A Celestron X-Cel LX 2.3mm in the Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED gives 261x, a 0.23 degree true field and a 0.3 mm exit pupil. The worked calculation and whether it sits in the useful range.

Updated 05 September 2026.

Eyepiece and telescope pairing

Celestron X-Cel LX 2.3mm in the Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED: magnification and field

What the Celestron X-Cel LX 2.3mm does in the Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED, worked from the published focal lengths and apparent field.

Field of view

ring = 0.23 degrees true
dot = 0.3 mm exit pupil

Computed optics

Magnification
261x600 mm / 2.3 mm
True field
0.23 degrees60 deg / 261x
Exit pupil
0.3 mm80 mm / 261x
Max useful mag
189xpublished
Barrel match
1.25 in eyepiece in a 2 in focuser
No fit

Over-powered. At 261x this pair exceeds the published highest useful magnification of about 189x for the Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED, so the image dims and softens without showing more real detail. Use a longer eyepiece.


Magnification is the telescope focal length divided by the eyepiece focal length: 600 mm divided by 2.3 mm is 261x. The true field of view is the eyepiece's 60 degree apparent field divided by that magnification, 0.23 degrees.

The exit pupil, the width of the light beam leaving the eyepiece, is the aperture divided by the magnification, 80 mm over 261x, which is 0.3 mm. That makes this a high-power lunar, planetary and double-star setting.

Questions and answers

Celestron X-Cel LX 2.3mm in the Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED: magnification and field?

Over-powered. At 261x this pair exceeds the published highest useful magnification of about 189x for the Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED, so the image dims and softens without showing more real detail. Use a longer eyepiece.