The eyepiece conundrum

[Varangian]

Hi all, I've been getting some pretty good eyepiece advice over the past few weeks and am keeping my powder dry with regards to type of eyepiece I am interested in. I have read Suzy's thread about the best 5mm eyepiece under $200 a couple of times now and have narrowed my selection to 3 which are all in my price range. I don't wear glasses and I will be using a 12" Newt on a Dob base at f5.

If this was your set up and you had $200 to spend, were looking at somewhere between 6mm-8mm and there were no real constraints (e.g. eye relief) or preferences (e.g. AFOV) which one would you buy?

This poll will pretty much make up my mind for me, because I can't decide :shrug:

[Varangian]

Thanks for the PMs. I do have to discount the Pentax XW andf Ethos line unfortunately due to cost (although if a second hand XW came up I would buy it). Thanks :thumbsup:.

[casstony]

If you don't need longer eye relief the ES6.7 is a very good eyepiece and the wider FOV certainly comes in handy at higher powers in a dob.

[mental4astro]

There is a forth option - the 5mm Baader Hyperion. It is the only Hyperion that is a good optical match with Newtonians. I've used it in my 8" f/4 dob, and it is superb. Good eye relief, great wide AFOV at 68deg, nice flat field, no pincushion and sharp all the way across the field of view. With the 8" f/4 dob, I've also pushed it with a 2X barlow to get 360X on Saturn - blooming excellent image. Conditions were excellent to be able to push things this far, and this eyepiece was up to the task.

New they come in well under your $200 limit, and even better second hand.

I have a 10mm XW, which is great in my fast Newt's, but not in my C8, so I'm not all that happy with it as I can't use it for my lunar sketching. Yet when conditions allow it, I can use the 5mm Hyperion in both my Newt's, and the C8 for sketching. That leaves me very pleased with it.

Mental.

[Varangian]

Thanks Alex, yes I've had the 5mm Orion Stratus, very similar to the Hyperion (I've owned the 8mm Hyperion also - a nice eyepiece) but found that the 5mm was almost unusable unless I was at a dark site or when conditions were especially good. When you get sick of the XW 10mm give me a shout and I'll take it off your hands for a good price ;)

[mental4astro]

No problem. I'll let you know when I'm tempted to roll the 10mm under a truck. ..

I don't get to use the 5mm very much at all. Most times conditions won't support so much grunt. But on those occasions when they will, I'm glad I have it. A nice EP to have for then.

The only other EP I can suggest is the Vixen LVW 8mm. Bit more expensive, but worth saving for. It is the easiest EP on the eye in terms of eye strain I have ever used too. This is the one aspect of EPs that is NEVER mentioned! I've used it to do a few lunar sketches, & my eyes are never as fatigued using it as with any other EP. Great eyepiece. Yes, it's in my kit too. Also, the LVWs are one the few EP range's that performs just as well in a fast Newt as in an SCT.

[Varangian]

Great to get some more feedback on the ES - thanks!



Yes I'm looking at the 8mm, 13mm and 22mm LVWs now (well doing a due diligence on them anyway).

[Derek Klepp]

John Vixens are a bit more pricey but the 13mm and a 2x Barlow may be a better option.I have a few scopes and to be honest the 22mm and17mm versions see far more action than the 13mm .I hardly ever use the 5 mm .

[Varangian]

I'm really interested in a good galaxy ep so the 13mm appeals as it offer just that higher magnification I'm looking for, as opposed to the 17mm. I'm really not very partial to a barlow, I don't know why but I just find them a bother. This is what I've read anyway, a high quality 10-13mm is a better option for galaxies and globs than a 17mm +

Thanks for the feedback on the LVWs!

[Kunama]

John the 13mm is an excellent choice, although, like Derek, I tend to use the 17 & 22 more. I seldom use the 8 but do use the 3.5 and 5mm in the short FS60CB on good nights. I don't partake in Barlows at all, so cannot comment on their usefulness at all.

[el_draco]

I have a few baaders. Good eyepiece but better with Refractors and SCT's.

[MattT]

Hi John
As your looking at a deep sky type eyepiece around the 13mm FL my suggestion is get a Denkmier 14mm….straight out of one of Suzy's threads!
I had one and it is hands down the best 14mm eyepiece I have had and the only eyepiece I have ever regretted selling. I know your not fond of Barlows, but barlow the denk 14 to get a sensational 7mm eyepiece.
The Denk is a bit exxie….but it is truly a great eyepiece. Now I feel like getting another one :(

Second best an ES 14mm 100º or the ES 16mm 68º, now the 16mm is a terrific eyepiece as are the whole ES 68º range.
The Denk 14 and ES 16 are small eyepieces.
Matt

[brian nordstrom]

:shrug: I dunno there Matt , my T1 13mm Nagler takes some beating , huge but man it performs .
Brian.