Quote:
Originally Posted by bigjoe
Nice report Ed .
I too have as one of my scopes an ETX125 , which is nice optically.I mostly use for viewing binaries ..easy to put in car for travelling etc ...How does the Baader go in it ..is 8mm stop too much power on average nights in the etx?
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I used it once in the ETX 125. I was observing Jupiter and that night the seeing was not as good but I think 8 mm is worthwhile in that scope in general. I have also used the Celestron Zoom in that scope with good results.
FWIW
Some people, like me, love zoom eyepieces. Some not so much. Of course it depends what level of product you have tested. Since I have two zooms, a Celestron and a Baader Hyperion (recently acquired) I thought I would turn this into a product report. Note that, as a 2 year newbie, I don’t claim to have the discerning eye that many of you have so take that into account.
When I purchased the Celestron Zoom I was working with Kellners, Plossls and some lower end 60 degree, under $100 new eyepieces. These were for use in my Orion XT8i and my ETX 80. The Celestron zoom met all of my expectations and has been my main eyepiece for over a year, even though I have a full range of eyepieces spanning from 38 mm to 4.5 mm.
However, I have read so many outstanding reports on the Baader Hyperion Zoom that I had been watching for one used. Picked one up recently for $135. It is an original, not the recent Mark III or the current Mark IV, but it was in almost new condition and works flawlessly.
I filed a Jupiter observation report, above, where I discuss my comparisons to my other other eyepieces including ES 82s and Meade Series 5000 UWA and HD60.
Having picked it up used for US $135 I feel very good about the purchase. Not sure if I would have spent the US $280 for the new one BUT now that I know how good it is, if I had seen it in someone else's scope I might have purchased it new.
I see it this way, if you tend to purchase eyepieces under $100 new, as I had been, then the Celestron will work great for you. Right in that performance range. No regrets buying it and I will continue to use it.
If you tend to buy eyepieces In the "above $100" range, as I have become, this could be a very worthwhile investment as one eyepiece to replace 3 or 4 other eyepieces in this price range. And it barlowed beautifully.
If you are in the Tele Vue buyer category, I will let others share their opinions but overall they are very very good. The first is a review. The other three are discussions about the Mark III or the current Mark IV models.
http://www.weasner.com/co/Reviews/20...ece/index.html
The new Mark IV model sells for US $280 and is receiving high praise. Agena Astro has a package with the new Mark IV model and a Baader Hyperion 2.25X barlow that they say are matched. I have not used the Baader barlow.
http://agenaastro.com/baader-hyperio...w-2454827.html
I am definitely hooked on zooms. The Baader Hyperion will be pretty much be my main eyepiece now for the XT8i. The Celestron will continue to be used in my ETX scopes because the older Hyperion blocks the locking screws and I can't lock it in. This means I have to use two hands to work the zoom which I can do but prefer not to and the Celestron is fine in these other scopes. The newer Mark IV is physically narrower and supposedly has addressed this issue. It is also reported to be lighter and work better in binoviewers.
Consider this my highest endorsement for this eyepiece, even if mine is one of the originals, not the current model.
Best Jupiter Observations ever using the Baader Hyperion Zoom
