mgb
journeyman
Reged: 09/02/09
Posts: 6
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I don't know if you have noticed but those grenade-looking eyepieces from BIGC, 9mm and 16mm AFOV 100 degree eyepieces, are being sold under the Zhumell brand at Telescopes.com
They still look grenade-like even rebranded and sold at $ 299.00.
Quote:
http://www.telescopes.com/telescope-eyepieces/2-inch-eyepieces/zhumellz1009mmeyepiece.cfm
http://www.telescopes.com/telescope-eyepieces/2-inch-eyepieces/zhumellz10016mmeyepiece.cfm
I guess low cost version 100 degree AFOV eyepieces are starting to show up.
Anybody have tried the BICG's ?
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eklf
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/12/07
Posts: 720
Loc: Carrboro, NC
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Very interesting. Too bad they dont have any specifications listed. I wonder about the eyerelief.
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Clear Skies/Kumar
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Mike Hosea
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/24/03
Posts: 3933
Loc: "Metrowest" Boston
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I think it's 16mm eye relief. Some specs here: web page
I'm guessing the 9mm has a removable 2" barrel. The workmanship in the photos reminds me of the 20mm Burgess Stellar Series, which is to say, I expect that they have good mechanical design, including baffling. I hope they got the coatings right this time.
Still, $299 is a lot of money to me for something I don't need. That's more than most eyepieces except for the other 100 degree alternatives.
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Mike
Stuff that I use:
- 7" f/6.7 home-built Newt, eq platform, Pentax 40XW and 5XO, Tele Vue 13E and 2x Barlow, ZAO-II 6mm
- 120mm f/8.3 home-built grab-n-go Newt with 7-21mm Nikon Zoom
- Canon 15x50 IS and Eagle Optics 12x50 Ranger binoculars
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Tiny
super member
Reged: 05/02/08
Posts: 193
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$300 a pop isnt exactly what i'd call "low cost" especially since they own Zhumell. I'd expect very similar quality to an Ethos or i would feel extremely ripped off.
Also worth noting from the above is the apparent weight of a bit less than 1 lb. Good news for small dob owners if true.
So whos going to take the plunge?
edit:
Quote:
I want to tell you up front that the BIGC does not provide the same image quality as the Ethos. The BIGC 16mm has lots of edge distortion and works better with longer focus optical systems.
from: http://www.asociacionhubble.org/portal/index.php?option=com_jfusion&Itemid=32&jfile=viewtopic.php&f=14&t=35646&p=327066#p327066
i'd have to say no thanks.
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eklf
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/12/07
Posts: 720
Loc: Carrboro, NC
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Thanks for the link, Mike!
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Clear Skies/Kumar
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Shawn H
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/16/07
Posts: 2968
Loc: Southern France 43°56'N-4°50'E
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Think I'd wait for some test reviews first! 
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18" David Lukehurst truss Dobson with Sky Commander flash 4 DSC's & Moonlite CR2 focuser & Astrocrumb filter slide
Orion xt10i fully flocked with Telrad on 4" risers & Feather Touch focuser & huge Boston Red Sox decal
The original Orion StarBlast & 15x70 Celestron Skymaster binos & Ethos & Naglers & Dobs oh my!
Orion Ultrablock narrowband filter & Astronomik OIII line filter
Tele Vue 2x Barlow & Antares 1.6x (2") Barlow
CATSEYE collimation tools, TeleGizmos Dob covers
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Luigi
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 4936
Loc: MA
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>>>I'd expect very similar quality to an Ethos or i would feel extremely ripped off.<<<
If they had "very similar quality to an Ethos", wouldn't you feel more ripped off paying $660 for the Ethos?
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17.5" f/5 Dob. IM-715 MCT. 120ED. Lunt 60mm Ha.
Zeiss, Leica, Fujinon, Nikon, Pentax, Bushnell bins
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johnnyha
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/12/06
Posts: 1105
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I don't understand why anyone would buy a 100 degree EP with edge distortion.
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Johnny
Spicewood, TX
Sherman Oaks, CA
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Luigi
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 4936
Loc: MA
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>>>I don't understand why anyone would buy a 100 degree EP with edge distortion. <<<
Mostly because you never look directly at the edge. The wider the AFOV the more difficult it becomes. You confine you observing to the central part leaving the extreme edges to your peripheral vision. FYI, the human eye has only a 2 degree field of sharp acuity. To demonstrate this, fix your eyes on a word in the post and see how far away from that word you can read without moving your gaze. As long as you don't crane your head and eye around to look at the edge of that 100 deg AFOV, it doesn't matter that it's not sharp.
And you do have to move your head to look at the edge. Your eyeball is about 25mm in diameter and if you rotate it just 30 degrees out of the +/- 50 degrees of the AFOV, your eye's pupil moves 7mm, completely off the exit pupil of the EP.
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17.5" f/5 Dob. IM-715 MCT. 120ED. Lunt 60mm Ha.
Zeiss, Leica, Fujinon, Nikon, Pentax, Bushnell bins
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dreamregent
sage
Reged: 04/06/09
Posts: 454
Loc: Clearwater, FL
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Quote:
I don't understand why anyone would buy a 100 degree EP with edge distortion.
I imagine it would be the same reason a person would buy any eyepiece with edge distortion...they generally appear to have lower prices and suit the buyer's purposes.
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Building a f5.24 10" Dob
in an octagonal wood tube
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starrancher
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/09/09
Posts: 585
Loc: Northern Arizona
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Quote:
>>>I don't understand why anyone would buy a 100 degree EP with edge distortion. <<<
Mostly because you never look directly at the edge. The wider the AFOV the more difficult it becomes. You confine you observing to the central part leaving the extreme edges to your peripheral vision. FYI, the human eye has only a 2 degree field of sharp acuity. To demonstrate this, fix your eyes on a word in the post and see how far away from that word you can read without moving your gaze. As long as you don't crane your head and eye around to look at the edge of that 100 deg AFOV, it doesn't matter that it's not sharp.
And you do have to move your head to look at the edge. Your eyeball is about 25mm in diameter and if you rotate it just 30 degrees out of the +/- 50 degrees of the AFOV, your eye's pupil moves 7mm, completely off the exit pupil of the EP.
If not looking at the edge anyway , why not just stick with a 70 degree ocular , save some money & have a distortion free view to the edge of field ? 
