27 replies to this topic

[Rcr0027]

Recently I came I purchased a 8 in dob on FB Market place with basic eye pieces. I have  had a blast with it looking at Jupiter and Saturn and finding andromeda was frustrating and then rewarding after searching for so long haha. 

 

I have a few questions, 

 

1) Are expensive eyepieces going to let me see a better picture or will quality remain relatively the same?

(I understand field of view and eye relief, but will it actually enhance the image at all)

 

2) if they are actually going to knock my socks off is there any relatively inexpensive eyepieces I should order, i have 7.5 mm 9 mm and like a 22mm (not sure about the last one)

 

3)Will color filters actually do that much and if so where or what should I order I currently own only 1.25 in eyepieces

 

Really what I am asking is how can I best use my telescope, I love searching and scanning the night sky and would love to just enhance the image if at all possible. I really enjoy the 22 ish mm eyepiece, but would love to know if I can better utilize this wonderful scope, to the best of its abilities and see more of Nebulae and the andromeda as well as the awe inspiring planets!

 

Thank you!

Edited by Rcr0027, 05 February 2025 - 10:43 AM.

[City Kid]

I seriously doubt if expensive eyepieces will knock your socks off. If you can afford expensive eyepieces then by all means have at it. I own expensive eyepieces and I like them. But I suggest starting with cheaper eyepieces until you figure out what you like and want.

[Migwan]

Interesting question, but virtually impossible to answer with any certainty without knowing the particulars on the scope and eye pieces that you have.  Higher magnifications generally give  more details on planets,if the seeing is up to it.  A wider low power view can enhance the visible extent of m31 and bring M110 into the same view, if the sky is dark and transparency  up to it. Basically uncertain conditions equate to uncertain answers.

Edited by Migwan, 05 February 2025 - 11:10 AM.

[daveb2022]

I'd start off with a good intro into astronomy book.

 

I wouldn't worry about expensive EPs yet. Find mid-range EPs that are comfortable to use. I would start off with a typical 7-21mm or 8 to 24mm Zoom. It's something that always fits anybody's EP kits. Find a decent 2x Barlow to operated at higher powers. I'm assuming your dob can except 2" EP's with the adapter removed. A good 2" 28-35mm wide field EP should be on your list.

 

While my Baader and Televue zoom EP's are considered pretty good EP's, it is difficult to see too much of a difference and for the price is something to consider before going down the rabbit hole.

 

I use specific filters, but rarely use the typical color filters. YMMV there. You might find a neutral density filter for toning down the moon helpful. If you want to purchase a more (IMO) useful filter, consider the Baader Moon and Skyglow to help with planets/moon. But Just a zoom and a good wide field long focal length EP will go a long way and not break the bank.

Edited by daveb2022, 05 February 2025 - 11:14 AM.

[zleonis]

Hello, and welcome to Cloudy Nights. I have a similar telescope and I love it!

 

1) In the center of the field of view, cheap eyepieces and expensive eyepieces will be pretty similar. Expensive eyepieces might have better images towards the edge of the field, or a wider apparent field of view, or more eye relief. But if you got the fanciest 7.5mm eyepiece in the world, you probably wouldn't see any additional details in Jupiter for example.

 

2) You might appreciate an eyepiece with low magnification and a wide field of view for searching and scanning. The GSO Superview 30mm (~$75) eyepiece is decent especially if you're not too picky about distorted-looking stars at the edge of the field. There are other options at that focal length, ranging from a couple to several hundred dollars that you could consider as well (I have the Explore Scientific 82 degree field of view 30mm eyepiece which has great views, although it's heavy and eye relief could be a little tight for some).

 

3) I haven't used color filters. There are some threads about using them for planetary observing and some people find them subtly helpful. I have a narrowband filters (which only let through specific wavelengths associated with certain nebulae) and it shows substantially more detail in a handful of objects (and makes a subtle difference in many more). Useful filters are somewhat costly ($150+) and a bit logistically complicated if you're screwing in a filter in the dark, so while they can certainly be useful, there's plenty to see without them and no rush in my opinion. 

