Pentax XW 10mm (FANTASTIC PRICE)

[ab1963]

Just bought a Pentax XW 10mm from Amazon Japan for $325 Aud shipped ,saw a post earlier with a link but it looks like he has removed it,they are on special at the moment nearly 10,000 yen off,i was prepared to pay more than that used so if you want the XW range this is the time to buy

[MortonH]

That's an awesome price!

[ab1963]

XW 10 and 5mm 25,897 yen,20mm 26,270 yen,7,14mm, 28,490 yen
3.5mm 31,060 yen

These are the prices at the moment but subject to change

[janoskiss]

Brilliant! I see they have very good prices on Nikon NAV SWs and the EiC barlow as well. (I still cannot afford any of that right now though.)

[dreamstation]

I've got a wanted ad up for a Delos 10mm if anyone grabs one of these and wants to sell their Delos :)

[Mittay]

Yeh I posted but nobody replied so I deleted since they thought it might be fake since I lurk and dont post.

Had to post it though as they're awesome prices.

I stumbled on it when I realised Japanese prices were slightly better on ebay than everywhere else.

The Japanese also have a multitude of ebay like sites for this sort of thing too. If you ever need a Japanese made telescope part it really pays off to shop around on those sites.

Cheers - Tim

[AG Hybrid]

Those prices are soooooo good I just ordered the Pentax XW 5mm. God damn that's well priced for a new Pentax XW. $327 delivered. Pleased with that.

[ausastronomer]

Hi James,

I own both Pentax XW's and Televue Delos. Both are excellent with very subtle minor differences. At those prices the Delos doesn't make it to first base and I would be ordering the 10XW in a heartbeat.

Cheers
John B

[icytailmark]

i have this eyepiece its a very heavy eyepiece. I prefer to use the televue 13mm nagler

[Camelopardalis]

Excellent value.

Very heavy?! Nooooooo....a 21mm Ethos is very heavy :lol:

[janoskiss]

Yeah, it's big and heavy, but there is no way around the size of a 20mm eye relief, 70-degree AFOV EP. The eye lens of the EP has to be large enough to accommodate those specs (min 28mm in diameter). The XWs can be made smaller by removing the adjustable eye cup.

The Type 6 Naglers are smaller because they have shorter eye relief. I could never get used to it (for other reasons also). It comes down to personal preferences.

I also did find the XWs too bulky and heavy (though I wish I'd not sold the 10mm, and sometimes the 7mm). I like generous eye relief (though 20mm is wee bit overkill), reasonably wide AFOV, as well as smaller lighter (pocket friendly) EPs. Pentax XFs offer the best compromises for my tastes.

[ab1963]

I have the nagler 13 t6 and is a keeper,i love this ep ,would not get the xw 14mm because of the coma issue,the only xw that has this problem so IMO the nagler wins hands down but the others in the line are a different story

[janoskiss]

The XW 14mm has no coma issue. It has field curvature (FC). The difference is that you can refocus and get sharp stars at the edge of the FOV. With coma that would be impossible. With FC stars just look a bit out of focus at the edge of field (if your focus is on the centre); they don't have the coma characteristic "seagull" wings that is a lot uglier. You can also focus half way between centre and edge and your eye might be able to accommodate the difference (also impossible with coma). I agree with you about the 13mm T6 Nagler. It's the pick of the T6 lineup.

[ab1963]

that is what i meant ,thanks for the correction

[dreamstation]

Hey John. Thanks for the recommendation. I was contemplating going with the Pentax at that price but I have a 6mm Delos that I absolutely adore (when I'm able to use it that is) so I figured I'd stick with what I know.

I'm not interested in paying Bintel's price for one though so I'm happy to wait for a second hand one to come up, even if it's a little more than what we can get the Pentax for right now.

[ausastronomer]

Hi James,

I own a 6mm Delos and a 7mm Pentax XW. I have spent many hours comparing them in different scopes on different targets. They are both excellent eyepieces, however, if I could only keep one of them it would unquestionably be the 7mm Pentax XW. In an ~F5 newtonian the 7mm Pentax XW has clearly superior EOF performance. It also has less internal reflection and light scatter. It is also more comfortable to use, but that is subjective from one observer to the next. While the lock ring eye guide adjustment on the Delos is way better than the "instadrop" system used on the T4 Naglers and Radians, it is still inferior to the system used on the XW's IMO.

