The Best 5mm EP under $200. - Page 5

RobF (Rob) · #81 02-05-2010, 07:24 PM

Ow - I might need that eye!
Careful looking through Ron's 16" dob Suzy - uncontrolled aperture fever can ensue.

Sorry can't get there this month Ron - Martin and I are scheming and plotting to head down to Ilford (South Pacific SP).

Tonight looking excellent. We've just driven back from Byron/Broken Head along the coast road, and was a bit of cloud over the Border Ranges, but otherwise entire coast looks clear.

Hope everyone gets some starshine tonight if you're able!

Still a bit of time before the moon is out. Hope I've tired the kids out enough...

Jen · #82 03-05-2010, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzy

I decided to go for the Pentax XW 10mm and am excitedly waiting delivery. I got it second hand for $300, so was only $100 above budget (did I say "only?")

i knew you would go over your budget it always happens i wonder why that is

So have you used it yet ?

Waiting for a full report

Suzy · #83 16-08-2012, 08:06 PM

WOW has it really been over two years since I bought this ep and never got back with my review, eeeek!

Well I bought the XW10mm and I love this ep so much that I will never ever part with it. Excellent contrast, pin point gorgeously rounded stars, handles dew well- until it's time to really quit when the mirror has given up! Very comfortable and I can see the entire field stop without pushing my eye into it. This is my most used (and treasured!) ep.
I loved it so much, that I also bought the XW 7mm

(in favour of the 5mm as the thread is titled). Figuring it will get more use on most nights than a 5mm will. To which end is why I ended up getting the 10mm in the first place, so I could barlow down.

My journey began again a couple of months ago into looking for a 5mm. I hate fussing with barlows to barlow down my XW10mm. Yet again, the budget was under $200.

Guess what again.. no luck!

I was prepared to make compromises as I don't see this focal length getting a whole lot of use. My choices were narrowed down to the Baader Hyperion 5mm and the Explore Scientific 4.7mm.

My minimum requirement was nothing under 15mm eye relief as the ES eyepieces are advertised as. However after hearing that the true eye relief is more like 12mm, I decided to give it a wide berth.

Then, Astro Pete kindly loaned me a Baader Hyperion 5mm to try. Three people at my scope (including me) saw horrid vignetting.

That meant that the 68 deg fov was whole lot lot smaller that you could see stuff- more like 55 deg.

On the upside, the middle of the fov was nice and black and sharp. I would have tolerated some poor performance on the edge, but seeing rings was a whole other distracting obstacle.
Possibly, a new user without prior experience to premiums would hold this ep in high regard. Perhaps I'm spoilt...

Astro Pete expected me to return it knowing I'm an XW fan, so I walked back in with tail between my legs

. Note to self, once you get on the premium bandwagon, there's no turning back.

Hmmm... so it came back to opening up my wallet for $360 for another XW5mm plus $40 shipping = $400. Eeeeek! So I'm back to shutting up and putting up with fiddling with barlows & the accompanying 2" adaptor I have to change for it. Grrrrr.

Poita (Peter) · #84 17-08-2012, 09:17 AM

I'm planning on getting the ES 4.7mm once they are back in stock. I'll shoot it over to you sometime so you can see if the eye relief is enough for you or not.

I am after a 5mm-ish eyepiece for solar viewing, but thought I may as well get something with a bit more FOV so it can do other duties.

Suzy · #85 17-08-2012, 09:54 AM

Peter, that would be awesome- thank you!

Krumlov (Gavin) · #86 22-08-2012, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzy

Well I bought the XW10mm

Hi Suzy,

Just found this thread and I am on a similar journey over in this thread: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=95157

Can you have a look there and give me any sage advice?

Les Kurma · #87 22-08-2012, 06:12 PM

The TMB Planetary or its Aquila Equivalent is probably the best planetary ep under $70. It seems the Aquila is made by the same OEM.
A great very usable ep without the fancy price tag.

Suzy · #88 28-09-2012, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krumlov

Hi Suzy,

Just found this thread and I am on a similar journey over in this thread: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=95157

Can you have a look there and give me any sage advice?

Apologies Gavin, a few weeks ago when I went to offer some advice on your thread, John Bambury had beat me to it. It worked out for the better as he is king muck muck head honcho guru of eyepieces on here and the advice he gave was fantastic as usual.

He has steered me very well in my collection. The XW10mm will NOT disappoint and to me it's worth every penny of $$$ spent.

Suzy · #89 28-09-2012, 03:56 PM

Well I finally went and did it!

A few days ago I ordered the Pentax XW5mm.

