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spaceydee
Postmaster
Reged: 04/16/04
Posts: 15346
Loc: Where the Kittens Are
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Hello there,
I am thinking about getting a "premium" eyepiece, and thought I would post here to see if I am on the right track, as well as get your opinions! I have been reading the Backyard Astronomer's Guide, which recommends that the eyepiece that you would use most is 2x the f ratio number or for my scope f/10 -> 20mm eyepiece. So, I am thinking that I should get a 19 or 22mm Televue Panoptic. Let me say that I am looking for a nice all around eye-piece, and I have probably been using the 25mm that came with my scope the most so far ( I also have the celestron eye-piece kit).
This will most likely not be the only premium eyepiece I ever buy, but it sort of depends on how much of a wow factor I would get between a premium and the stuff I already have. So, first of all are either the 19mm or 22 mm panoptic a better choice (I have a Nexstar 8i scope). What are the trade-offs between getting one of these eye-pieces versus the Orion Wide-Field eyepieces (the price difference is not huge, so I am not asking price). And finally, would you agree that one of these eyepieces is a good first premium eye-piece or would you recommend something else?
thanks!
-dee
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Dee
space-scientist
student violinist
Nexstar8i,SV80S,80/9D,FC100,94 Brandon,TMB92SS,GM8
8" f/7 Discovery,12.5" Portaball, PST
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LivingNDixie
Lord of Ferrets
Reged: 04/23/03
Posts: 15790
Loc: Hoover, AL
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Dee,
I will make it really simeple for ya. If you wear glasses get the 22mm Panoptic, if you don't get the 19mm Panoptic, either eyepiece is awesome, and you will love it. The 20mm(ish) eyepiece has got to be the most important thing a 8in SCT owner should have, its the right power and FOV for almost all DSOs.
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Preston
Celestron 11" Nexstar GPS XLT
Lunt LS60T/Ha 60mm f/8.33 (on order)
It’s not finishing something when your tank is empty that makes you a stronger person. It’s brushing yourself off and refacing the foe that defeated you with the same determination and willingness to fight that you had when you began your journey.
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MikeRatcliff
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/12/04
Posts: 1107
Loc: Redlands, CA
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I recommend Ed Ting's eyepiece reviews on his website (suggest Google for searching). He hasn't added much in the last couple of years, but has good descriptions of the Panoptics and many others. He really liked the 19mm Panoptic, and I bought one based on his review. I loved it too. Is much better than the Sirius 26mm plossl that I had, which is a decent eyepiece for the price.
As another person said on this thread, the eyerelief on the 19mm is too tight for eyeglasses (about 13mm IIRC). But very comfortable for non-eyeglass wearers. By the way, if you wear glasses but you have just simple near-sightedness or far-sightedness and don't have astigmatism, you can observe without glasses by just refocusing.
Mike
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16" f/4.9 dob
Tele Vue Plossls 32,25,20,15,11
13 Nagler T6
10.5 Pentax XL
Brandon 32, 16
12.5 UO ortho, 9 Circle T ortho
2x TV Barlow
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Bill Grass
Prince Regent
Reged: 10/07/03
Posts: 11652
Loc: Denham Springs, LA
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How 'bout a 24mm Pan? It's a fantastic all-around eyepiece!
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spaceydee
Postmaster
Reged: 04/16/04
Posts: 15346
Loc: Where the Kittens Are
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Thanks for the info so far! I'll continue to monitor this thread and do more research. I don't think I could go wrong with any of the three mentioned so far, although I am thinking for the eye-relief aspect of not getting the 19mm to start with. I do wear glasses, although I can take them off and look.
-dee
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Dee
space-scientist
student violinist
Nexstar8i,SV80S,80/9D,FC100,94 Brandon,TMB92SS,GM8
8" f/7 Discovery,12.5" Portaball, PST
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Jarad
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 3858
Loc: Atlanta, GA
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I would recommend the 24 pan. The reason is that it gives the widest possible TFOV in a 1.25" focuser. You can then get higher powers as you go.
Also, if you have a 2" diagonal, I would get the 35 or 41 pan instead of the 24. Again, to me a wide field eyepiece really shines most at low powers, where it gives you more true field.
Jarad
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Gardner
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/19/04
Posts: 641
Loc: New Hampshire
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I'll second the 19mm Panoptic. It was my first premium ep and my favorite deep sky ep for almost a year (until my better half gave me the 27 Pan for Christmas!)
Here's a link to Ed Ting's excellent web site.
www.scopereviews.com
Clear skies
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Mini Borg 50 & Q-Guide
SV80S #87
TV 102 #1022
XT8
NHAS
http://mysite.verizon.net/gdgerry/
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39690
Loc: Phx, AZ
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In a binoviewer with a focal reducer the 19mm Panoptic rocks! But after that, I used it and the 22mm Panoptic in my NS11 and was less than thrilled. The binoviewer really kills it for cyclops viewing.
That said, I still recall the first time at Vekol Road and Jim Gutman gave me a few eye pieces to try out. With out knowing a thing about Celestron Ultras or TV panoptics I picked out the 19mm Panoptic as thee EP to own.
I have yet to buy one. (I have really good excuses but I'm running out of them - I really do intend on getting one but I really want two and the binoviewer $$$$).
See if you can't get to a star party and check some out.
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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matt
Vendor (Scopemania)
Reged: 07/28/03
Posts: 10022
Loc: Chaville, France
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I think everyone should have a 19mm panoptic (I traded mine for a 22mm, then traded up for a 27mm... a very good abut very big eyepiece). With a C8, the 22mm would be very cumbersome in my opinion, it weighs around a pound and has that quirky dual 1 1/4 -2" barrel which tended to scare me to death, especially with a 1 1/4" diagonal.
