[birdazzLED]

I've been wanting to look through something with more power. I couldn't really afford a real spotting scope without making some sacrifices. I came across a Meade ETX70 at a thrift store for $29 and it seemed reasonable. It only came with a 9mm eyepiece but I am surprised at the wide angle it seems to provide. I did order a used prism so left and right will be corrected.

Are there any eyepieces that can be recommended for this scope? Or, did I buy a piece of junk? I won't feel bad at $29 if I did.

[TheThing]

The ETX is a good scope! It is especially good with GOTO capabilities on the night sky.

As it is a fairly fast scope, you'll have some good views with it.

For excellent EPs, I have found that BSTs (sometimes called Paradigms) are very good I use a set with an ETX 80 and a fast newtonian.

You could spend a lot of hyperions, but the BSTs are just as good at a cheaper price.

[birdazzLED]

Unfortunately, I don't have the controller - nor did it come with a tripod. All that was included is that one eyepiece. Thanks for the recommendations. I'm off to find a BST bargain.

[birdazzLED]

Wow, they're sort of expensive. Twice that what I spent on the whole scope. It seems the BST is a little more than the Paradigm.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=...iece&_osacat=0

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=paradigm+eyepiece

I need to figure out how to translate from millimeters. I have a 9MM. I have no idea how much magnification that equates to in "power"

[looksharp65]

If the scope's focal length is 350 mm and the eyepiece a 9 mm, the magnification will be 350/9 = 39x.
I still have a 12 mm BST Explorer which is a wonderful eyepiece especially at the price point. It's from the time when I used a Pentax 65 mm scope, it gave 32.5x magnification which was perfect. Now and then I use it with my C90 Mak, where it gives 104x magnification. It is easy to look into and despite the somewhat short eye relief, I can use it with spectacles.

With the ETX-70, if it's one like this:
http://www.pk3.org/Astro/index.htm?s...de_etx70at.htm it would give 29x magnification, which is a very good allround magnification.

//L

[woodhornbirder]

`I did order a used prism so left and right will be corrected. `

big differnce in quality between erecting prisms....some are awful...be warned.

decent one is the williams optics erecting prism, for ~$60. however on non ed scope, ur gonna get colour aberation anyway....

BST Explorer Dual ED eyepiece...try astromart for those.

[birdazzLED]

Thanks guys. I ordered the stock prism (used) for this scope. I notice the diameter of light is much smaller through the prism. There is some sort of lens leading to the prism it appears.

I'm curious about what was said at that website:

It would be also useful if Meade provided 6mm eyepiece instead of 4mm

I suppose that much magnification would be impractical for terrestrial views though. I wonder why mine was supplied with a 9mm..

Would a Dual ED eyepiece be effective on a non ED scope?