Cheers
John B

[inertia8]

I have a 7mm and 10mm, they will be staying with me until my eyes cannot use them!

Wondering whether to procure a 5mm or 3.5mm at those prices when I can barlow my existing XW's. I don't tend to zoom in so heavily much and have a Vixen 4mm for that, though it's only got a tiny fov.

[dreamstation]

Hey John

You will be pleased to know that I have just placed an order for both the 7mm and 10mm Pentax XW. You and the other members in this thread have been very convincing :) Also, thanks to the original poster for bringing this to our attention.

Interested to see firsthand how they perform, especially the 7mm up against the 6mm Delos that I have. Now begins the wait!

[inertia8]

Congrats, I have almost convinced myself to get either a 3.5mm or 5mm, but cannot decide which one to get and I have just about reasoned with myself that I don't use my Vixen 4mm (42deg fov) enough as is and that barlowing the 10mm and 7mm will suffice and that a Denk 14mm would be a better buy for my purposes (Love XW but don't have a paracor and I use a 10" Dob) ;).

I still recall when I first put the 10mm in and looked at the moon, which was at about 60% waxing, and simply marveling at the additional clarity of detail.

[ab1963]

I agree with the Denk 14mm over the Pentax,I bought the 13 t6 nagler for the same reason and it does a fantastic job

[MattT]

Begs the question what were you using before?

Matt

[inertia8]

Matt, I was using the 10mm something or other that came with my little skywatcher 130p, inside an 8" Bintel Dob. In addition I had tried the 15mm GSO SuperView in an Orion Japanese Shorty Barlow.

I believe I was looking around Tycho at the ray system. They just seemed to pop out a lot more to my eye like I was suddenly viewing at a higher resolution and I spent a great deal of time examining other craters.

[inertia8]

I caved in and picked up an xw5.

[bytor666]

There's also the 14mm Delos which does not have the FC issue. ;)

[bytor666]

Nice eyepiece!!! I have one as well.

:D

[inertia8]

Looking forward to it, been happy with the 7mm and 10mm, though my Orion Dob doesn't have a compression ring on the 1.25" adapter and I am looking to change that so I don't mark them as much.

I think the only other XW I'll look at is the 30mm, if one ever comes up in excellent condition at the right price.

[AG Hybrid]

I would pass up on the 30mm XW if you dont have a coma corrector in a fast newtonian. I have tested it out a 30XW in my 12" F5 and found its outer field to be poor. Plenty of better 30mm eyepieces out there for use with fast newtonians.

[ab1963]

The XW10mm landed this afternoon ,lightning speed with the postage,very well packaged and hopefully i can give it a go tonight .

[inertia8]

Thats disappointing to hear. Would you recommend the es 30mm 82deg or perhaps nagler 31mm t5?

[dreamstation]

That's great to hear. Both of mine are on the way with an estimated arrival date of Monday 18th. No doubt the clouds will roll in shortly afterwards.

[AG Hybrid]

The 30 ES is great. If you have the cash to burn the 31 t5 is slightly better. But not 40-50% better, which is the price difference. Seroius diminishing returns with the 31 t5.

[janoskiss]

That's odd because I tried the same EP (XW-30) in 10" and 12" f/5 Dobs and found it better than Panoptics and T5 Naglers near that focal length, i.e., perfect; have not found anything better since. You sure you're not referring to the 20mm XW??

[MattT]

From what little I know a coma corrector for a Newtonian is the best piece of glass you can buy. My Newt has the ES HRCC in the focuser and it stays there no matter what fl is in the focuser...OK it comes out when I use my WO Binoviewers.

With the coma corrector the ES 30 82 is pinpoint edge to edge....is there anything much better than that????

Matt

[AG Hybrid]

I probably should have explained further. When I said coma corrector I was thinking like a ES or Televue coma corrector which also flattens the field.
The coma was not that bad in the 30xw but the field curvature was serious. The center 60% of the field had a different focus point then the outer 40%.