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LXD75 AR5
LXD75 SN8
Series 4000 Plossls
Misc. other stuff
Fort Rock , Az .
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Tiny
super member
Reged: 05/02/08
Posts: 193
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Quote:
>>>I'd expect very similar quality to an Ethos or i would feel extremely ripped off.<<<
If they had "very similar quality to an Ethos", wouldn't you feel more ripped off paying $660 for the Ethos?
13mm Ethos = $460 after discount, so to answer your question, no, i'd feel more ripped off paying $300 for a 100* with the outer 20% a blurry mess vs $160 more for near perfection. Plus televue had the market cornered so who knows what kind of mark-up they have on them.
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johnnyha
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/12/06
Posts: 1105
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Quote:
If not looking at the edge anyway , why not just stick with a 70 degree ocular , save some money & have a distortion free view to the edge of field ?
Exactly. 
Actually I can think of one reason and that is if you are using the EP as a finder.
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Johnny
Spicewood, TX
Sherman Oaks, CA
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starrancher
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/09/09
Posts: 585
Loc: Northern Arizona
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Quote:
Quote:
If not looking at the edge anyway , why not just stick with a 70 degree ocular , save some money & have a distortion free view to the edge of field ?
Exactly.
Actually I can think of one reason and that is if you are using the EP as a finder.
Shoot ! If ya can't find an object in a low power 70 degree ocular , well .........then ......I think , ya better hang it up ! 
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LXD75 AR5
LXD75 SN8
Series 4000 Plossls
Misc. other stuff
Fort Rock , Az .
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Johndob
super member
Reged: 12/22/08
Posts: 146
Loc: Newport Beach,Ca
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I knew the clones were coming.
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Zhumell 10" Dob (Mods)
ETX-125PE UHTC
ETX-90AT
6"f/5 Newtonian
Classic 60x910
Ortho 6-7mm UO or.4mm
Meade 3000 5mm
Zhumell 2" ED Barlow
Zhumell 2" 32mm
UO. 2" 30mm 
GSO 2" 26mm
GSO 40mm CPL
Hyperion 8,13,17,21&FTR
Zhumell 8-24 Zoom
ED 3.8mm,7.5mm
Owl SP4,10,15
Zhumell EP&filter set 1"1/4
Baader 2" Neodymium/IR-cut,CelestronUHC/LPR
Zhumell OIII,UHC,SkyGlow,Polarizer
Zhumell 20x80 Giant&
10x50 plus 3 More Bino's
Brunton Echo Monocular
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peter k
super member
Reged: 02/03/07
Posts: 172
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Quote:
Quote:
>>>I'd expect very similar quality to an Ethos or i would feel extremely ripped off.<<<
If they had "very similar quality to an Ethos", wouldn't you feel more ripped off paying $660 for the Ethos?
13mm Ethos = $460 after discount, so to answer your question, no, i'd feel more ripped off paying $300 for a 100* with the outer 20% a blurry mess vs $160 more for near perfection. Plus televue had the market cornered so who knows what kind of mark-up they have on them.
Where could you get an E13 for $460? I can't currently find anything below about $550 on line.
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Jokulainen
member
Reged: 08/10/09
Posts: 29
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Quote:
13mm Ethos = $460 after discount
Btw, what is this discount? 
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Astronomics
Vendor if you must, AKA The Mighty Kong.
Reged: 06/07/04
Posts: 3066
Loc: Right Here
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I would like to know as well. That is below our cost and would like to purchase them from the source.
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Michael Bieler
I live vicariously through myself.
Father and Husband
Owner
www.astronomics.com
www.astronomytechnologies.com
www.cloudynights.com
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Sky Captain
Metal Whisperer
Reged: 11/07/04
Posts: 7190
Loc: Issaquah, WA.
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Quote:
Quote:
13mm Ethos = $460 after discount
Btw, what is this discount?
Actually $458.15 with free shipping...Telescopes.com
15% off.
Their normal price is $539
OPT is $589 but with their 5% off it's $559.55
I just got my new 35mm Panoptic from Telescopes.com for $288.15 and free shipping. Tough to beat that deal!
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Tiny
super member
Reged: 05/02/08
Posts: 193
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i rounded up, still a lot of scratch for a single eyepiece. You can start your way to a complete high quality 82* eyepiece set for that.
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stevew
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/03/06
Posts: 1142
Loc: Vancouver
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Nice price, but can you take the Zhumell swimming with you?
--------------------
TV Genesis SDF
Meade 127ED
Antares 152
Celestron C5
Celestron C8
Celestron C11
Coulter Odyssey 8
16 Dobsonian
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dougspeterson
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 1041
Loc: Murrieta, CA
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At Telescopes.com the sale price is 539 for the Ethos13, and 339 for the Pan 35. How do you get this 15% off?
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18" Dob
12" SCT
8" TMB F6 + Chromacor
6" F6 APM/LZOS Fluorite triplet, 32", 32lbs
2ea. 6mm singlets, one blind
"--Granted, that's a worse case scenario. The destruction might in fact be ... limited to our own galaxy."
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stevew
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/03/06
Posts: 1142
Loc: Vancouver
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If I were in the market for a 100 degree eyepiece I would pay the extra and get the Televue. At least you know that your TV eyepiece is going to be as good as it gets.
Steve
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TV Genesis SDF
Meade 127ED
Antares 152
Celestron C5
Celestron C8
Celestron C11
Coulter Odyssey 8
16 Dobsonian
Edited by csa/montana (10/25/09 11:49 PM)
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Tiny
super member
Reged: 05/02/08
Posts: 193
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Quote:
At Telescopes.com the sale price is 539 for the Ethos13, and 339 for the Pan 35. How do you get this 15% off?
pm sent
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4566
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Quote:
I don't understand why anyone would buy a 100 degree EP with edge distortion.
So, you've used one of these eyepieces, or you are just _assuming_?
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Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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chuck1155
member
Reged: 08/21/09
Posts: 38
Loc: near Raleigh, NC
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Another factor to consider is the 10% or 15% discount coupon would also apply toward the Zhumell.
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Z10 Dob
Nikon 10x50
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Covey32
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/09/04
Posts: 921
Loc: Georgia
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I think one of the best kept secrets of amateur astronomy is actually looking through the center of the eyepiece.
