Improving the High-Power Performance of the ShortTube 80

Abstract

When you first order up a ShortTube 80, chances are that it will come with a couple of basic eyepieces, usually a 25-mm low power unit and a 10-mm high power unit per ocular. Although these eyepieces will certainly get you started and show you many wonderful things through your telescope, one of the best ways of improving the images in the telescope is to upgrade these eyepieces to ones that offer better performance. But that does not mean that you have to rush out and buy a bunch of expensive Nagler eyepieces or their equivalent. These days, there are many excellent eyepieces that can deliver top-notch performance, some of which we have discussed in a previous chapter. Better eyepieces will deliver better optical corrections, both on axis and off axis, and their superior coatings will also likely deliver superior contrast on the Moon, planets, and a veritable pantheon of fainter deep sky objects. Nor do you need a whole suite of eyepieces, just three well-chosen oculars and a Barlow lens will cover all options, from low power to very high power.