[vtornado]

It would help if you described the basic eyepieces.  Are they plossls?  What are their focal lengths?

 

Plossls are quite sharp eyepieces.  For a budget, you will not find anything that is sharper. This assumes they are "reasonable" plossls and not bottom of the barrel varieties.  Or maybe they are cheap kellners.

 

However, ... you can get a wider field of view at the same magnification, and you can increase the eye relief of short focal length plossls.  60 degree eyepieces are still affordable and offer these features.  Look at the astro-tech dual ed eyepieces, svbony 68 degree eyepieces, or celestron xcel-lx.  Since these "budget" eyepieces not every focal length in the series is good, so do research.

 

Does your telescope have a two inch focuser?  A two inch eyepiece is in another league of enhancing the view due to its much larger field of view.   A two inch eyepiece may have made it easier to hunt down andromeda.

 

If this is an 8 inch f/6 dob (1200mm focal length).  My most used eyepiece for moon an planets is around 6mm.  You can get a 6mm eyepiece.  a svbony 7-21 zoom, (6 element version) or reach that with a 12mm eyepiece and 2x barlow.

 

color filters have very limited use.  Most of the simple wratten filters are too dark.  The best enhancement I have found for Jupiter/Mars is a Moon & Skyglow filter.  I have a cheap one and it does well.   Another cheap filter that helps is a #82 light blue filter.

[SeattleScott]

Premium eyepieces are noticeably sharper than the very cheapest, lowest quality eyepieces. If you have something as sharp as a $40 Plossl though, there will be little difference in contrast/details. Wider view, more comfortable, yes. But if you want to dramatically enhance the image, you either need 12” or more of aperture ($$), a night vision device ($$$), or a camera of some sort ($-$$$). Your scope isn’t really suited for a camera, so you would be looking at something more standalone like a Seestar.

[sevenofnine]

Welcome to C/N! 

 

Like others have said so far, I'd wait on purchasing more equipment. Buy only as needed once you determine what you don't like about some of the equipment you already have. For instance, I really hate the tiny eye lens in high powered plossl eyepieces. The feeling I have about them is common so eyepiece designers came up with models that eliminate it but at a cost of course. Even a basic improvement is twice the price and correcting other image problems might be 3 or 4 times as much. So, the best thing to do is get a good astronomy guide book that will help you make decisions. The authors of this one discuss all of the latest equipment and how it's used. They also give basic astronomy lessons. Best of luck to you! 

 

https://www.amazon.c...,aps,376&sr=8-1.

[JoeFaz]

For high power, I would consider the Svbony SV215 3-8mm zoom. I got it not expecting much, and now I have a hard time justifying spending money on a premium high power EP. It's one real pitfall is the very tight eye-relief, but if that isn't a problem for you it's a really enjoyable EP. I almost never use the 3mm setting, and 4mm only occasionally, but it's ease of use and near-parfocality make it perfect for dialing in the "best" magnification on high power objects.

 

For medium-low power, Astronomics's (Cloudy Nights host) Astro-tech UWA series are awesome for the price. I'm sure the high-power EPs in the series and the XWA series are great too, I just don't own any.

[Rcr0027]

Thank you all for your replies helped me understand I have a lot more research to do! For anyone still wanting to give advice, my budget is around 100$ lower is better although I am a big proponent of buying once. The telescope is an Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Focal length of 1200 mm, focal ratio of F/ 5.9 and has a 2 in focuser. I believe the eye pieces are plossls which came with a Meade 80etx that I recieved for free that unfortunately toppled over and is unusable, incredibly sad. From what I have gathered, eye pieces really just help with ease and enjoyability of use and not so much the actual image quality. I would like a wider field of view with high zoom, are the eye pieces that zoom actually that good?  

Edited by Rcr0027, 05 February 2025 - 03:31 PM.

