Good 13-15mm Eyepieces for Binoviewing

[astropolak]

Hi
What are your opinions and have you used any good pair of 13-15 mm FL 1 1/4" eyepieces in a Binoviewer or Binoscope ?
I am looking at Meade Ultrawide 14mm, Nagler 13mm, Pentax XW 14mm.
I enjoy ultrawide views so 70 dev AFV or more is a must, I also want more than 10mm eye relief.

I currently have a 2x24mm Panoptic, 2 x 20mm KK Widescan III and a pair of 20mm KK Erfle and I love all of them..In my 10" SCT at perhaps F12 or so they perform well, the 24Pan clearly better than the other two.

Oh yes..., please do not suggest Ethos, I do not have $2k to spend...

Joe

[Starkler]

Sounds like the Denkmeyer 14mm are what you want.

[ausastronomer]

Joe,

The 14mm Denkmeier is the outstanding eyepiece with long eye relief at this focal length. I have used this eyepiece in binoviewers and in single mode and they are exceptional. At least the equal of my 14mm Pentax XW. To be truthful, if I was starting from scratch and didn't own 4 other Pentax XW's, I would probably take the 14mm Denk over the 14mm Pentax XW. I rate both of these fractionally ahead of the 13mm Nagler which does outdo them both in AFOV. The 14mm Denk has a 65 deg AFOV as opposed to the 70 deg you are after, but I think that is splitting hairs. The AFOV is the same as the Vixen LVW's and "almost" the same as the TV Panoptics.

These are sold in pairs specifically for binoviewer use. Contact Daniel Beringer at Frontier Optics if you wish to support a local supplier.

http://www.frontieroptics.com.au/

If you wish to "maximise" the FOV, you can't go past a pair of 13mm Nagler T6's.

Cheers,
John B

[JethroB76]

Agree on the Denkmeiers wholeheartedly

[wavelandscott]

Joe,

Sorry to be late to the party with the same advice as others...like a lemming, I will climb on the bad wagon.

The 14 mm Denks (and the 21 mm denks for that matter too) are top shelf eyepieces.

I have no idea what the prices of them are but they are really good in my Binoviewer...and when used "mono" other than FOV, I'd stack them up against the Pentax and TV gear at that focal length.

[PhilW]

I use Nagler T6s mostly in my binoscope. The 82-degree field gives a wonderful sense of immersion that I miss somewhat when using the Denk 21s, excellent eyepieces though they are in all other respects. Also T6s are very light and compact, which is handy when you have two of them.

Oh, and I have bino-ed the Ethos 13mm as well (see pic). It works beautifully. But you didn't want to know that, did you? :shrug:

[astropolak]

Thanks guys for your responses.
I have sent email enquiries to Frontier Optics and Bintel asking availability and prices, got response from Daniel very promptly - he does not bring the 14mm Denks in any more, I am still (@#$$#@!) waiting for a response from Bintel.

I will probably get 2 x 13mm Nagler, perhaps I should talk to current owners of this eyepiece that want to upgrade to 13mm Ethos?
Still, it could be cheaper just getting a second 14mm Pentax WX - can they get close enough together for a bino use. Does anyone use them in a Binoviewer?

Joe

[ausastronomer]

Hi Joe,

If you have a head like a cow with your eyes 18" apart you will have no trouble with a pair of 14mm Pentax XW's in your binoviewer :)

In all seriousness, you will have to try them for yourself. You need a large interpupillary distance to be able to use them. About 50% can and 50% can't. I can't. I am prepared to supply the 2nd 14mm Pentax XW for trial in your binoviewer when next at Pony Club if you wish.

Cheers,
John B

[Satchmo]

I'd put in a vote for the 13mm Nagler type 6 . They are compact and very sharp with an adequate 12mm ER. I was using a pair of 13 Naglers in the 3RF 12" F5 binocular 'scope last night. I think with a binoviewer it's really worth going for as large an apparent field as possible.

The binoviewer seems to enhance the wide apparent angle experience , making it even more comfortable and accessable. The difference between a 68 degree field and an 82 degree field in a binocular is really astounding.

Mark

[Screwdriverone]

Buy two Pentax XF 13mm from Frontier, they are slim and an excellent eyepiece. They cost around $235 each.

I LOVE my XF 8.5mm in my 12" F5 DOB.

Cheers

Chris

[Satchmo]

The 60 degree apparent field is well below average for modern eyepieces.

[gb_astro]

Joe, 10% off on Televue at Bintel at the moment!

greg.

[wavelandscott]

You could contact Russ directly and buy them or get them from OPT in the USA...the exchange rate is not "horrible" at the moment.

The 13 mm T6s also bino well as was noted...but other than the FOV, I think the Denks are a better eyepiece. I've got a single 13 mm T6 and also the 14 mm denks...I find them all useful.