22 replies to this topic

[jonatheber]

I'm buying an 8" evolution that will have Starsense, the Celestron accessory kit, a dew shield and carrying case. 

 

What "must have" accessories should I be looking to pick up to supplement it?  (e.g. other eyepieces, some sort of focuser upgrade, etc)?

[Mark Lovik]

Possibilities

 

1. Dew ring and controller - this makes a difference even with a dew shield in many locations

2. 2" SCT diagonal - I like this approach better than using a reducer for wide field views.  Combine this with a low power finder eyepiece with over a 1 degree fov.  You really want a wide field finder eyepiece option of some sort.

3. I like manual focusing - Scope Stuff sells a focuser ring that increases fine focus control.  It's a keeper.

4. Personally I like Telrad finders if you are into visual.  ymmv

5. Red light flashlight or headlamp (generic need for observing)

Edited by Mark Lovik, 14 March 2023 - 10:24 AM.

[mlord]

I'm buying an 8" evolution that will have Starsense, the Celestron accessory kit, a dew shield and carrying case.

What "must have" accessories should I be looking to pick up to supplement it?  (e.g. other eyepieces, some sort of focuser upgrade, etc)?

Nothing else.  You've already got more stuff than needed there.  Normally a better star finder (eg. Telrad) would be a high recommendation, but you'll never use one once you figure out the StarSense AutoAlign system that's already in the order. 

 

Just use what you have already purchased, until something else becomes obvious to you.  Eg. alternative eyepieces.  You may instead decide to go the EAA route, in which case anything extra at this point becomes a total waste of money.

 

Cheers

[Flybob]

Just  my opinion. but unless you plan to move it often, you may not need the case.  I agree with dew heater ring and controller as even with my dew shield, I needed the heater.  I bought a treadmill cover(Link below) I use it to cover both inside and outside.  This is not a HD cover that will allow you to leave outside for extended periods.   I can set up during daylight and allow the scope to reach ambient temp without dust, and pollen or dew.  You will find that you will move the scope less than you think.   As for a light, I recommend a headlamp vs flashlight as you never seem to have enough hands. 

https://www.amazon.c...e?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Edited by Flybob, 14 March 2023 - 10:48 AM.

[firemachine69]

Once you have your scope, you'll figure out soon enough what you need. It's all a bit personal.

[Jethro7]

I'm buying an 8" evolution that will have Starsense, the Celestron accessory kit, a dew shield and carrying case. 

 

What "must have" accessories should I be looking to pick up to supplement it?  (e.g. other eyepieces, some sort of focuser upgrade, etc)?

Hello jonatheber,

Other than what Mark posted, a good adjustable observers chair.  I have purchased many excellent Astronomy Toys for my Backyard Astronomy Project and the Starbound Observers Chair is one of the best purchases that I have ever made. 

 

https://www.amazon.c...e/dp/B009P3WL2I

 

HAPPY SKIES AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

Edited by Jethro7, 14 March 2023 - 11:22 AM.

[enigma-2]

What @firemachine69 said. ^^^^

[jonatheber]

What is a preferred 2" SCT diagonal that isn't horribly expensive?  I think that will make it easier for my 13 year old to see things....

[mlord]

A 2" diagonal doesn't do anything useful unless one then spends $$$ on 2" eyepieces.

[jonatheber]

A 2" diagonal doesn't do anything useful unless one then spends $$$ on 2" eyepieces.

It isn't worthwhile to use a reducer?  Or this (which has the adapter already): https://www.amazon.c...89572983&sr=8-3

Edited by jonatheber, 14 March 2023 - 04:34 PM.

[Pilotguy]

I'm buying an 8" evolution that will have Starsense, the Celestron accessory kit, a dew shield and carrying case. 

 

What "must have" accessories should I be looking to pick up to supplement it?  (e.g. other eyepieces, some sort of focuser upgrade, etc)?

Send the accessory lens kit back.   Spend the money on 2-3 good lens and/or a 2” diagonal.   

