Orion 08890 1.25-Inch Premium Telescope Accessory Kit (silver)

As a beginner to a telescope, I knew I would want more than just the 25mm eyepiece (EP) that came with my 8" Orion Dobsonian. This kit from Orion is the PERFECT fit for someone like me. The planetary and moon filters, along with the various magnifications from the multiple eyepieces give you a lot of versatility. The 40mm EP is great for wide views and helping make the first identification of your observation target.As the focal lengths decrease and magnification increases, the exit pupil (size of the hole you're looking into) also decreases on these EPs. As an eyeglasses wearer, I can only go down to the 17mm EP with my glasses on. the 6.3, 7.3 and 10mm EPs have short enough eye relief that I must remove my glasses. Fortunately for me, my glasses are mostly for reading, so I can still get crisp enough views without my glasses. If you wear glasses and cannot see well without them, this kit might not be a good fit.The EPs are not par focal, you will need to make small focal adjustments with each change. This is not a big deal, but worth mentioning. The filters can be a tad tricky to get started into the EPs at times, but also not a big deal. The case is wonderful and everything is well protected.Of course, with more money, you can get par focal EPs that do not require refocusing with each EP change. You can get EPs with wider apparent fields of view, which show more width at a given magnification. You can get EPs with larger exit pupils / more eye relief, so that you can comfortably wear your eye glasses even with short focal length, high magnification EPs. All of these things do cost much more money, which is why I find this kit a great value for a beginner.After using this kit, I have a better idea of what EPs I would like to upgrade to in the future. At the present, this kit is very functional in its own right and gives me the versatility that I want now. For the money, this is truly the best option for a beginner.

I purchased this kit for a few reasons; carrying case which includes extra room, an array of colored filters, and the range of eye pieces and the barlow lens. Overall, for what I use it for, it is an excellent little set. There are also reasons not to buy this set as there are much better eye pieces out there. It really comes down to budget and what you are looking to accomplish. I use this set for some of my easily transportable telescopes and cheaper telescopes. For what you get in this kit, it really is a good price.You may not use all the eye pieces in this kit either depending on you eyes, and everyone is different. Now, I have excellent vision so I don't have any issues with using the smaller focal lengths with the poor eye relief. This may not be the case for you. You also need to educate yourself with the laws of physics and how you use correct eye pieces for what you want to view. Also, look at forums and/or go to a telescope store and learn from some of the masters in the business. Ultimately, only you can decide if this kit is going to work for you, but again for what I use it for it works out great for me.

Used all lenses, wow how fun. Lots of options and way to view the sky.

I bought this kit with the StarBlast 4.5 Equatorial Reflector Telescope at the same time, right before Thanksgiving of 2013. The kit is more intensive than a new user needs or can use, but as I become more acclimated to the whole experience, I realize the kit is a much needed tool for stargazing, planet viewing or moon watching. My kit had an included moon filter and a 2x Shorty Barlow Lens, both of which I have used and can say with total honesty - cool! Included color filters are used to bring out details of planets, (I have not yet found one, but I've been trying!), and the moon is awesome with a red or green filter on the lens. I have seen Venus, I think, and the filters have not really helped due to the extreme cloud cover or atmospheric cover or something! It is a very bright star-like object in the SW and the red filter makes it appear to be Martianesque! In short: The kit is great, with wide lenses, powerful ones and narrow focus 6.3mm lens that shows the details of the moon in especially clear light. I just ordered a camera for the telescope and will write a review on that when I've used it a bit. As for the kit: Price, lenses quality, filter inclusion, moon filter inclusion (I think this may have been discontinued on the newest cases), sturdy foam-lined metal case, and instructions all make this a fantastic deal, and the new price is $20 lower than I paid, so it's even better! Price the lenses alone and you'll find the kit is FAR more practical and affordable than buying the parts individually. Excellent choice.