[vtornado]

The svbony 7-21 zoom is plossl quality from the 7-14mm range.  (6 element version).  Eye relief is better.   After 14mm the apparent field of view of the zoom starts falling behind a similar focal length plossl.

[Dave Mitsky]

You may want to get a 2" widefield eyepiece to maximize the true field of view of your Dob.  However, eyepiece astigmatism will be present in low cost 5-lens-element designs.  If you can live with somewhat distorted stars near the edge of the field, something like a 32mm Agena SWA or a 34mm Svbony might be a good choice.

https://agenaastro.c...a-eyepiece.html

https://www.svbony.c...scope-eyepiece/
 

[EsaT]

...and finding andromeda was frustrating...

 

...i have 7.5 mm 9 mm and like a 22mm (not sure about the last one)

That last one sounds more like standard 25mm Plössl/what ever old narrow view design commonly bundled with Dobsons to make finding deep sky objects unnecessary hard and to make you unable to fit Pleiades into view.

While 25mm Plössl is well working eyepiece for shorter focal length telescopes, in 1200mm focal length Dobson it just becomes too narrow for low magnification wide views.
 

2" wide view eyepiece would make finding objects lot easier.

Guess 26mm Svbony SWA could be the lowest budget option depending on where you live. (factors like import taxes... or Trump)

GSO 30mm SuperView would be available from US.

 

Both are basically starter level ones and don't compete in image quality of outer field in f/6, but just having that wider view would make finding deep sky objects easier.

 

For those other eyepieces would have to know what they are (any markings on them?) but pretty likely they're similarly older design.

Which in this case of shorter focal lengths means short eye relief forcing you to cram your eye very close.

Modern eyepiece designs could improve ergonomics lot with longer eye relief.

[Mike Q]

With that scope i would probably be looking at the Astro Tech 82 degree line.  They run about a hundred a pop and seem to have a good reputation.

[Japetus Eye]

Thank you all for your replies helped me understand I have a lot more research to do! For anyone still wanting to give advice, my budget is around 100$ lower is better although I am a big proponent of buying once. The telescope is an Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Focal length of 1200 mm, focal ratio of F/ 5.9 and has a 2 in focuser. I believe the eye pieces are plossls which came with a Meade 80etx that I recieved for free that unfortunately toppled over and is unusable, incredibly sad. From what I have gathered, eye pieces really just help with ease and enjoyability of use and not so much the actual image quality. I would like a wider field of view with high zoom, are the eye pieces that zoom actually that good?  

I think that rather than being "very good", zoom eyepieces could be defined as being very comfortable, as they allow you to change the magnification without having to change eyepieces and, in most cases, by making only slight adjustments in focus (what is called parfocality or almost-parfocality). It does not mean that zoom eyepieces do not offer quality views, but in the budget range that you suggest, the view cannot be equivalent throughout the focal range to that of eyepieces that, one alone, can already cost the same as the zoom, or more. Even so, the main handicap of zoom eyepieces is usually the field of view they provide, generally narrower than that of most fixed focal length eyepieces. This, in addition, in most zoom eyepieces is reduced as the focal length increases; that is, unlike conventional eyepieces, the field is narrower at low magnification and somewhat wider at higher magnification.

 

For my part, I can speak for the SvBony SV215 zoom eyepiece (3-8mm). It is a so-called "planetary" eyepiece, in other words, it is designed for observing planets, but also the Moon, the Sun (always with the appropriate aperture filter on your optical tube), small galaxies, globular clusters, planetary nebulae, etc. Personally I am very happy with it, I think it has a great quality/price ratio, it is mechanically fine, and it is practically parfocal. I use it very frequently, and that is very important, that is the great virtue of zoom eyepieces, which can end up being your favorite eyepieces... even if they are not the ones that offer you the greatest excellence in the quality of the view. This is the case of this eyepiece. If I compare its views with those given to me by the Baader Classic 6 and 10mm orthoscopics, the views of these are clearly cleaner and sharper throughout the field of view. However, another good virtue of this particular zoom is its fixed expanded field of view of around 56º.