[ab1963]

Just tried out the XW 10 in my SV80 ,astounding is the only word for it,snaps into focus beautifully,razor sharp ,contrast perfect for me and doesn't behave any differently with the 2.5x powermate ,very happy

[janoskiss]

I recall no FC issue with the XW 30mm at f/5 (no coma corrector) but that was at one star party long ago. It was a head-to-head with the T5 31mm and on that night I decided that the XW-30 was a clear winner and if I ever get a 30-ish mm premium widefield it will be that (never happened). The XW 20mm and 14mm are the only ones I recall as showing significant FC.
...
Yeah, most coma correctors act as field flatteners also.

[ausastronomer]

I have used just about all of the best astronomical eyepieces made, or available, over the last 50 years, in many different types, F-Ratio and aperture telescopes. That includes eyepieces like the 30mm Leitz, 12.5mm Docter, Zeiss Abbe's (series I & II), Nikon NAV HW, Nikon orthoscopics, TMB Supermonos, Astrophysics SPL, Pentax XL, XO, XP and XW, Vixen LVW, Takahashi LE, 14mm & 21mm Denkmeiers, everything Meade and Celestron have sold and everything Televue has ever produced, excepting the recently released Delite series. I have also used the coma correcting Pretoria eyepieces, made years ago by University Optics.

I rate the 3.5mm, 5mm, 7mm and 10mm Pentax XW's as 4 of the absolute very best general use astronomical eyepices made in the last 50 years, at any price. I am sure those people who have purchased any of these 4 eyepieces will be very very happy with them. The discounted price is just cream on the cake.

Cheers
John B

[janoskiss]

Well said, John. I sold my XW's somewhat regrettably (but at the time I really needed the money), and now I'm considering reacquiring the 10mm XW or similar. Have you much experience and please would you comment on the Nikon NAV-SW 10mm?

[dreamstation]

DHL shipped my pair of eyepieces from Japan to Sydney and finally to Brisbane in 3 days where they passed it on to Australia Post for the final 250km of the journey. They've now been sitting in the Underwood facility since Sunday with an estimated delivery date of Thursday... How can one mob get it so right and the other so wrong.

[janoskiss]

That's the difference between much of Asia and 'she'll be right mate, I'll do it when I can be bothered getting off my bum' Australia. In Melbourne I am used to stuff arriving from Hong Kong quicker than from Sydney. Even pick-up orders within Melbourne can take longer to be ready.

[ab1963]

My 10mm was courier to my door ,no interaction from Australia Post and arrived Saturday afternoon ,speaks volumes

[bytor666]

XW's....'nuff said !!!!!! :D

[inertia8]

Just had my xw5 arrive this morning. Not sure if auspost were involved as I didn't answer the door. Ordered on 14th, shipped on 18th and received on 20th..

Makes me wanna order the 3.5mm... But I've spent enough this month because of this thread and already have enough glass at the shorter focal lengths!

[bytor666]

Congrats mate! :D :thumbsup:

[inertia8]

Hmm, the Amazon box was fairly crushed at one end but the EP box (Silver Ricoh box, as per my XW7mm), is not damaged due to them shrink wrapping it to a hard piece of carboard so it stayed centered... Seems like it will be a cloudy night, but I'm going to try and test this just to be sure ;).

[dreamstation]

Despite my tracking with Australia Post estimating delivery for tomorrow, I had a nice little package arrive today. I believe the only reason they had anything to do with my delivery is because there's no regional DHL depots. It changed hands in Brisbane because that's the closest one.

The eyepieces were packaged well with no visible damaging to any of the packaging. The boxes inside were mint. The eyepieces are beautiful - they look and feel very well constructed. Hopefully tonight stays clear so I can give them a run :)

[ab1963]

would you believe they have dropped the price again,bought the XW7 FOR $309 AUD POSTED

[inertia8]

JPY 27,772, $322aud for the xw3.5...

[dreamstation]

I ordered both the 7 and 10 on April 11 and both were the same price (JPY 25,897) which worked out approximately $310 each AUD. The default seller for the 7 was higher but by clicking on the part where it says 'more buying choices' I was able to change the seller to Amazon.co.jp and then it was the same price as the 10.

[inertia8]

Can't bring myself to do it lol. 342x in my 10in dob. Don't go that high often enough

[bytor666]

That's close to what I would be getting if I get a 3.5mm Pentax XW. Great for double stars or the moon! I'm going to get one eventually !!!

