Cheap $10 ebay skyglow filter

[JoeBlow]

If you search Skyglow filter on ebay you get many results for these cheap generic filters:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-1-25-Moon-Sky-Glow-Filter-For-Astronomy-Telescope-Skyglow-Eyepiece/281926699047?_trksid=p2047675.c1000 05.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC .MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D2014010615534 4%26meid%3Dfc0d32f318994e1cab4333bb 85a964c0%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26 rkt%3D5%26sd%3D231835191598

Has anyone had experience with these? Are they equal to the Baader Moon & skyglow filter?

[MortonH]

The blurb says Moon & Skyglow but the specifics say #80A which is a simple colour filter, i.e.

http://www.bintel.com.au/Accessories/Filters/Bintel--80A-Blue--1-25--/489/productview.aspx


I would give it a miss.

[JoeBlow]

Interesting... I missed that detail.

So an #80A filter can make for a crude Skyglow filer, too bad I sold mine a while ago, would have been interesting to see how it performed on DSOs.

[MortonH]

The #80A filter only has 30% transmission - not what you want for faint fuzzies!

[MattT]

I wouldn't bother with a M+SG Baader filter either...I know as I have one. All it does is dim everything slightly. I keep it to combine with a Baader Fringe Killer to make a Semi APO filter...with a bit more light through put than the standard Baader Semi APO filter...had one of those too.

Total number of times I have the M+SG and FK combo with my 6" f12 Istar Refractor in the last two and a half years....zero.

[warpsl]

I just got a Vite branded moon and skyglow filter off eBay for $12.I think it works better than my old astronomik CLS filter,which turned everything green.I sold it.the Vite filter darkens the sky without altering the stars natural color.the tarantula neb really comes alive.

[MortonH]

That's a great price. I've seen lots of positive comments about Vite stuff on CloudyNights.

The Moon & Skyglow filters are supposedly good for Jupiter and Mars. Maybe you could try that and let us know how it performs. I wonder if the cheaper filters might have issues with internal reflections on bright objects, for example.

[warpsl]

Just tried it on Jupiter.it definitely makes the cloud bands stand out.no ghost reflections or strange colors.The Vite page on eBay makes no mention of light transmission,but I suspect it is very high.it says it has neodymium glass,which is good for highlighting reds and browns.

[AEAJR]

Joe,

Did you buy the filter? If so, how about a report.

[JoeBlow]

Hi Ed,

I ended up getting the Baader M&SG from Andrews Com. I was afraid the Vite might have just been a simple colour filter, which isnt what I was looking for. The Baader M&SG works great on Jupiter and Mars, which is what I intended it for. Previously I had two different blue coloured filters (including a #80A I think) and the Baader M&SG is much better.

[AEAJR]

Thanks for the report.

[warpsl]

the vite is not a cheap colour filter.it has neodymium glass the same as my hoya 72mm neodymium filter which cuts light pollution,and enhances reds.regards.

[JoeBlow]

Interesting.. I wonder how well it stacks up against the Baader M&SG?