Explore Scientific 100 degree eyepieces, where to buy/distributor?

[BFUBBS]

As the title says; where can I get Explore Scientific 100 degree series eyepieces? Preferably in Australia, extra preferably in Perth but will be happy with anywhere on this planet that ships to Perth...

[MortonH]

http://www.vtioptics.com.au/

[MattT]

I get my ES stuff from Agena Astro in the US. For whatever reason vti won't open on my computer....I am technologically challenged in that regard. Agena check every they sell so I have never had a dud.
http://agenaastro.com
Just added a 14 and 20mm 100* eyepieces, the 14 is :eyepop:
Matt

[BFUBBS]

Thanks guys, just an update...
I have spoken to VTI regards these eyepieces via email;

"Our supplier office is closed till the 19th February, due to them celebrating their Lunar New Year.
We are planning to stock them from April onwards, that is, if JOC gives us a good price to start with and we have not agreed on that yet.
The earlier price that JOC gave is unprofitable for us to carry them and we have been nudging them to lower their pricing.
So, my apology for not being able to provide you with the figure at the moment."

Havn't spoken to anyone from Agena Astro however website claims they are in stock.

Got in contact with Explore Scientific, they gave me an email contact for an Australian retailer that appears to be an extravision employee. (email ends in @extravision) This person has not responded to my email as yet I don't think they will. I let Explore scientific know that their go-to Australian Distributer doesn't feel like selling their products at the moment and asked for another suggestion.

The only luck that I have had is that Astroshop has them in stock ready to ship, but at a higher price than anyone else advertises. I am thinking that considering all the other places I have contacted have them advertised for $x but after enquiring discover that they don't actually posses any stock I think that Astroshops prices may actually be realistic though. It's easy to say I would sell it to you for this much if I had it to sell and then when they get it in stock up the price but Astroshop have said I can sell it to you for this much right now.

Any ideas?

[MortonH]

I have ordered ES eyepieces from Agena and also this place:

http://www.eyepiecesetc.com/EXPLORE_SCIENTIFIC_EYEPIECES_s/1631.htm

Their website shows the 14mm and 20mm in stock just now.

They require Paypal for overseas orders.

[AG Hybrid]

I'm about to put my 9mm and 14mm on the market this weekend if your interested.

[BFUBBS]

PM'd

[Nikolas]

They gouge you in postage

[BFUBBS]

Who does?

[MortonH]

If you're referring to Agena or EyepiecesEtc.com I have ordered from both and they charged me $38 for shipping one 82D eyepiece, or $50 when I ordered two. That's cheaper than Adorama or BHPhotovideo.

I didn't feel gouged. :D

[AG Hybrid]

The ES 100 eyepieces weigh about a kilo. Postage for me from Optcorp was $60 each.

[MattT]

I have never felt that either. I just bought the 14 and 20 plus a few other things from Agena, postage was $80.

[BFUBBS]

Another update: Finally got a response from extravision who also has stock.

[texta]

Astropete's in Brisbane stocks them (www.astropetes.com.au); I know he has the 14mm in stock right now (I bought one there).
Woodland Hills (telescope.net) also has good prices on these, including bundles, and the postage is also good (less than US$50 for 2 of these).

[Cam]

I bought my first ES eyepiece from OPT in the states. Postage wasnt a problem because I was buying some bulk items. Since then I have bought two more ES eyepieces from VTI over here. I can highly recommend them. No problem at all with either purchase, great service and communication.

[MortonH]

Check if the vendor does any QC on them before shipping. I know that VTI checks each one before they ship, and Eyepiecesetc.com does also. Not sure about the others.

[AG Hybrid]

I cant bring myself to sell my ES 100's . I'm considering selling a delos so I can buy a tasty 20mm 100 for $299 US at Opt.
$299 for a ES 20mm 100 degree. A televue Ethos 21mm 100 is $899. Extremelyyyyyyyyy tempting no?

[Fox]

Bfuffs, I can vouch for James at VTI Optics in Melbourne. His prices and postage rates are very reasonable IMHO. As I live in Melbourne, I have the advantage that I am able to pick up direct from him, so the cost is listed price plus handling (ie. no postage).

[JethroB76]

Yes, very.
Been tempted to offload my 20T5 nag to fund a 20mm ES which could then hang out with my shorter fl Ethos EPs

[Fox]

Yeah, agree, they are a very tempting range. The only concern I have is that with my fast f/5 Televue refractors, how will they go? I've recently tried some cheaper (than I usually buy) eyepieces, namely the Orion Stratus 24mm and TMB Planetary 9mm, and both show noticeable (to my eyes) field curvature in my NP127is. By contrast, my Pentax XW 7mm shows no detectable curvature - but then the XW costs A LOT more than the Orion Stratus and TMB put together! So I wonder what sort of picture the ES range would give with a TV f/5 refractor. Fox!

[AG Hybrid]

Should be fine. ES scopes go down to F6. Their eyepieces are meant to be very well corrected in their own scopes. I imagine a NP127 with a built in FF should perform just as well if not better.

[Steffen]

A superwide eyepiece would have to have a flat field, what's the point of a huge canvas if only the centre is in focus? Not only would you have to roll your eyes around to see the far edges, you'd also have to refocus.

One thing that apparently only eyepiece makers with a field-scope lineage (such as Pentax and Nikon) have under control is geometric distortion. I suppose that's because the typical barrel distortion of most eyepieces is particularly annoying with terrestrial use. Oh, and orthos of course, they seem to be distortion free as well.

Cheers
Steffen.

[mental4astro]

There is another Aussie retailer of ES eyepieces:

Extravision Australia (http://www.extravision.com.au/catalog/index.php?cPath=43&sort=2a&page=2)

Worth a look.

[Steffen]

Thanks Alex, added to my bookmarks. You never know where the next accessory bargain pops up…

There have been quite a few new (or unknown to me anyway) Aussie online stores lately. Is there a definitive list?

Cheers
Steffen.

[AG Hybrid]

From the extravision website.

EXPLORE SCIENTIFIC 14mm 100 Degree EYEPIECE 2"

$545.

Holy COW! :eyepop:
Compared to the price I got mine. That thing must actually have the apparent field of 140 degrees and not 100.
More to the point, why is the 20mm $100 less. Trends around the world indicate the 20mm is $100 more then the 14mm.

Actually, shouldn't really be surprised by the pricing. If I'm not mistaken these guys mark up Celestron equipment before they are distributed around Australia being the sole importer. But I've digressed.

[Loupy31]

Just ordered an ES 30mm 82 Deg , Great price:)

[AG Hybrid]

$220.00

If that's not a mistake for the 30mm 82. I recommend everyone go and buy one right now. IT WILL ENRICH YOUR LIFE! Especially, if you ever wanted to own an eyepiece with very close performance to a 31mm nagler for almost 1/3 the price.

So maybe its not all bad then :)

[Loupy31]

Arrived today, and it is huge...


Loupy31

[AG Hybrid]

Yes. yes it is. It weighs about a kilo.

[AstroJason]

Hey Adrian,

Which eyepieces did you lend me to use on my dob the other night? I am keen to make a purchase on some quality EPs.

I know we used the Explore Scientific ones but can't remember if they were the 82 or 100 degree ones? Also do you notice any significant difference between the 82 degree 14mm to the 100 degree 14mm?

[AG Hybrid]

Well, we used the 9mm and 14mm 100's. I lent you the 14mm 82. We also used the 30mm 82 in your scope. Yes, big difference between the 82 and 100s. Physical size of the eyepieces for one. For the 100's they are 2" and the 82 are 1.25". Optically the difference between 82 and 100 degrees is significant. You have to roll your eyes or tilt your head to see the full field of view. Not a problem with me or you if I remember.

If your going to move on some new eyepieces I would recommend getting some 82's to start with. The 6.7,8.8,11 get particularly good reviews. I would recommend the 6.7 and 11, or 8.8 and 14mm setup to get started. The 6.7 is particularly good, it has a very flat field.

[AstroJason]

ok yes it was the 100's were we had to roll our eyes to see the full field of view. Is that because the exit pupil exceeds the diameter of our iris? Not that I mind this because you really get that sense that you are immersed in the field!

The 82's might be the way to go to start with though, for one the price, secondly the 1.25" EPs would fit my Televue 2x barlow and thirdly the weight... I would need to get counter weights for the dob with those 100's I think.

Thanks mate, some food for thought there.

[AG Hybrid]

Np

[axle01]

You have just cost me $220 plus postage.

Alan

[AG Hybrid]

I see it more of... I have enriched your life for $220 + postage ;) :rofl:.

Let us all know what you think when it arrives.

[Don Pensack]

ES is shipping these again, in 25, 20, 14, and 9mm.
We received word recently that the 5.5mm is finishing beta testing. If it passes, we could see those in a couple months.
Prices are very reasonable compared to TeleVue, though TeleVue is available in 21/17/13/10/8/6/4.7/and 3.7mm, so a lot of choices.
This is a wonderful time to be an amateur astronomer.

[AG Hybrid]

Ha!! Don is on Iceinspace. How about that? I've been reading your posts for years on Cloudy Nights. Nice of you to take the time to browse our relatively little forums. :thumbsup:

[MattT]

+1 on that. Some of Don's answers to Questions on CN have been more educational to me than wading through a book on optics. ( which I have done)
Not so sure on an ES 5.5 though, one of the joys of using a refractor is being able to screw a 2" GSO barlow nose piece onto a 2" diagonal and use the ES 100º eyepieces I have with it. The 9mm becomes a 4.5....now if only the atmosphere would behave.
Lovin' my trio of ES 100's

[Camelopardalis]

+1 from me too :) Don doesn't know it, but it was reading his experiences of the ES100 25mm that helped me (thanks Don!) to conclude that the eyepiece was one I'd like to try in my scope :cool2:

[Benjamin]

Just a quick endorsement of Astropetes: got an ES 9mm 100-deg for less than the total price of getting one through the online US stores. Also his lego constructed reflector is truly a wonder!

[glend]

I have just bought a couple of the ES 82 degree EPs from Agena Astro in California and they were delivered to me in less than a week via USPS first class. Cheaper than any Aus source I could find.