Saves using the barlow!

[inertia8]

We have the same mirror by the look of it... Come to think of it, we have a fairly similar ep collection and those are the 2 filters I've been eyeing off lately lol

[dreamstation]

Managed to get in a few hours with the new eyepieces the last 2 nights and both the missus and I were very impressed. They are very comfortable to use although Initially I had some blackout issues but fully extending the eyeguard has completely eliminated that problem. I actually really like how the eyeguard adjusts, though I do like being able to lock it in place on the Delos, something which the XW can't do right?

Wednesday night we compared the 7 XW to the 6 Delos and personally I couldn't see a great deal of difference on Jupiter, though my partner was adamant the 7 XW was the better performer. Lastnight we put the 10 XW in the 2x Powermate and compared to the 6 Delos again and this time I could clearly see the difference. Even at the higher magnification, the XW was a lot sharper with much better contrast which really surprised me after not seeing it on the night before.

I'm contemplating picking up a 5 XW now rather than using the Powermate, but I want to try the 7 XW in there first to see if it's worth hanging on to. Being able to Powermate both the 7 and 10 would be handy, but if 3.5 is pushing it too far I'd much rather have the 5 instead.

What great eyepieces :)

[Atmos]

I'd certainly jump on these eye pieces if money would allow :)

[ab1963]

I use the 2.5x powermate on 20 and 10mm XW's and have found no image degradation whatsoever which is a testament to both the XW's and the powermate and now i have bought the 7mm and will be interesting to see how that fairs stepping down to 2.8mm ,I have no doubt that even at that magnification it will work ,i have the XF 12mm as well so with the powermate gives me 4.8mm so i will not be buying the 5mm,just awesome eyepieces

[ausastronomer]

Hi James,

They don't have a "locking system" as such like the Delos, but they don't need one either. The twist system is designed to be tight enough so that once you get it set to the right height it will not move. Just set them to the correct height for your own personal comfort and they will stay put. Mine have not moved in over 12 years.

Cheers,
John B

[MortonH]

I had an XL 21mm that I bought used and the eyecup would spin freely. Not sure if that was a shortcoming of the XL line or just a sign that it had been used a lot.

The eyecup on the 10mm XW I had wouldn't move unless you wanted it to. Easier to adjust than the Delos when the need arises.

[MortonH]

Linking to my thread about Tele Vue having a 15% sale, I just realised that even if Bintel reduce the DeLite (not the Delos) price by 15% it will still be higher than the price of an XW shipped from Japan. Amazing.

[dreamstation]

Bit the bullet and ordered the 5 last night as well. Couldn't resist at that price.

Thanks John for the clarification on adjusting the eyeguard.

[inertia8]

Congrats.

I tried my 5mm tonight in the little sw130p, the xw's are really too heavy for this little scope so it was not a satisfying session with the image taking a long time to settle, but I confirmed it was crisp enough looking at mars, Saturn and the moon. Can't wait to be able to use it in my 10in dob, but I'm a week or so away from being able to lift that out into the yard.

[Kunama]

I know I said I wouldn't buy any more eyepieces but these are pretty good prices, so the XW3.5mm is on its way to me to bolster the lineup.

I'm still waiting for a finder for the TOA but did manage to locate Jupiter tonight, viewed it up to 200X and the XWs did not disappoint. Then did a comparison between the XW20 and the LVW22. The LVW has a nice flat field, the XW has some FC as often mentioned, but as far as the actual image the XW showed quite a bit more detail whether on the EOF or on axis even allowing for the 10% difference in magnification. I will have to keep both.

My lineup now comprises the XW3.5, 5, 7, 10 & 20 as well as the Delos14 and LVW22 before stepping up the N31T5. ( + some Tak LEs and Pentax XFs for the binoviewers)

[bytor666]

I just got the 21mm XL in the post two days ago. True about the eyecup moving a lot more freely than the XW, which takes more to move up or down. The comfort on the 21mm XL is so good that I just leave the eyecup in the down position. No blackouts, super easy eye placement. I leave all of the eyecups in my XW's in the down position as well as I find I don't need to adjust it and put it in any positions. :D

Cheers!

[bytor666]

I just did the same comparison! I fully agree with you!