In reviewing most all the eyepiece posts, one comes away with the conclusion that many here have failed to observe that looking through the center of any eyepiece totally eliminates the need to worry about the edges. It also saves you a helluva lot of cash, since my orthos always look just as good as any widefield, regardless of cost.
The only reason for this phenomenon, as near as I can tell, is that everybody else has just become so used to looking at the edges of eyepieces that they have forgotten the middle part....which is tragic, but obviously very profitable for manufacturers.
'tis a puzzlement. 
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Hank
12.5" Mag1 Portaball
Orion 120mm F5 Refractor
Skywatcher 120ED F7.5 Refractor
1982 Celestron C8 Orange tube
Celestron ED80 Refractor with Lunt 50mm HA
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hfjacinto
Almost got me
Reged: 01/12/09
Posts: 2082
Loc: Union,NJ
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I own several 82* eps and have looked thorugh several Ethos and I can say that I don't get UWA ep's, last night was a good example, there where several time I had the Nagler or UWA's out and they served there purpose but in the center my Zhummel 9MM showed me as much and as clear as the 82* eps.
Throughout the night I mostly used Hyperions, they are just more comfortable to use.
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C9.25 ASGT 9*50 MM Finder,FT Focuser & 2" Diagonal
Meade LXD 75 6 Inch SNT w 9*50 MM Finder
5,6,9,14.5 MM Zhummel Planetary EPs
13,17,21,24,31,36 MM Baader Hyperion
6.7,8.8 MM Meade UWA & 11 MM Nagler T6
Planetary, OIII and Narrowband Filters
Thousand Oaks Dew Control w Kendrick Heaters
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JCAZ
super member
Reged: 08/11/09
Posts: 100
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Quote:
I think one of the best kept secrets of amateur astronomy is actually looking through the center of the eyepiece.
In reviewing most all the eyepiece posts, one comes away with the conclusion that many here have failed to observe that looking through the center of any eyepiece totally eliminates the need to worry about the edges. It also saves you a helluva lot of cash, since my orthos always look just as good as any widefield, regardless of cost.
The only reason for this phenomenon, as near as I can tell, is that everybody else has just become so used to looking at the edges of eyepieces that they have forgotten the middle part....which is tragic, but obviously very profitable for manufacturers.
'tis a puzzlement.
Excellent post that, in principle, can be applied to many other posts on many other aspects of this hobby.
Refreshingly well said.
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russell23
sage
Reged: 05/31/09
Posts: 422
Loc: Upstate NY
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Quote:
I own several 82* eps and have looked thorugh several Ethos and I can say that I don't get UWA ep's, last night was a good example, there where several time I had the Nagler or UWA's out and they served there purpose but in the center my Zhummel 9MM showed me as much and as clear as the 82* eps.
Throughout the night I mostly used Hyperions, they are just more comfortable to use.
Remember when some people thought it was ridiculous when I asked how Baader Hyperions compare with XW's. But I think what is being said on this thread goes in line with what I was saying. It is not all about cost. As I pointed out in the Russell optics Konigs discussion - with the exception of edge performance, the $65 Konigs perform as well as the XW's in the central 65% of the field.
That said, it is hard not to like the wider fields compared to orthos - especially when you are using a manual mount. Last night I was looking at the Moon at 100x with my 10mm XW. It was nice to not have to continuously re-adjust to keep the Moon in the field. The extra 25 degrees really helps there.
Dave
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hfjacinto
Almost got me
Reged: 01/12/09
Posts: 2082
Loc: Union,NJ
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Dave,
Since I was one of those that beat you up, I will say you are right! But in my defense, it is on an F11 scope and I will say the edge is better corrected on the UWA's and Nagler, but I still like using the Hyperions more.
I will probably be in the minority because to a lot of people here TV is the best and since I like Hyperions more I must have bad eyesight
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C9.25 ASGT 9*50 MM Finder,FT Focuser & 2" Diagonal
Meade LXD 75 6 Inch SNT w 9*50 MM Finder
5,6,9,14.5 MM Zhummel Planetary EPs
13,17,21,24,31,36 MM Baader Hyperion
6.7,8.8 MM Meade UWA & 11 MM Nagler T6
Planetary, OIII and Narrowband Filters
Thousand Oaks Dew Control w Kendrick Heaters
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Mike Hosea
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/24/03
Posts: 3933
Loc: "Metrowest" Boston
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Quote:
Quote:
I don't understand why anyone would buy a 100 degree EP with edge distortion.
So, you've used one of these eyepieces, or you are just _assuming_?
This "distortion" thing came from a review quoted near the top of the thread. The link doesn't seem to work anymore, although the comment from the review is preserved above.
For my part, I understand perfectly why someone would buy a 100 degree eyepiece with some noticeable edge-of-field aberrations. It's simply a question of how much is too much, both for the aberrations and the price. Given that I can get almost anything but an ES100 or Ethos for less, I think there's a fairly restrictive limit on how much edge-of-field aberration I would be willing to tolerate for $300. Even though I don't look directly at the edge, I also don't want to be able to pick up on the edges being in bad shape when I glance only half-way from center to edge.
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Mike
Stuff that I use:
- 7" f/6.7 home-built Newt, eq platform, Pentax 40XW and 5XO, Tele Vue 13E and 2x Barlow, ZAO-II 6mm
- 120mm f/8.3 home-built grab-n-go Newt with 7-21mm Nikon Zoom
- Canon 15x50 IS and Eagle Optics 12x50 Ranger binoculars
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Mike Hosea
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/24/03
Posts: 3933
Loc: "Metrowest" Boston
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Quote:
'tis a puzzlement.
Oh, 'tis. Definitely 'tis.
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Mike
Stuff that I use:
- 7" f/6.7 home-built Newt, eq platform, Pentax 40XW and 5XO, Tele Vue 13E and 2x Barlow, ZAO-II 6mm
- 120mm f/8.3 home-built grab-n-go Newt with 7-21mm Nikon Zoom
- Canon 15x50 IS and Eagle Optics 12x50 Ranger binoculars
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starrancher
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/09/09
Posts: 585
Loc: Northern Arizona
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Quote:
Quote:
'tis a puzzlement.
Oh, 'tis. Definitely 'tis.
Oh shoot Mike ! That is too freaking funny !!!
You got my blood goin' this morning !