I couldn't resist the special price they're selling at the moment through Adorama in the U.S. Only $280!!!! With the dollar working so well at the moment, it only costs $267.00

The shipping is an extra $60, but that still brings the eyepiece in at only $330. I'm guessing shipping isn't affected by the dollar and is as is, but I don't really care because it's so cheap anyway.
OPT still have them selling for $360 with shipping on top of that (I think from memory when I last bought my XW10 it was $40).

So yaaaaaaaaay I can't wait for it to get here.

Look out tight doubles and the homunculus in Eta Carina- I'm going to get you good!

haha this thread has gone totally full circle now with my original question.

astroron (Ron) · #90 28-09-2012, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzy

Well I finally went and did it!

A few days ago I ordered the Pentax XW5mm.

I couldn't resist the special price they're selling at the moment through Adorama in the U.S. Only $280!!!! With the dollar working so well at the moment, it only costs $267.00

The shipping is an extra $60, but that still brings the eyepiece in at only $330. I'm guessing shipping isn't affected by the dollar and is as is, but I don't really care because it's so cheap anyway.
OPT still have them selling for $360 with shipping on top of that (I think from memory when I last bought my XW10 it was $40).

So yaaaaaaaaay I can't wait for it to get here.

Look out tight doubles and the homunculus in Eta Carina- I'm going to get you good!

haha this thread has gone totally full circle now with my original question.

I will have to order my 3.5mm NAGLER to show ya a real view of the Homunculus Suzy

Cheers

Suzy · #91 28-09-2012, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astroron

I will have to order my 3.5mm NAGLER to show ya a real view of the Homunculus Suzy

Cheers

Show off.

Regarding your 16" dinosaur and that black thingy with green writing...
Size doesn't matter- it's how you use it.

..............

astroron (Ron) · #92 28-09-2012, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzy

Show off.

Regarding your 16" dinosaur and that black thingy with green writing...
Size doesn't matter- it's how you use it.

..............

Well if Size doesn't matter; you should go back to your six incher and let someone else have the 10"

Suzy · #93 28-09-2012, 05:10 PM

I just think I got defeated by Mr Think Quick with the oversized scope.

ausastronomer (John Bambury) · #94 29-09-2012, 09:16 AM

Well Ron certainly won each and every round, but Suzy ended up with the best eyepiece

You will love that 5mm Pentax XW Suzy. It is every bit as good as the 7mm and 10mm XW's.

Cheers,
John B

Suzy · #95 30-09-2012, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ausastronomer

Well Ron certainly won each and every round, but Suzy ended up with the best eyepiece

yeah Ron, what he said

Many thanks John, you've guided me well.

I plan on attacking your Bambo600 list soon, what a brilliant list, and not that I expect to get all 600

.

astroron (Ron) · #96 30-09-2012, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzy

yeah Ron, what he said

Many thanks John, you've guided me well.

I plan on attacking your Bambo600 list soon, what a brilliant list, and not that I expect to get all 600

.

Suzy, I'll put my Naglers up against your Pentax any day, especially in my scope.
Your little pea shooter wouldn't hack having a class eyepiece in it that's why your eyepieces look so good

Cheers

Suzy · #97 30-09-2012, 05:25 PM

At least my eyepieces don't inflict injury to the user- a reminder of said Nagler falling on your foot and breaking your toe.

Perhaps you need a lesson in how to handle eyepieces.

astroron (Ron) · #98 30-09-2012, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzy

At least my eyepieces don't inflict injury to the user- a reminder of said Nagler falling on your foot and breaking your toe.

Perhaps you need a lesson in how to handle eyepieces.

Come and give me a lesson Suzy

Eyepieces at 50 paces, let the duel begin.

I have handled a lot more quality glass in my time than you,being the proud owner of one of the top type of eyepieces in astronomy.

Your just a novice but you'll get there someday

Cheers

skytry (Peter) · #99 30-09-2012, 06:17 PM

hi All,
Suzy,
I have enjoyed the read from start to finish, the comments on the forum have been enlightening thank you to all,

for me maybe, the next shall be as mentioned prior, Philips or similar webcam,
and monitor, collect, edit and save, and enjoy,

I shall be experementing with eyepieces, make decisions, discard the ones that do not come up too scratch, replace with quality,
as I have been advised here reading today what too look for and where too look ,

this entry has been most enjoyable,

regards,
Peter.

doug mc · #**100** 01-10-2012, 02:49 PM

I heve the TMB Planetarys 4,5,6mm, my only beef with them was light scatter on the moon. Recently i bought a 12mm solar system ler from Smart Astronomy and i prefer it to the TMBs. Sharp, long eye relief, no light scatter. 55 degrees fov. When observing the moon with my 8inch f/6, i find barlowing it with my baffeld barlows offers better views.