Stargazing Struggling to Focus with New Telescope? Here Are Some Tips!

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Perhaps Redbelly 98 has a good point. It may be better to purchase one than build. I'm am/was an engineer so I have this propensity to 'assemble things', and just assume everyone else does the same. Which is a bad assumption on my part.

Although, Baader does enclose directions on how to make a solar filter with their material.

I have used both the Baader 'milar' type filter and glass. I (and this is only a personal preference) preferred the 'cheaper' plastic filter.
I found the glass scratched easily and did not give the same 'white light ' clarity.

Of course you still have to be careful with the Baader film and not stretch or puncture it.

Again I concur with Redbelly98. If you purchase a solar filter be careful with it.
Don't take any chances with your vision.
Barbecuing ones retina is definitely not cool.

However, in fact I had my 10" scope out today with the solar filter on. I bought a new Canon camera yesterday and was trying it out. No sunspots though.


In Barlow lens I have three, a 2X, 3X and 5X. Out of those I use the 2X most frequent when I use a Barlow. I suppose actually the 5X is then next in line. I like to use it at times with the 32mm PLöSSL eyepiece.
Although, I don't think I would recommend a 5X for people just getting into astronomy.

Good EPs are expensive, so it's a good idea to choose a high-quality Barlow, and choose the multiplicative factor carefully so that you can get a wide range of powers with a modest number of EPs.

Could not have said it better myself. :-)