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LXD75 AR5
LXD75 SN8
Series 4000 Plossls
Misc. other stuff
Fort Rock , Az .
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Darenwh
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/11/06
Posts: 1224
Loc: Covington, GA
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I see several byas's on this board. I will describe them as I see them.
First is the Televue Snob's - These people seem to believe that televue is the gospel. To own anything but Televue is to be unclean. They preach that we must all repent and convert to the one true optics diety, Al.
Second, the any premium but Televue crowd - These people will hype all premium brands of equipment as being just as good or better than Televue. These people are the cast outs from the church of Televue and preach that a step down the path of Televue is a path to the dark side with no hope of redemption once that path has been tread upon.
Third, the budget aware crowd - These people will be quite happy with any eyepiece that gives them 80-90% of the premium performance with half the cost. They search for the best bang for buck. Most people fall into this catagory. Some in this crowd curse those in the Televue crowd for their wanton spending habits. Many wish to join one of the religions, to either worship at the Televue alter or to worship from the anti-televue alter but their thriftyness keeps them from taking that next step into the wide field light.
Fourth, The questers for the zero glass eyepiece - These people believe that no matter how narrow the field of view or how little eye relief the eyepiece has it is worth it to get less glass in the optical path. Any amount of glass more than nothing is hampering the view so they must have the least amount of glass possible. Strangely, many of these people will curse an extra lens in the eyepiece but drool over an extra lens in their objective, especially if it's an expensive type of glass in a triplet objective. They quest for ever higher powers for planetary observation by using antiquated eyepiece designs but bulk at the thought of a long focal length objective to elliminate spurious color because by simply adding another glass to the recipe for the objective they can achieve the same performance in a shorter tube.
So what is the one true path?
Is there a way to avoid the pitfalls that await us in the quest for the perfect eyepiece?
No one knows... The paths the astronomer treads down are indeed full of as much mystery, wonder, and danger as is the universe the astronomer seeks to understand.
I wish you luck on your quest for the perfect eyepiece.
If you wish to see the path that I have chosen you need only to click this LINK.
I would love to see a review of these. I also would be amazed if they matched the quality of the ES and TV offerings.
--------------------
Daren
Covington, GA
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deSitter
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/09/04
Posts: 2926
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Quote:
I think one of the best kept secrets of amateur astronomy is actually looking through the center of the eyepiece.
In reviewing most all the eyepiece posts, one comes away with the conclusion that many here have failed to observe that looking through the center of any eyepiece totally eliminates the need to worry about the edges. It also saves you a helluva lot of cash, since my orthos always look just as good as any widefield, regardless of cost.
The only reason for this phenomenon, as near as I can tell, is that everybody else has just become so used to looking at the edges of eyepieces that they have forgotten the middle part....which is tragic, but obviously very profitable for manufacturers.
'tis a puzzlement.
Good point - I noticed myself that they work better when you put them in a telescope that is outside and pointed up too - instead of admiring them
-drl
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94bamf
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/15/08
Posts: 706
Loc: Kansas City,Mo
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Well, one of these would be $255 with the 15 percent discount. While a bit over half the price of the other options, $255 is still alot of money for a poor performing eyepiece(if that were the case).. I think a 100 deg AFOV would be neat, but I certainly wouldn't wanna pay $255 for "only" that feature. I find myself pretty happy with ~70 deg AFOV, and you can buy some pretty nice eyepieces for $255 with a 70 deg AFOV..
Ken
--------------------
Telescopes:
Celestron C6 SCT on CG4 mount
Skywatcher 8 inch F/5 Newt on a GEM
Celestron 8 inch Starhopper Dob
Celestron Oynx 80ED
Celestron C130 Mak
Celestron C102HD
Binoculars:
Nikon 7x35 Action
Nikon 7x50 Action
Zen Ray Summit 10x42
Celestron 10x42 Noble
Orion 10x50 Scenix
Celestron 10x50 Noble
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II
Celestron 15x70 Skymaster
Oberwerk 20x60
Zhumell 20x80
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Luigi
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 4936
Loc: MA
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The human eye has about a 160 degree TFOV including peripheral vision. Even though your eye’s high acuity TFOV is only around 2 degrees, I’m sure your appreciate having that wide TFOV even though it is basically unusable except for making out the coarsest features. A similar thing is true when using binoculars or very wide TFOV EPs. You utilize the central sharp field and still appreciated the wider peripheral vision even though it isn’t sharp. To examine items there, you move the bins or nudge the scope to center them. Leaving EPs out of it, all scopes exhibit more aberrations toward the edge of the FOV and objects will appear sharper when closer to center.
For my money, I'm quite satisfied with ~70 AFOV EPs. 80 degrees is nice, but certainly not essential. 100 degrees is very nice too, but shows nothing I can't see in 70 degree EPs so I see them as a bit of an extravagance. I can afford a set of Ethos EPs, but spending that kind of dough just for the super wide TFOV doesn't make sense to me.
--------------------
17.5" f/5 Dob. IM-715 MCT. 120ED. Lunt 60mm Ha.
Zeiss, Leica, Fujinon, Nikon, Pentax, Bushnell bins
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Mike Hosea
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/24/03
Posts: 3933
Loc: "Metrowest" Boston
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Quote:
Is there a way to avoid the pitfalls that await us in the quest for the perfect eyepiece?
Well, I don't know. It's taken me a long time and a lot of buying and selling, but I have noticed from watching some folks that having money to burn seems to work best.
--------------------
Mike
Stuff that I use:
- 7" f/6.7 home-built Newt, eq platform, Pentax 40XW and 5XO, Tele Vue 13E and 2x Barlow, ZAO-II 6mm
- 120mm f/8.3 home-built grab-n-go Newt with 7-21mm Nikon Zoom
- Canon 15x50 IS and Eagle Optics 12x50 Ranger binoculars
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25190
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
So what is the one true path?
The one true path is to select eyepieces that please you and not to worry too much about what other people select or why they make their selections. The overwhelming majority of amateur astronomers are on this path.
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John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
CI-700, NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
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StarStuff1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/01/07
Posts: 976
Loc: South of the Mason-Dixon Line
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Amen. After nearl y 30 years of this I only have eyepieces that please ME. My 16+ occulars include nearly all the major brands including TeleVue, University Optics, Celestron, Meade, TMB, Orion, etc, etc. There are a few nearly unknown cheapies that do the job they were selected for very well.
Again, just a personal thing, I don't particularly care for 100° afov eyepieces. 60-80° afov eps work great.
--------------------
Tools that make objects very far away appear much closer than they actually are.
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Johndob
super member
Reged: 12/22/08
Posts: 146
Loc: Newport Beach,Ca
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The Zhumell BigC are on sale $249 and with a 15% discount will be worth trying out.
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Zhumell 10" Dob (Mods)
ETX-125PE UHTC
ETX-90AT
6"f/5 Newtonian
Classic 60x910
Ortho 6-7mm UO or.4mm
Meade 3000 5mm
Zhumell 2" ED Barlow
Zhumell 2" 32mm
UO. 2" 30mm
GSO 2" 26mm
GSO 40mm CPL
Hyperion 8,13,17,21&FTR
Zhumell 8-24 Zoom
ED 3.8mm,7.5mm
Owl SP4,10,15
Zhumell EP&filter set 1"1/4
Baader 2" Neodymium/IR-cut,CelestronUHC/LPR
Zhumell OIII,UHC,SkyGlow,Polarizer
Zhumell 20x80 Giant&
10x50 plus 3 More Bino's
Brunton Echo Monocular
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hfjacinto
Almost got me
Reged: 01/12/09
Posts: 2082
Loc: Union,NJ
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Not a bad price, I am almost tempted. But I am am done with EP's
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C9.25 ASGT 9*50 MM Finder,FT Focuser & 2" Diagonal
Meade LXD 75 6 Inch SNT w 9*50 MM Finder
5,6,9,14.5 MM Zhummel Planetary EPs
13,17,21,24,31,36 MM Baader Hyperion
6.7,8.8 MM Meade UWA & 11 MM Nagler T6
Planetary, OIII and Narrowband Filters
Thousand Oaks Dew Control w Kendrick Heaters
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94bamf
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/15/08
Posts: 706
Loc: Kansas City,Mo
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Quote:
The Zhumell BigC are on sale $249 and with a 15% discount will be worth trying out.
$212.48, man this is tempting.. 
Ken
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Telescopes:
Celestron C6 SCT on CG4 mount
Skywatcher 8 inch F/5 Newt on a GEM
Celestron 8 inch Starhopper Dob
Celestron Oynx 80ED
Celestron C130 Mak
Celestron C102HD
Binoculars:
Nikon 7x35 Action
Nikon 7x50 Action
Zen Ray Summit 10x42
Celestron 10x42 Noble
Orion 10x50 Scenix
Celestron 10x50 Noble
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II
Celestron 15x70 Skymaster
Oberwerk 20x60
Zhumell 20x80
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mgb
journeyman
Reged: 09/02/09
Posts: 6
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Already on discounted... Surprised ?
Still at $ 212 (discounted) it's tempting but I don't know.
I took the plunge (Lol !!!...) with my ES 14mm and wasn't disappointed at all. I even ordered the 20mm. But with that Zhummel I don't know.
For me, this hobby includes experimenting and seaching/discovering (or trying to) new things. But when the only thing you find is an empty wallet well... That is for me where I have to stop.
Who is going to be the first to empty his wallet ? Let us know.
Cheers.
Edited by mgb (10/26/09 08:18 PM)
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Johndob
super member
Reged: 12/22/08
Posts: 146
Loc: Newport Beach,Ca
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Maybe someone will buy and give a report on fast Dobs. 16mm would be a great star field EP in my Z10.
--------------------
Zhumell 10" Dob (Mods)
ETX-125PE UHTC
ETX-90AT
6"f/5 Newtonian
Classic 60x910
Ortho 6-7mm UO or.4mm
Meade 3000 5mm
Zhumell 2" ED Barlow
Zhumell 2" 32mm
UO. 2" 30mm
GSO 2" 26mm
GSO 40mm CPL
Hyperion 8,13,17,21&FTR
Zhumell 8-24 Zoom
ED 3.8mm,7.5mm
Owl SP4,10,15
Zhumell EP&filter set 1"1/4
Baader 2" Neodymium/IR-cut,CelestronUHC/LPR
Zhumell OIII,UHC,SkyGlow,Polarizer
Zhumell 20x80 Giant&
10x50 plus 3 More Bino's
Brunton Echo Monocular
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94bamf
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/15/08
Posts: 706
Loc: Kansas City,Mo
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I have been very tempted, but honestly the only thing this eyepiece will offer me is the 100 deg AFOV. The chances of the optical quality being even close to the ES 14, let alone the Ethos, seems pretty small to me. I am not even sure I like my 80 deg AFOV eyepieces, so spending $200+ for a "likely" poorly corrected 100 deg AFOV seems pretty stupid for me... I keep telling myself if I buy anymore eyepieces, I am going to buy something nice like a Televue Nagler, Panoptic, etc. Something I know will be top notch on every level, not just have one neat spec of a 100 deg AFOV, and all other specs/optical qualities being mediocre.
And yes, I know I keep repeating myself, I am as much trying to talk myself out of it, as I am telling you all why I shouldn't buy it.. 
I say we paypal $5 a piece to David Knisely or some other respected member here, who will thoroughly test this thing, and give us the low down..
Ken
--------------------
Telescopes:
Celestron C6 SCT on CG4 mount
Skywatcher 8 inch F/5 Newt on a GEM
Celestron 8 inch Starhopper Dob
Celestron Oynx 80ED
Celestron C130 Mak
Celestron C102HD
Binoculars:
Nikon 7x35 Action
Nikon 7x50 Action
Zen Ray Summit 10x42
Celestron 10x42 Noble
Orion 10x50 Scenix
Celestron 10x50 Noble
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II
Celestron 15x70 Skymaster
Oberwerk 20x60
Zhumell 20x80
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deSitter
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/09/04
Posts: 2926
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"So what it the one true path?"
When you can snatch the 30mm UWA from my hand, you shall know, grasshopper. Don't drop it, grasshopper, it cost a fortune!
-drl
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csa/montana
Wild Spirit
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 40188
Loc: montana
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Quote:
I say we paypal $5 a piece to David Knisely or some other respected member here, who will thoroughly test this thing, and give us the low down..
Sorry, CN doesn't do this; however, all reviews are not only welcome, but encouraged.
