Best Wide Eyepice for 10" LX200gps for Messier Galaxies

M. Nagel · Guest

I recently got into astronomy. So far I like it, but not a lot of viewable nights so far. I have a LX200gps 10" f/10 (2500mm fl). I have bought the following eyepieces so far: 8mm TV Radian, 11mm TV Nagler, 14mm UWA Meade 2", and 32mm SWA Meade 2".

I was looking at dropping the cash for a 31mm T5 Nagler and selling my 32mm SWA Meade, but I thought I'd ask for some suggestions from someone with more than a few month of experience like me. I know its a lot of money, but if it has a significant advantage over my 32mm swa Meade, I'd be willing to pay.

Thanks,

Mark Nagel

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5024

Hi

Keep in mind that the actual field of view you get with any eyepiece is a matter of both 1) the magnification (reflected in the focal length) and 2) the apparent field of view. The true or actual field of view, then, is the apparent field of view listed for the eyepiece divided by the magnification that eyepiece gives you in your scope (divide focal length of your scope by focal length of the eyepiece for magnification). So, yes, swapping a 32 SWA with a 67 degree apparent FOV for the 31mm Nagler with an 82 degree apparent FOV gets you a significantly wider true field of view. Just do the math.

There is also a matter of optical quality and that is the x factor. The Nagler is the reference standard for an 82 degree field eyepiece, so, in terms of quality, really nowhere else to go. Great choice.
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