18 replies to this topic

[Universe XY]

I just bought one & jumping the gun but I need to find more lens other than the 26mm this orig came with.

 

Guy through in an old 4 & 9mm. Maybe they are good & more likely they are not.

 

https://www.cloudyni...138/?p=13935566

 

 

I suppose these came with the series 4000 Meade? Do these mak's need special lens or will those that work on refractors work?

 

Well, I just bought a Meade 2X Triplet Barlow #140. This will increase the 26mm from about 40X to 90X?

 

Then I can get one more lens when I find on & essentially have 4 magnifications. It's sort of an APO. It should I hope work.

 

15mm probably would be a good 2nd lens & cover the capability of that scope?

 

 

Edited by Universe XY, 29 January 2025 - 12:13 AM.

[AstroPhotog]

Welcome, while waiting for recomendations here you'll find a wealth of info on the ETX - http://www.weasner.com/etx/menu.html

 

Yes, it came with a series 4000, and no the ETX does not need any special EPs. Mine has worked with every EP I've used on it.

 

Have fun

Edited by AstroPhotog, 28 January 2025 - 04:07 PM.

[eyespy]

Hi XY,

 

Any 1.25” eyepieces will work. My ETX 90mm MAK’s have focal lengths of 1250mm and a 23mm eye piece would yield a power of 54x and 108x with a 2x Barlow. How did you arrive at 40x and 90x ? When I acquired mine in 1996, I purchased a full set of the Meade 40000 eyepieces and all worked very well.

 

Enjoy your new scope.

 

Doug…..

[Universe XY]

I read it on an old manual that came with the ETX.. It's sort of blurry but that's what it looked like...

 

says 26.. 42X with 2X 96X

 

https://www.cloudyni...138/?p=13935701

[eyespy]

Yup. Sorry, but I calculated based on the mentioned 23mm eyepiece. You will enjoy that scope. After nearly 29 years, mine is still in mint condition and the mirror coatings are still as new !!!

 

Doug…..

[VA3DSO]

I recently bought a set of inexpensive Celestron Plössls and they are a great value for the money - at least in the longer focal lengths. You could pick up the 15mm or 12mm to compliment your 26mm. 

 

https://astronomics....lo&_ss=e&_v=1.0

 

If you want to spend a bit more money, maybe look at Astronomics’ Paradigm eyepieces. They are wider than the Plössls with better eye relief - but they cost more. Most would say its worth it.

 

https://astronomics....gm&_ss=e&_v=1.0

[dan_h]

I read it on an old manual that came with the ETX.. It's sort of blurry but that's what it looked like...

 

says 26.. 42X with 2X 96X

 

https://www.cloudyni...138/?p=13935701

If you already have a 26mm, then a 15mm is probably not the best choice for a second eyepiece. 

 

The 26mm in the 2X Barlow is effectively a 13mm so rather close to a 15mm.    I would consider adding maybe a 17mm to provide four choices of 26, 17, 13, and 8.5mm.    There won't be many times when you will be able to use the highest magnifications so no need to go too short on eyepiece focal length.

 

dan 

[VA3DSO]

If you already have a 26mm, then a 15mm is probably not the best choice for a second eyepiece. 

 

The 26mm in the 2X Barlow is effectively a 13mm so rather close to a 15mm.    I would consider adding maybe a 17mm to provide four choices of 26, 17, 13, and 8.5mm.    There won't be many times when you will be able to use the highest magnifications so no need to go too short on eyepiece focal length.

 

dan 

Good point! I forgot about the Barlow.

[SeattleScott]

The 4mm won't be useful with a Mak. 

 

The 3x barlow looks like it has no business being used in any respectable telescope.

 

The 9mm is poor quality but it could get you by for now. Maks aren't picky about eyepieces.

 

Your max useful magnification will likely be about a 7-8mm eyepiece.

Edited by SeattleScott, 28 January 2025 - 05:47 PM.

[jrmacl]

I just bought one & jumping the gun but I need to find more lens other than the 26mm this orig came with.

 

Guy through in an old 4 & 9mm. Maybe they are good & more likely they are not.

 

https://www.cloudyni...138/?p=13935566

 

 

I suppose these came with the series 4000 Meade? Do these mak's need special lens or will those that work on refractors work?

 

Well, I just bought a Meade 2X Triplet Barlow #140. This will increase the 23mm from about 40X to 90X?

 

Then I can get one more lens when I find on & essentially have 4 magnifications. It's sort of an APO. It should I hope work.

 

15mm probably would be a good 2nd lens & cover the capability of that scope?

Meade 2X Barlow.JPG

 

 

The very best bang for the buck starter eyepiece would be a Svbony SV135 7mm-21mm Zoom then get a SV131 32mm Plossl for your widest low power that maxes out your field of view or right now for the same price get a SV207 30 SPL (Super Plossl) that many like better. Zoom plus low power plus 2X Barlow which you have makes a perfect starter kit.

By the way, you know you can unscrew the lens cell on the bottom of your Barlow and screw it directly to the bottom of your eyepiece for 1.5X magnification, right?

[SeattleScott]

The very best bang for the buck starter eyepiece would be a Svbony SV135 7mm-21mm Zoom then get a SV131 32mm Plossl for your widest low power that maxes out your field of view or right now for the same price get a SV207 30 SPL (Super Plossl) that many like better. Zoom plus low power plus 2X Barlow which you have makes a perfect starter kit.
By the way, you know you can unscrew the lens cell on the bottom of your Barlow and screw it directly to the bottom of your eyepiece for 1.5X magnification, right?

