1 reply to this topic

[FredinZona]

Am just starting out in astro gazing.

 

I have a Vortex Gen1 85mm spotting scope.  

Most spotting scope zooms are a bit notorious about poor resolution above 30-40x due to eyepieces.  I can see the rings of Saturn at 60x but are a bit fuzzy.

Am hoping something like the delos would change that.

 

My Vortex Gen1 will accept Swaro ATS eyepieces. Users who have bought the 25-55x eyepiece have noted significant improvement-- but at $550.
My experience with this scope with a 30x fixed lens from Burris is that the fixed is spectacular compared with the Vortex variable.

I would rather invest in a fixed power lens like the delos 6mm or 8mm that could later be used in a real astro scope. 

 

The Vortex has a focal length of 454mm. 8mm would thus give me about 60x in the spotting scope. 6mm would give me about 75x. 

As I understand it, 60x is about max for light gathering with a 85mm objective lenses; or would a 6mm eyepiece that gives about 75X be max for 85mm objective???

 

Have been advised that 60x would also allow me to see the ice caps of Mars.... which would be great until I get into a real astro scope.

 

Sorry, if I've jumped around. I'm excited to see if I can get better views out of the scope and later use the eyepiece for astro viewing with a real astro scope.
Advice is very much appreciated.  

Edited by FredinZona, 25 March 2025 - 02:19 PM.

[12BH7]

I wouldn't push the power too much with that scope. It's not a matter of magnification per inch aperture, but the resolution of that aperture. I would stick to lower magnifications. The Panoptics work very well in those scopes and can be used on better scopes later on. 

 

Get a 19mm or 24mm Panoptic which can be used on a really good scope when you get one.