45 replies to this topic

[Labdad]

Hi I have always wanted a telescope. My wife loves to look at the moon. So I thought what the heck. I decided on the C8 evolution with starsense camera. Out of the gate the camera couldn’t be recognized by the scope. Even when I did the software update the camera wasn’t recognized by the software. They are sending me a new camera. I was able to do the 3 star set up relatively easy so I have been in the yard about 6 times viewing stars and learning a few things. Weather hasn’t been that great but finally got a decent night (no clouds) and was able to view Saturn and Jupiter. I really enjoyed that and I woke my wife up to see and she was very glad I did. I have to say I enjoyed Jupiter as it was much brighter and clearer. I am going to really enjoy this telescope. The only thing that I know I want to change right away are the eyepieces that I purchased in a kit. I don’t like the FOV and the eye relief is terrible. I think I am set on purchasing 2” eyepieces already. I read the Albert Nagler recommendation for the three essential eyepieces that you need. As I have found out they are very expensive. I am not opposed to spending the money but I am a frugal guy and not opposed to an equivalent eyepiece recommendation. I Think I purchased a great scope (??) and I want to get the best out of it. I understand the eyepiece kit isn’t that great. If anyone can steer me to somewhat equivalent eyepieces I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks and I am really enjoying cloudy nights and all the information. So much to learn.

[cookjaiii]

The C8 has a long focal length so doesn't require premium eyepieces to give you a good image.  Celestron X-cell LX and Paradigm eyepiece lines work very well.  If you buy from the sponsor of this site, you will get a price discount too.

 

Congrtulations on the new scope,  C8s are awesome.

[Labdad]

Thanks for the reply. I really want to keep it simple so should I look into your recommendations using the same mm that Nagler suggested?

[vtornado]

... Weather hasn’t been that great but finally got a decent night (no clouds) and was able to view Saturn and Jupiter. I really enjoyed that and I woke my wife up to see and she was very glad I did. I have to say I enjoyed Jupiter as it was much brighter and clearer. I am going to really enjoy this telescope. The only thing that I know I want to change right away are the eyepieces that I purchased in a kit. I don’t like the FOV and the eye relief is terrible.

I think I am set on purchasing 2” eyepieces already.  For planets not necessary at all.  Wider targets like open clusters yes.  For planets consider the astro-tech paradigm eyepieces.  They have a slightly wider field of view and much better eye relief.  8mm or 12mm would be good for you scope. 

I read the Albert Nagler recommendation for the three essential eyepieces that you need. As I have found out they are very expensive. I am not opposed to spending the money but I am a frugal guy and not opposed to an equivalent eyepiece recommendation. I Think I purchased a great scope (??)   APM UFF 30mm 70 degree  is a great eyepiece for $200.  Since your scope is f/10, an Orion Q70 will perform well too.  Be aware you will have to purchase a 2 inch visual back and 2 inch diagonal too.

Edited by vtornado, 24 September 2023 - 05:26 PM.

[Labdad]

Thanks for the reply. Are you suggesting it is better to get some 1-1/4” and 2” eyepieces. I would have to get a 2” diagonal also. My main use would be planets for now but do want to venture into dso.

[Gary Z]

Do you have an astronomy club nearby.  If so, look them up and see when they setup or have any club meetings.  They will have schedules posted as to when they have observing events.  These are great for learning and observing thru a variety of telescopes.  Rather than go off what works for other folks, try these events and see what looks good through you and your wife.  Here's a link for astro clubs by state.  Please let us know if you do not live in the US so we can assist.  

 

https://www.go-astro...club-search.htm

 

Gary

[Labdad]

Nothing close by. It would be a two hour drive one way. Thanks.

[vtornado]

For moon, planets, double stars there is no need for two inch eyepieces.

