Long eye-relief ep's

[colliedogs]

I am new to this scene, and so would appreciate some views on long eye-relief ep's, particularly the Epic ED and the Orion Expanse (or copies of these ep's). I am looking to buy one in the 5-6mm size, and another in the 9-10mm size.

I have read a number of reviews of these ep's (including Ian's of the Expanse on this site). The Expanse ep's seemed to get good reviews, except for one that noted that you have to keep your eye exactly aligned with the ep, or suffer "blackout".

Does anyone have experience with these ep's (preferably both - yes, I know, that's a big ask), and so possibly able to comment.


colliedogs:P

[janoskiss]

Welcome colliedogs. What scope are you intending to use the EPs in?
I only tried the Epic ED equivalents (ED-2) and they are not all that great. Much better off using a good barlow on a plossl or ortho.

[colliedogs]

janoskiss,

I have a 15cm dobsonian (100cm focal length) on an unguided EQ mount.

2 ep's came with the telescope - a 25mm and a 10mm - typical quality of such offerings. I have since purchased GSO plossls - 32mm, 20mm and 15mm - seem quite ok to my inexperienced eyes, and certainly give me the eye-relief that I need.

While I wish I could afford Televue's or the like, the reality is that the budget does not allow this approach. Further, as a beginner, I am not keen to put out too much money on an ep without being certain that it will suit my vision situation.

I need long eye-relief ep's as I wear reasonably strong multifocal glasses at all times (not quite blind as a bat, but I hope you get my drift), and I have an appreciable level of astigmatism in both eyes.


colliedogs

[janoskiss]

The 15mm and longer focal length GSO plossls are great value-for-money EPs. I suggest you use them with a barlow for higher powers. A barlow will preserve (extend a little in fact) the eye relief of the eyepieces.

A GSO barlow would be okay if you want to keep cost down. But atm AEC have Televue 1.8x barlows (which is an older model) for $130, which is probably your best option. I just ordered one over the phone and they tell me they have a "few" more. See AEC website (http://www.astronomy-electronics-centre.com.au/).

PS. I guess you mean EQ mounted Newtonian - Dobsonian is a Newtonian on a specific type of alt-az mount.

[colliedogs]

janoskiss,

Thank you for the response and suggestions.

Yes, my mistake re the dobsonian - I do have a newtonian. I had just been showing someone at work the different designs of telescopes before I responded to your answer to my post, and the last thing we had been talking about was the Lightbridge dobsonians.

I will check out the AEC website.


colliedogs

[anthony2302749]

Hi

Look at it from this angle, when buying an eyepiece; buy the best that you can. An eyepiece set will last you longer then your first telescope.

As you wear glasses I would suggest the Vixen LV, they offer a good 20mm eye-relief and good contrast. The Televue Radians are the other choice, again good eye-relief (20mm) but they offer better performance then the Vixen.

If you want more information about EP’s go to this http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/section.php?sectionid=22&lastsort=&findtext=&cond=&range=&archive=-1&range=v (http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/section.php?sectionid=22&lastsort=&findtext=&cond=&range=&archive=-1&range=v)


Anthony

[janoskiss]

Pentax XF is brilliant and excellent value for money. 18mm eye relief, 60 degree FOV. 8.5mm and 12mm.