TV Powermate

I just got my first 2 inch EP. Thanks to the weather it may be months until I get to use it, up until this past spring I have only had the TV Genesis that even accepted 2" EP's and since I had the TV 40mm plossel in a 1 1/4" I felt no particular rush to get a 2", now that I have a "big" 12" scope I figured it was high time I had a big EP. Now having given a little of the background, I have no intention of switching to premium EP's in the near future, but I think I might like a Powermate 4X. The question revolves around their ability to accept both 2" and 1 1/4" EP's. How well do they perform with the smaller EP's, I assume they do well with the 2" EP's because it looks like thats what they were designed for. The problem is I can't find a decent review. I am thinking the 4x because it would ramp up some of my better EP's.

Dave:

I am not going to comment on the Powermate but rather on the wisdom of the 2 inch Barlow. It looks to me like a lot of money and bulk/weight for something that converts a heavy-bulky long focal length widefield eyepiece into a heavier-bulkier-short focal length widefield eyepiece.

It seems to me, one is smarter spending the money on a shorter focal length widefield eyepiece.

Jon

I think the big issue here is whether you will have a use for the 4X anything in a 12 inch scope. Your Genesis was an extremely high quality refractor with a relatively short focal length. The 12 incher you are getting probably has a very much longer focal length. therefore, with a given eyepiece, you will already get a lot more magnification. I question whether you will be able to use anything but a 40 mm eyepiece with it. I mean, how many times will you ever use a 10 mm eyepiece with a 12 incher--not as often as you might think.

Alex

For visual use Dave, I'd look into the 2.5X Powermate, 2X or 3X Tele Vue Barlow if you wanna go this route. I've never been very fond of barlow but the 2X Tele Vue barlow I have is quite a performer. Otherwise, more eyepieces always help .

Ron B[ee]