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[Paulie pchris00]

Well, for a guy that's never exactly rolled in dough, I sure picked the wrong hobby. I'm lucky to have the telescopes I already own, the Dob being purchased with a stimulus tax check, and my 4.5" go-to a Christmas gift. Serious telescope upgrades won't be happening anytime soon.

Recently, however, I was able to do some sidework, and have a little bit of cash to spend on my hobby. I have around $250 to play with, but if I go over a little, I can absorb that cost. I'm trying to get the most bang for my buck, but I'm trying to keep it close to $250.

I spent the last couple of days looking around the internet, making a wish list, and then prioritizing that list. Here is what I came up with.


Solar Filter

With the Venus transit next year, I really want to gear up now. This might be my only chance, so a solar filter(s) is a must have. I took a serious look at a white light filter my 6" Dob, but at $119.99, it eats up a lot of my budget.



www.telescope.com/Accessories/Telescope-Eyepiece-Filters/717-ID-Orion-Full-Aperture-Solar-Filter/pc/-1/c/3/sc/48/p/7723.uts


Also, since I want to use my 4.5" go-to for the Venus transit for tracking capability, it doesn't make much sense to outfit the Dob with a white light filter. I didn't find an exact match for the go-to, but I figure one would be in the $80-$100 range.

By default then, I'm opting for a sheet of Baader solar film. I won't be able to go full aperture, but I can make offset filters for both big scopes, and for one of my 60mm refractors. I've seen the Sun with the Baader film, and the views are very good. Bottom line is that I can have three solar scopes for 1/3 the cost of a white light filter for the Dob.

www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=12296&src=goog


Eyepieces and Filters

Here is where decisions get a little tougher. The eyepieces I have are perfectly acceptable, but since I have a limited selection, they all get used at public sessions. I'd like to have a set of decent eyepieces for myself and private observations with other astronomers. I know my budget won't get me anything great, but I'd like a wider selection of magnifications, and with limited use, will be able to keep in good condition. My current eyepieces can be used for public observing.

I don't know how effective filtering will be with only 6" & 4.5" scopes, but I've seen the difference they can make on bigger scopes. It's worth a try. Filters like OIII, Ha, and Hb are a bit too pricey for me right now, but I want to have narrow band colored filters and a neutral density Moon filter in my arsenal.

This is my leading choice at the moment. Orion Premium 1.25" Telescope Accessory Kit



www.telescope.com/Accessories/Telescope-Eyepieces/Orion-125-Premium-Telescope-Accessory-Kit/pc/-1/c/3/sc/47/p/8890.uts

What I like:
5 eyepieces, 6 filters (including Moon filter), and a 2x Barlow

What I don't like:
The 7.5 and 6.3mm eyepieces are pushing very high magnifications on my scopes, possibly past the practical limit most nights. Would rather have something in the 25-32mm range, although with the Barlow, I cold make the 40mm a 20mm.


Next Choice.



www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?CatID=42&ProdID=271

What I like:
Again, 5 EP, 6 filters (with Moon filter), and 2x Barlow.
32mm EP

What I don't like:
Again, I'd like a 20-25mm EP. The 32mm is good, but It leaves me no magnification range between it and the 17mm.


Both the Orion and Celestron premium eyepiece sets run almost $160. I'm comfortable with that.


The last eyepiece/filter option runs a lower total cost, but gives me fewer options of magnifications and filters, and is pieced together, rather than coming together in one nice case.



www.telescope.com/Accessories/Telescope-Eyepieces/Orion-125-Telescope-Accessory-Kit/pc/-1/c/3/sc/47/p/8889.uts

Here we have just two eyepieces, 20mm & 7.5mm, and a 2x Barlow. Included are four filters, Red, blue, yellow, and a Moon filter. No green. I thought the best views of Jupiter this late summer were with a green filter. Of course, that's with the 16", and maybe it won't be as good in smaller aperture, but I'm a little disappointed. Moon filters are cheap and easy to get individually.

