In this guide we’ll look at the best telescope eyepiece kits.
We’ve compared magnification variety, filters, carry case and cost
to give you our top recommendations.
What Is The Best Telescope Eyepiece Kit?
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More Detailed Kid Telescope Eyepiece Kit Reviews
Orion 08890 1.25” Premium Telescope Accessory Kit
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Orion 08890 1.25” Premium Telescope Accessory Kit Review
The Orion Telescope Accessory Kit comes with five 1.25” fully multi-coated Plossl eyepieces with focal lengths of 40mm, 17mm, 10mm, 7.5mm, and 6.3mm.
Each eyepiece supplies a different magnification. The 40mm is the lowest-power of these, supplying excellent wider-field views, while the 6.3mm eyepiece has the highest magnification.
There are also six eyepiece filters: five color planetary filters and a 13% transmission neutral-density Moon filter. These can be attached to any 1.25” eyepiece.
The color filters include yellow, orange, red, green, and blue, giving you tons of options! Filters are extremely useful for enhancing images by improving contrast, color, detail, and definition. Each color performs a different function.
For example, the yellow filter enhances images of Venus, Mars, and Jupiter especially well, improving contrast and making details more visible. The green filter heightens contrast for better views of Jupiter and also works well on Venus, Mars, and Saturn.
This kit comes with a 2x Barlow lens, which doubles the magnification of any 1.25” eyepiece. The Barlow increases your viewing options by allowing each individual eyepiece to function at two different magnifications.
The Orion kit comes in a convenient hard carrying case with foam lining. Once you’ve bought your telescope, this accessory kit is the next step to getting the most out of your scope. Thanks to its high quality and versatility, this accessory set takes the top spot on my list.
Celestron Eyepiece and Filter Kit—14-Piece Telescope Accessory Set
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Celestron Eyepiece and Filter Kit—14-Piece Telescope Accessory Set Review
Another large, multi-purpose kit, the Celestron Accessory set contains five 1.25” Plossl eyepieces, all fully multi-coated, with focal lengths of 32mm, 17mm, 13mm, 8mm, and 6mm.
Similar to the Orion, kit, these eyepieces offer a range of magnifications, including a 32mm for wide-range, lower-power views, 17mm and 13mm for moderate power with a bit more detail, and 8mm and 6mm for high magnification.
This kit includes a 2x Barlow lens. In my opinion, this is one of the more essential elements of a telescope accessory kit since it vastly widens your options.
There are six color planetary filters: yellow, orange, red, light green, green, and blue. Each of these filters will provide slightly different effects, and you’ll enjoy experimenting with them.
The Moon filter is an crucial accessory for lunar viewing. It blocks excessive glare and allows you to view the Moon in greater detail without hurting your eyes.
Finally, this kit arrives in a hard-sided carrying case with foam lining to keep everything organized and protected. It’s a less expensive option than the Orion, and it contains a similarly comprehensive range of eyepieces and filters.
Meade Instruments 607001 Series 4000 1.25” Eyepiece and Filter Set
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Meade Instruments 607001 Series 4000 1.25” Eyepiece and Filter Set Review
This Meade Instruments set is another option with five 1.25” eyepieces, a 2x Barlow lens, and an array of filters. The eyepieces have focal lengths of 32mm, 17mm, 13mm, 8mm, and 6mm.
Note that high-power, high-magnification eyepieces (such as 6mm) are generally only useful in optimal stargazing conditions, under dark skies with minimal light pollution. Trying to zoom in too much in light-polluted skies simply won’t work well.
However, high-power eyepieces like the 8mm and 6mm offer excellent close-ups of the Moon and planets in good viewing conditions. If you expect to do a lot of stargazing under dark skies, then it’s a good idea to have high-power eyepieces in your collection.
The 32mm eyepiece, on the other hand, enables a wider field of vision. You can enjoy larger slices of the night sky, perfect for observing a nebula or the entire full Moon, for example.
In addition, this kit includes a 2x Barlow lens, six color filters for planetary viewing (red, orange, green, blue, light green, and yellow), and a Moon filter, all inside an aluminum carrying case.
