$200 to spend on a 15mm EP

[glenc]

What is the best 15mm (13mm - 17mm) wide angle eyepiece that I can buy for under $200? My scope has a 300 mm aperture and a 1500 mm focal length.

[janoskiss]

13 or 17mm Stratus or Hyperion would be your best choice for your budget IMO. They are comfortable, have a superwide FOV, and will work well in your f/5 scope. If you don't want a widefield but want the best on-axis performance you can get then a 15mm Ultima-style plossl would be my second choice, Televue plossl third.

[JimmyH155]

I agree with Janoskiss. I have a Hyperion 13mm and it is the most used EP I have on my 12 inch Lightbridge. It is excellent.:D

[stephenmcnelley]

Like what janoskiss said, they work nicely in just about any scope and are great for afocally imaging planets and things without vignetting.
The 13 mm is great for everything, the 17 mm is a little better for larger DSO's but not as good for planets when barlowed, you wont lose either way:)

[glenc]

Thanks guys.

[janoskiss]

Out of the two, 13 and 17mm, Stratus/Hyperion, the 13mm is a lot more useful in a 12" f/5 IMO. Enough field for all but a handful of objects and consistently more detail than the 17mm because of the increased magnification. And I also agree with Stephen that the 13 is also very capable on planets in a good barlow. A great EP for showing stuff to non-astronomers too.

[acropolite]

Ditto what the others said re the Stratus or hyperion.

[glenc]

Decided to buy a 13mm Hyperion. Thanks for your input.

[ausastronomer]

Glenn,

Nice choice. At this price level these are IMO easily the best value for money.

CS-John B

[glenc]

Tried the 13mm Hyperion out this morning.

There was some glow around the edge.
Also the stars seemed to roll by when I moved the scope slowly across the Rosette nebulae. The contrast was very good and the views were sharp.

Looked at Saturn, some doubles and some planetary nebuale with the 13mm combined with an old Meade 2x 1.25" barlow. The combination gave very nice views. Saw 6 Saturn moons including Enceladus. Split Rigel, Acrux, the Trapezium etc. Nice views of PN 1535, 2438, 2440, 2392, 3242, 3918 at 230X with a 20’ field.

Looked at some galaxies without the Barlow, 115x and 40’ field. Could just see the bar and arms on NGC 1365 using the 12” Dob.