[Labdad]

So I should get a 2” diagonal with a 1-1/4” adapter. And Get one 1-1/4 eyepiece's for planets and one for dso ? Thanks

[rjacks]

Welcome to the astronomy and the C8. You are right - the supplied eyepieces aren't very good. I'm not sure you need to jump right to a 2 inch diagonal and 2 inch eyepieces. That is not the frugal route. I can confirm cookjaiii's recommendation - the 1.25 inch Xcel-LX eyepieces are inexpensive and will provide good views through a C8. Get the 25mm and something around 10mm, and they will last you a while until you decide if/when you want to try some premium eyepieces.

 

BTW, there is an entire eyepiece forum here, and you can learn more than you ever thought possible about eyepieces.

[Bean614]

This was previously asked, but I'll ask also---- Where are you located???

[Labdad]

Erie Pa

[Jethro7]

Hello Labdad,

Congrats on the scope a C8 is a good all around scope. The 2" visual back and Eyepieces upgrade is the way to go. This 2" upgrade is the best thing you can do for your C8. I would recommend a Zoom eyepiece like the Baader Hyperion MkIV 8X24 plus the 2.5X Barlow. I have managed to wear one of these out over the years. With just this one eyepiece and Barlow, you will have your bases covered from 3.2mm to 24mm. That's alot of ground covered with one eyepiece. The Zoom will be very handy when viewing the Moon and Planets, because you will be able to dial in the best magnification that your prevailing Seeing Conditions will allow and this is something that a single focal length eyepiece can not do. Your Seeing Conditions can change from night to night or even while you are out viewing and you can just tweek the Zoomie and your back in business. You can complement the Baader Zoomie with something around a 30mm such as the APM 30mm 70° great for the price or go for the gusto and pick up a TV Nagler 31mm T5. With these two eyepieces and 2.5 X Barlow you will have your bases pretty well  covered. 

 

HAPPY SKIES AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

 

You will need a 2" visual back. Baader makes one of the best.

 

https://www.highpoin...-for-sct-clsc-2

 

https://www.highpoin...with-hyp-barlow

 

https://www.apm-tele...eyepiece-70-fov

[Labdad]

Thanks for the info.

[SeattleScott]

Exactly what C8 do you have? Nexstar? Evolution? The Nexstar doesn’t have much clearance so 2” diagonal and eyepiece can get tight. People do it but you probably want to make sure to get SCT style diagonal and a 2” eyepiece that isn’t too bulbous. The Evolution has more clearance so not a problem.

I would look for something around 40mm, 20mm, 14mm, 10mm and 7mm for an optimal full set. Granted a barlow could be combined with the 14mm to get 7mm and the 20mm to get 10mm. So you could do it with three eyepieces and a barlow.

A 38mm Agena SWA or similar (Orion Q70, Williams Optics 40mm) would work for low power. An ES 20mm 68 degree is a good value pick if you don’t need long ER, as for something around 14mm, there are a number of good options, 13mm Hyperion is mid tier, ES 14mm 82 perhaps a bit better, and then there is the good stuff, 14mm XW, 14mm Morpheus, 14mm Nikon SW, 14mm Delos, 13mm Nagler, etc.

[Labdad]

I have the C8 Evolution. Are these the mm you think I should start with. Looks like some good options, with I am guessing better veiws than my lenses in a box. Thanks

[TRider86]

I recently acquired a C8 Evolution and started buying the Baader Morpheous line of eyepieces. I cannot find a bad review about them and seem be nearly as good as the best eyepieces while being about $80 cheaper than the Televue comparable Delos line. I plan to get all of them but the 4.5 and the 14mm. They are both 1.25 and 2” design and work fine in my Celestron 1.25” diagonal. I plan to get a 2” diagonal eventually but its nice they work in either size without an adapter. I started with the 9mm as I wanted more magnification than the 13mm plossl Celestron provided with the scope but now own the Baader 31mm Aspheric, 17mm and 9mm Baader Morpheus. Really enjoy all 3 so far. Will be adding more soon

Edited by TRider86, 25 September 2023 - 08:27 AM.

[Labdad]

Thanks for the info. 

[BFaucett]

I have the C8 Evolution. Are these the mm you think I should start with. Looks like some good options, with I am guessing better veiws than my lenses in a box. Thanks

 

A book that you may find to be of interest.

