Televue question...looking to upgrade

[NeilW]

Hi,

I'm looking to take that next step from standard issue plossls to something better. Can someone tell me what the difference is between the Televue Panoptic series and the Radian series? They seem to be in the same ballpark price wise.

Thanks,

[Lismore Bloke (Paul)]

Hi NeilW,

The Radian series ranges from 3 to 18mm and has a 60 degree field. They are designed particularly for planetary observers. The Panoptics range from 41 to 19mm, and have a 68 degree field, so are designed more for wide field views. The two ranges do not overlap, so it depends on what type of observing you plan to do. Both ranges are first rate.

[NeilW]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for that.

If I'd looked at the apertures more closely I should have seen that. I was looking around the 19mm range, so I was trying to decide between the 19mm Panoptic and the 17mm Radian. I've heard good reports about the 19mm, so I'd probably lean toward that.

[Lismore Bloke (Paul)]

I don't think you'll be sorry Neil, I haven't heard a bad word said about the Panoptics. They are often overshadowed by the Nagler and Ethos series. I have started using the Nagler 4's (22, 17 (when it gets here) and 12 and the Nagler 6's in 9mm and 7mm. High end eyepieces like these really make a difference to visual observing.

[Waxing_Gibbous (Peter)]

Neil,
Paul is 100% correct. I don't think anyone will ever complain about the 19 Panoptic!
Its almost the perfect EP. Very sharp, flat views with excellent contrast.
The Radians, I find, are difficult to use, being very fussy about eye position. They also seem to throw up a slightly yellow colour (IMO).
The only alternative I might suggest is the 16mm Nagler. It has the same FOV as the 19 Pan but at a higher magnification (1/3 I think). Its not QUITE as sharp at the edges but goes a treat on DSO's.
PJH

[astro744]

Radians all have 20mm eye relief and an instadjust feature that allows you to slide the upper part of the eyepiece up or down depending on whether you wear glasses or not.

The Panoptics have varying eye relief dependent on focal length

Have a look at http://www.televue.com/engine/page.asp?cat=2 for more details.

Note there is an 18mm Radian but no 17mm Radian. Also the 15mm and 22mm Panoptics have been discontinued.

All Radians are 1.25" only. The 19 & 24mm Panoptics are 1.25" and the 27, 35 & 41mm are 2".

[NeilW]

Thanks for the comments...looks like I'll be asking Santa for the Panoptic 19mm