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Pentaxes; 5XW, 7XL, 10XW.
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
TV Panoptics; 22, 35
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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kroum
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/28/08
Posts: 627
Loc: Santa Clara, CA
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Quote:
I think one of the best kept secrets of amateur astronomy is actually looking through the center of the eyepiece.
LOL <-- and I do mean that literally. Just the way it sounded in my head, I still can't wipe the grin from my face. I'm contemplating putting it in my signature 
Not linked directly to the previous statement:
I for one appreciate the ability this forum provides to live vicariously through other people's wallets. It allows me to make a more informed decision when I'm saving up my pennies for an eyepiece.
Now on topic: If the abberations start in the last 10% it would stilll be a good deal, you could stop it down and have a 90 degree eyepiece that was sharp to the edge.
What would be really cool would be for manufacturers to make modified field stops for specific focal ratios. If you've got an f15, great you get the full field, if you're at f5, you can sacrifice a few degrees, but retain the sharp to the edge performance. A bit like the hyperion fine tuning rings, only for field of view instead of focal length.
Maybe I'm just crazy.
Edited by kroum (10/27/09 03:42 AM)
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4566
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Quote:
This "distortion" thing came from a review quoted near the top of the thread. The link doesn't seem to work anymore, although the comment from the review is preserved above.
The link is still working. But I wouldn't call this a "review." Some somebody says "distortion," what does that mean? Nothing much at all until somebody who knows eyepieces has a look through one.
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Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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johnnyha
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/12/06
Posts: 1105
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Rod - do you have reason to believe there is no edge distortion? Have you looked through one - or is it an assumption?
Seriously, I was really making a more general comment not on a specific EP perhaps that was unclear.
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Johnny
Spicewood, TX
Sherman Oaks, CA
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kroum
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/28/08
Posts: 627
Loc: Santa Clara, CA
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It is very easy to assume a low priced product will have "distortions" or other flaws, yet it borders on product bashing to declare such flaws when you have no idea in reality. This statement isn't aimed at any specific person, but if we aren't careful, a bad reputation could be established for a product that hasn't even had a chance to earn a reputation one way or the other yet. Lets allow someone to actually use it first before we jump in the frey of criticism.
Edited by kroum (10/27/09 03:55 PM)
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Mike Hosea
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/24/03
Posts: 3933
Loc: "Metrowest" Boston
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I don't think anybody here really wants to bash the product (yet ). Like the only girl at a dance, it was just a comment that was quoted elsewhere that happens to be about the only shred of information around. She (the info) ain't all that good lookin' though, so I'll just wait for the next 'un (more info) to show up.
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Mike
Stuff that I use:
- 7" f/6.7 home-built Newt, eq platform, Pentax 40XW and 5XO, Tele Vue 13E and 2x Barlow, ZAO-II 6mm
- 120mm f/8.3 home-built grab-n-go Newt with 7-21mm Nikon Zoom
- Canon 15x50 IS and Eagle Optics 12x50 Ranger binoculars
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Sky Captain
Metal Whisperer
Reged: 11/07/04
Posts: 7190
Loc: Issaquah, WA.
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Is it just me, or does those two EP's look like a pineapple.
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Equipment Overload!
Kerry
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Jim Rosenstock
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 3711
Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula
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Quote:
Is it just me, or does those two EP's look like a pineapple.
No, it's not just you.
Still I think they're kinda cute.
$300 for a "low cost version" though? Sheeeesh....
Jim
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kroum
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/28/08
Posts: 627
Loc: Santa Clara, CA
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More like a granade
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10in Hardin Optical Dob
100mm f6 Orion Achromat
6in Orion Short Tube Reflector
15X70 Barska Binoculars
32mm Astrola (Boo!)
25mm, 12.5mm Sterling Plossls
20mm Orion Expanse
9mm Hardin (GSO) Plossl
7.5mm Orion Ultrascopic
Ultima 2X shorty barlow
Turn on, tune in, and look through the eyepiece.
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gaz-in
sage
Reged: 12/17/07
Posts: 441
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Noticed the price is now up to $279 vice $249
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NGC007
super member
Reged: 06/02/05
Posts: 110
Loc: England
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Does anyone know the size of the field stop. Need to know that to accurately work out the true field of view in my 11" SCT.
Clem
--------------------
CPC 1100.
Ethos 17
Earthwin Power/Filter Slide
Giant Moonlite Focuser
Canon 10 x 42L image stabilised binoculars
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gaz-in
sage
Reged: 12/17/07
Posts: 441
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Well....I went for it...FEDEX tells me they will be deliviering these to me today. Once I get them, I will be glad to answer any questions...although (as expected) it is going to be cloudy and rainy for a few days....
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NGC007
super member
Reged: 06/02/05
Posts: 110
Loc: England
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Sigh! It’s always the way whenever we buy a new bit of kit. Rain, rain. Still we are all looking forward to your report.
Clem
--------------------
CPC 1100.
Ethos 17
Earthwin Power/Filter Slide
Giant Moonlite Focuser
Canon 10 x 42L image stabilised binoculars
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4566
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Quote:
Well....I went for it...FEDEX tells me they will be deliviering these to me today. Once I get them, I will be glad to answer any questions...although (as expected) it is going to be cloudy and rainy for a few days....
You da man! 
Naturally we'll be waitin' on pins and needles for your report!
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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mgb
journeyman
Reged: 09/02/09
Posts: 6
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Congratulations gaz-in.
Looking forward to reading your report. Hope skies permit nice viewing... So clear skies.
Cheers !
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gaz-in
sage
Reged: 12/17/07
Posts: 441
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They arrived....Clouds Still here ...here are some Picts...
Nice Boxes ...TV Like...
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gaz-in
sage
Reged: 12/17/07
Posts: 441
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Nice Bolt Cases
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gaz-in
sage
Reged: 12/17/07
Posts: 441
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Top View
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gaz-in
sage
Reged: 12/17/07
Posts: 441
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Botton View
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gaz-in
sage
Reged: 12/17/07
Posts: 441
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Overall nice feel to them...first impression was they were lighter than they looked. Both about the same weight...14.9 and 15 ounces respectively...
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Todd
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/23/04
Posts: 1610
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Can you give them an indoor test?
Draw some small squares in a straight line on a piece of paper, tape it to the wall and see if the squares become elongated at the edge of the FOV.