This set still leaves me with no low mag options below 20mm. I would need something to complete the set. Below is a used 32mm Plossl, which combined with the 2x Barlow, would give me a nice range of magnifications with only three EP and Barlow, for a total of $130. It competes well with the 5 EP/6 filter sets above. It would also free up a little extra cash for a camera.



agenaastro.com/clearance-gso-32mm-plossl-eyepiece.html


Cameras

I'm not looking for deep sky imaging, or even the greatest lunar & planetary images, but something that will do a decent job. I'm also thinking of something that can be used to collect data and images for the Venus transit. I have three options here, and all can be used to run a live view on my laptop, which is something I'd like to try more of at public star parties in light polluted areas (read Adler).




www.telescope.com/Astrophotography/Astrophotography-Cameras/Orion-StarShoot-Video-Eyepiece-amp-Windows-Capture-Device/pc/-1/c/4/sc/58/p/101459.uts

Haven't looked into this one much yet, but with Night Sky Network capability, it could be promising.




www.telescope.com/Astrophotography/Astrophotography-Cameras/Orion-StarShoot-USB-Eyepiece/pc/-1/c/4/sc/58/p/52173.uts

This is another possibility, especially if I get one of the $160 EP sets.


At the moment though, I'm leaning towards this one, but I would have to compromise on the eyepiece/filter set to try to get my total cost down.



www.telescope.com/Astrophotography/Astrophotography-Cameras/Orion-StarShoot-Solar-System-Color-Imaging-Camera-IV/pc/-1/c/4/sc/58/p/52175.uts

With the StarShoot, I think I would eventually want the focal reducer, especially for lunar viewing and imaging.



www.telescope.com/catalog/search.cmd?form_state=searchForm&keyword=StarShoot+focal+reducer


Any thoughts? I'm itching to pull the trigger, but want to make the best overall decision. Any input (or other suggestions) would be very much appreciated.

[patrickm]

Paulie,
You are SO a solar film guy. Shocked you haven't done that yet.

I think the Orion and Celestron kits don't ship w/25mm EPs because they ship crappy ones with their scopes, so they don't duplicate that.

In the Celestron kit, the 4mm EP is useless. Toss it and use the space for something else. The rest seem to be good Plössls that have kept me happy since I got them. Same for filters. Really though, I end up using the 32mm and 17mm the most and just keep a Barlow. Those with a Barlow and you are good. Though the colored filters are nice, I rarely use them.

Since these are your EPs for personal use, how about:
Low power 40mm $49.95
www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?CatID=36&ProdID=238

A nicer X-cel 25mm $74.95
www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?CatID=105&ProdID=659

and Omni Barlow $47.95
www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?CatID=41&ProdID=268

And you still have $100 left over for a StarShoot or other camera. To me, that's the best bang for the buck. My 2 cents on your 25000 cents.

[magic612]

To build on what Patrick said:

A 32mm is practically indispensable. And I'd argue it's better than a 40mm. Thing is, a 40mm, 1.25" EP has a more restricted FOV, while the 32mm is 52 degrees. It works out to the same telescopic field of view, and with the greater magnification from the 32mm, you get a slightly darker sky background in the same telescope with the same view of the sky, allowing you to see more. I use my 32mm and 25mm EP's a lot.

And one thing that's been problematic for me is that I don't like using Plossls that are shorter than 10mm. I personally have long eyelashes (yes, my wife is actually jealous), and even with a 10, my lashes touch the EP and glass when I'm observing. I've found that I really like the Zhumell Z-Series eyepieces - long eye relief, good views, and only $60 normally (on sale for $50 as I write this). And as much as I thought I would use colored filters, like Patrick, I don't. The benefit is usually very minimal. A yellow and blue 80A filter is probably about all you need, if that. You may even be able to pick up some used ones for very low cost on Astromart or Cloudynights. But that's my personal opinion on filters.

Also, I like the barlow idea that Patrick mentioned. A bit more cumbersome than just swapping out an eyepiece, but a great way to double your entire set of EP focal lengths with one simple accessory. So if you got a 32mm Plossl ($52), a 25mm Plossl ($46), a shorty barlow from Orion ($45) - OR - a Zhumell... 9mm? 6mm?... Z-Series, you'd still be around that $150 mark. Save the $$ on filters and buy those used, and you'll still have some $$ to get some of the other things you mentioned. And if you go the barlow / no Z-Series route, you wind up (effectively) with a 32mm, a 16mm, a 25mm and a 12.5m set of EP's.

Of course, that's just my $0.02 at spending your $250.

