Re: Eyepiece quality

"AB" <mail@xxxxxxxx> wrote in news:ELqdnY5PzNlwINHZRVnyhw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx:

I read that there are quality eyepieces and crappy eyepieces - is this
a symptom of a crappy eyepiece or would this generally happen on many
scopes. Maybe its just one of those things that I may get used to with
experience?

Very much so, it seems. As another newbie, and having recently gone
through much the same decision making as you - lots of reading of
magazines and talking to friends - I actually have two scopes - a
StarBlast, which is what I decided to buy after much deliberation; and a
SkyLux, which I contemplated before buying the StarBlast, then picked up
a month or so later as a eBay bargain - 30 quid, secondhand.

The StarBlast is a lovely little reflector scope, and I suspect might be
what you are looking for. It comes on either a short dob mount, which
needs you to place the scope on a table or similar for practical use; or
for a few quid more, it is now available on an EQ mount and tripod. I
decided to go for the dob, as it makes for leisurely viewing. Also I
figured, I could always add an EQ mount later, if needed, whereas the
dob mount that came with the scope could not have been purchased
separately.

The Skylux was a gamble - it was a very inexpensive refractor, on a
cheap (but perfectly usable) EQ mount. When I first used it, I was a
little disappointed - the 20mm eyepiece wasn't bad (nor was it
particularly good), but the 6mm was almost impossible to use, unless my
eye was exactly positioned.

Then I decided to try the eyepieces that came with the StarBlast in the
Skylux, and realised it is actually a decent scope, but with very cheap
eyepieces.

As a result, I am very pleased with both of my purchases. I am using the
StarBlast at the moment, simply for cruising around and finding my way
around. However, the SkyLux will be perfect if I want to start
experimenting with photography (oh, I can feel my wallet emptying as I
type).

I haven;t decided on which make or model of scope to buy yet but I
think it will be a compact reflector for storage and portability
reasons.

Google on StarBlast, and see what you think about it. It is certainly
compact, and regarding portability, can be carried with one hand. It is
also not unattractive, and is currently serving as a conversation piece
in my conservatory (which, being unheated, also means the scope is ready
for use at any time).

I paid just under 150 quid for mine, but there are several UK dealers
selling it.
--
Chris
Minstrel's Hall of Filk - http://www.filklore.com/
Filklore Music Store - http://www.filklore.co.uk/
To contact me, please use form at http://www.filklore.com/contact.phtml
.

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