Eyepieces section for SCT owners?

[Peacemakeresq]

I am. Thinking about splurging and buying a Televue 8mm Delos, or a 3.5mm Delos, not at the same time. I also might just buy a Meade MWA 5 mm. I bought the Celestron 6.3 focal reducer because I hope to start doing some Astrophotography. I have not mounted it yet. The scope is mounted on a Celestron EQ wedge.

[Lady Fraktor]

The Baader Planetarium zoom eyepiece is one of the best available.
Choice for use is individual as some people like them and others do not.
I do not care for them as the FOV always works backwards in them then the difference between high and low power FOV with the Badder is the smallest of those available.
I prefer individual focal lengths with minimal elements.

As your telescope has a long focal length what a TV can bring to the view may be a very tiny difference. I would encourage you to try one before buying it.
Though they pretty much put up excellent views in any telescope you would appreciate them more in a shorter focal ratio telescope.

[Peacemakeresq]

Point taken, but one reason I was considering the TV is because I am going to mount my 6.3 focal reducer. Do you think it might be worth it then? This COVID situation is making it impossible to meet with others to almost anything, let alone star gaze. I am waiting for the pandemic to resolve so I can find a local group that meets regularly. In this moment it’s virtual reality for all, so here we are.

[Lady Fraktor]

With the cost of the TV I would hold off for a while more.
The eyepiece will work well regardless but another of 1/2 the price may give you the same view.
Top grade eyepieces give you subtle advantages over regular eyepieces so that extra 5% may or may not be worth the cost.

[Peacemakeresq]

Thanks, Do you have an opinion on the Meade MWAs. I purchased 2 from Amazon the 15mm and the 21mm. I like them, but what do I know? I am thinking about the Meade MWA 5mm, on Amazon for $169.00. It is a 1.25 EP but I have an adapter. I have been unable to find a thoughtful professional review on these EPS. Thanks in advance.

[Lady Fraktor]

I have not used these eyepieces so unfortunately cannot help there.
Perhaps contact member Bigzmey as I know he has used various Meade eyepieces with his SCTs, perhaps he has used a focal reducer as well.

[Peacemakeresq]

Thanks, will do.

[Bigzmey]

I am. Thinking about splurging and buying a Televue 8mm Delos, or a 3.5mm Delos, not at the same time. I also might just buy a Meade MWA 5 mm. I bought the Celestron 6.3 focal reducer because I hope to start doing some Astrophotography. I have not mounted it yet. The scope is mounted on a Celestron EQ wedge.

If you don't ware/observe with eyeglasses on, I would recommend Meade UWA 5000 82 deg or Explorer scientific 82 deg EPs over Meade MWA. Meade UWA and ES82 are good quality and more economical alternatives to Delos.

If you can afford Delos, I would go with Pentax XW instead.

After playing for years with EPs, reducers and barlows, my favorite EP set for SCT consists of Pentax XW 10, 14 and 20mm and Baader Aspheric 36mm, no reducer. Before that I have used for years a mix of Meade UWA/ES82, so I know they work well in SCT, but not as well as Pentax XW.

[Bigzmey]

Point taken, but one reason I was considering the TV is because I am going to mount my 6.3 focal reducer. Do you think it might be worth it then? This COVID situation is making it impossible to meet with others to almost anything, let alone star gaze. I am waiting for the pandemic to resolve so I can find a local group that meets regularly. In this moment it’s virtual reality for all, so here we are.

This arrangement will work but you will add a few extra glass elements into the optical train for no good reason. Without reducer your EP range for SCT is ~10 mm to ~40 mm. It is relatively easy to make a good performing EP in this range.

Below 7 mm it gets trickier and EP designers have to add additional glass to keep longer eye relief and control aberrations. So, if you use the reducer your lowest EP will be ~6 mm (or as you indicated it could be ~3-4mm for Moon and doubles). Thus, you first add 4 glass elements from reducer and then use 3-6mm EP (with extra glass elements) to compensate for reducer. Extra glass with potential light transmission and contrast loss with no good reason.

[Lady Fraktor]

I would second the Pentax eyepieces as well, they are exceptional performers.