[tomlee]

Paulie,

Just in case you don't already know it. Telescopes.com, with the s, has some of the same stuffs you are looking for at Orion's telescope.com but cost less and no minimum for free shipping w/ some exceptions. They also use FedEx which works on Saturday. I order my 1.25 T-adapter on Thursday (just be 5pm) and it came on Saturday. My bill was just $24.99 no tax no shipping no handling. So, it also make sense and allows you to buy twenty bucks at a time w/o multiple or any shipping and handling.

[Paulie pchris00]

Thank you all for the feedback. I'm still leaning towards my initial ideas, but I'm investigating all suggestions. I'm anxious to order, but the more options I explore, the more confident I will be when I finally make my choices.

Barlows and filters were something I never really considered until I started using Conway's 16" scope. I use filters and the 2x Barlow extensively. The filters may not pull out as much detail on my smaller scopes, but I'm willing to give it a try. A Moon filter is almost a must for me. I love lunar observing, at any power, but I don't like going temporarily blind in one eye after viewing a bright Moon.

The comment on S&H is well taken. However, I hate shopping online, and the fewer sources I can order from, the better. I'd rather pay S&H (and maybe even slightly higher prices) than order from unnecessary multiple sources. It's something I need to think about though.

[magic612]

Paulie, if it helps (and I'm thinking of that $99 Orion set up when I say this), I think I may have an extra green filter floating around somewhere that you can have if I can find it. A 20mm EP is not that much different than a 25, and if you then picked up a 32mm EP, you'd have the following effective focal lengths using the barlow:

32mm
20mm
16mm
10mm
7.5mm
(3.75mm - too high for most nights, but on the Moon, you could get away with this)

That way you'd have the Moon filters, a basic filter set up, and a pretty good complement of EP's across a pretty wide range.

[Paulie pchris00]

The green isn't is big deal. In theory, I could thread the blue and yellow filters together. In practice, they don't always thread together well, and can be difficult to unscrew if they're too tight.

I'm still thinking this through. $250 isn't a lot of money, but it's a major investment for me. It'll be the most I've spent on equipment at one time.

[jeremy]

Have you pulled any triggers yet Paulie? Am interested to see what direction you are going. You and I are at similar crossroads. I am interested in the sun filter too, but will probably hold off until early 2012, but I definitely want one in time for the Venus transit. With that said I've been looking at new eyepieces and/or filters too. I have my eye on an 8mm wide view. Been a little frustrated with my 10mm that came with the scope lately, just not much of a wide field of vision.

Look forward to hearing what you go with. I know whatever you get you will get a lot of use out of it!

[magic612]

Paulie - some used filters here:

www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/4774532/page/5/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1

Looks like he hasn't sold the 1.25" ones yet.

[Paulie pchris00]

Oct 25, 2011 12:36:07 GMT -6 magic612 said:

Paulie - some used filters here:

www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/4774532/page/5/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1

Looks like he hasn't sold the 1.25" ones yet.

That's tempting. No decisions made yet. It all comes down to what camera do I want? Or do I even want a camera? (I'm pretty sure I do).

I'll post again when I place an order, or if I need more advice and opinions.

[Paulie pchris00]

You guys gave me too many options here. I like it. ;D

Seriously, even if I don't choose your recommendations, you've all made me expand my thinking, and might save me some cash, Tom especially, which menas I might be able to BUY MORE STUFF.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

On the filters...

I buy filters used for cameras....3/4's cheaper than those marketed for astronomical use.

The 80A & 80B light blue 2" (48mm), filters were about $4.00 a piece- whereas the others were selling at $20.00 +.

Now, I know you use 1.25 eyepieces Paulie, and perhaps filters may not be as easy to find to fit them...but -

I used to use the 4.5" reflector as my main scope for many years, using camera filters quite successfully. What I did, was to place the glass round and square filters, (Conken brand squares), on a homemade holder that I would slip in between the secondary and the focuser inside the tube....and filter the light path just before entering the focuser tube.

Worked great and easy to swap out filters. The holder was secured in place by a small clamp and pinched against the outside rim of the OTA.

I used this for the Mars maddess of a few years back and my visitors were inpressed. Using a orange-yellow filter combined...it brought out the terrestial features nicely and contrasted the ice cap. Better than what the Adler was showing in their 20", I was told often.

[Paulie pchris00]

Thank you all for your advice, both online and in person. My final order looks like I didn't follow anybody's advice, but I looked into everything suggested. You forced me to look around more than I had initially, evaluate my wants and needs better, and I think, make the best purchase I could at this time.

