Expert: Tom Whiting - 1/29/2009

Question
Dear Tom:

I just got a tube for Meade's little compact beginner telescope, with 60 mm focal length. My scope came used without eyepieces, so I need to get an eyepiece.

I plan to use my scope for terrestrial viewing (I like birds) and for routine Moon and other common objects night viewing.

I ask for your advice in a good eyepiece to buy. I don't want to get anything with high magnification, as this is not only not a good idea in a beginner scope, but also
I dislike having such a narrow field of view. I prefer my field to be very rich. I know with a simple beginner scope that I'll hit diminishing returns if I get too fancy an eyepiece, as the rest of the scope will not live up to it.
I just want something to give me some "spotting scope" type advantages, using an economical eyepiece.

So I'm hunting for guidance on what kind of eyepiece might achieve my goal (it's a 1.25" setting), and any brands if you have any to recommend.

Thanks, Robert

Answer
Hi Robert,
I am not familar with that scope (perhaps all experts Paul Wagner
is as telescopes are his specialty...he actually builds them
whereas I don't).
Well, here is the deal on eyepieces and what I do...I always buy
the best (Naglers and Meade ultra-widefields) because when I upgrade
and sell a scope, I don't sell the eyepieces...they are extra.
And since both 1.25 inch and 2 inch eyepieces are compatable with
all astronomical scopes, most astronomers always keep their personal
eyepieces, and just sell the scope. And use the same eyepieces on your brand new and bigger, scope.   We all do it that way.
Oh, if the buyer asks about it, I might throw in a low priced Kellner or cheap orthoscopic 1.25 inch eyepiece with the scope, but
NEVER one of my 2 inch diameter eyepieces that I paid hundreds of
dollars for.

In your case, since it's 1.25 inch you are after, I would recommend
the Sirius Plossl from Orion Telescopes...the 40 mm for only $49.95
and Orion is currently having a 20% off sale, see
www.Oriontelescopes.com

This gives you a 52 degree apparent FOV, low power with correspondingly large real FOV, and they are pretty decent high quality eyepieces for astronomy work too....which demands the highest
quality, as compared to non-point source terrestrial objects.
So assuming your scope is ground and figured to the minimum 1/4
wavelenth of light, the Plossl eyepiece will do a nice job on the
night sky, assuming your telescope (and I know nothing about the
newer Meade brands) also meets those strict requirements.
Hope this helps,
Clear Skies,
Tom Whiting
Erie, PA