New eyepiece arrived today: Celestron 15mm Axiom

[Gem (Grant)]

Getting excited here! New eyepiece arrives, new dew heater arrived, dew shield arrives... just need the new scope to arrive (but still a week away!!!)...

The Celestron Axiom series has 82 degree FOV and is a really heavy eye piece. I chose the 15mm since it is 1.25" and fills in a gap between my other good quality eyepieces (4.8mm Nagler and 32mm Televue Plossl).

At $175 including freight, it will be interesting to see how it stacks up! I'll keep you posted since I have not seen anyone else using this series of eyepiece.

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

So, how's the new Axiom?

[Gem (Grant)]

Good! I am very pleased with it. Quite large and heavy compared to my other eyepieces (see the eyepiece photo section for my collection).

Overall, really good value for money. The FOV (82) is about as large as you want. I have quite a long focal length (2350mm), so it makes x157. I am finding that I pretty much use only two eyepieces most nights: my 32mm TV plossl for low power or the Axiom for medium-high power. The GOTO on my scope is really good, so even if I am using the 15mm each object is near centre everytime.

I have looked through many naglers in the past, but not recently to do a direct comparison. (Except for my 4.8mm Nagler but that is hardly a comparison!!). I do have a range of plossls (Televue, Celestron, Sirius), and the Axiom stacks up well to them.

I would say, the Axiom is good value for money. If you don't want to spend huge, but want a decent 82 FOV then it is a good buy. Mine was $175 new including freight from the US. It is 1.25", which is why I got it. I wish they had the 22mm in 1.25"... then I would get it too!

Hope that helps!

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

You know you can get a 2" diagonal for your SCT. That's what I did with my C8.

I wonder how your Axiom will perform in a fast Newtonian, like f/4.5.

[Gem (Grant)]

Yeah, but if I got a 2" eyepiece... it would cost me the eyepiece plus $100 for the diagonal!
At present, the 32mm TV plossl is good enough for low power and the Axiom is covering medium power fine. If I want higher, I go the 12mm Celestron plossl or the 4.8mm nagler. Overall, I am "adequately" covered. Of course, if the budget allows down the track I will definitely consider the 2" diagonal and a 22mm with 82 FOV and a 26-32 with 82 FOV.
I will have to wait until next year before any serious spending... a CGEM 925 is enough spent for one year! I've been a studying, stay at home dad this year, so I need to get a job and start saving again as the youngest starts kindergarten in 2012...

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Good buy Grant , I have your eye pieces BIG! Brother !
the 31mm 2 inch , and its huge !
as big and heavy as the TV Nagler 31mm but about 2/3 the price , and mate if your 15mm is as good as mine it will be a world class 82 degree eyepiece .
My Axiom 31mm is big and heavy but it is almost indestinguisable to the 31mm Nagler out under dark skies up here in Darwin .
I like mine and hope you enjoy yours .
Brian.

[AG Hybrid (Adrian)]

$175? I take it for that price you got it from overseas?