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Beginner question about Meade 26mm plossl

Started by docdavidb, 09/11/2008 11:54PM
Posted 09/11/2008 11:54PM Opening Post
Hello all. I'm not sure if this should be posted on the beginners forum or here, but: I recently came into possession of a little celestron C90 spotting scope. It came with nice photographic tripod, an erect image diagonal, but no eyepieces. I ordered a mirror diagonal and borrowed some older Meade achromatic eyepieces from a friend (25mm and 9mm)and promptly started viewing the moon and Jupiter. Now hooked, I purchased a Celestron C8, (from a fellow astromarter) which will be picked up this weekend.

Along the way I purchased(from yet another fellow astromarter) a Meade 26mm plossl eyepiece. Now, finally to my question: The older 25mm achromatic (hope this is the correct term) provides an easy full field view with my eyeglasses in place. The 26mm plossl presents a situation (with the c90) in which it is impossible to view an edge to edge field wearing eyeglasses. Even with the rubber eye cup folded back. I notice that the lense element closest to the eye is recessed in this plossl eyepiece about 1/4" from the end of the eyepiece.

OK, now finally the question: Is the low eye relief a result of my C90, or am I to expect this same difficulty with the C8?

And now for some astronomical heresy, I am prepared to remove the lense elements from the 26mm plossl and chuck up the tube in the lathe and machine off the recessed portion of this eyepiece so that I can view with my eyeglasses on. I would appreciate any comments on this idea.

Surely I am not the only one to suffer such indignity at the hands of eyeglasses. Any help is greatly appreciated.

David B
Posted 09/12/2008 12:05AM #1
I would sell the Meade and buy a 28 mm RKE. If you mess with an eyepiece the resale value becomes nil. The RKE has plenty of eye relief and I feel is a better eyepiece. Good luck.