Zoom or Fixed

grahamxx

If anybody could offer their opinion I would be pleased. I am very new at this.

I have seen that you can purchase a variable zoom eyepiece. They seem to have range from about 8mm to 24mm. Are these any good. I suspect their may be a trade off in quality but if they are reasonably good I think it would be very useful. I do realise I may need to pop a fixed one in to get the best view but their does seem to be a lot of searching before settling on final subject. A zoom would seem to make that easier, well hopefully!

I have Startravel 102 SynScan AZ GOTO 102mm Refractor. I am not sure how good the eyepieces that come with it are but they are 10mm and 22mm.

Although I have managed to see moons of Jupiter and Saturns rings I did think the quality would have been better.

I never noticed how many people have security lights. I think my neighbour must have a 1500w lamp in his that seems to be aimed at my back garden.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. I am happy to spend money if it will improve things.

Thank you
Graham

djbozz

I use a range of fixed eyepieces ranging from 4mm to 25mm wide angle, there are a few good zoom eyepieces out there, i imagine it saves taking lots of stuff everytime you go gazing :-*

grahamxx

Thanks djbozz
It's the sort of thing I would like to try before you buy! But thats not gonna happen.

Anybody got one/ used one?

Graham

karl

pm sent :D

RayGil

I use a SkyWatcher 7-21mm Zoom eyepiece all the time, very good, and it even works viewing the solar limb using the PST Hydrogen Alpha scope.

Ray

grahamxx

Thanks Guys

Think my mind is made up. Time to get my flexible friend out.

Graham

karl

or you could pay with a card lol ;;)

grahamxx

I tried my 7-21mm zoom eyepiece last night. Very nice it was to. Don't regret buying it. Thanks for the advise from all.

Now...my telescope. Having trouble seeing any M items. Am I hoping for to much. I have the skywatcher 102mm Goto. Its a nice piece of kit but I think maybe an 8" would have been a better buy. H'mmm how to I explain that to my dear wife.

Graham

karl

You know you need this Graham just tell her your saving money in the long run lol

grahamxx

Karl
I see you have had quite a few scopes. What did you finally settle on or is final not the right word for you, should I say current? lol.

Looking at peoples posts and opinions + any photo's they tweet I really wish I had gone for an 8" reflector. When I look at Saturn with my 102" I can see the separation between planet and rings but it is tiny. I would at least like to see the gap in the rings.

At the moment I feel the SkyWatcher 200p would be ideal but then there is the question of mount! A 200p is not to prohibitive on cost but add the mount it quite a lot.

Still not meaning to moan on about it. I am really enjoying watching it all go on above me and using the iPad star walk app I can find my way around quite well.

Let me know what you use if you get a moment.

Graham

karl

Hi Graham i have 8" skywatcher dob S/H from Ebay and a sykwatcher 127mak from new
Loads of bins from 10x25 upto 20x80 celestrons and are my favs.

I have 2 mounts, 2 tripods, dslr camrea, and a lot of time on my hands.
The dobsonian is very good for views but no good for camrea work and takes up a lot of room when not in use
i use the mak127 most because it's nice and small but you get good veiws with it.
i love the 20x80 celestrons but only with the tripod.
Im saving up for a Sky-Watcher Skymax-180 PRO
it helps if you have an understanding wife lol

karl

Hi Graham download stellarium from www.stellarium.org/ fantastic bit of kit and it's free.

grahamxx

Hi Karl
Just downloading Stellarium as I type this!

Thanks for taking the type to list everything. I might have a look at E-bay

My wife does understand me...thats the problem...she understands me very very well. :)
Graham

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