To begin with, I would suggest you also post your query to the Yahoo LX200 GPS group.You will get a million suggestions! Also they can help you with any questions/problems you may have. And you will have questions! You have on order the equivalent of the Lamborghini of telescopes. Buy the way, Meade is now guessing June for a start of shipping on the 14".

First of all do remember that your scope is only as good as the optics. This very much includes the eyepieces you choose to use. The Meade Super Plossl 4000 series you are getting is a very good start. From there you may want to think about getting a wide-field or three such as offered by TeleVue or the Antares Speer-Walers. These will give you the feel that you a part of the panorama you are taking in; commonly refered to as a "space-walk." You mention getting a Barlow. A good Barlow is great. While a poor one is terrible. Spend the extra money and shoot for a TeleVue for around $100. If you start at the top, you won't end up with a box full of "pretty good" lenses.

As the 14" is f/10 and thus has a rather narrow field of view, you might consider getting a focal reducer/field flattener. Both Meade and Celestron make these and either work on your scope with virtualy identical results. What these do is reduce your focal length to f/6.3 - giving you a wider field of view as well as reducing the magification. In effect you will have 2 telescopes! These cost $130. Buy the one on sale.

The list goes on and on! Do check out the Yahoo group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LX200GPS/

I hope Godot arrives soon!

Dave

• Good advice. - danieldgj - April 8, 2003 - 04:08 UTC