Meade Series 5000 UWA vs Orion Stratus

[JoeBlow (Joe)]

Has anyone compared the Series 5000 UWA with the Orion Stratus range of eyepieces? Is the extra few dollars for the Meade worth it? Is there anything else better about the Meade other then its wider field?

Reason I ask is because I am interested in a good quality eyepiece in the 9 to 11 mm range, however I cant afford something like a Nagler (well actually I can, but my family will murder me for spending $500 or more on an eyepiece LOL ). I also want the eyepiece to have a wide field (65 degrees or more) and good eye relief. Both the Meade UWA and Orion stratus seem to meet this criteria.

I am currently looking more towards the Meade UWA 8.8 since its closer to my 9 to 11 mm range and it has a 82 degree field. However I hear very good reports on the Orion Stratus range which includes an 8 mm. If the Stratus is easier to use (more viewing comfort) and has better performance then the Meade UWA, I then may chose the stratus instead considering it's $85 cheaper form Bintel.


Thanks,