30mm For 12" Dob Help

[Tamtarn]

We're looking to upgrade from our 30mm Superview to a better quality EP. We need something with more contrast and sharpness to edges.

The things we like about the Superview is a great FOV and we find it very comfortable to use with the flared rubber eyecup. It's perfect for us Oldies

What we're after is a better quality and similar comfortable feel. We will be using it as a search and find for Galaxies etc.

Our price range is up to $350 AUS Not able to go to the Premium just yet

Some thoughts have been * Stratus 30mm
* Televue 32mm Plossl
* Sieberts 32mm 2" or 30mm Ultra

The Stratus is probably our first choice for good quality at a reasonable price but we're not sure of the eye comfort compared to the Superview.
And we haven't seen any reviews at all on the 30mm with a F5 Scope.

Any suggestions will be a great help

Barb & David

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

That's a tough one. Good wide true fov eps are the most expensive.

Second hand 27mm Panoptic would be very nice but you'd need to wait for one to turn up. I patiently hung onto my seagull infested Superview for for nearly a year before I found one for a good price.

The 2" Stratus could be good. Vixen LV 30mm (60 degree FOV) is another option (maybe MyAstroshop could get one for you). The Meade 5000 SWA (68 degree) and Plossls (60 degree) might be worth investigating too. I have the 26mm Plossl. It's better than the Superview but still some seagulls remain near the edge of field.

Second hand 27mm Pano is really the best option I can think of.

You might like to check out the recent review of 35mm EPs on CN, including Stratus, Panoptic and few others.

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by janoskiss

Second hand 27mm Pano is really the best option I can think of.

I'll second that . I used to have one and I sold it for around that price last year. Its a very nice eyepiece indeed.

[Tamtarn]

It seems that the 27mm Panoptic is the best way to go.
We will just have to sit tight a bit longer and hope to pick up one second hand.
Can we ask you why you let yours go Geoff and what you replaced it with ?

Barb & David

[Zubenel (Wes)]

Hello ,
I have borrowed a 35mm panoptic and viewed the Large Sag Cloud at last years QLD Astrofest. Absolutely Stunning.So I am saving!!. The 27 mm will give a smaller FOV. I cant justify a 1000 dollar view with the 31mm Nag which gives the same Fov in my 10"ATM DOB. Great to see you do it together. Astronomy that is! Cheers Zub

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by Tamtarn

Can we ask you why you let yours go Geoff and what you replaced it with ?

I was offered a mint cond 31mm nagler at a price that i couldnt refuse.
Being such a big heavy beast I got a 24mm panoptic to supplement it.

There was nothing about the 27mm pano that i was unhappy with and I still miss that eyepiece.