Gosky Astronomical Telescope Accessory Kit
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Gosky Astronomical Telescope Accessory Kit Review
This Meade Instruments set is another option with five 1.25” eyepieces, a 2x Barlow lens, and an array of filters. The eyepieces have focal lengths of 32mm, 17mm, 13mm, 8mm, and 6mm.
Note that high-power, high-magnification eyepieces (such as 6mm) are generally only useful in optimal stargazing conditions, under dark skies with minimal light pollution. Trying to zoom in too much in light-polluted skies simply won’t work well.
However, high-power eyepieces like the 8mm and 6mm offer excellent close-ups of the Moon and planets in good viewing conditions. If you expect to do a lot of stargazing under dark skies, then it’s a good idea to have high-power eyepieces in your collection.
The 32mm eyepiece, on the other hand, enables a wider field of vision. You can enjoy larger slices of the night sky, perfect for observing a nebula or the entire full Moon, for example.
In addition, this kit includes a 2x Barlow lens, six color filters for planetary viewing (red, orange, green, blue, light green, and yellow), and a Moon filter, all inside an aluminum carrying case.
5 Celestron PowerSeeker Telescope Accessory Kit
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5 Celestron PowerSeeker Telescope Accessory Kit Review
Another smaller option, the Celestron PowerSeeker Telescope Accessory kit contains fully coated 1.25” Kellner eyepieces: 15mm and 9mm. These moderate focal lengths are good for lunar and planetary observation; their moderate magnifications show good detail.
Like the Gosky, the Celestron accessory kit does not include an eyepiece with a longer focal length for wide-field views.
Blue and red color filters are included to enhance views of the planets. The red filter, for instance, improves views of the Martian landscape and also brings out details on Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter. This kit also comes with a Moon filter.
Unlike the other entries on the list, this set does not include a Barlow lens.
Arriving in a plastic carrying case, this affordable accessory kit is a great option for budget-minded astronomers who want a little more variety.
Telescope Eyepiece Kit Buyer’s Guide
Why purchase additional telescope eyepieces?
Eyepieces allow you to see and enjoy the images produced by your telescope. They also determine the level of magnification. By swapping eyepieces on your scope, you get a different magnification.
Typically, when you buy a telescope, it comes with at least an eyepiece or two included.
However, unless you’re buying a super-high-end scope, the included eyepieces are often decent but not great. Or, there’s simply not enough of them. They’re sufficient to get you started, but if you stick with astronomy, you’ll eventually want to upgrade to higher quality eyepieces, as well as enjoy a larger variety.
Eyepieces come in all different sizes with varying capabilities, which can be overwhelming to newer astronomers. That’s one of the advantages to buying a comprehensive eyepiece kit, which provides several eyepieces along a magnification spectrum.
As explained above, eyepieces with a longer focal length (e.g. 40mm) are lower power, provide lower magnification, and have a wide field of vision.
Eyepieces with a shorter focal length (e.g. 6mm) are higher power, provide higher magnification, and have a narrower field of vision.
What is a Barlow lens?
A Barlow lens is an incredibly useful piece of technology. It can be combined with any compatible eyepiece to increase magnification.
Depending on the precise model, a Barlow may double or triple the power of a given eyepiece.
A 2x Barlow lens will, as the name suggests, magnify by an additional 2x.
Essentially, the Barlow expands the usefulness and versatility of each eyepiece you own. If you only have the budget for a few telescope accessories, a Barlow should be high on your list.
What about filters?
First off, you will definitely want a Moon filter if you plan to do any lunar observation. Moon filters enhance your views of the Moon by improving contrast, blocking glare, and protecting your eyes from excessive brightness.
Color filters fulfill a variety of needs. Some minimize visual distortions such as chromatic aberration, some reduce sky brightness (useful for daytime or twilight observation), some increase contrast, and some enhance the surface features and details of planets.
All in all, additional eyepieces and filters expand what you can accomplish with your telescope. I hope this guide helps you figure out your particular needs and priorities!