Televue 31mm Nagler vs. 41mm Panoptic - Pros/Cons??

[Profiler]

Hello All

Would someone be able to explain to me not so much the specification differences (i.e. 68 v 82 fov or 19mm v 27mm ER etc) but the relative Pro's and Con's of these apparently two closely competing eyepieces both made by Televue.

I have attempted to research this issue myself via various sites available on the WWW and to paraphrase the various issues some describe it as:

A) The 41mm Panoptic is the 'poor-mans' substitute for the 31 Nagler. Thus, the Panoptic does about 90% of what the Nagler can at a much cheaper price -OR -

B) Due to various design features the 41mm Panoptic excells and is more suited to reflectors (eg SCTs) whereas the 31 Nagler is best in refractors -OR -

C) The 41 Panoptic will provide a brighter (light through-put), sharper image with a slightly larger fov (at a lower magnification) whereas the Nagler will give a more immersive view with slightly better contrast (due to its magnification)

I would welcome any input anyone might have concerning the relative merits of these two eyepieces:thanx:

[MattT]

I could tell you all about the ES 40 68 and ES 30 82 but that's not the question…or is it?

Matt

[PlanetMan]

I think the spec's between the ES and Televue would be very similar and your input would be valuable. Indeed, I suspect the biggest difference will relate to green paint:D

[Camelopardalis]

I'm with option C...I think the Panoptic would be more useful in a longer focal length scope (SCT) as it'd give you that wider exit pupil. The Nagler would maybe give you a more immersive experience, but ultimately the field stop is smaller so the max FOV is slightly smaller.

Can't imagine anyone would be a 41 Panoptic for a f/5 newt/Dob.

[issdaol]

I think the OP is comparing 2 Televue EP's not an ES vs TV :-)

On topic I'm not sure a comparison between a Nagler and a Panoptic is fair as my thoughts are that each line up is designed for a different purpose not competing purposes.

[PlanetMan]

No problem - but can you explain what are these features and thus differing purpose to these two Televue eyepieces?

[Waxing_Gibbous]

Very much horses for courses IMO.
I prefer the Panoptic ... until I've looked through the Nagler. Then I prefer it until I view through the Panoptic....
You get the idea.
The only real difference that I can see is a slightly flatter field with the Panoptic - in faster (f7 and below) scopes
In a slower scope, (f8+) I would choose the Nagler. For my f15 Mak, I wish they made a 50mm Nagler! :lol:
Neither of these EPs will disappoint and the Panoptic is in no way a "poor man's Nagler".
Now there's always the 48mm Brandon....

[TV76]

I havent tried the 31 Nagler but the 41 Pan is really really comfortable to use at least for my eyes in my two scopes...

I have owned a 35 Pan and TMB 30mm Paragon(?) in the past and the 41 Pan is the keeper at this end of the eyepice chain.

[anj026]

Here is an article from Cloudy Nights that may help.

http://www.cloudynights.com/page/articles/cat/cn-reports/eyepiece-reports/cn-report-panoptics-and-naglers-and-paragons-oh-my-r1624