Scattered Thoughts . . .

New telescopes and microscopes always seem to ship with almost useless eyepieces.  The crazy thing about this is that both microscopes and telescopes are far more enjoyable to use if you have decent and large eyepieces.  You'd think that new products would ship with accessories that make the product enjoyable to use so a new user isn't discouraged or turned off to the hobby but it seems the manufacturers are more focused on spending as little as possible.  The tiny eyepieces that ship with most microscopes and telescopes do not make the new product enjoyable to use... not at all...  and I've seen many beginners stop the hobby because of this.  This means they didn't spend any money on future accessories too which hurts the manufacturers. I, however, prefer to improve anything I own.  I care for everything I own, properly store everything, and properly maintain everything.  I don't even like seeing fingerprints on my stuff! I had already replaced some of my objective

Kit eyepiece, far left, with three upgrades to the right. I feel as though I'm always trying to persuade newcomers to astronomy about the importance of purchasing something better than the kit telescope eyepieces that come with most new telescopes.  My advice, however, usually seems to fall on deaf ears until, that is, the new telescope owner eventually gets to peer through a better eyepiece with their own eyes.  Then they are flabbergasted with mixed emotion, saying, "Wow...  I can't believe the difference!" as they smack their forehead with the palm of their hand instantly realizing all the time they wasted while dragging their feet about purchasing new, better eyepieces. You see, these eyepieces that come packaged with new telescopes, generally speaking, are tiny, difficult to see through and less-than-sharp junk that border on useless.  I recently realized that if I write about this and show some photos,  at least   these people would be able to see the