 

Cheers! Bob F.

 

 

https://www.amazon.c...uct/1461477220/

 

 

[SeattleScott]

I have the C8 Evolution. Are these the mm you think I should start with. Looks like some good options, with I am guessing better veiws than my lenses in a box. Thanks

Those focal lengths (give or take a mm) and a 2x barlow and you would be good. A 21 Hyperion could be an option if you want more ER while staying around same price range.

[Napp]

Nothing close by. It would be a two hour drive one way. Thanks.

A one hour drive is a very small price for what you could learn.  I recommend you contact the club and see if you can join them for a group observiing event.  Most clubs welcome new folks and are happy to help.  Ask to have members place some of their eyepieces in your scope.  Selecting eyepieces is more than what magnification they provide and how much they cost.  There is also the comfort factor with your eye. 

[SeattleScott]

I recently acquired a C8 Evolution and started buying the Baader Morpheous line of eyepieces. I cannot find a bad review about them and seem be nearly as good as the best eyepieces while being about $80 cheaper than the Televue comparable Delos line. I plan to get all of them but the 4.5 and the 14mm. They are both 1.25 and 2” design and work fine in my Celestron 1.25” diagonal. I plan to get a 2” diagonal eventually but its nice they work in either size without an adapter. I started with the 9mm as I wanted more magnification than the 13mm plossl Celestron provided with the scope but now own the Baader 31mm Aspheric, 17mm and 9mm Baader Morpheus. Really enjoy all 3 so far. Will be adding more soon

The dual barrels are handy as long as you don’t do anything crazy like stack filters or attach a barlow nosepiece for partial magnification. You can do those things but you would need to use 1.25” adapter. And can you be sure you will always remember to use adapter when using a barlow nosepiece? Maybe best just not to go there.

Personally I would want wider for low power at F10, 42LVW, 41 Panoptic, 38 Agena, 36 Hyperion, etc. But you have the 31 so might as well roll with it. I like a 20/21mm like 21 Hyperion which is also dual barrels on paper for hitting the magic 2mm exit pupil at F10 but the 17.5 Morpheus is probably a little better eyepiece. You could have gotten an affordable 2x barlow and 12.5 Morpheus instead of the 9 Morpheus, and then you could barlow the 17.5 to 8.75 and the 12.5 to 6.25 to fill out the range until you could afford to get the 9 and 6.5.

[tturtle]

A big recommendation for a Baader 8-24 zoom. Very high quality optics so views will be sharp and bright with good eye relief but a key here is being able to “dial in” the optimal magnification.  A huge part of visual astronomy is understanding that there is always an ideal magnification which depends on the viewing conditions on any particular night. Too much magnification and the image gets mushy and detail is lost. This is difficult to understand when you are swapping out eyepieces but it becomes very clear when you can just twist the zoom and see the effect instantly.

[Labdad]

Thank you for the advice. I will look into a zoom.

[TRider86]

The dual barrels are handy as long as you don’t do anything crazy like stack filters or attach a barlow nosepiece for partial magnification. You can do those things but you would need to use 1.25” adapter. And can you be sure you will always remember to use adapter when using a barlow nosepiece? Maybe best just not to go there.

Personally I would want wider for low power at F10, 42LVW, 41 Panoptic, 38 Agena, 36 Hyperion, etc. But you have the 31 so might as well roll with it. I like a 20/21mm like 21 Hyperion which is also dual barrels on paper for hitting the magic 2mm exit pupil at F10 but the 17.5 Morpheus is probably a little better eyepiece. You could have gotten an affordable 2x barlow and 12.5 Morpheus instead of the 9 Morpheus, and then you could barlow the 17.5 to 8.75 and the 12.5 to 6.25 to fill out the range until you could afford to get the 9 and 6.5.

I plan to get all the Morpheus except the 4.5 and the 14. 4.5 would be likely too much magnification for the scope but both the 4.5 and 14 are considered the weakest of the Morpheus line. Plan to hopefully get a 22 Nagler and 27mm plossl and some 2” filters to put on a 2” diagonal down the road