[Pilotguy]

I'm buying an 8" evolution that will have Starsense, the Celestron accessory kit, a dew shield and carrying case. 

 

What "must have" accessories should I be looking to pick up to supplement it?  (e.g. other eyepieces, some sort of focuser upgrade, etc)?

also, save the packing styrofoam that the components come in.   I bought 2 of these at $17 each.  Mount in one and OTA in the other.  Fits almost perfectly.   

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[Gamewarden]

Another votr to send the accessory kit back.

[Noah4x4]

Send the accessory lens kit back.   Spend the money on 2-3 good lens and/or a 2” diagonal.   

+1. Indeed, spend nothing for at least six months until sure of the direction you are heading.

 

You are only as good as your weakest 'glass' in your optical chain and the Celestron kit isn't very good. My next purchase was an expensive Williams diagonal and I saw zero benefit until I bought Televue eyepieces and scrapped the cheap Celestron plossls. 

 

However, I then became frustrated with light pollution and viewing only "grey fuzzies". So the expensive kit I had purchased became redundant when I embraced EAA. I then bought a wedge, then discarded that when I bought Hyperstar. I reckon I must have invested £3,000 in kit that is either redundant or sold. So enjoy, but beware the money pit you have just fell down. 

[whizbang]

And another vote to return the accessory lense kit!!

 

Your C8 is a high mag/low FOV instrument.  For wider field views, you have two options:  1) a .63 reducer/corrector, or 2) two inch accessories (visual back, diagonal,eyepieces).  Do a search.  There are plenty of threads about this.  The reducer is the more affordable choice to get started.

[dave85374]

I used a Celestron focal reducer to get a wider view and just purchased the correct eyepieces to get the power I wanted.  That was a lot cheaper than purchasing 2 2" eyepieces as the larger eyepieces are only for lower power and wider views.

 

If you want good 82* eyepieces, I have four of them I will sell as I now do only EAA as I see more and see it in color than I ever did with eyepieces.

[Michael_Swanson]

On this page of my website:

https://www.nexstars...dsEvolution.htm

you may find the article "Accessories for Your Scope" to be useful.

 

Best regards,
Mike Swanson
https://www.NexStarSite.com

[Ice Cube]

i'd vote for a good observer chair for saving your back

 

i use two depending on the conditions and precipitation from the previous days.

 

https://timetogowild...xe-swivel-stool

 

this chair is great on slopes and has big feet for flotation on soft/waterlogged surfaces

 

and of course, the starbound chair for more level surfaces

[Herb_H]

I'm buying an 8" evolution that will have Starsense, the Celestron accessory kit, a dew shield and carrying case. 

 

What "must have" accessories should I be looking to pick up to supplement it?  (e.g. other eyepieces, some sort of focuser upgrade, etc)?

Pretty much nothing else, as MLord says ...

[Tulloch]

I'm buying an 8" evolution that will have Starsense, the Celestron accessory kit, a dew shield and carrying case. 

 

What "must have" accessories should I be looking to pick up to supplement it?  (e.g. other eyepieces, some sort of focuser upgrade, etc)?

The real question is, "What do you want to do with it"? Look at stuff, image things, planets vs DSOs etc?

 

Your answer will determine what accessories you might need.

 

Andrew

[speedster]

I think my entire accessory kit is buried somewhere in the bottom of a drawer.  Haven't seen it in years.  My case is stuffed in the attic somewhere.  The essential accessories to me are a reducer, Bahtinov mask for focusing, and Baader zoom EP.

[jonatheber]

I think my entire accessory kit is buried somewhere in the bottom of a drawer.  Haven't seen it in years.  My case is stuffed in the attic somewhere.  The essential accessories to me are a reducer, Bahtinov mask for focusing, and Baader zoom EP.

So you use the 1.25" diagonal and the good zoom Baader clickstop Mark IV lens?

[mlord]

If you want a Baader Mk. IV Zoom lens, I have one I've barely used.  Message me if interested.

 

Cheers