Low cost Ethos clones?

[Satchmo]

Just noticed this low cost Ethos style eyepiece . I wonder how it compares optically?

http://www.astronomics.com/main/product.asp/catalog_name/Astronomics/category_name/0UQLGPPBWAVW9PU67U3MG854H5/product_id/ES14

UPDATE: Looks like there are a few detailed reviews on the way at Cloudy Nights. It seems that the eyepiece has its own charachteristics and is not a direct Ethos clone, however early reports suggest it has has very good edge field sharpness even with F4 scopes and will prove an excelent choice for those wanting the 100 degree experience but cannot afford a televue Ethos.

[erick]

I've been watching, Mark. A longer focal length would be interesting. However they are huge and heavy. Around 900g for this one and I'm sure I've see a photo of one towering over an Ethos!

(They list an 82 deg range with the 30mm topping out at 1.45kg!)

[JethroB76]

And now there is a 20mm ES, interesting...

http://starizona.com/acb/20mm-100-Series-P3117C776.aspx

[Mike21]

May be you can answer me Eric. Why go to the effort of making an EP waterproof as the Astronomics EP in question claims to be? Surely if the dew is that bad you've got bigger worries than having to dry your EP before putting it to bed.

[wavelandscott]

Your question has been one of intense debate when the eyepiece was first announced at NEAF. There is no real agreement as to if being waterproof is worthwhile or not.

Some folks claim that it will help prevent internally fogging and that in spotting scopes this feature is a huge advantage. Others point out that this means that when you clean them you don't need to worry about cleaning solution getting inside. I'm not sure that I have ever had a problem with either of these things myself.

I suspect that it is done to try to denote "quality"...your QC tolerance must be pretty good and consistent to keep them waterproof...at least that is my thought on it.

So far the user reports have been pretty good as near as I can tell.

[erick]

Their website says:-

"Each 100° Series Nitrogen-Purged Waterproof eyepiece is internally sealed and purged with inert, dry nitrogen gas to prevent internal fogging, to halt the intrusion of fine particulates and fungus, and to maximize the life of the internal coatings.To make sure, every 100° eyepiece is tested by submerging them down to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes."


Here is the page on the 14mm 100 deg:- http://www.explorescientific.com/eyepieces/100_degree_14mm.html



There is no mention there of a 20mm version, so interesting that Starizona does have it listed. I wanted to see how heavy the 20mm is! :scared: I suspect it is still in final design so they don't know as yet. They offer the $100 off special until Feb 2010 at the moment - makes me think it is not shipping for some months yet.

[wavelandscott]

There is "allegedly" a "demo" floating around at some start parties in the USA for the 20mm.

Rumour has it that the principal has said that it is coming soon although they are not yet commercially available.

[gb_astro]

Can't argue with the warranty they are offering:

"Explore Scientific stands behind our products with a free 5 Year Transferrable Limited Warranty upon registration of the product. Want to trade or sell your eyepiece? You’ll get more value if its remaining warranty can be transferred to the new owner."

gb.

[mozzie]

mmm i wonder who will import these and sell them in aus
mozzie

[JethroB76]

I dont think the 14mm has even made it down here yet and thats been available for a little while. Likewise the 82 degree Celestron Axioms aren't available locally either AFAIK

[mozzie]

oz scopes they advertise here on iis sell the axion the only locals ive seen
mozzie

[JethroB76]

Wow
Shows how much attention I've paid them guys:lol:

[mozzie]

my mate bought a 19mm 2"axiom on ebay u.s bought it a little cheaper nice eyepiece to look out of
mozzie

[erick]

I just spotted - an Ethos 21mm is coming.

http://www.televue.com/engine/page.asp?ID=311#E21

It will weigh over a kg! Even humbles the 31mm Nagler!


So a set of 21mm/13mm/8mm - probably set one back the best part of $2600-2,700. Yikes!

[JethroB76]

Excellent :thumbsup:

Now, how long to Christmas..

[Don Pensack]

Though they don't crow about it, Pentax XW eyepieces are also waterproof.
The value in this would be felt, I would think, over time, because I have seen many older eyepieces with "haze" on the internal lens surfaces. We live in smoggy cities these days, and it coats our mirrors, our eyepieces, and our lungs.
Fortunately, the lungs are self-cleaning. Not so the interiors of eyepieces.
If it doesn't cost extra, there's no harm in it.

[Lester]

It would be good to see a comparison on these clones with the ethos.

[Rodstar]

I wonder what the 21 Ethos will cost? I just bought a 20T5 thinking it would be a while before the longer focal length Ethos came out.

[Starkler]

Shame they didnt do something about the short eye relief on the 21.

[gmbfilter]

Thats a pain in me naglers!!!
Just got a 17 was thinking of a 31mm.............probably not now!
Might be the best thing since the telescope!:thumbsup:

[Rodstar]

You're not wrong!:eyepop:

[Astrolabe]

Same here Geoff, and this applies in my case for the whole Ethos series.

Best regards

George (astrolabe)

[ausastronomer]

Hi all,

Read mine and Gary Kopff's comments in this thread.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=45759

We actually had one of the 14mm ES prototypes at Coonabarabran in May. It was very good optically and very close to the 13mm ETHOS. Unfortunately it's a good bit larger, being the size and weight of a beer keg, not a beer can.

Cheers,
John B