Baader Hyperion Vs Orion Stratus???

[big_dav_2001 (Davin)]

Hi all...

Im currently looking around for some new EP's

I wish i could afford a set of TeleVue Ethos's, but for a cheaper alternative, would you reccomend purchasing Baader Planetarium Hyperion's or the Orion Stratus range??

(note, i know i should wait and save for Televue's, but i need something better than what ive got (ie: 6, 9, 15, 25 and 30mm GSO Plossls) to tie me over in the meantime...)

Or is it best to mix and match (some EP's better at different focal lengths than others???)

Thanks...
Davin

[GrampianStars (Rob)]

Originally Posted by big_dav_2001

Hi all...
Im currently looking around for some new EP's......
would you reccomend purchasing Baader Planetarium Hyperion's or the Orion Stratus range??
......
Thanks...
Davin

For Visual I have a set of Baader Hyperion's
A TV Powermate 2.5x (1.25")
Meade Superwide 13.8mm (1.25") (nice in the ed 80)
Meade UltraWide Angle 14mm (2")
Pentax XL 40 (2")

covers all configerations & does me fine

[casstony]

Hi Davin, it's best to mix and match since each eyepiece set has it's stronger and weaker performers, depending on focal length, the scope being used and observer preferences. If you could tell us what your two or three most used focal lengths are you'll get more useful recommendations.

Off the top of my head:
Pentax XF8.5mm
Hyperion/Stratus 13mm
A used 20mm or 22mm Nagler

If you need anything lower power than the nagler to use as a finder, the Andrews 30mm 2" 80 degree Ultra-wide is $99 and functions well as a finder, even though the outer half of the field is very poor.

[kustard (Simon)]

I have a set of Ba'aders and, well, I like them. The extra features over the Stratos is the thread for attaching a camera and I believe the Stratos do not have the small recess to help with locking the eyepiece in. I've never used a Stratos though so cannot comment on their optics.

[Wavytone]

Like you I didn't want to shell out for Naglers etc but instead chose Vixen LVW's as a nice set of mid-range eyepieces.

Best source: http://www.kkohki.com/English/kkohki...ml#Vixen%20LVW

Personally I love the 5, 8, 13 and 22 mm. I also have the Vixen NLVW30 however the TMB Paragon 30mm is a much better eyepiece (sharper and much wider FoV) and you can pick up a Paragon for less.

Hyperion/Stratus were inferior copies of the LVW's but due to their lower price succeeded in killing off the LVW's.

[big_dav_2001 (Davin)]

Thanks for the replys...

it's best to mix and match since each eyepiece set has it's stronger and weaker performers, depending on focal length, the scope being used and observer preferences. If you could tell us what your two or three most used focal lengths are you'll get more useful recommendations.

Im looking for something to use mainly in my 12" f/5 (focal length 1500mm) GSO dob...
The most common f/l's i currently use would be the 15, 25 and 30mm (although the 15 and 25mm's are only 1.25" and have a fairly small AFOV).... i was considering buying something around the 8, 13 and 24mm range with a reasonably large FOV...

I believe the Stratos do not have the small recess to help with locking the eyepiece in.

Ive heard of this problem too, ive read that the Stratus is prone to falling out of the 2" EP holder due to having a very small area for the holding screw to lock to...

Thanks for your help
Davin

[casstony]

Decent choices:

8mm: Hyperion 8, Vixen LVW 8, Pentax 8.5XF

13mm: Hyperion 13, Vixen LVW13, Used Nagler 12mm Type 4

24mm: Used Nagler 22, Used Panoptic 24, Vixen LVW22

Personally I find the 65 degree AFOV of the LVW's a little restrictive and prefer to buy used Naglers, but everyone has different preferences. All of the eyepieces above have good eye relief.

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

Originally Posted by kustard

I have a set of Ba'aders and, well, I like them. The extra features over the Stratos is the thread for attaching a camera and I believe the Stratos do not have the small recess to help with locking the eyepiece in. I've never used a Stratos though so cannot comment on their optics.

Same for me, I like them have 4 lenses and looking at getting more along with extension rings.

[JethroB76 (Jeff)]

Any of Casstony's combinations listed above would be great for you IMO - with the choice dependent on budget/availability

[big_dav_2001 (Davin)]

Thanks for your advice Tony... Much appreciated!!

Davin

[GrahamL]

Hi Davin
I have two of Tony's suggestions and find them great in my 12".

The 8.5 xf replaced a 7mm nagler , I found the nagler wasn't getting as much use when i stepped up to a 12" scope .The xf is a compact quality unit that by good fortune is pretty cheap .

I replaced a 27 panoptic with a 22 t4 , The 22 gives me more
magnification without giving much away in fov to the 27.

Personally I find the UW fov most usefull at low power and havn't really missed it a higer magnifications.

The lvw range does get good reviews from what I've read .

Good luck , there was a 22 t4 floating round in buy and sell a while back very cheap FYI, I don't recall If it sold or not .

[big_dav_2001 (Davin)]

Hi Graham,

Thanks for the advice, Ive since bought the Hyperion 8 and 13mm's, and really like them, nice FOV, good eye relief, and the camera thread is an added bonus. (besides, managed to get them for $115 each...the beauty of e-bay...)

Still havent decided on the third one though, but thanks for the tip, ill go searching through the buy and sell and see what i can find.

Thanks again
Davin