[SeattleScott]

There are zooms with wide views at high magnification, but they are way above your budget.

For $100 you can get a typical narrow zoom with decent edge correction. It won’t necessarily be better than your existing eyepieces, but it will be more flexible. Less eyepiece swapping.

For $120 you can get ultrawide eyepieces, but now you are back to buying individual focal lengths and swapping eyepieces.

In general, zooms are narrower than fixed eyepieces, and typically not quite as good optically. They are often preferred by casual observers, who are more focused on ease of use than swapping out eyepieces to get the best possible view. They are also popular with beginners who want a cheap way to cover multiple focal lengths while they gauge interest in the hobby.

[gw_dra]

I have the same scope, and I use two eyepieces with it. One is the SVbony 7-21mm zoom, which I use mainly for high magnification. If the seeing is good and I really want to push the magnification for planets or the Moon, I'll use the zoom with a 2x barlow lens. The other eyepiece is a 32mm plossl that I use for lower magnification views. Both are quite cheap, the zoom was about $50 and the plossl $20-30. Personally, I've been quite content with them and haven't felt much of a pressing need to spend hundreds of dollars on something fancy. Eventually I might talk myself into getting one nice 2" eyepiece, but again, I get plenty of enjoyment with just the basic eyepieces.

 

I will say that for higher magnifications the zoom is far more comfortable to use than something like a 6-7mm plossl due to the eye relief, since you don't have to jam your eyeball right up into it to see the field of view.

[SeattleScott]

Honestly, the most important thing that would enhance your views, if you don't already have one, is a collimation tool.

[Pierre C]

For less than $100, I found the Celestron X-Cel LX to be a delightful step up in image sharpness, brightness, contrast and field of view compared to standard Celestron Plossls. I found this difference to be more noticeable on my newish refractor than my old reflector. So, I think the potential benefits of higher quality eyepieces may partly depend on the type of telescope and whether the rest of the telescope is in a good enough condition to take advantage of the optical improvements.

Edited by Pierre C, 06 February 2025 - 12:32 AM.

[EsaT]

I found this difference to be more noticeable on my newish refractor than my old reflector. So, I think the potential benefits of higher quality eyepieces may partly depend on the type of telescope

Your newer telescope propably has shorter focal ratio.

"Faster" (photography term)/ shorter focal ratio telescopes are more demanding for the design/overall quality of the eyepiece.

Shorter focal length per aperture causes wider, faster converging cone of light with light rays arriving into eyepiece in higher angles from normal:

https://www.popastro.com/focal-ratio/

That makes aberrations of the eyepiece more visible and no doubt also various reflections.

And is why eyepiece doing well in f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain can just "fall apart" in f/5.

[The Ardent]

Here’s a suggestion to the OP: 

 

Invite all your friends from the astronomy club over to your house for an eyepiece party. Provide coffee and snacks the they bring various eyepieces for you to try and compare.

 

Nights of the first quarter moon work good for this. 

[Inkie]

Recently I came I purchased a 8 in dob on FB Market place with basic eye pieces. I have  had a blast with it looking at Jupiter and Saturn and finding andromeda was frustrating and then rewarding after searching for so long haha. 

 

I have a few questions, 

 

1) Are expensive eyepieces going to let me see a better picture or will quality remain relatively the same?

 

Yes, depending on the eyepiece we agree to purchase, but as SeattleScott sez, a collimation tool will do a lot of that as well.  Dobs need to be collimated occasionally, and you don't really know if what you can see is only because it isn't/needs to be collimated. Learn how to collimate it, perform that function, and once you know for a fact that you have your optics well dialed-in, see how your eyepieces work.  Might be quite a bit better, in which case you can slow down, and back off of, the urgency to spend more money on eyepieces until you can figure out, with some learning, which one(s) you could really use.

