Orion filters - SkyGlow & UltraBlock

janoskiss (Steve H) · #1 20-08-2005, 10:39 PM

In the recent equipment review article by Phil Harrington in Astronomy ("Secret weapons", Aug 2005, p. 82), the Orion SkyGlow came out on top amongst the broadband filters, and the Orion UltraBlock rated very well too amongst the narrowband filters, for visual observation. In the latest issue of Aust. S&T, these are advertised for $110 & $160, respectively, for the 1.25" variants.

Do you own either of these filters? What do you think of them? Are they are worth the $$?

ving (David) · #2 22-08-2005, 09:49 AM

I have a skyglow, bought off ebay for about $70 AU including shipping. I dont have anything to compare it to tho. I know it wont out perform narrowband filters tho.
for $60-$70 tho you cnat go too wrong...
in retrospect tho I wish I'd bought the narrowband

dhumpie · #3 23-08-2005, 05:20 PM

IMHO if you are getting just one deep sky filter/nebular filter, I say go for the Orion UltraBlock. I had an Orion SkyGlow filter that was good but when I got my lumicon UHC, it eventually saw less and less use until I sold it off

Darren

janoskiss (Steve H) · #4 23-08-2005, 06:51 PM

OK, so no overly enthusiastic support for broadband. The review in Astronomy implied that the broadband would be the best general purpose filter for helping out with moderate light pollution. I take it that narrowbands are more impressive on nebulae but dim stars more. I guess $160 is a bit pricey for the Ultrablock...

RAJAH235 · #5 23-08-2005, 11:48 PM

Steve, I have a B/B,($132), UHC & OIII.($164.00 each). All bought in '96/'97. They all do what they were designed for. Once again it comes down to personal choice as to whether or not you NEED one. I use mine when nec. Some are just a lot 'cheaper' now!!!
HTH.

L.

iceman (Mike) · #6 24-08-2005, 07:55 AM

I received my DGM Optics NPB (narrowband) filter on Monday (along with John B and h0ughy's 2" versions). For $80 shipped to Aus, absolute bargain, and they can out on top in Phil Harrington's article so I've very keen to get outside with it and give it a test run. Compared to AU$190 for the Astronomik/Lumicon variants, it's a great price.

On the weekend at Kulnura (assuming the weather is kind) i'll be attempting a shoot-out with Rod's Astronomik OIII and John's Lumicon OIII and UHC.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #7 24-08-2005, 09:46 AM

Where did you get your DGM, Mike?

slice of heaven · #8 24-08-2005, 09:59 AM

Here Steve
http://users.erols.com/dgmoptics/LPRfilters.htm

dhumpie · #9 25-08-2005, 12:47 PM

Steve,

Broadband filters are okay (well at least the Orion one I owned anyway) but they do very little in terms of improving the views of objects. They might for instance make the views more aestically pleasing by darkening the background and improving the contrast ever so slightly. I would rather go to a dark sky site and get the same effect (and the views will definatly be much better anyway) on objects like galaxies, globs, open clusters. They are next to useless at dark sky sites (broadbands) but the UHC filters do improve the views quite dramatically (even from dark sky sites) when used on the appropriate objects. In my opinion no filter can improve views of galaxies and clusters from the city, burbs....

Darren

ving (David) · #10 25-08-2005, 01:48 PM

using my orion skyglow is diference between absolutely no helix neb and very faint ring structure. it gives stars a green hue. the only thing that'l make galaxies look better is darker skies and more apperture

dhumpie · #11 25-08-2005, 03:43 PM

I agree David. They are useful for suburban skies but make no difference under dark skies. As mentioned before they will improve the views somewhat but I found that my UHC enhances the views a lot more. I did try my SkyGlow on some of the larger and more diffuse galaxies (M31, M33, NGC 253) and seriously speaking did not see any improvements.

Darren

ving (David) · #12 25-08-2005, 05:09 PM

true, and given the chance i'd swap my skyglow for a UHC any day... but it did only cost me $60

janoskiss (Steve H) · #13 25-08-2005, 05:22 PM

Thanks everyone. I won't bother with broadband then (true bargains excepted). I've been resisting buying from overseas for many years, but I think I'm finally going to bite the bullet; applied for a credit card at my bank, and left my details with DGM.

Kieken · #14 26-08-2005, 01:46 AM

I have both of them but haven't got a chance for comparing them (crappy weather

).

I own the Skyglow for about 8 months now and I can tell you that it works, but not very much. A trip to the next dark observing site would give you similar or even better images. (it always does

). I hope I can check the Ultrablock before school starts again (in 1 week so ...). Lets hope and pray.

iceman (Mike) · #15 26-08-2005, 06:15 AM

Nice one Steve, i'll let you know how the DGM's perform on Sunday after i've given them a run on the weekend.

ausastronomer (John Bambury) · #16 26-08-2005, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

I received my DGM Optics NPB (narrowband) filter on Monday (along with John B and h0ughy's 2" versions). For $80 shipped to Aus, absolute bargain, and they can out on top in Phil Harrington's article so I've very keen to get outside with it and give it a test run. Compared to AU$190 for the Astronomik/Lumicon variants, it's a great price.

On the weekend at Kulnura (assuming the weather is kind) i'll be attempting a shoot-out with Rod's Astronomik OIII and John's Lumicon OIII and UHC.

Mike,

My UHC and OIII filters are Astronomiks not Lumicon. Andrew has a Lumicon OIII and a Lumicon UHC

CS-John B

iceman (Mike) · #17 26-08-2005, 07:50 AM

whoops sorry John, either way it'll be great to give them a test run.