Took the plunge! 7mm Pentax on its way!

iceman (Mike) · #1 13-04-2006, 01:38 PM

Well after a lot of shopping around, seeking opinions, i've decided on my high power DSO eyepiece, which will also be more than suitable for lower power planetary when the seeing isn't great.

I bought a 7mm Pentax XW from Star Optics in QLD. I compared their price with some recent astromart ads, and by the time I had it shipped to Australia, paid paypal fees etc, it literally worked out the same price to buy brand new locally.

I've used John's 7mm XW quite a few times, so I know how good this eyepiece is. It's my first big budget eyepiece so I can't wait to get it.

Thanks to Chris from Star Optics for a quick, no-fuss transaction. I got a good deal and it's being shipped this afternoon! Can't ask for much more than that.

davidpretorius · #2 13-04-2006, 01:42 PM

awesome, don't forget your wife will be better soon, so she will be able to look at the credit card statements!!! please review the striker manual!

as excited as being a dog with two you know whats!

ving (David) · #3 13-04-2006, 01:49 PM

super!
dont forget a review

Striker (Tony) · #4 13-04-2006, 01:51 PM

I have always had good service from Chris & Lex.

Congrats on the new eyepiece.

Quote:

It's my first big budget eyepiece so I can't wait to get it.

And what do you call the 14 mm UW you have...a cheapy.

Miaplacidus (Brian) · #5 13-04-2006, 01:53 PM

I am soooooooooo jealous. I got my 10 mm XW from Star Optics, and it is my favourite EP. I want to save up for the 7 mm. Congratulations! (Hope Icemanswife is better, too.)

Cheers,

Brian.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #6 13-04-2006, 02:19 PM

What's this? The Japanese invasion? Everyone seems to be buying Pentaxes.

now, where are mine??

cjmarsh81 · #7 13-04-2006, 02:33 PM

Nice one. I hope you paid for insurance for this EP

Dave47tuc (David) · #8 13-04-2006, 04:32 PM

Good one Mike,

Its great to see you me and others have gone and brought Pentax eyepieces. John, Geoff and others have been spot on in their praises of these eyepieces.

I too and Steve I think have gone to Star Optics, good service from Lex and Chris as Tony said.

They have sold a few Pentax's in the last few weeks.

Along with Vixen LVW’s from my Astro Shop
We now see there’s not just TV for high-end eyepieces.

By the way my University Optics MK-70 40 mm arrived today form Frontier Optics.

It will be cloudy for a long time.

ausastronomer (John Bambury) · #9 13-04-2006, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

I bought a 7mm Pentax XW from Star Optics in QLD.

Mike,

Congrats on your purchase. I am very confident that in a couple of months time you will think this is one of the best eyepieces you have ever used. I am predicting you will be in the hunt for a 10mm Pentax XW to go with the 7mm XW within the next 6 months

The more time you spend with it the more you will like it. They do take a little bit of getting used to in terms of adjusting the eye cup correctly for each person and getting your eye in the right place to catch the exit pupil. In a short time you will be very comfortable with it and love it. It also takes a little time to appreciate its quality.

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoskiss

What's this? The Japanese invasion? Everyone seems to be buying Pentaxes.

now, where are mine??

Steve,

Spend a reasonable period of time with the 10mm Pentax XW and you will work out why. It would be superb in your new 12"/F5 water heater/canon. It would also be great in the 8"/f6. A quick look isn't long enough to appreciate the quality of the Pentax XW's. Unlike a Nagler which whacks you in the eye as being impressive with its enormous FOV from the outset, the Pentax's need to grow on you over time. The areas where the Pentax shines, like light transmission, contrast and sharpness, take a little more time to appreciate and sink in.

CS and enjoy Mike, at present Steve can be envious

John B

janoskiss (Steve H) · #10 13-04-2006, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ausastronomer

the Pentax's need to grow on you over time

Don't worry John, they will have plenty of time to do that once they get here.

I ordered the 10 & 14mm some time ago (also from Star Optics).

The deal-clincher for me was the XF 8.5mm, which I got (from o/s) to test the Pentax waters. I am extremely impressed with the quality and performance of the XF: clearly above all the rest I've used including those with green lettering on the barrel. And this is only a $200 eyepiece! (Unfortunately it is still quite a bit dearer in Australia. Otherwise I would have got the XF 12mm as well.)

It would be interesting to compare the XFs with Radians, which have the same FOV and similar eye relief, but cost a lot more.

Striker (Tony) · #11 13-04-2006, 05:43 PM

Mike.....confess please mate.

I was just speaking to Chris from Star Optics on another matter who said you purchased a few items.....come on don't hide...does the wife know about these and what are they.

You sure you only purchased 1 pentax.????????