 

(I understand field of view and eye relief, but will it actually enhance the image at all)

 

Eye relief is only how far back from the top glass on the eyepiece you can put your eye.  If you wear glasses, you want about 18-25 mm ideally, depending on your eyes' recession into your sockets from your nose and forehead, and also your glasses. Field of view is ideally somewhat wider than, say, 65 deg, but some find anything wider than 82 deg to be intrusive, almost off-putting.  Try for an eyepiece with a AFOV between those two numbers.  Maybe this: https://astronomics....2-1-25-eyepiece

 

2) if they are actually going to knock my socks off is there any relatively inexpensive eyepieces I should order, i have 7.5 mm 9 mm and like a 22mm (not sure about the last one)

 

Knock your sox off is not possible unless we are in your brain and know what you have experienced and what you expect/hope from the purchase.  Also, as I have explained, unless you collimate that scope..........

 

Our hosts, Astronomics, have a nice line of eyepieces that, with some flexibility, you can manage.  If you would like only one, and it should be a one and done, no looking back, you would want something between 10 and 17 mm, probably 12...which almost all of us have, at least one.  I have three, two Morpheus for my binoviewer, and a large 2" Explore Scientific which so many people like on this forum who have/had one.   It's a heavy eyepiece, and large, though.  And about seven times your budget, depending on the retailer. 

 

3)Will color filters actually do that much and if so where or what should I order I currently own only 1.25 in eyepieces

 

Most of us find that one or two carefully selected filters can really help.  They come for light polluted areas, but some say they're a waste for that.  Some us blue filters on Jupiter to help with contrast to see the bands better. Or, for faint nebulae, filters like oxygen or H-alpha, or just high-contrast/narrow band filters.  The good ones aren't cheap, just so you know.  Although, it seems that SvBony is making a determined incursion into the market, so do your research.

 

Really what I am asking is how can I best use my telescope, I love searching and scanning the night sky and would love to just enhance the image if at all possible. I really enjoy the 22 ish mm eyepiece, but would love to know if I can better utilize this wonderful scope, to the best of its abilities and see more of Nebulae and the andromeda as well as the awe inspiring planets!

 

Answered.  Learn how to manage the scope, including maintenance, how to slew it and find things in the sky, learn the sky itself, and then, at some point, you'll just know it's time to get out the plastic and plunk it down for a couple of nice eyepieces.  Be patient, do your homework, and wait for the sales that happen.  BTW, in case it is of the least bit of interest to you at this point, in view of your stated budget, if you want premium eyepieces, it will cost at least $250, depending on their scarcity and popularity, and some of them go for much, much more....thousands.  Look at the Pentax XW line, Baader Planetarium Morpheus line....they are less costly than the Televue and other fancy ones, including the Explore Scientific. some of which appear to be outrageously priced. 

 

Thank you!

Edited by Inkie, 06 February 2025 - 01:21 PM.

[northernmike]

Recently I came I purchased a 8 in dob on FB Market place with basic eye pieces. I have had a blast with it looking at Jupiter and Saturn and finding andromeda was frustrating and then






rewarding after searching for so long haha.

I have a few questions,

1) Are expensive eyepieces going to let me see a better picture or will quality remain relatively the same?


(I understand field of view and eye relief, but will it actually enhance the image at all)

2) if they are actually going to knock my socks off is there any relatively inexpensive eyepieces I should order, i have 7.5 mm 9 mm and like a 22mm (not sure about the last one)

3)Will color filters actually do that much and if so where or what should I order I currently own only 1.25 in eyepieces

Really what I am asking is how can I best use my telescope, I love searching and scanning the night sky and would love to just enhance the image if at all possible. I really enjoy the 22 ish mm eyepiece, but would love to know if I can better utilize this wonderful scope, to the best of its abilities and see more of Nebulae and the andromeda as well as the awe inspiring planets!

Thank you!

