8mm Eyepiece

[Solanum]

I'm considering what eyepieces are next in line on my wishlist, and whilst reading this site I find that many of you seem to prefer to observe with two or three main eyepieces, I quite like having a range to step up or down by smaller increments of magnification.

So, as a step down in magnification from my 6 mm (which I haven't got to use all that often this summer due to the seeing) at 200x I would like a 8 mm (150x). Now I am not keen on using a Plossl, irrespective of quality, below about 15 mm, due to the low eye relief and small eye lens.

The only 8mm I have come across of Vixen LV quality or above that isn't a plossl is the Nagler, and this will be on the wish list for much longer than a cheaper eyepiece, can anyone give me other recommendations? Note that I'm not too bothered about the apparent field of view (anything 45 deg or better).

[Karlsson]

TV Radian? Orion Stratus...?

[dannat]

pentax XF from frontier optics?

[Solanum]

Cheers!

The radian isn't much cheaper than the Nagler really, so I wasn't considering that as if I go to over $300, I might as well pay the extra $65!

I must have been tired when I wrote the post last night, firstly I forgot to send it until this evening, and also I had been through the Bintel and Frontier Optics sites and missed both those eyepieces....

Anyone have opinions on the relative merits of the 8.5 mm Pentax XF or the 8 mm Orion Stratus?

[citivolus]

What is the focal ratio of your dob? I ask as I've seen comments about the Stratus design not being well suited to lower ratios, specifically f/5 and faster.

[Gargoyle_Steve]

I use a Stratus 8mm in an f5 dob, and while I do not claim to be an experienced observer in the nearly 2 years that I've had this ep it has seen a lot of use.

I find it quite acceptable, I enjoy the long eye relief and the wider angle view (68°) and I have no plans to replace it with anything else in the forseeable future.

(Unless I win lotto, or prices on Pentax XW's suddenly drop significantly!)

Cheers! :thumbsup:

[rmcpb]

Have a look at the Burgess Planetary eyepieces from Frontier Optics (http://www.frontieroptics.com.au/). 60 degree AFOV, good eyerelief and good quality especially at $139!!

Worth a look at this whole series.

[citivolus]

The down side to the Burgess Planetary eyepieces is that I think they are on back order absolutely everywhere right now. If someone knows of a secret stash, I'd love to know about it :)

[rmcpb]

Maybe that's because they are real value for money. Worth waiting for IMO :)

[janoskiss]

IME Pentax XF 8.5mm is excellent and great value.

[Solanum]

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions, so we have:

Burgess Planetary - 60deg - $139
Orion Stratus - 68deg - $159
Pentax XF - 60deg - $215
TV Radian - 60deg - $310

I also found this thread:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?p=301167

So assuming that I can't afford the Radian (I thought there was a 8mm Nagler - but I appear to be mistaken) in the near future, I'm thinking the 8.5 mm Pentax XF will probably be the one I look for, now anyone know of one going second-hand for near charity prices? ;)

PS My dob is f5, so the Stratus may be marginal anyway?

[Stephen65]

I looked through an XF 8.5 on the weekend (in an f/4.6 dob) and I thought the quality was excellent.

[Astro78]

What about a second hand Pentax XL or the newer XW? These are 7mm and you can pick the XL up for $200 odd.

check http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=553064

[mark3d]

i never see the William Optics SPL line (12mm, 6mm, 3mm) mentioned.. but from their reputation and the few reviews i've read they sound like good value at $120 or so. i'm thinking of getting a 6mm soon.

[lknowlen]

For planetary I'll put in a vote for Brandon. However we are thinking of getting the color correction filter from William Optics.:)

[AstralTraveller]

For years I've meant to get a University Optics 6 or 7mm ortho for planetary viewing. Now when I can afford it, along comes the Burgess with very good reputation and competitive pricing. Although I don't need the extra field of view for planets, all else being equal this would make them the winner. On the other hand I've noticed since I joined IIS that some people with very good (and very expensive) equipment have UO orthos.
So, would anyone care to offer a comparison between the two? :help:

[koputai]

I have a Burgess/TMB Planetary 5mm, and in the four or so months I've had it I've never had a good view through it. Maybe it's just too much magnification (240x) in my scope in the aveagre conditions I have here.

Cheers,
Jason.

[JimmyH155]

I have a Hyperion 8 mm EP. It is great and I would recommend it. Just the feel of it tells you it is best quality:DI do not use it much now as I have treated myself to a ZOOM Baader 8 - 24 mm EP. ;)It is magic. So my 8 mm Hyperion is up for sale . See for sale ads. Also got a 13 mm for sale.

[dazastar]

I think you cant go wrong with the University Optics HD Ortho's for the best budget eyepiece, a big improvement over the ol' plossyl. I wouldn't mind getting my hands on a vixen lvw though for the higher end price range.