Majority Decision - New Eyepiece for the SWFLEXDOB12

[Screwdriverone]

Hi Everyone,

Let me just start with what I have and keeping in mind that I am sourcing this for the DOB not the 5";

SW Flex Dob 12 = FL 1500mm
2.5X GSO APO Barlow
3X ED (achro) Barlow
Eyepieces & Magnification values
SW 10mm plossl = 150x / 375x / 450x
Andrews 12.5mm ED = 120x / 300x / 360x
GSO 15mm = 100x / 250x / 300x
SW 20mm plossl = 75x / 187.5x / 225x
Andrews 30mm 85deg WA = 50x only (no 2"barlow)

Now, I have listed the contenders I think represent the best value for money? Not sure as to the best FL based on the above but I would like to know everyone's thoughts on the best choice of a quality eyepiece to suit my collection. I would prefer one I would use all the time as opposed to an also ran like what I have now. Most of the time I only use the ED 12.5 with barlows and the 2" 30mm by itself.

Thanks for your opinions.

Cheers

Chris

[Starkler]

For a mid priced top performer around the 8mm mark I would choose a Pentax XF 8.5mm, and the LVW as 2nd choice.

[Quark]

Hi Chris,
Looking at the range of eyepieces you already have you seem to have covered most bases.

From the range of eyepieces in your poll it seems you are looking for a good short FL eyepiece. The best short FL eyepieces I have ever used on my 16" F4.5 and 12" LB are the Orthoscopic design. I have a 6mm and 4mm and fellow IIS'er Kevnool has a 7mm of the same design.

At high magnification the field of view is largely irrelevant, that is in my humble opinion. To my mind a good Orthoscopic eyepiece will give the most contrast and best views of the planets and other bright DSO's and will probably leave you with a substantial amount of change from your $400 budget.

Might I also mention that the quality of the image I get from my 9mm Nagler in a 2 x triplet Barlow is not as good as the images I get from my 6mm and 4mm Orthoscopic eyepieces and if you are wondering about the quality of my Barlow, check out my images on the Solar System Imaging Forum.

Regards
Trevor

[GrahamL]

Popped up in buy and sell today I think
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=42656
not sure how well they barlow .. but excellant eyepieces and not up for sale very often.

[Quark]

Agree wholeheartedly, I use one for about 80% of my observing, an excellent eyepiece and the best ever produced by Meade.

Trevor

[Screwdriverone]

Hi Trevor,

When you say Orthoscopic eyepiece what do you mean?

As for the ones you have, what brand are they?

I assume that most of the ones I have listed are orthoscopic? You are correct in assuming a small FL is the one I am after, as for the mag levels I have now, I prefer the least amount of glass in the way (ie no barlow) to get higher mag and therefore something smaller than 10mm seems the way to go.

I think the idea of a zoom eyepiece, either a LP or WO would be great for the reason I dont have to change EP's to zoom in.

As I currently use the 30mm 2" and the 1.25" 12.5mm ED the most and I now subscribe to the idea that one quality EP is better value than many average ones, I thought a sub 10mm quality EP is the best choice.

I have also been thinking of getting a binoviewer ($149) and an additional 12.5mm ED ($69), 20mm SW ($29) and 10mm SW ($29) to have three different stereoscopic mag levels for around $280 all up?

Too many choices I suppose.....and the Televue Ethos 13mm is out of the price range :(

Thanks to all for the comments also.

Cheers

Chris

[Screwdriverone]

I think I might have got the WO UWAN price wrong, I think it is only $119? Anyone confirm this?

Chris

[Astro78]

check this - http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=618197

AU$250 should cover with postage. Resale value should hold very well indeed.

Or - http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=618043 Edit: US sale only for this one

[wavelandscott]

I voted for the LVW but I am with Starkler on his advice to at least consider th Pentax XF...

[Quark]

Hi Chris,

The Orthoscopic eyepiece is a design of eyepiece, several different companies make them. They are a specialized eyepiece that excels for planetary work. I purchased my 6mm and 4mm over 20 years ago. I think they are made by University Optics. I have attached links to general info on this design and also to an Australian supplier who has Baader and University Optics brands of Othoscopic eyepieces. I suspect that most if not all of the eyepieces in your list are the Plossl design.

Before you decide on what might best suite you I would highly recommend trying to check out the various designs that you are interested in at your nearest Astro group or society, it may save you some dollars.

I found your comment regarding the 13mm Ethos most interesting.
If that WOW type eyepiece is of interest to you then I would highly commend the 14mm Meade UW that is currently for sale on IIS for $240. It is a stunning eyepiece and the difference between a 13mm 100 degree afov and a 14mm 84 degree afov eyepiece is not as great as you might think.

In my 16" F4.5 Newt the 13mm 100 degree AFOV eyepiece would give a TFOV of 42.7 arc mins at 140 x. The 14mm 84 degree AFOV gives a TFOV of 38.6 arc mins at 130 x. Although I do have a Parracor I never use it with the Meade 14mm UW as the image is stunning pretty much well to the edge of the field, you have to look around the field it is so wide.

http://www.users.bigpond.com/PJIFL/page9.html
http://www.astro-tom.com/telescopes/eyepieces.htm
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~aecclaudio/stock.htm

Regards
Trevor

[ausastronomer]

I will 3rd that advice. 8.5mm Pentax XF followed by the 8mm Vixen LVW.

Cheers,
John B

[AstroJunk]

be VERY quick!

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=42764

[JethroB76]

The Pentax 8.5XF is not only a great performer but it is also somewhat smaller and lighter than some others such as the LVW - granted it has a smaller AFOV; 60 compared to 68, but that is not a great concern IMO

[Screwdriverone]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the replies (and for the sharp heads ups on the Ice Trade and other sites). It would be nice to snap them all up but I think I will take the very good advice and see if my club members have some nice eyepieces for me to try in my flex dob so I can try before I buy.

Nagler type 6 seems to have a very nice following and the Meade UWA series 4000 as well as the Hyperions et al. TOO MANY CHOICES! :doh:

Definitely need to test some out if possible.

Keep the suggestions coming and the voting also, its great to get all this sterling experienced advice.

Thank you all very much.

Cheers

Chris

[Screwdriverone]

Update:

After some very strong suggestions here (4 so far and counting) as well as some sage advice from a number of PM's and reviews etc, it seems the clear leader in terms of bang for your buck is definitely the Pentax XF 8.5mm.

Yes I know its not in my poll, but this was the point of the exercise, to ask and ye shall receive!

So, the leaderboard has changed somewhat;

In position 1, Pentax XF 8.5mm
hot on its heels is the Vixen LVW 8mm
and rounding out the Trifecta is Televue Nagler type VI 8mm.

Hmmm, decisions.....decisions......

The plot thickens.

Cheers

Chris

[JethroB76]

It is?;)

[Screwdriverone]

I am a wide FOV tragic, what can I say?

Dont know if I can afford it though....

Chris

[Screwdriverone]

Hi Everyone,

After some deliberation and some shopping on the websites, I have decided on the Pentax XF 8.5mm. For only $229 it seems to have the quality of the Japanese optics without the bulk of the Meade or Ba'ader barrels. Bang for your buck is second to none and with four recommendations over the ones I have listed here, it seems to fit all the criteria.

All I have to do now is wait for it to arrive in the mail and I can put it to the test in both the Dob and the SW135.

Thanks for all the comments, and to John for some additional help and assistance.

Not sure how to close the poll, so........bye for now?

Cheers

Chris

[wavelandscott]

Good Choice! Enjoy it when it comes...Clear Dark Skies

[marki]

You will love the pentex EP. Really sharp with great contrast and they don't weigh a tonne.

Mark

[Screwdriverone]

Hi All,

Tell you what, you cant beat the feeling of coming home from work and having a delivery waiting for you from the Telescope shop!

It's like Christmas to open up the box and unwrap the "present".

Add to that the Pentax XF is a thing of beauty! Packed like it was worth $23,000 not just $229. Thanks to Daniel at Frontier Optics for taking so much care in the package, arrived in tip-top condition.

Oh, one more thing.....it's PISSING down rain! Typical!

BUT, I can't wait for a clear night :)

Happy chappy here.

Cheers

Chris