Hi Wavelandscott, I have viewed through the 7mm nagler and the
7 mm pentax xw but not at the same time. I can say that both were
very sharp but I would give the edge to 7mm xw pentax.
I think on the dob (mine is 1250mm focal length) that 7mm is a little on the low powered side.
I use a 14mm Pentax barlowed for my main planetary mag and if the seeing wont support that I dont bother looking at planets. My barlow although rated at 2x , actually gives 2.2x measured giving me an effective focal length of 6.4mm.
If only pentax made a 6mm xw , i would probably buy one.
You won't like it, but you won't know until you buy it!
...and I'll be anxiously awaiting your return!
Seriously though, I've looked through the Pentax 7mm and was very impressed. Sharp as a tack, sensibly wide field and great but not ridiculous eye relief.
I ordered them today to be shipped to my in-laws in the US for my collection in July...
My wife's family claim to have an "old" Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain that my wife's "Astronomer Grandmother" (she was a professor and did teach Astronomy at a university on the east coast of the US) had and used at their summer camp in the Adirondack's in upstate New York...
So, assuming they can get the scope operational by the time I visit, I will be able to check out both the Pentax XW 7mm and the 24 mm Pan before I bring them back here...
