Kowa 883 w/Astro EP or 1.6x Ext? (1 Viewer)

[KBHC73]

Hi, Just trying to gain some advice regarding Astro viewing. I have the 25-60x zoom plus the 1.6x extender which i think is around 96x but i'd like to try a bit more power say around 150x. Would i be better off getting another 1.6x to stack or a 2x barlow & an actual astro eyepiece?

Thanks

 

[BoldenEagle]

I use APM XWA 3.5mm astro eyepiece, it gives about 145x magnification with Kowa 883.

APM XWA 3,5 mm 110° Eyepiece

The new, extreme 3.5 mm Wide Angle Eyepiece by APM with 110°.

www.apm-telescopes.net

Fixed focal length astro eyepiece may be cheaper than buying another Kowa 1.6x extender. I have never tried two 1.6x extenders stacked so I can't comment on how these options compare optically. I would presume that at least eyepiece comfort will be better using stacked extenders with 25-60x zoom as it has better eyerelief (XWA 3.5 is not good with eyeglasses). Also ability to zoom out from max magnification is more practical.

I can use the XWA 3.5 without my glasses as the exit pupil is so small, that my astigmatism has no effect anymore. In good conditions it gives nice views of Moon surface, planets too allthough 145x is rather low magnification for them. If your 883 sample is a cherry one, you could probably push even more magnification. I have tried 1.6x with XWA 3.5 resulting in about 230x and it was not useful.

Regards, Juhani

 

[tenex]

Juhani is right, 140x or so can be nice for the Moon but is underwhelming for planets. You should also check local conditions, how often you have good enough seeing to benefit even from that much magnification. I generally don't here.

Eyepieces like Juhani's XWA 3.5 today are quite complex, essentially with a built-in Barlow. You may find you don't have enough room to stack a separate eyepiece plus Barlow and focus to infinity; my Meopta doesn't.