Baader film (visual) has been ordered.

www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=12296&src=goog

So has the Orion eyepiece set.

www.telescope.com/Accessories/Telescope-Eyepieces/Orion-125-Telescope-Accessory-Kit/pc/-1/c/3/sc/47/p/8889.uts

And instead of paying for shipping, with Orion I added an optics cleaning kit for $14.99. (Orders over $100.00 shipping is free). In essence, I'm still paying the shipping charge, but getting something for the money.

www.telescope.com/Accessories/Telescope-Tune-Up/Orion-Optics-Cleaning-Kit/pc/-1/c/3/sc/54/p/5832.uts

I'm going to go over the $250 I planned on spending, but that's okay. I couldn't order the camera today because I'm in the process of changing banks, and withdrew too much cash from the account I'm ordering from. The rest of my order will have to wait until next week when I get my card on my new bank account. I'm not sure yet what camera I'm going to order, but this Celestron 32mm eyepiece is my next purchase.

www.telescopes.com/telescope-eyepieces/125-inch-eyepieces/celestronomniseries114incheyepieces.cfm

Once again, thank you for all your advice. I really do appreciate it.

[patrickm]

Good moves I think. You will enjoy the new eyepieces for sure!! Congrats.

[Paulie pchris00]

EP set and solar film came today. Sorry about the weather.






I still need to order the 32mm EP and camera, but in the meantime I can start making my solar filters. Or start planning to make my solar filters... Active region 1339 would be cool to see while it's still facing us.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Very cool.

And it got that brand new smell too!

When you make your filter holder, document it and share.

[Paulie pchris00]

I don't think I'm going to get around to making my solar filters (3) right away, but when I do, I will document and post it.

The Orion case is much smaller and lighter than I expected. I'm so used to the Celestron 2" set at Conway, which is decent sized, and has some heft to it.

[Paulie pchris00]

I still have not ordered my 32mm EP, and probably won't do it now until after Christmas. The solar filter I am quite happy with. I have had a few chances to play around with the eyepieces and filters, mostly on Luna and Jupiter. I'm rather happy with them, as well. The yellow filter I use when I'm observing the Sun with my solar filter to give the disk a little pizzazz. The neutral density filter makes a wonderful difference on the Moon, as does the blue filter. The blue and yellow are okay on Jupiter, but I'm not so sure about the red.

The 20mm EP gives the Moon a little more kick than my 25mm, while still a wide enough field to fit the entire lunar disk. Throwing the Barlow (effective 10mm focal length) on it gives a better view than my 9mm, with a wider field, and better eye relief. I may never use my 9mm for private observing again. The 7.5mm EP is pretty good on Jovian views, and is outstanding on the Moon, even in less than ideal seeing. Viewing the Moon with the 7.5mm + Barlow was surprisingly good, pushing 320x magnification on my Dob. The details aren't as sharp, but aren't too bad, enough to really look around like Jack Schmidt among the rubble. I was finding small features, then dropping the magnification down to observe it again, with a smaller, but more crisp image. I can't wait to get my 32mm, and find out what it can do.

[magic612]

The Moon can withstand some pretty ridiculous magnifications. I've pushed an old Tasco 76mm refractor to 300x (that's 100x per inch!), and it was still pretty clear and crisp. I think you'll really appreciate a 32mm eyepiece when you get it - suddenly you start looking for some of those larger clusters and objects that you really couldn't "quite" fit before - the Pleiades, Alpha Persei Cluster, M31, etc. And you can fit multiple other objects in there sometimes too, like M95 and M96 in the same field with most small scopes.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

One year, While at the Chinatown site, C.A. Bill and I were throwing insane magnifications at the Moon in his 10" Dob at the time.

Single mm eyepieces stacked with Barlows.

Insane I tell you.

[magic612]

The Moon is about the only object I've been able to do that kind of magnification per inch.

On a related note (and I don't know why I didnt' think of this long ago!), but Meade has good deals on some of their colored and other filters at the outlet store. I realize you're probably all set now Paulie, but I figured in case you or anyone else might be interested - $9 for a colored filter is pretty good.

www.shopatron.com/products/category/1323.0.1.1.57212.56.0.0.0?pp=8&pg=3

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Dave...

I like that Violet filter.

Downsides are that it's only in the 1.25" size and shipping is $8.00.

But...very tempted.