Features include two ED glass elements and fully multicoated edge-blackened optics for excellent colour, enhanced contrast, high light transmission and minimal ghosting.
The six-element / four-group design minimises field curvature for a nice flat field, even when used with telescope f-ratios as low as f5.
Modern twist-up eyecups, 16mm eye relief and 21mm diameter eye-lens make them comfortable to use, even when wearing eyeglasses.
The tactile rubber grip and milled indentations make them easy to handle in the dark.
The 1.25“ nosepiece accepts 1.25" astronomy filters and has a machined safety undercut, so the eyepiece is less likely to slip out of the focuser.
Average Rating (14 Reviews): | |
Comparison review vs Celestron X-Cel LX 07 March 2023 | Richard
First of all I should thank the team at FLO for recommending this eyepiece. I should also say that this is a review of the BST range, rather than just the 8mm.
Used with the Starfield ED102.
The headline here is that for the money this eyepiece is outstanding!. That phrase though.. 'for the money' actually does this eyepiece an injustice. It suggests that there are some compromises in quality or performance, which just simply isn't the case. I purchased one of these to add to my set which included the standard Super Plossl's along with, and more crucially in relation to this review, the Celestron X-Cel LX. Both the Celestron and BST eyepieces share similar design features with the twist up eyecups and long eye relief, and in use I was generally pretty happy with the Celestron eyepieces. However, first use of the BST illustrated something that I was actually ignorant to, with the Celestron offering. This was that the twist up eyecup doesn't actually raise high enough to allow decent cup/eye apposition at the ideal distance to maximise FOV.
This meant I was cupping my hand to shield from lateral stray light in order to get the best experience. It was only when I used the BST and was able to gently sit my eye on the eyecup at exactly the right distance that I realised what I was doing. I appreciate that we are made differently and what suits me may not necessarily suit everyone, but I find using the BST an absolute joy! I am also happy to confirm that BST does a pretty good job at maintaining decent eye relieve even down to the 5mm eyepiece. I have now replaced all of eyepieces with the BST's with 5, 8, 12, 18 & 25mm in my quiver.
Oh yes, the optical performance... Simple, better in every way than the Celestron equivalent at around two thirds the price. What more needs to be said!?
26 January 2023 | Chris
I bought this eyepeice (along with a 2x barlow) on the advice of FLO for my daughter's Heritage 130p dobsonian. I was amazed at the quality, vastly superior to the kit 10mm. It seems to be very good value too, given the eyepeices out there which cost many times as much. I'm very happy! I daresay the eyepeice and barlow will still be in use long after the scope has been upgraded. Thanks for the advice, as ever FLO!
Economic but notable upgrade 28 December 2022 | Chris
I was recommended the 8mm Starguider as a first upgrade over the Skywatcher MA eyepieces supplied with my Explorer 150p. Those eyepieces are okay, but I've read a lot about how these are a good first step up. The eyepiece feels significantly more substantial, being larger and heavier than the stock ones. The large eye lens diameter is much more comfortable to use. View of Jupiter was a notable improvement over the stock 10mm. Definitely worth picking up. May go for the 5mm or 12mm next.
Bst starguider 8mm, skywatcher 130p heritage. 01 October 2022 | Adam
Great value eyepiece, feels like a quality product. Very nice views from it combined with a skywatcher 130p heritage. Great eye relief and FOV. Comfortable stargazing.
07 June 2022 | Dale
Very impressed with this eyepiece, it’s that good that I will now be getting the 12mm eyepiece.
This BST eyepiece is a vast improvement over my skywatcher eyepiece which came with my scope, the weight of the BST starguider is probably three times heavier then my skywatcher eyepiece, but this BST is very well made and looks quality.
Great moderate power eyepiece 15 February 2022 | Roger
Delivers great images in moderate focal length telescopes with a wide field of view and generous eye relief. Excellent value.
BST StarGuider 60º 8mm ED Eyepiece 28 January 2022 | Colin
Prompt service and delivery - as always from FLO. I have only used the eyepiece once since delivery- and that briefly in quite bright twilight - due to the enclosed clouds! However the cloud bands on Jupiter and the Galilean moons were clearly seen in a 80mm refractor. The nebulosity and stars within M42 were also easily seen. The eyepiece seems of a high build quality and is comfortable to use.
30 November 2021 | Ian
Well put together eyepiece that gives a decently corrected image on axis and out to about 80% of the field. This 8mm along with my 5mm are great for planetary viewing . Comfortable twist up eyecup. This range of eyepieces are a very good stepping stone from the ones supplied with most telescopes
13 October 2021 | Ed
Prompt and efficient service from FLO. The eyepieces came extremely well packaged and on time.
I have not used them yet due to the weather.
First class service from FLO.
8mm BST Starguider with Sky Watcher 200mm/8" 1200mm dob. 23 September 2021 | Stephen
I spent several hours enjoying this scope with the 10mm and 25mm supplied eyepieces then, during weeks of cloudy skies, I ventured down the rabbit hole of selecting some new eyepieces.
The Stargazers Lounge forum was incredibly helpful (thanks to FLO for sponsoring it) and led me to getting 5mm, 8mm and 15mm BST Starguider eyepieces, (giving 240x, 150x and 80x with this scope. (I later added a 32mm plossl for low magnification.)
The difference is staggering! To my eyes the images are very bright, sharp and show very little distortion.
This 8mm is ideal for close up views of planets (seeing the Cassini division in Saturn's rings for the first time was a real wow moment!), details on the moon, splitting doubles and to view detail in DSO's.
The magnification (150x) is very useful while still being easy to guide with a standard Dob base.
For me, and for this scope, they have been an excellent (and inexpensive) upgrade. I thoroughly recommend them.
FLO's service, speed of response, quality of packaging and choice of courier are all excellent. (I live in France - express delivery took just 3 days!)
Read all 14 customer reviews...