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Johndob
super member
Reged: 12/22/08
Posts: 146
Loc: Newport Beach,Ca
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If there is a pin, don't pull it.
--------------------
Zhumell 10" Dob (Mods)
ETX-125PE UHTC
ETX-90AT
6"f/5 Newtonian
Classic 60x910
Ortho 6-7mm UO or.4mm
Meade 3000 5mm
Zhumell 2" ED Barlow
Zhumell 2" 32mm
UO. 2" 30mm
GSO 2" 26mm
GSO 40mm CPL
Hyperion 8,13,17,21&FTR
Zhumell 8-24 Zoom
ED 3.8mm,7.5mm
Owl SP4,10,15
Zhumell EP&filter set 1"1/4
Baader 2" Neodymium/IR-cut,CelestronUHC/LPR
Zhumell OIII,UHC,SkyGlow,Polarizer
Zhumell 20x80 Giant&
10x50 plus 3 More Bino's
Brunton Echo Monocular
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Johndob
super member
Reged: 12/22/08
Posts: 146
Loc: Newport Beach,Ca
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duplicate post deleted by Jason B
Edited by Jason B (11/01/09 02:36 AM)
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mgb
journeyman
Reged: 09/02/09
Posts: 6
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Thanks for the pictures... Congrats !
Waiting for your comments.
Cheers !
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Insomaniac
member
Reged: 05/11/09
Posts: 34
Loc: Near Paris (France)
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I'm waiting for your review...
Does anybody know if Zhummel plans to introduce on the market others focal lenghts ???
--------------------
Meade Lightbridge 12"
Meade Counterweights
W.O. Uwan 28mm
LV-W 17mm
Meade SWA 5K 16mm
Ethos 10mm
Televue Powermate x2
Moon filter
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Luigi
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 4936
Loc: MA
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They certainly look compact and are probably a lot lighter weight than the TV or ES EPs. I didn't like the size and weight of the ES14...like 4x the size and weight of an 80 deg EP.
--------------------
17.5" f/5 Dob. IM-715 MCT. 120ED. Lunt 60mm Ha.
Zeiss, Leica, Fujinon, Nikon, Pentax, Bushnell bins
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Astronomics
Vendor if you must, AKA The Mighty Kong.
Reged: 06/07/04
Posts: 3066
Loc: Right Here
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Here are more specs from TMB. Same eyepeice, but gives dimensions and usable eye relief specs.
--------------------
Michael Bieler
I live vicariously through myself.
Father and Husband
Owner
www.astronomics.com
www.astronomytechnologies.com
www.cloudynights.com
|
ibase
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/20/08
Posts: 1538
Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N
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Thanks for the link! Is there a "TMB" stamp anywhere on the eyepiece? Possible deal maker. Thanks.
Best,
--------------------
Hernando
Nexstar 8/CG-5 ASGT; WO Megrez 102ED SV; Antares 6" 1529; WO ZS66SD; Orion ST80
TV Naglers 5T6, 9T1, 12T2; Panoptic27; Hyperion 8-24mm Zoom,21mm; WO 7.5-22.5mm
BO/TMB 2.5/3.2/4/6mm;UO HD 5;BGO 6;Meade-RGO 7;UO-V 9/12.5;Brandon 16mm;Ultima18
TV 2x,3x barlow&8/11/15/20/32plossl; Aspheric31;Siebert36-OB;Paragon40;Meade56Smoothie
C-f/6.3FR;OIII,UHC,SkyGlow,U-block,8"S-flter;GLP/Telrad/MRF/9x50RACI; NexImge;Canon RebelXS
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Astronomics
Vendor if you must, AKA The Mighty Kong.
Reged: 06/07/04
Posts: 3066
Loc: Right Here
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Yes. Final images available in a few days.
--------------------
Michael Bieler
I live vicariously through myself.
Father and Husband
Owner
www.astronomics.com
www.astronomytechnologies.com
www.cloudynights.com
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star drop
Guilty as Charged
Reged: 02/02/08
Posts: 16230
Loc: Snow Plop, WNY
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Will there be a longer focal length version?
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Ted
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NGC007
super member
Reged: 06/02/05
Posts: 110
Loc: England
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More info then but still no field stop sizes. Come on, give it up!
Clem
--------------------
CPC 1100.
Ethos 17
Earthwin Power/Filter Slide
Giant Moonlite Focuser
Canon 10 x 42L image stabilised binoculars
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NHRob
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/27/04
Posts: 3151
Loc: New Hampshire
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the TMBs look identical to the Zhumells. Are they truly identical optics or is there a quality difference?
Rob
--------------------
Rob
**********************
Canon 12x36 IS binos
TEC-140: #433 on CGEM
Faworski orthos (7,10,16.7mm)
stuff ...
no free time ... lots of clouds !
" Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans" !!
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ibase
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/20/08
Posts: 1538
Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N
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Quote:
the TMBs look identical to the Zhumells. Are they truly identical optics or is there a quality difference
Interested also for the answer; if it carries the TMB name, then it should act like one, optics quality wise, or it might disappoint.
Best,
--------------------
Hernando
Nexstar 8/CG-5 ASGT; WO Megrez 102ED SV; Antares 6" 1529; WO ZS66SD; Orion ST80
TV Naglers 5T6, 9T1, 12T2; Panoptic27; Hyperion 8-24mm Zoom,21mm; WO 7.5-22.5mm
BO/TMB 2.5/3.2/4/6mm;UO HD 5;BGO 6;Meade-RGO 7;UO-V 9/12.5;Brandon 16mm;Ultima18
TV 2x,3x barlow&8/11/15/20/32plossl; Aspheric31;Siebert36-OB;Paragon40;Meade56Smoothie
C-f/6.3FR;OIII,UHC,SkyGlow,U-block,8"S-flter;GLP/Telrad/MRF/9x50RACI; NexImge;Canon RebelXS
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Astronomics
Vendor if you must, AKA The Mighty Kong.
Reged: 06/07/04
Posts: 3066
Loc: Right Here
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As with most look alike products in this hobby, there will be little or no difference. I would assume since TMB is bringing them out at the same time as the Zhumell and the BigC, if they are different I would be a little shocked.
--------------------
Michael Bieler
I live vicariously through myself.
