21mm Ethos decision

[Allan]

Hi SingleMalt

I bought the 31 Nagler because I wanted an eyepiece that gave the widest possible view in my scope, plus I didn't have the cash for the Ethos at the time. It's a very comfortable eyepiece to use and is the one I start friends and family with at the start of the night, because I find they have trouble with eye position using the Ethos first up. I've spent many hours with this eyepiece now and really like it.

But, now that I have the 21 Ethos, I think that will be my main low power eyepiece. The 100 degree FOV in the 21 appears even more impressive than in the 13 Ethos. The 31 Nagler will still be very useful for the really wide FOV some targets need.

I feel fortunate to have both eyepieces, but if I could only have one it would be the Ethos. It will be a great eyepiece in your telescope.

[SingleMalt]

Originally Posted by Allan

Hi SingleMalt

I bought the 31 Nagler because I wanted an eyepiece that gave the widest possible view in my scope, plus I didn't have the cash for the Ethos at the time. It's a very comfortable eyepiece to use and is the one I start friends and family with at the start of the night, because I find they have trouble with eye position using the Ethos first up. I've spent many hours with this eyepiece now and really like it.

But, now that I have the 21 Ethos, I think that will be my main low power eyepiece. The 100 degree FOV in the 21 appears even more impressive than in the 13 Ethos. The 31 Nagler will still be very useful for the really wide FOV some targets need.

I feel fortunate to have both eyepieces, but if I could only have one it would be the Ethos. It will be a great eyepiece in your telescope.

Thanks for the advice, Allan - I ordered mine today now just the long wait and inevitable cloud cover... sorry in advance guys!

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

I have really enjoyed reading this thread. I have the 21 mm Ethos (which I enjoy) and have been wondering if the addition of the 31 mm Nagler (when budget and spouse allow) would make sense.

The comments in this thread are giving me the chance to think about this some more. In the meanwhile I will keep my wallet closed and my wife happy and defer for a while longer the possible purchase of the 31 mm Nagler.

[Satchmo]

For a 12" F5 the true fields of the 31mm vs 21m Ethos are 1.6 vs 1.4 degree so little advantage there , but the 6mm pupil on the 31mm pupil is good for certain objects in a really dark sky, but more limited use in a light polluted one .

[Don Pensack]

Originally Posted by Satchmo

For a 12" F5 the true fields of the 31mm vs 21m Ethos are 1.6 vs 1.4 degree so little advantage there , but the 6mm pupil on the 31mm pupil is good for certain objects in a really dark sky, but more limited use in a light polluted one .

My scope, with Paracorr, is f/5.75, so a little longer (hence smaller fields of view). Even then, the larger exit pupil of the 31 is beginning to get into "astigmatism territory", while the 21 does not. I think I will eventually sell the 31 Nagler, but, for right now, I have, and use, both.

[gb_astro]

This will vary greatly with your facial structure but in my case I found the Ethos 21 a bit uncomfortable to use. Just too hard to easily see the field stop.
The Nagler 31 on the other hand has the eye relief and ease of seeing the entire field stop as the Pentax XWs have but with that 10 degrees extra AFOV.

gb.

[el_draco (Rom)]

Heads up. You can get a 21mm from Opt in the states shipped for Au$800 atm. Its on "Special" till about the 15th

- to good to pass up, so I just ordered one.

[Don Pensack]

Note: Many US dealers ship to Australia, and since the prices are now allowed to float, you'll see much more aggressive pricing on TeleVue.

[el_draco (Rom)]

My 21mm ethos arrived today. Massive eyepiece .... and of course, massive rainfall arrived with it.

[Allan]

Originally Posted by el_draco

.... and of course, massive rainfall arrived with it.

Isn't that normal for Hobart anyway?

You are going to love that new eyepiece.

[el_draco (Rom)]

Originally Posted by Allan

Isn't that normal for Hobart anyway?

You are going to love that new eyepiece.

Alan, that depends on which side of the road, the time of the day and the day of the year.... We have seven choices of weather to choose from so your comment is simplistic

However... I am seriously looking forward to giving the 21mm a go.