Comparing ....

Status
Not open for further replies.
R

raven2490

Guest
I have a 6" reflector d=150 f=1400 I hope this is enuff for u to have an idea to know what I mean lol ...I was looking at the mead ETX-70AT and the ETX-90EC... Should I keep what I have or are those 2 meads an upgrade ?
 
T

tfwthom

Guest
Depends on what you are looking for. The Meades are more portable, the scope you have now gathers more light so you will see dimmer objects.<br /><br />The ETX90 has 282 sq inches of mirror, the one you have now has 471 sq inches of mirror. The more mirror the more light gathering. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1" color="#3366ff">www.siriuslookers.org</font> </div>
 
R

raven2490

Guest
I really Don't need it for travel it's for home and what I'm really looking for it to be able to see the planets slightly bigger than what I can see now ...any suggestions will be appreciated and thank u all for replying to my post <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />
 
N

nevers

Guest
Like Thom and TaaP said: the 6" will certainly grab more light. But...on the other hand (and I'm not sure what kind of mount you have for the 6"), with the 'scopes you are thinking about you will probably be able to add more power to the planets because of a steadier view the "GoTo" tracking offers as opposed to manually tracking something at high power. Manually tracking usually causes the 'scope to bounce around degrading the image. I'd go with the 90 though. Just a thought...
 
R

raven2490

Guest
Eye pieces ... how much does that come into play when ur stargazing? which one's are better ? .... any input will help .. and I wanna thank every 1 that has taken time to respond .. you guys r great <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />
 
N

nevers

Guest
It's like anything...you get what you pay for. Can you afford a TeleVue? Me neither, that's why I drive a Ford when I'd rather have a Cadillac. (Not really but it sounded good!) For me, the price difference between "designer" & "generic" EP's isn't worth it. They both get from point A to B. The difference I've noticed is mostly around the edges of the Field of View. If your trying to view planets your probably not going to be concerned with the wide-angle EP's. (Oh, if your main concern for the new 'scope is planets, you should have plenty of time before making a purchase. Jupiter is getting too low for really good viewing and that's about it for a couple more months at least). Any Sirius Plossl should do you fine. I have an "ED" EP that is ok. It puts a nice color to Jupiter and Saturn: one that's not quite so bright and is pleasing to the eye. As I've said, I'm a huge fan of Orion (the constellation too!) and I only have Orion EP's. So, I might be biased. I've seen through some Antares EP's which were also nice. Other then that, only TeleVue's that belonged to Thom. My favorite for the planets (Jupiter and Saturn) is an Orion Highlight Series 7.5mm EP. My most used is the Expanse Series 20mm.<br /><br />At one point I thought high power EP's are what I wanted. As time has gone by I've realized most of the objects available to a something like a 10" 'scope and below are best viewed at normal to wide-angle. Very few objects can take high power and anything more then a 15mm is beyond the focusing ability of most focusers and require nearly perfect sky conditions. Those EP's will hardly ever get used unless your really into the Moon or splitting double stars. That's my 2 cents worth...<br /><br />Your welcome for the input, hope it helps some.
 
R

raven2490

Guest
My question about eye pieces.... <br /><br />I have a 25 mm plossl (hope i typed that correctly lol) and does the 30 mm let u see objects in space more clearly ? ... what do the expensive eye pieces have over the rest ? .. I'm sorry about the way im asking these questions but I'm very eager to learn about this subject as well as a newbie <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />
 
N

nevers

Guest
Not to worry about the questions. It was not so long ago I had my own that were thankfully answered here at SDC. I still consider myself a newbie: I'm just fortunate to have met some great people and am able to afford some of the more modest equipment.<br /><br />The EP: 30mm may, in a way, allow you to see more clearly. I'm not sure how to explain it, but some objects are more diffused then others: their light is spead thin so to speak. By using a 30mm EP, you are spreading the light less then with a 25mm and it will look more defined against the black backdrop of space. Also, a 30mm EP will give you a bigger Field of View which some objects require to see the whole thing: Like Pleiades or the Double Cluster. To me, objects like these and many others look more pleasing to the eye with the dark backdrop around them.<br /><br />As far as the more expensive EP's: Hmmm...I have little experience with them as they are too expensive. From what I've seen, it is that they give the stars around the edges of the FOV a more flatter appearance and not so round and distorted. Some of the more affordable EP's, in some 'scopes have a slight "Fish-Eye" view. It's not horribly bad but it is noticable.<br /><br />Hope that helps somewhat...ask anything you like.
 
R

raven2490

Guest
So is it safe to say that the higher the mm per EP the best quality you will get ? because if thats the case i'll run and get a 40 mm rather than a 30 lol
 
T

tfwthom

Guest
Lets put it this way....the longer the focal length, the lower the power, the larger the field of view. <br /><br />Quality has nothing to do with focal length. Quality is from the manufacture. (I swear by TeleVue) You need to "test drive" eyepieces and the best way is going to star parties with other observers and trying other eyepieces. Not all eyepieces perform the same way in all scopes. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1" color="#3366ff">www.siriuslookers.org</font> </div>
 
R

raven2490

Guest
I bought a 40 mm plosl tested it out and objects look slightly smaller than the 25 mm but much clearer .. can't wait for tonight to see what jupiter looks like now .. but looks like clouds r rollin in ughhhh <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts