GS SV 10mm

[iceman]

Went into Bintel on Friday and picked up my 5x powermate (yay!), and while I was there Mike C showed me the new GS SV 10mm that they got in. They haven't got the 5mm in yet.

On the surface, it looks like all the SV range - but it's got a barlow built into the bottom of the barrel.

We chucked it in an ED100 and pointed it at some buildings across the way.. umm, it's a shocker. Only 50% of the field was in focus, and that's being generous. The edges of the field couldn't be brought to focus and it was terrible multi colour.

I wouldn't recommend these eyepieces to anyone. The 30mm 2" SV is the best of the GS EP range by far, but so far, my experience of the 1.25" SV range is that they are terrible.

[h0ughy]

so now we will see mars closeup now Mike? Pity about the eyepiece!

[iceman]

As soon as the clouds, wind and jetstream disappear! :)

[xrekcor]

Mike,

I got the 30mm SV and still love it, on John B's recommendation too. When I
told him I loved it so much I was going to go out and buy more of them. He
advised me that he hadn't heard any good reports on the other focal lengths,
so I waited to hear for myself, and to tell you the truth, I still haven't heard
anyone rave about any of the other FL's. Bummer really as the 30mm SV is so
good for what it is and price. So your experience confirms what I thought.

Oh yeah, I was having a chat with Ken (Ballaratdragon) earlier in the year.
There appears to be two different versions of the 30mm, anyone else notice
this?

regards,CS

[Starkler]

Yep I used to have a 20mm SV that I promptly disposed of. I hated it from the start.

Mike, the other Mike might be reluctant to let you check anymore eyepieces after that writeup :whistle:

Ive had a look through a 30mm SV. Its ok for the price if funds are limited but its not a patch on a real eyepiece like a 27mm panoptic.

[ausastronomer]

Geoff,

I actually own both the 30mm GSO Superview and the 27mm Pan. Whilst you can tell which one of the two is in the focuser, the 30mm GSO Superview is infinitely better than all the other cheap 2" widefields I have tried. I believe it offers 70% to 80% of the performance of the Panoptic at 20% of the price.

CS-John B

[ballaratdragons]

I like my 2" GS 30mm SV, but I've never looked through the competition.

I remember that conversation Rob. There is definately 2 different 2" GS 30mm SV's.

I got the better one :D

[ausastronomer]

Rob,

Thats absolutely for certain. Rod Berry's is a good 1" longer than mine physically, which is also in the eyepiece body as the chromed barrels are the same. I haven't had a chance to compare them optically, but I hope to do so at next 3rd qtr visit to Kulnurra.

CS-John B

[ballaratdragons]

John, that's the same difference Rob & I noticed! (sorry about saying 'same difference')

[janoskiss]

19mm Panoptic offers mediocre views similar to those through my 30mm SV in the Dob. Makes me think I should have spent my money on a better scope rather than top-shelf eyepieces. :rolleyes: :doh:

[Starkler]

Thats interesting Steve. I've never heard of any complaints about panoptics other than eye relief on certain focal lengths.

[slice of heaven]

Make sure you drag that scope to the Starcamp and have it checked out to determine the problem. It's a worry with that statement.

[janoskiss]

Of course. I'm bringing all my astro gear to Star Camp. :jump2:

[Mick]

I have the 20mm SV and it is one of the best ep's I have used in my 8" SCT f/10 but it is horrible in the 12" f/5 dob, the focal ratio has a lot to do with the views and reviews.

[ving]

I missed a whole thread!! :)

I have a 30mm gso and agree wholey with all that is said about them.
I also have a 15mm SV and its one of my fave EPs, sharp to the edge pretty much :)
maybe its my scope... I have heard that some 8" gs mirrors are really good and others so-so.

[ausastronomer]

Hi David,

I have used a fair number of 8" and 10" GSO scopes (over 20) and I have yet to see one that I would call "so so". The worst of them has still had reasonable optics and certainly of an acceptable standard, further there have only been 2 samples below the level that I would class as good to very good. At the other end of the scale I have seen 4 scopes that have had outstanding optics, particularly considering that they are mass produced and their price level. The performance level offered by these scopes which cost less than $1,000 is equal to or better than the performance level of scopes costing $3,000 to $5,000 15 years ago, so it aint all bad.

In terms of your own scope I think I only took a quick look through it at low power last time we were at Kulnurra and wasn't looking to test it in any way, but if you would like me to check out the standard of the optics and collimation accuracy next time we are at Kulnurra I will be more than happy to help you out there. I would also be happy to show you my own scope if we get there before dark and show you how I have baffled it internally, which you might consider doing to your own scope, this improves contrast immensely.

FWIW the Synta manufactured newtonians, particularly those produced prior to Orion Telescopes USA's involvement with Synta in 2002 are somewhat more variable in quality than the GSO scopes, I have seen a couple of pretty poor early Synta mirrors, although they also seem to have got their quality fairly consistently good in recent times.

CS-John B

[Dave47tuc]

Steve the 19 mm is mediocre :shrug: Glad that we shall be catching up at the Star Camp to check this one out. :help3:

If your scope is collimated right the Pano, should be outstanding.

We shall see. :)

I thought this thread was about GS SV 10mm :confused: