Advice needed: high power EP for a Mak...

[JD]

Hi guys, this is my first post here. Looks like a good site.

I have a Meade ETX-125 and I'm looking for a high power eyepiece. I currently have a Baader 8mm Hyperion which I really like but I would like to go higher. I realise that 250 - 300x is about as far as I can realistically go and even then only on a good night. 8mm gives me 237x and 7mm gives around 271x. I also would like something with decent eye relief, like the Baader but I don't need anything over say 70 degrees FOV. I'm not comfortable with ultra wides. At the other end of the scale, I like the Vixen LV's which are quite narrow.

Can anyone recommend a 7mm EP with good eye relief and say, 60 - 70 degrees FOV?

Many thanks,

JD

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

I am a big fan of my 7 mm Pentax XW...it is a very good eyepiece. It is sharp across the FOV, good eye relief and has what I feel is a "cooler" view than the Televue Nagler line of eyepieces (which seem "warmer")...I am sure that there is a technical reason for this but that is how I would describe it..

It is "premium" and will be priced accordingly but it is a keeper in my book.

[JD]

Thanks. I'm thinking that way at the moment. I just want to see if there are any alternatives out there before I do it.

[davidpretorius]

i do not have a 7mm pentax, but i will be getting one full stop!

the last 12 months have seen the pentax range rise to the top in that high end.

I will be going a 4mm and 6mm TMB planetary, but from 7 to 10, i believe it will be pentax

[matt]

Same for me DP.

Already have the 10mm Pentax.... the 7's not far away.

I love my 5mm Vixen LVW...

[JD]

The only other one I know about is the Vixen LV 7mm but that is only about 45 degrees FOV... I really like the LV's but I want something a little wider. At the oment the Pentax is leading the Vixen.

[matt]

Check out the differences between the LV and LVW range.

For starters, LVW is 65 degrees FOV compared to the 45 of the LV range.

They cost about twice as much but are still great value and cheaper than other premium wide angle eyepieces. FWIW I reckon the LVW range is very good.