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06-11-2005, 09:02 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sale, VIC
Posts: 6,033
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Orion Stratus wide-field eyepieces
Unless someone here talks me out of it, I'm about to take a punt on some Orion Stratus eyepieces at $US119 plus a few bucks for postage. They are rumoured to be Vixen LVW clones. I just can't go back to narrow-view designs after having used the Nagler and Panoptic, but I can't afford any more Naglers either.
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06-11-2005, 10:42 PM
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aiming for 2nd Halley's
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 2,959
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Hi Steve,
I'm not familiar with the Orion Stratus, but wondered had you considered the Orion Expanse eyepieces? These have a 66deg fov (might vary with some focal lengths) and are very reasonably priced as ~$80AU a piece (1.25in barrel). I have the 20mm and am very happy with it - it's no Televue, but quite respectable.
Sirius Optics in Brisbane sell these. They don't appear on their web-site but they do stock them. One thing they do show on their web-site that IS very cose to a Nagler are the Widescan series eyepieces from Japan. 84deg fov. There is 20, 16 and 13mm in 1.25 inch barrel for $299AU each and a massive 2in barrelled 30mm for $399AU!
http://www.sirius-optics.com.au/eyepieces.htm
cheers,
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06-11-2005, 10:54 PM
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To preepmt the flood of responses, let me just assert that I am aware of the problems most widefields have with fast scopes. I'm willing to compromise somewhat though if it means sacrificing a little in quality to save a lot of cash. I'm only interested in trying out these Stratus EPs because so far the response from users has been very positive.
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06-11-2005, 10:58 PM
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Registered User
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... and there is an astromart review on it, also very positive. Although I wouldn't have a clue if astromart reviews are to be trusted at all.
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07-11-2005, 12:09 AM
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4000 post club member
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 4,900
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Just remember Steve if you upgrade to a bigger dob later, its likely to be f5 or less
The Meade s5000 plossls with 60 degree field might be a reasonable comprimise cheapy @ $150AU.
With a quick look they seemed fairly decent, if a little soft at the edge at f5.
Last edited by Starkler; 07-11-2005 at 01:21 PM.
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07-11-2005, 12:16 AM
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The 'DRAGON MAN'
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: In the Dark at Snake Valley, Victoria
Posts: 14,412
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Use a Barlow. Then you shouldn't get the f5 widefield blues!
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07-11-2005, 08:00 AM
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Grey Nomad
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: "Where ever the wind blows".
Posts: 5,694
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Starkler
The Meade s5000 plossls with 60 degree field might be a reasonable comprimise cheapy @ $150AU.
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I was going to suggest the same thing Steve.
I don't know if you got the chance to look through Stu's 5000's or not, but I was more than impressed with them and think they're a worthy compromise.
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07-11-2005, 11:05 AM
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Location: Sale, VIC
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Yes I did look through the S5000s and was impressed with them, as well. But I've placed my order for the Stratus EPs now. I ordered an 8 and and an 5mm for high-mag observing, and also a 21 and 13mm to compare with my 19mm Panoptic and 13mm Nagler. Depending on how I like them I'll be reselling either the Televues or the Orions.
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07-11-2005, 11:22 AM
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Planetary neb & glob nut
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 879
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I suspect you will be selling them Stratus in comparison to the TV's  But I have heard some good things about these ep's. Let us know how they pan out in you f/5 scope (i.e edge of field distortion and flaring...something that is very prevalent in these budget widefields).
Darren
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07-11-2005, 03:41 PM
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Cygnus X-1
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 366
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Someone on Cloudy Nights compared the stratus Eyepieces very close to the TeleVue Panoptics or Radians !!!...Go for it!!!...You won't be disappointed from what I have been reading from everybody!!!
--------------------
Mark
12" GSO Reflector
30mm 1rpd,(on the way)
20mm Nagler T2, (negotiating a deal right now)
14mm Meade series 4000 UWA
10mm Pentax XW (on the way)
2" GSO Barlow
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07-11-2005, 03:59 PM
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Grey Nomad
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: "Where ever the wind blows".
Posts: 5,694
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Put me down for your 19mm Pan Steve.
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07-11-2005, 04:04 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sale, VIC
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Thanks Mark. I have ordered them. I'll let you know if I agree with the Cloudy Nights post. BTW It's amazing how many people announce on CN that they've bought eyepieces and that they will post a review soon after first light, but then do no such thing.
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07-11-2005, 04:09 PM
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Registered User
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Location: Sale, VIC
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xstream
Put me down for your 19mm Pan Steve. 
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Just hang on a minute, John. I'm not selling anything yet. But if I decide to sell the Pan, you'll be the first to know.
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07-11-2005, 04:29 PM
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4000 post club member
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 4,900
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Quote:
Originally Posted by janoskiss
BTW It's amazing how many people announce on CN that they've bought eyepieces and that they will post a review soon after first light, but then do no such thing.
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You won't be like them, will you Steve?
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07-11-2005, 05:59 PM
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Registered User
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Who, me? No Geoff. Never.  I will let you all know how I like them and how they compare with the Pan and Nagler. It would be nice to have someone with more experience give their opinion on them too...
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07-11-2005, 06:11 PM
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Cygnus X-1
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 366
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Steve, there has been TONS of feedback about the Orion Stratus eyepieces on CN if you search for it...
--------------------------------------------
Mark
12" GSO Reflector
30mm 1rpd,(on the way)
20mm Nagler T2, (negotiating a deal right now)
14mm Meade series 4000 UWA
10mm Pentax XW (on the way)
2" GSO Barlow
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07-11-2005, 08:28 PM
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4000 post club member
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 4,900
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It looks like their closest competition is from Vixen LVW's and Pentax xl/xw.
Daniel has some LVW's and I have a couple of pentaxs. It would be interesting to compare.
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07-11-2005, 08:49 PM
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The 'DRAGON MAN'
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: In the Dark at Snake Valley, Victoria
Posts: 14,412
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Quote:
Originally Posted by janoskiss
It would be nice to have someone with more experience give their opinion on them too...
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Send up to me Steve. Just for a few months, and I'll do a comparison test for you!
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07-11-2005, 09:33 PM
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Registered User
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Location: Sale, VIC
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Your too kind, Ken, but I really don't want to impose.
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