After recommendations for an 18mm Ep at $100 or less (1,25")

[mura_gadi]

Hey,

Looking for recommendations for a 18mm EP 1.25", for use in a long F/L newt (F9).

I think I have my sub's 10mm and 25mm picked out, but the 18mm seems to be a harder find. (Sub 10mm - 2nd hand X-cel 7mm and 9mm, TBM - for the 25mm Star Guider/Meade HD-60 are my current thoughts)

For the 18mm a FoV around 60 degrees or more would be nice, ER should be around 20mm as a preference.


Suggestions?


Thanks

[By.Jove]

Skyrover 18mm UFF fits the bill, but twice your budget... nice eyepiece though.

https://www.astroshop.com.au/product-page/sky-rover-ultra-flat-field-eyepieces

Secondhand the UFF's (APM, Altair or the clones) don't turn up often, which implies they're keepers.

Also 18mm is somewhat rare.

[croweater]

There is the Saxon hd cielo which is the same eyepiece as the Celestron xl's.
These are at Siderealtrading for $139. Normally at AstroAnarchy for $130 but appear to be sold out. I have a few of these (and a Celestron xl) and I'm really happy with them. But yeah, a bit above your budget. It would be good match with your xl's though.
Cheers, Richard

[DeWynter]

Starguider / Paradigm Dual ED is a very good line of eyepieces and it's within the budget - ~$99.50 AUD each. 18mm, 60 deg FOV, 18mm eye relief.

[mura_gadi]

Thanks for the memory jog,

I need to check to see if the starguider 18mm was BIS as the gamers would say... from memory it was... OFM (old farts memory, should have clicked when I was typing the 25mm) at $75 new they are good value for both 18mm/25mm's.

The X-Cel 7 and 9mm are on sale $99 atm new, both are very nice EP's, BIS, the rest maybe not as good...

The edge is a non issue at F9, more worried about internal light control and flares.

[croweater]

Gee that's a good price for the XL's. Can't go wrong there. They are pretty good eyepieces.

[mura_gadi]

The xcel line are pretty good, the ones I mention are just a cut above the rest.

From what I read poor QC lead them down the "not so recommended lists", apparently a lot of internal dust from the assembly line.

So, they are not without risks.

[MattT]

For longer fl scopes the x-cels/cielo are excellent eyepieces.
I have directly compared the 18 x-cel with ES 20 68. The 18 was a bit better on ease of viewing and fainter stars in clusters were seen….not seen in the 20.

As for dust I haven’t seen it in any of mine, all bought used 25 18 12 9 and 7.
The only one that wasn’t clean was the 12…as ‘someone’ had done a botched job on cleaning it, after claiming it was used once! Could see the swirl marks….I cleaned it properly.

Lots of reports of FC in the 18mm….not an issue in long fl scopes.Not an issue in f5 refractors either.

Put a wanted ad out. I remember and ad for the Cielo 18 a while back.