Father and Husband
Owner
www.astronomics.com
www.astronomytechnologies.com
www.cloudynights.com
|
Astronomics
Vendor if you must, AKA The Mighty Kong.
Reged: 06/07/04
Posts: 3066
Loc: Right Here
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I don't know about the different focal length sizes. It will be up to the optical house.
--------------------
Michael Bieler
I live vicariously through myself.
Father and Husband
Owner
www.astronomics.com
www.astronomytechnologies.com
www.cloudynights.com
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gaz-in
sage
Reged: 12/17/07
Posts: 441
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As near as I can tell they to look identical to the Zhumell's sitting in front of me...sadly it is still cloudy and rainey out side!
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Newfie Ninja
member
Reged: 06/27/08
Posts: 89
Loc: Newfoundland, Canada
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Hi Gaz-in, Any update on these ep's? Have you had a chance for first light yet?
Cheers
--------------------
CPC 11 Starbright XLT
WO FLT 98 Aluminum Tube
Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro Synscan
WO EZ Touch Mount
Ethoi,Uwans,Swans,a Nagler, & a 2x Powermate
A couple of cases of other stuff
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gaz-in
sage
Reged: 12/17/07
Posts: 441
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I have and they are nice eyepieces. Not great but nice. I tried them in a Discovery 8 inch F6. Eyeguards seemed a little long for the eyerelief. I found myself removing them and/or rolling them back. In my opinion, they are not Nagler quality (never looked thru an Ethos so can't comment on that)... however nice....the view reminded me of my Orion Stratus/Hyperions with a bigger FOV...
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gaz-in
sage
Reged: 12/17/07
Posts: 441
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Had these out again last night. It was interesting. I put them in the focuser first and was quite happy with thier performance. Never having used a 100 degree eyepiece I am having fun with these. However, once I swap to a nagler, nikon, or pentax XW and go back to the Zhumell Z100, I notice some things. The focus is softer than the Nagler, Nikon, or Pentax (which just seem to snap into focus). With the Z100, I seem to have to fool with the Focus more than the others. While a nice view, I am unable to obtain the level of tack sharp views the Nagler, nikon or pentax give. One nice thing is they are not too heavy and weigh about the same so swapping them in and out is not a problem with balance. Also not quite the contrast as the others. Again contrast is pretty good...just not up to the level of a super premium eyepiece.
Not yet sure if they find a permanent place in my eyepiece case...but they have possibilities....
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Fireball
sage
Reged: 03/24/06
Posts: 347
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Gaz-in tried them in his f/6, which is not that critical as f/5 or f/4.5. The latter may give this EP some hard times. For all others with high f it might be a cheaper alternative ...
--------------------
20x90 Bino
12" Lightbridge
Meade UWAs, TV Ethoi, Pentax XW, Hyperion, AT Titan.
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Mike Hosea
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/24/03
Posts: 3933
Loc: "Metrowest" Boston
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I can understand the interest in 100 degree eyepieces that the Ethos eyepieces have generated, but I think it wouldn't have been possible if the Ethos eyepieces hadn't also come with extraordinary levels of optical correction and overall performance. By all accounts the ES100 14mm comes close enough to be a worthy lower-cost competitor, but it is necessary to say "lower" and not "low", since the ES100's are expensive eyepieces, too. The question is how much compromise in performance in exchange for a lower price makes sense, or put differently, just how important is 100 degrees of AFoV, really? If money is your limiting factor, how much performance will you sacrifice to get that one feature? In the ~$300 category near the 9mm focal length is, for example, the 10XW. I have a 13E and love it, but I can tell you right now that I wouldn't even consider a ~$300 9-10mm 100 degree eyepiece over the 10XW unless the former was getting excellent reviews in almost every respect. It doesn't have to beat the XW in a head-to-head competition. That's not the point. The point is that at this price point I don't want to be nagged by obvious performance deficiencies. Let me know when they start selling them for $150.
In terms of what is available in the ~$300 price range, the situation is a little different at the ~16mm focal length, but unfortunately the BigC 16mm is getting the lesser marks so far, possibly because these eyepieces aren't much different except for the power of their Smyth/Barlow lenses. In a situation like that, the shorter focal lengths tend to be better-corrected because the rest of the eyepiece gets to operate on a slower light cone.
--------------------
Mike
Stuff that I use:
- 7" f/6.7 home-built Newt, eq platform, Pentax 40XW and 5XO, Tele Vue 13E and 2x Barlow, ZAO-II 6mm
- 120mm f/8.3 home-built grab-n-go Newt with 7-21mm Nikon Zoom
- Canon 15x50 IS and Eagle Optics 12x50 Ranger binoculars
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Johndob
super member
Reged: 12/22/08
Posts: 146
Loc: Newport Beach,Ca
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Maybe they need more testing, i wonder how they handle f/5? I would think as well as my Hyperion 17 does to have a 16/100 may be a good lower cost Dob EP.
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Zhumell 10" Dob (Mods)
ETX-125PE UHTC
ETX-90AT
6"f/5 Newtonian
Classic 60x910
Ortho 6-7mm UO or.4mm
Meade 3000 5mm
Zhumell 2" ED Barlow
Zhumell 2" 32mm
UO. 2" 30mm
GSO 2" 26mm
GSO 40mm CPL
Hyperion 8,13,17,21&FTR
Zhumell 8-24 Zoom
ED 3.8mm,7.5mm
Owl SP4,10,15
Zhumell EP&filter set 1"1/4
Baader 2" Neodymium/IR-cut,CelestronUHC/LPR
Zhumell OIII,UHC,SkyGlow,Polarizer
Zhumell 20x80 Giant&
10x50 plus 3 More Bino's
Brunton Echo Monocular
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drshr
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/09/08
Posts: 673
Loc: Darwin, Australia
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Now selling on ebay!
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Doc
14" F5 DOB.
APM 8" F6 Achro.
APM 105mm F6.2 CF APO.
120/F8.3
150/F5
80/F6.25ED
25x100 Binos.
To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.
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NGC007
super member
Reged: 06/02/05
Posts: 110
Loc: England
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I agree with Mike. The 100 deg field in the Ethos is only part of the story. In addition to the FOV it was the clarity, contrast and colour that swayed me.
Clem
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CPC 1100.
Ethos 17
Earthwin Power/Filter Slide
Giant Moonlite Focuser
Canon 10 x 42L image stabilised binoculars
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