You remind me of myself 1 1/2 years ago . I had bought an Orion 130mm relector and didn't like the EQ mount , which is in my opinion the worst telescope a newbie could buy. After reading comments and looking at some videos, espacialy the one buy Ed Thing , I ended up buying a second scope , the "best beginner" scope an 8" dob.
And when I posted the same question here , that you are posting , some said:"another one with EP fever"😅 and they where probably right.But I wanted new Eps!! So I went ahead and bought the 4 set of Svbony goldline 20,15,9 and 6 mm. Those EPs served me well untill recentely , 66° AFOV and far better than the original "super plossl" that came with the scope.Some said that the 15 mm was the most useless of the series and it ended up beeing my favorite , so make your own opinion , different eyes , different situations
My suggestions?
1- buy yourself a good starting Book , like the one I bought, "Turn left at Orion" and learn the sky constellation , using a pair of ordinary 7x35 binoculars.
2- if you have the "urge" to buy new EPs, remember that you can use the original 25 and 10 mm from your scope . So if you want to fill the gap , instead of buying the goldline like I did , go for the red line , 68° AFOV , a little bit more than the goldline and chose the 15 and 6 mm only. The 6 will serve you well for planetary and moon close up. The 15 will give you a close up of the targets you will find with the 25 mm or just skip it and use your 10 mm.
Stick with those for a few months before upgrading to anything else.
After that , you will go for a 24 mm 68° Explore Scientific like I did and so on...

Clear skies and good luck with your new toy!

Edited by northernmike, 06 February 2025 - 09:14 AM.

[Dave Mitsky]

1) Are expensive eyepieces going to let me see a better picture or will quality remain relatively the same?

(I understand field of view and eye relief, but will it actually enhance the image at all)

2) if they are actually going to knock my socks off is there any relatively inexpensive eyepieces I should order, i have 7.5 mm 9 mm and like a 22mm (not sure about the last one)

3)Will color filters actually do that much and if so where or what should I order I currently own only 1.25 in eyepieces

1) Unless there is a major defect, an inexpensive eyepiece is likely to produce a similar image on-axis as an expensive one, especially in slow (high focal ratio) telescopes.  Towards the field edge is an entirely different proposition, if it's an inexpensive wide-field eyepiece operating in a fast telescope.

 

2) I assume that what you have are Plössls. 

The Astro-Tech Dual ED Paradigms have a larger apparent field of view of 60 degrees and greater eye relief than shorter focal length Plössls.

https://astronomics....ndor=Astro-Tech

The Celestron X-Cel LXs have similar specs but are more expensive.  One of the astronomy clubs to which I belong has a set of them and I find them to be good performers.

https://astronomics....endor=Celestron

The Astro-Tech UWAs have 82-degree apparent fields of view but limited eye relief.

https://astronomics....=Astro-Tech UWA

I wouldn't count on any eyepiece knocking your socks off, however.  

3) I find color filters to be particularly useful on Mars, especially with larger apertures, but the Red Planet, which reached opposition in January, is shrinking rapidly in apparent size now.  My favorite is the CCM30 magenta, which is difficult to find, followed by Wratten #21 (orange) and Wratten 80A (blue).  A blue filter can help to enhance Jupiter's GRS somewhat.

 

[WISDOC]

 Welcome to C/N.  It was suggested above to get the Svbony 7 - 21 zoom. That is Svbony SV135. I grabbed one to try zooms out and find it to be a nice eyepiece. Viewing the planets and moon with it is fun. It is a lot like plossl eyepieces however. Smallish fov and eye relief gets tight. But it has surprisingly clear views. I think I'll get the Svbony 3 - 8 zoom also.

  I have been using the eyepieces that came with my 10" f/4.9 Apertura. As I decide more what I want from eyepieces I will get Specific fixed focal lenght eyepieces.

 As stated above get collimation tools and practice with 'em. Good collimation goes a very long way towards great views. You picked a good first scope. Now get it set up right and see how many of the 15,000 targets you can find with it.

  For nebula viewing I bought an Astronomik UHC filter. Love it ! What was faint almost there or barely there is for me clearly viisble now. O III filter is next. Oh get yourself a good 1.25" barlow. It will make a difference. A couple choice eyepieces can become a full set coupled with a barlow.

  Clear skies and keep looking up. Doc