same with filters...HOLD ON...use the scope for awhile... If You just have to buy a filter then get a polarizing one or a moon filter ..
After 12-24 times out ..YOU MAY...be able to figure out just what type of object you like to see..once you know that ..tthen research what you will need to buy...
To Be honest I would recommend that you pull out that checkbook and buy a GOOD CHAIR...and buy it NOW...
Its hard to believe but you will just plain see better, see more, see more detail, when you are relaxed...standing on your feet gets old about an hour or two ...At Least you do not live in the Frozen North so you will not need warm clothing...
Use what ya got...to learn what you "need" to buy..Then
buy that..and start learning what you "want" to buy then buy that...BUT TAKE CARE OF YOUR NEEDS first...
Enjoy the scope Chris....its a pretty darn good one...
Clear Skies
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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