Eyepieces for Orion 120 STPosted By Don French |
Hello all:
My previous telescope experience was a free loaner Celestron C8 with a wide range of University Optics eyepieces and a Celestron Plossl that came with the C8. All were very satisfactory, but due to Parkinsons Disease, I can no longer use such a large package safely.
Just this week I got a used Orion 120 ST (achromatic) and a new Celestron CG5 mount (not GoTo but motorized). It came with a 1.25 diagonal and I have a no-name 40mm 1.25" Plossl from eBay that I like just fine. I have less than $500 into the package so far, and I am already very happy with it.
I will observe Messier objects, planets and the moon, the occasional double star, and enjoy showing telescope views to non-astronomer friends and family, old and young. I am 53 years old with fair eyesight. I will observe a few nights per month at best.
I want to pick the rest of the eyepieces well, rather than willy-nilly. I can allot a budget of about $400 for all diagonals and eyepieces. Some scenarios occur to me, a refractor newbie:
A.: Go 2", get a diagonal, a 25mm, a 15mm and a 2X Barlow for about $100 ea, likely used.
B.: Stick with 1.25", same focal length oculars, maybe get better quality for my $100 each.
C.: Spend much more than $100 per, and get only one or two better components, like a better 2" diagonal and a better 20mm only. (Less magnification options, but better views; may be like putting a $200 saddle on a $25 horse)
I am open to your suggestions, scenarios, experience, help, opinions and lore. Thanks in advance!
Sincerely,
Don French
Tucson, AZ
My previous telescope experience was a free loaner Celestron C8 with a wide range of University Optics eyepieces and a Celestron Plossl that came with the C8. All were very satisfactory, but due to Parkinsons Disease, I can no longer use such a large package safely.
Just this week I got a used Orion 120 ST (achromatic) and a new Celestron CG5 mount (not GoTo but motorized). It came with a 1.25 diagonal and I have a no-name 40mm 1.25" Plossl from eBay that I like just fine. I have less than $500 into the package so far, and I am already very happy with it.
I will observe Messier objects, planets and the moon, the occasional double star, and enjoy showing telescope views to non-astronomer friends and family, old and young. I am 53 years old with fair eyesight. I will observe a few nights per month at best.
I want to pick the rest of the eyepieces well, rather than willy-nilly. I can allot a budget of about $400 for all diagonals and eyepieces. Some scenarios occur to me, a refractor newbie:
A.: Go 2", get a diagonal, a 25mm, a 15mm and a 2X Barlow for about $100 ea, likely used.
B.: Stick with 1.25", same focal length oculars, maybe get better quality for my $100 each.
C.: Spend much more than $100 per, and get only one or two better components, like a better 2" diagonal and a better 20mm only. (Less magnification options, but better views; may be like putting a $200 saddle on a $25 horse)
I am open to your suggestions, scenarios, experience, help, opinions and lore. Thanks in advance!
Sincerely,
Don French
Tucson, AZ
