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Eyepieces & Barlows

What is an eyepiece: A telescope collects the light of faint and/or distant objects and forms a fixed-size image of those objects at the telescope’s prime focus. An eyepiece is simply a small microscope that enlarges a portion of that image so you can see more detail.

The importance of good eyepieces: Every photon of light collected by a telescope passes through an eyepiece before it reaches your eye. That light is therefore afflicted by every optical problem in that eyepiece – and the cheaper the eyepiece, the more problems it is likely to have. A $10 eyepiece will make a $2000 telescope perform like a $10 toy. If your telescope’s eyepieces are the simple two-element designs labeled H (Huygenian), R (Ramsden), or SR (symmetrical Ramsden), they are basically toy eyepieces and should be replaced.

Eyepieces are half of your scope’s optical system, and usually the most complex half. They should be at least the same quality as your scope (preferably better). A good telescope won’t improve a poor eyepiece – but a good eyepiece will get the most out of a so-so scope.

What eyepiece should I get first: When buying your first eyepieces, resist the urge to immediately buy the highest powers possible. Very high powers require experienced observers and excellent seeing conditions (dark, clear, steady skies) to get the most from them. Medium power eyepieces, on the other hand, give good images over a much wider range of seeing conditions.

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  • Original price $239.95 - Original price $239.95
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    Astro-Tech 28mm UWA 82° 2" Eyepiece

    Astro-Tech
    In Stock

    The first time you swap out a standard Plossl for the 28mm UWA, the difference hits you immediately. The field opens up from 50° to 82° — nearly th...

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    Original price $239.95 - Original price $239.95
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    Current price $239.95
  • Original price $69.95 - Original price $69.95
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    Current price $69.95

    Astro-Tech 12mm 1.25" Paradigm Dual ED Eyepiece

    Astro-Tech
    More on the way

    This Astro-Tech 12mm Paradigm Dual ED medium power eyepiece has outstanding performance at a price that will make you wonder why other good quality...

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    Original price $69.95 - Original price $69.95
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    Current price $69.95
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    Astro-Tech 24mm Illuminated Reticle Eyepiece

    Astro-Tech
    In Stock

    The economical Astro-Tech #AT24IL illuminated reticle 1.25" eyepiece helps you align your go-to telescope on the sky, check your polar alignment fo...

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    Original price $69.95 - Original price $69.95
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    Current price $69.95
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    Current price $69.95

    Astro-Tech 5mm 1.25" Paradigm Dual ED Eyepiece

    Astro-Tech
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    This Astro-Tech 5mm Paradigm Dual ED eyepiece is excellent for medium to medium high magnification viewing with short to medium focal length refrac...

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    Original price $69.95 - Original price $69.95
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    Current price $69.95
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    Astro-Tech 8mm 1.25" Paradigm Dual ED Eyepiece

    Astro-Tech
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    This Astro-Tech 8mm Paradigm Dual ED eyepiece is a logical choice for high quality/high magnification observing with long focal length refractors, ...

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    Original price $69.95 - Original price $69.95
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    $69.95
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    Current price $69.95
  • Original price $119.95 - Original price $119.95
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    Current price $119.95

    Astro-Tech 7mm UWA 82° 1.25" Eyepiece

    Astro-Tech
    In Stock

    Seven millimeters is the high-power eyepiece in a 1.25" barrel — the one that turns a 10-inch Dob into a planet machine. At 179x, Jupiter shows clo...

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    Original price $119.95 - Original price $119.95
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    Current price $119.95
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    Astro-Tech 4mm UWA 82° 1.25" Eyepiece

    Astro-Tech
    In Stock

    Four millimeters is the extreme end of useful magnification in a 1.25" eyepiece — the one you reach for when the atmosphere is dead calm and the pl...

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    Current price $119.95
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    $299.95
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    Astro-Tech 20mm 100° Field Waterproof XWA 2" Eyepiece

    Astro-Tech
    In Stock

    Drop this eyepiece into a 12-inch Dobsonian and you'll understand what 100° does to a deep-sky view. The Orion Nebula doesn't just sit in the cente...

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    Astro-Tech 10mm UWA 82° 1.25" Eyepiece

    Astro-Tech
    In Stock

    Ten millimeters splits the difference between deep-sky and planetary magnification — high enough to resolve globular clusters and show structure in...

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    Original price $119.95 - Original price $119.95
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    Astro-Tech 13mm UWA 82° 1.25" Eyepiece

    Astro-Tech
    In Stock

    The 13mm is the transition point — high enough magnification to show real detail in globular clusters and planetary nebulae, low enough to hold a u...

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    Original price $119.95 - Original price $119.95
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    Current price $119.95
  • Original price $69.95 - Original price $69.95
    Original price
    $69.95
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    Current price $69.95

    Astro-Tech 25mm 1.25" Paradigm Dual ED Eyepiece

    Astro-Tech
    Sold Out

    This Astro-Tech 25mm Paradigm Dual ED is an excellent medium to low power eyepiece for encompassing open clusters, picking up detail in emission an...

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    Current price $69.95
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    $69.95
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    Current price $69.95

    Astro-Tech 15mm 1.25" Paradigm Dual ED Eyepiece

    Astro-Tech
    More on the way

    This Astro-Tech 15mm Paradigm Dual ED eyepiece gives you the outstanding medium power performance of a high-priced eyepiece at a price that will ma...