Quote:

awesome, don't forget your wife will be better soon, so she will be able to look at the credit card statements!!! please review the striker manual!

Yep easy fixed lol.....I now have stopped all postal statements and need to look up my bank account online to look at statements...you can organise this through your bank...I did...lol

cjmarsh81 · #12 13-04-2006, 05:53 PM

Striker. Are you going to write a book? Pass on all your secrets? You could call it '100 ways to conceal from the one you love'.

davidpretorius · #13 13-04-2006, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Striker

Mike.....confess please mate.

I was just speaking to Chris from Star Optics on another matter who said you purchased a few items.....come on don't hide...does the wife know about these and what are they.

You sure you only purchased 1 pentax.????????

Yep easy fixed lol.....I now have stopped all postal statements and need to look up my bank account online to look at statements...you can organise this through your bank...I did...lol

thanks for helping him out mate, but if it is two items, i suggest you point mike to the sealed red emergency section from your manual. This is more serious that at first glance!

"open this section only if the wife is in the process of opening the package or invoice"

wavelandscott (Scott) · #14 13-04-2006, 06:25 PM

Congrats Mike!

I am sure that you will enjoy the eyepiece...I have enjoyed my 7 mm Pentax XW too...John is right in that it did take me a while to appreciate it versus the Naglers I also own...

Enjoy!

RapidEye · #15 14-04-2006, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ausastronomer

Congrats on your purchase. I am very confident that in a couple of months time you will think this is one of the best eyepieces you have ever used. I am predicting you will be in the hunt for a 10mm Pentax XW to go with the 7mm XW within the next 6 months

A-frackin'-men!!!
Once you cross that line - you'll never go back

I may not make it until Fall before I order that 5mm <EG>

Quote:

Originally Posted by ausastronomer

In a short time you will be very comfortable with it and love it.

He's dead on with that too - with the extra eye relief and the big eye lens, it is an extremely comfortable EP to use! I know I've spent hours and hours hunting down galaxies in Leo, UMa, and Com-Vir and not felt any eyestrain, unlike the short FL Plossls....

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoskiss

It would be interesting to compare the XFs with Radians, which have the same FOV and similar eye relief, but cost a lot more.

I've put the Radians next to the XW's and XL's on a couple of occations - I kept going back to the Pentaxes! The wider FOV is noticiable, and the way the eyecup adjusts and the size of the lens really make a difference in the comfort. Here, the Radians are cheaper than the XW's/XL's - so they really are a good alternative if you are trying to shave a few dollars.

Congrats Mike - welcome to the Dark Side

iceman (Mike) · #16 14-04-2006, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by striker

I was just speaking to Chris from Star Optics on another matter who said you purchased a few items

A few!? Cool, maybe he threw in a Pentax 10mm XW at no extra charge!?

Thanks for the congrats everyone, I know it's a fine eyepiece.. a little out of my budget but I know it's an eyepiece I'll keep forever - therefore it's worth spending a little extra.

Starkler (Geoff) · #17 14-04-2006, 08:14 AM

Reminds me of a signature panel statement by someone on CN:

"Life is too short to be observing through bad glass"

astronut (John) · #18 14-04-2006, 09:12 AM

Mike congrats on the excellent e/p. I've just gone from a F15 to F5 scope and need new e/p's. The pentax are high on the list, I am waiting to hear your impressions on it as I'm sure it will help me make up my mind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

A few!? Cool, maybe he threw in a Pentax 10mm XW at no extra charge!?

Thanks for the congrats everyone, I know it's a fine eyepiece.. a little out of my budget but I know it's an eyepiece I'll keep forever - therefore it's worth spending a little extra.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #19 14-04-2006, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RapidEye

I've put the Radians next to the XW's and XL's on a couple of occations - I kept going back to the Pentaxes! The wider FOV is noticiable, and the way the eyecup adjusts and the size of the lens really make a difference in the comfort. Here, the Radians are cheaper than the XW's/XL's - so they really are a good alternative if you are trying to shave a few dollars.

RE, I was talking about the Pentax XF. These are just a bit over half the price of the Radians, but from what I've seen of the Radians in my brief encounters with them, the Pentax XFs are probably at least as good. (but unfortunately only come in 8.5mm and 12mm.)

matt · #20 14-04-2006, 04:33 PM

Congrats Mike I know you'll love the 7mm as much as I love my 10mm. I'm pretty close to ordering the 7mm myself. I'm putting together a nice mix of Vixen LVW's and Pentax XWs. 7 and 10mm XWs... and longer focal length Vixens (17 and 22mm) to complement the high power 3.5 and 5, with the 13mm Nagler in the middle as something of a concession to Uncle Al. But I too am fast becoming a Japanese ep convert, if i'm not already.