While the 22mm LVW was sharper off axis, stars in the 20mm XW were a lot more vibrant and a lot more could be seen as compared to the 22mm LVW. I am going to get myself a 20mm XW to compliment the rest of my set which includes the 10mm 7mm and 5mm XW's.

Cracking eyepieces IMO! :thumbsup:

[Kunama]

I viewed the Moon at 510X on Saturday night and Jupiter at 364X in the 18", just spectacular detail :thumbsup:

The XW20 was very good when Jupiter was placed at the EOF and focus set for it. The difference between focus at edge and on axis was less than 1mm.

[bytor666]

Nice! 18" scope must be awesome for sure !!!! :eyepop:

Def a nice eyepiece even with the minor FC that comes with it. I used to own the 14mm XW as well and I remember using it and a barlow with a 12" reflector I had on Mars about 10 years or so ago.

The view of Mars was full of a lot of detail!

I'm going to get a 2" GSO coma corrector eventually as well which will help with the FC in the 20mm XW I will eventually be getting along with coma from the 34mm ES 68 I have too.

[inertia8]

You lot are a bad influence lol.

If I wasn't having to spend a fair bit to finish off a car project... I'd have a full set of available xw's because of this thread.

I will also admit to a bit of stupidity in that when I first got an xw and tried it in the field, I believed the small plastic piece covering the camera thread was the adjustable eyecup rather than turning the whole eyepiece by the rubber cup. Fool that I was lol

[Kunama]

My XW3.5 arrived at 8am today, was ordered on Saturday evening. 3 days 11 hours from Japan to Canberra...... Hope the XW14 I just ordered does the same ........ $621 for the pair including postage :eyepop: :thumbsup:

[bytor666]

Bad influence? OK...How's this for a bad influence? :lol:

That top piece you removed is something I take off sometimes when cleaning the top lens. Pretty neat feature with those camera threads!

Cheers!

[bytor666]

Congrats on the new glass mate! Post pics when you can for us ALL to see !!!


Cheers, :thumbsup:

[Kunama]

I think everyone has seen them a thousand times over the years :D
In the end the XWs won out because I could see faint stars in them that some other eyepieces did not show. The XW eyecup is the best I have seen (for me anyway!).

This mixed set now gives me a range of 82x to 729x in my big scope and 32x to 285 in the Tak. I think that covers all the seeing I am likely to find.

[dreamstation]

Hey mate, what are those things you have on your 5, 7 and 10 XW in the pictures? Are they so you can use them in a 2" focuser? Where can I get me some of those? Would be really handy not having to fumble with a 1.25" adapter.

[bytor666]

Very nice eyepieces Matt !!! Lovely indeed !!! :D

[bytor666]

Hey James!

Yes, those are adapters to use in my 2 inch focuser. They are Antares Twist Lock adapters. I just checked Bintel, but nothing came up....here they are in USA.

http://agenaastro.com/antares-2-to-1-25-twist-lock-eyepiece-adapter.html

Cheers back at ya! :thumbsup:

[ausastronomer]

Hi Markus/James

I am not sure that it's going to be that easy. I am pretty sure Glen Speers closed the Antares business down a little while back and these will no longer be manufactured. The Sky Instruments Website has been gone for a while. Agena Astro are showing just about all of the Antares Optical products they sold as being "out of stock", including this one.

I think you are going to have to hunt around for them and see who might have some old stock still on hand.

Maybe here http://www.ontariotelescope.com/Antares-2-to-125-adapter-with-Twist-Lock_p_263.html

Maybe here http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_adp4.htm

Maybe here http://khanscope.com/products/2-to-1-25-eyepiece-adapter-w-twist-lock-2-125tladpt

Maybe here http://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/antares-2-125-twist-lock-adaptor-.html

Good Luck !!!

Cheers,
John B

[inertia8]

Managed to get 3hrs in last night and spent a good deal of time using all 3 of my XW's. Kunama's comments on feint stars seemed very applicable when looking at some globulars, first time I've been able to use them on a new moon night in my 10in dob for these and I was very happy!

[jeelan]

Having only recently started taking a serious interest in this hobby, I spent many a hours reviewing posts and debating on what eyepieces to get.

I prefer to buy a set (all same brand) and in one hit. I considered all options - TV, ES, Vixen, and Pentax.