There is zero need for a barlow, even partial, with a 7-21 zoom and a Mak Cass.

The zoom isn’t a bad suggestion, but SVBONY has a few models named SV135.

[jrmacl]

There is zero need for a barlow, even partial, with a 7-21 zoom and a Mak Cass.

The zoom isn’t a bad suggestion, but SVBONY has a few models named SV135.

yeah svbony be lame like that, for clarity get the SV135 7mm - 21mm zoom that has 6 elements in 4 groups that runs for about $49.99, I got it last month for about $40, it's just alright, nothing special, but I feel it makes a great starter ep and is kinda fun to use. The Barlow can be used 1.5X or 2X in the 32mm for wider mid power views than the zoom can get you, for instance screw the 1.5X in a 32mm to make it a 24mm. I'm not sure if it's wider at the 16mm than 2X plus 32mm

 

i guess if his 26mm is ok then yeah he doesn't need the Barlow, and I'm not real sure why he made that his first purchase, I would not have bought it

Edited by jrmacl, 28 January 2025 - 10:04 PM.

[Universe XY]

Thanks!!! 

 

I'll rethink the 14-15mm. I guess it's true I essentially have a 13 with the 2X so I don't need another lens so close.

Thing is if 7mm would be maxing out the scope than a 14mm would be a 7mm.

 

A 16mm would take it down to 8mm

 

So then I would have more range

26, 16, 13, & 8mm...???

 

I am checking out lenses but I know so little.

I had my eye on a 14mm ortho so guess that's no good but I like the wide glass on this lens.

 

The scope was an impulse buy as it looked like the Questar & it's compact.

I think a nice refractor on a great equatorial mount would be easier to fine tune. This one looks like a bear.

 

It's my first scope so I'm learning.

 

Thanks Guys!

Edited by Universe XY, 28 January 2025 - 11:26 PM.

[jrmacl]

btw Universe XY, I've been using a C8 for about 25 years and I just bought that SV135 Zoom, the SV131 32mm Plossl and the 2X Barlow last month for less money than I paid for 1 Televue Plossl 25 years ago, about $80. I finally upgraded my stock 25mm SMA with the 32mm and just like I thought, I wasn't missing much so I don't know if that should be a high priority. And yeah like SeattleScott said, you prolly didn't need that Barlow, although I think he thought it was a 3X which would make for some pretty small exit pupils in your f13.8 mak, I've the 70mm ETX and was thinking you had a f5 at first. But that zoom is pretty fun and would help you learn what your seeing will allow as far as choosing fixed length high power eyepieces

Edited by jrmacl, 28 January 2025 - 11:49 PM.

[Universe XY]

Yup. Sorry, but I calculated based on the mentioned 23mm eyepiece. You will enjoy that scope. After nearly 29 years, mine is still in mint condition and the mirror coatings are still as new !!!

 

Doug…..

Sorry, that was my fault...did I write 23mm? Just have my head swimming with numbers. It's the 26mm that came with the scope.

You have to buy the other lenses,

[Universe XY]

Good point! I forgot about the Barlow.

I bought the Barlow because I saw it first, it was Meade & seemed to be a better quality. Also a last minute epay find hrs. before auction so had to scramble to research if it was ok.

Figured it would get me from 26mm to 13mm so was useful. It was $33 so not bad.

 

I should hold off on lenses for now. I have 1250/26 =48x TO 96x so that should cover me while I figure the rest out,

Edited by Universe XY, 29 January 2025 - 12:33 AM.

[Universe XY]

I grabbed a Circle Y edscorp zoom. 8.4mm -21mm

 

I am intigued with a zoom & it might be the way to start scoping the skies.

 

Fed Ex has ran off w the ETX 90 that was supposed to be delivered today.

 

Bored I bought a zoom lens. Likely from 60's.

 

I can return it if it's not good. 

 

Specs

 

https://www.cloudyni...case/?p=2496195

[Universe XY]

Glamour shot of the Meade 140...Looks like a good Japan chrome barrel marked one. Appears to be in Exc cond. Are these about 20 years old or more?

 

Looks like a keeper though untested.

 

Really just need a 32mm now as the Edcorp zoom if it works covers about 8 to 21mm & hopefully makes learning easier.

My desire is deep space. I know I have the wrong scope coming for that but it's a good learning scope.

 

Edited by Universe XY, 01 February 2025 - 06:16 PM.

[Universe XY]

Many have mentioned that the Meade #126 2X T Barlow was made for the ETX as it take a short barlow & the #140 is a long barlow.

 

I probably will be getting or looking to get a faster 80mm ~ D80 F 480 F6

 

Will the #140 work in that or does that also require a shorty barlow?

 

What would work with the #140 as I don't know if I should keep it if I can;t use it.

 

 

As per the 4000 ser  #126 recommended with the ETX 90 how can you tell it apart from the #124 if they don't come in a box & have the part number.

They both are looking the same.

 

Really not sure if I should go the barlow route if the Meade #126 is going to degrade the view.

 

Would it be better for going with a dedicated say 9.7mm Meade 4000 plossl for it as it was intended?

 

Want to get some more Power for this scope but not sure where I am going.

 

I do have a old Edscorp 8.4-21mm zoom that will be delivered today. If that turns out to be a working good model then I would really be set for lens!!!

 

Sighs...I get ahead of myself...Thanks