New Meade Telescope Eyepiece

[namakota]

Well, I goofed up and lost one of my two new eyepieces to my new 114mm Reflector. A 1.25" 25mm MA. Not only did I lose it I found the pieces of it where the local Condo grounds crew ran over it with a lawn mower.

So I'm in the market for a few new eyepieces to replace it and get a couple of more.

Right now I am looking at Meade's 8-24mm Zoom eyepiece for $219.95 or their complete kit of the 4000 Each Series 4000 Set Includes:

6. 4mm Super Plssl Eyepiece

9. 7mm Super Plssl Eyepiece

12. 4mm Super Plssl Eyepiece 15mm Super Plssl Eyepiece 32mm Super Plssl Eyepiece 40mm Super Plssl Eyepiece 2x Barlow Lens (#126) Aluminum Hard Carry Case Color Filter Set #1 (yellow/red/green/blue) Moon Filter They also have a 5000 Series basically the same but it's about $299 or $399 I think. Yes, I know I only have a inexpensive scope now, but I plan on having a 8-10" Meade 10 Inch LX200R Advanced Ritchey-Chretien UHTC Coating within 12-15 months and plan on using the same eyepieces with it.

Any comments, favorite eyepiece companies/brands/builds would be appreciated for a new guy. (New now, I was very active 20+ years ago but work and family got in the way, now retired and on disability I have lots of times on my hands.)

[philip d]

My favorite tho abit expensive eyepiece is a Televue Nagler, can sometimes get these used at an attractive price example astromart.. Even on the simple Dob XT8 received nice Martian views w/exceptiona skys, have wider view at the higher mag end as well as excellent optics... Normally run near or over $200 plus dollars, but used 1/2 not uncommon and a bargain purchase...

[admin]

I would avoid the Zoom Eps. A few quality Eps to cover the same range (8,15,24) is better. That set also has a fair amount of overlap too. I suspect you would end up with a few Eps that don't get used. With the barlow, I only use 3 Eps for my viewing. They are all mid quality (Antares) Eps and will one day be replaced with high quality Naglers or such. My next EP will be a 2" 40mm for Nebula viewing.

I would recommend 2 or 3 Eps (Meade are a nice mid-quality EP) that work well with your surviving EP and a barlow. Once you upgrade the scope you can then upgrade the Eps as the wife lets you. Don't spend your money on upgrading the Eps until the scope is done.

O o <-That's my 2 cents anyhoo