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    Original price $69.95 - Original price $69.95
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    $69.95
    $69.95 - $69.95
    Current price $69.95
  • Original price $119.95 - Original price $119.95
    Original price
    $119.95
    $119.95 - $119.95
    Current price $119.95

    Astro-Tech 16mm UWA 82° 1.25" Eyepiece

    Astro-Tech
    In Stock

    Sixteen millimeters is the all-rounder focal length in a 1.25" barrel. In a 10-inch f/5 Dob, it gives you 78x — high enough to darken the sky backg...

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    Original price $119.95 - Original price $119.95
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    $119.95
    $119.95 - $119.95
    Current price $119.95
  • Original price $69.95 - Original price $69.95
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    $69.95
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    Current price $69.95

    Astro-Tech 3.2mm 1.25" Paradigm Dual ED Eyepiece

    Astro-Tech
    More on the way

    This Astro-Tech 3.2mm Paradigm Dual ED eyepiece is excellent for medium high to high power magnification viewing with short to medium focal length ...

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    Original price $69.95 - Original price $69.95
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    $69.95 - $69.95
    Current price $69.95
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    $69.95
    $69.95 - $69.95
    Current price $69.95

    Astro-Tech 18mm 1.25" Paradigm Dual ED Eyepiece

    Astro-Tech
    In Stock

    This Astro-Tech 18mm Paradigm Dual ED is an excellent medium to medium low power eyepiece for lunar observing, encompassing globular clusters, pick...

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    Original price $69.95 - Original price $69.95
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    Current price $69.95
  • Original price $279.95 - Original price $279.95
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    Current price $279.95

    Astro-Tech 13mm 100° Field Waterproof 1.25"/2" Eyepiece

    Astro-Tech
    In Stock

    Thirteen millimeters is the sweet spot for a lot of telescopes. In a 10-inch f/5 Dobsonian, it gives you 96x — enough magnification to resolve the ...

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    Original price $279.95 - Original price $279.95
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  • Original price $269.99
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    Current price $109.00
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    Explore Scientific 24mm 68° Field Argon-Purged Waterproof 1.25" Eyepiece

    Explore Scientific
    More on the way

    This Explore Scientific 24mm argon-purged eyepiece has a wide 68° field that gives impressively sharp and contrasty medium power images with virtua...

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    Original price $269.99
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    Original price $269.99
    Current price $109.00
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    Save $160.99 Save $0.00
  • Original price $279.95 - Original price $279.95
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    Astro-Tech 7mm 100° Field Waterproof 1.25"/2" Eyepiece

    Astro-Tech
    In Stock

    At 7mm, you're pushing into serious magnification territory. In a 10-inch f/5 Dobsonian, the 7mm XWA delivers 179x — high enough to resolve fine pl...

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    Original price $279.95 - Original price $279.95
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    Current price $279.95
  • Original price $40.00 - Original price $40.00
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    Astro-Tech 25mm 1.25" PF Eyepiece

    Astro-Tech
    Sold Out

    The 32mm Plössl that came with your telescope served you well. You learned the sky with it. But somewhere along the way you noticed: the field is n...

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    Original price $40.00 - Original price $40.00
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    Astro-Tech 4.8mm 110° Field Waterproof 1.25"/2" Eyepiece

    Astro-Tech
    In Stock

    The 4.8mm XWA is the eyepiece you pull out when the atmosphere cooperates and you want to push your scope to its limits. In a 12-inch f/5 Dobsonian...

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    Original price $0.00 - Original price $0.00
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  • Original price $229.99
    Original price $229.99 - Original price $229.99
    Original price $229.99
    Current price $139.00
    $139.00 - $139.00
    Current price $139.00

    Explore Scientific 11mm 82° Field Argon-Purged Waterproof 1.25" Eyepiece

    Explore Scientific
    More on the way

    The "picture window on space" viewing experience of this 82° field Explore Scientific 11mm 1.25" argon-purged eyepiece gives you the magnification ...

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    Original price $229.99
    Original price $229.99 - Original price $229.99
    Original price $229.99
    Current price $139.00
    $139.00 - $139.00
    Current price $139.00
    Save $90.99 Save $0.00
  • Original price $40.00 - Original price $40.00
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    Current price $40.00

    Astro-Tech 5.5mm 1.25" PF Eyepiece

    Astro-Tech
    In Stock

    This Astro-Tech 5.5mm PF series eyepiece has excellent eyerelief and a fantastic flat field to further enhance your viewing pleasure. This Astro-Te...

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    Original price $40.00 - Original price $40.00
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    Current price $40.00
  • Original price $0.00 - Original price $0.00
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    $279.95
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    Current price $279.95

    Astro-Tech 9mm 100° Field Waterproof 1.25"/2" Eyepiece

    Astro-Tech
    In Stock

    Nine millimeters is where the view starts to get serious. In a 10-inch f/5 Dobsonian, it gives you 139x — enough to split tight double stars, pull ...

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    Original price $0.00 - Original price $0.00
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    $279.95
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    Current price $279.95
  • Original price $40.00 - Original price $40.00
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    Astro-Tech 10.5mm 1.25" PF Eyepiece

    Astro-Tech
    In Stock

    This Astro-Tech 10.5mm PF series eyepiece has excellent eyerelief and a fantastic flat field to further enhance your viewing pleasure. This Astro-T...

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    Original price $40.00 - Original price $40.00
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    $40.00 - $40.00
    Current price $40.00

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