The posts that influenced my decision the most were from Ausastronomer (John) and Wavytone.

Finally settled in the Vixen LVW due to price of the Pentax XW's in Australia, and picked up a set of these a couple of months ago from Steve at Astro Shop in QLD.

Then when I saw this thread about the Pentax XW's being on special on Amazon Japan, i couldn't resist and ended up ordering the entire line.

Pictured is the LVW set, and the Pentax XW set minus the 5mm. It shipped late so ETA is Tue 10th May!!

Figured one range can be my "travel" range for use with the 80mm and the other will be used with my SCT.

cheers
Jeelan

[dreamstation]

Nice collection you have there mate. Would love to try out the LVW range myself at some stage. Have heard great things about them, in particular the 13 and 22.

My 5 XW arrived just over a week ago but I haven't had a chance to shine some light through it yet. If it's as good as the 7 and 10 then it will be a keeper.

[Stonius]

Thanks, IIS and everybody involved for this thread. Given the favourable reviews and the low prices, I took a punt and decided to fill a gap in my collection with the 5mm. Was a bit scary ordering from Amazon Japan with everything in Japaneese (then I found the 'English' button which translated most important things). It arrived 2 days later (take that, Australia Post!). It arrived in probably the most robust case I've ever seen, like a huge plastic bolt that screws on with the eyepiece inside it. And wow! that's a hefty piece of glass! But when I put it in; wow! I got the best views I've ever had of Mars. Very flat, field edges very clear and wonderful detail in moments of good seeing. Thinking maybe I should stop being such a wuss and get one or two more!

Thanks for the smarts, IIS'ers :-)

[bytor666]

I just got my 20mm XW today. Added it to my collection of existing XW's.

[ausastronomer]

Hi Steve,

My apologies for the delay in replying. I saw you post, meant to reply when I had time and then forgot.

I haven't used any of the Nikon NAV SW's. I have used both of the Nikon NAV HW's the 17mm/14mm and the 12.5mm/10mm. They are both outstanding but very very expensive at about $1,300 each. I don't think you could draw any conclusions or comparisons from one line to the next as they have completely different design goals and parameters and a different price point.

Cheers,
John B

[jeelan]

Just received my XW 5mm completing the set!!

on the note of the 1.25" to 2" adapters, B&H do one style as well - seems to be cheapest around.

Seems like Olivon may be their own brand but looks identical to the Antares

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/966798-REG/olivon_oltladp_us_2_to_1_25_twist_l ock.html

I'm tempted to order 6 units for the pentax XW's.

cheers
Jeelan

[bytor666]

Awesome mate!

Yep! The Olivon adapter is the same! I have three Antares twist lock adapters and one Olivon. The Olivon works just the same! The threads in the Olivon are longer and cut cleaner actually.

[JimsShed]

Okay who started this? Yesterday an XW10 arrived which was quickly spirited away to the shed, but she's bound to see the credit card statement soon. First light last night on my first ever Pentax and its a solid keeper. Very comfortable to use.

[Kunama]

It is an excellent eyepiece, even better in pairs!
Phil (issdaol) and I spent a couple of hours last night viewing lunar detail with my TOA130 and Binovues with pairs of XW10s, Delos14s, LE12.5s and XF8.5.
The conditions were clear early on but then clouded up. The moon, filtered by the light cloud was spectacular in the binos with the XW10s.

[DJT]

Used my XW10 with the OO 12 inch last night. Better half was blown away by views of the moon amongst others. its a keeper.

[ab1963]

Used my XW 7mm for the first time in my Stellarvue sv80ed on the moon and it was just magic,then barlowed it with both the 2x and 2.5x powermates to give 3.5 and 2.8mm with no degredation whatsoever in sharpness,contrast etc,the neutrality of the XW's is second to none and added with the viewing comfort ,awesome.

[dyode]

Hi

FWIW and apologies if it's already been covered but re: the smc XW 7mm
I notice Digidirect have the EP at $517 online but I got one for $420 delivered today when I noticed they have a shop in Elizabeth St Melbourne while working in the city today and walked in to get a price and they quoted me that and they have them in their Port melbourne warehouse...apparently.

...the cheapest I could see on eBay from Japan was $460 postage paid at the moment and I couldn't find other crazy prices so there you go fyi...