If you wear glasses, I believe nothing beats a Radian. The full line has 20mm eye relief (and a retractable eyeguard), they are sharp, and have a rather wide field (60°). The only problem is that the longest focal length radian is 18mm.
I don't know about the 24mm Pan to tell.
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Matt
CI700 mount with various scopes on top.
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half meter
Postmaster
Reged: 05/05/04
Posts: 12517
Loc: Great Lakes
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Matt, I always liked the dual 1-1/4" and 2" skirts on the 22 Panoptic. It was my first premium eyepiece, and I wanted maximum flexibility for whatever direction events took me. At the time, I was using it on my 8" SCT with a 1-1/4" diagonal.
Soon after, I got the Televue rich field kit, which bumped me up to a 2" diagonal and included the 55mm plossl. At that point, I was happy I'd gotten the Panoptic 22 because it worked in the 2" diagonal.
Since I got the binoviewer, though, it gets a lot less use 
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Gary
Collins I3 (Thin Film) Image Intensifying Eyepiece
Coronado Maxscope DS 90 <0.5A w/BF30
152 mm f/8 TMB/A&M Carbon Fiber APO; f/5 with 4" Borg ED Field Flattener/Reducer
20" Obsession/OMI Mirror/Servocat/Argo Navis
 First Light for the 30" Obsession at BEOTS!
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lighttrap
Reged: 02/06/04
Posts: 3833
Loc: cloudy, foggy, humid NC, US
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Dee,
The new Pentax XW 20mm has 20mm eyerelief and a 70* FOV. That should definitely be considered when considering the others mentioned. I know some very seasoned observers that think quite highly of the Pentax premium eyepieces.
Mike Swaim
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18" Starsplitter II f/4.5
8" Hardin Dob f/6
C5 workhorse mini SCT f/10 or f/6.3
70mm TV Ranger dual purpose birding/astro
77mm Leica Televid APO
16x70 Fujinons on UA Deluxe Mt.
12x50 Nikon SE
8x30 Nikon E2s
and many others
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matt
Vendor (Scopemania)
Reged: 07/28/03
Posts: 10022
Loc: Chaville, France
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I forgot those, yes. And they're available in longer FLs than the radians.
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Matt
CI700 mount with various scopes on top.
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spaceydee
Postmaster
Reged: 04/16/04
Posts: 15346
Loc: Where the Kittens Are
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are there any side by side comparisons between the Pentax XWs and the Panoptics?
-dee
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Dee
space-scientist
student violinist
Nexstar8i,SV80S,80/9D,FC100,94 Brandon,TMB92SS,GM8
8" f/7 Discovery,12.5" Portaball, PST
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lighttrap
Reged: 02/06/04
Posts: 3833
Loc: cloudy, foggy, humid NC, US
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Dee,
I'm not aware of any side-by-side comparisons on the web. (That would be a great project for Tom T & Allister, hint, hint!)
However, I do know that when the Cline Observatory in Greensboro was looking for a complete set of eyepieces for their 16" SCT they picked the previous Pentax XLs over all other contestants. They had Camcor, (the local astro shop) come out and provide complete sets of Naglers, Pentax XLs and Panoptics (or maybe the 3rd set was Radians). Then they did a series of tests where various extremely experienced observers were asked to pick their favorites. Despite the fact that the founder/curator/astronomy teacher was a long time TV fan, he readily admits that his preference, and the preference of the others involved in this was for the Pentax XLs. So, that's what they bought.
I don't know what the difference between the XLs and the newer XWs is, or is supposed to be. I also don't know if that little bit of anecdotal evidence is really enough to base a purchase decision on. Personally, I've never made it up into the "premium" eyepiece category.
Mike Swaim
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18" Starsplitter II f/4.5
8" Hardin Dob f/6
C5 workhorse mini SCT f/10 or f/6.3
70mm TV Ranger dual purpose birding/astro
77mm Leica Televid APO
16x70 Fujinons on UA Deluxe Mt.
12x50 Nikon SE
8x30 Nikon E2s
and many others
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Simon Chung
member
Reged: 03/22/02
Posts: 64
Loc: Vancouver, Canada
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Besides the 19mm and 22mm Pans,I also highly recommend the 20mm Pentax XW and the 22mm Vixen Superwide. Both have 20mm eyerelief and minimal distortion, compared to the two Panoptics. The XW has the adjustable eye guard, too.
Other eyepieces: Celestron 19mm Axiom, TV 20mm Nagler T5.
Simon.
Quote:
Hello there,
I am thinking about getting a "premium" eyepiece, and thought I would post here to see if I am on the right track, as well as get your opinions! I have been reading the Backyard Astronomer's Guide, which recommends that the eyepiece that you would use most is 2x the f ratio number or for my scope f/10 -> 20mm eyepiece. So, I am thinking that I should get a 19 or 22mm Televue Panoptic. Let me say that I am looking for a nice all around eye-piece, and I have probably been using the 25mm that came with my scope the most so far ( I also have the celestron eye-piece kit).
This will most likely not be the only premium eyepiece I ever buy, but it sort of depends on how much of a wow factor I would get between a premium and the stuff I already have. So, first of all are either the 19mm or 22 mm panoptic a better choice (I have a Nexstar 8i scope). What are the trade-offs between getting one of these eye-pieces versus the Orion Wide-Field eyepieces (the price difference is not huge, so I am not asking price). And finally, would you agree that one of these eyepieces is a good first premium eye-piece or would you recommend something else?
thanks!
-dee
--------------------
Borg 76ED
Orion Apex 90
10" f4.8 Dob w/ Paracorr
TV 5,9,16 Naglers, 24 Pan, 32 Plossl
Pentax 40XL
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I really like the 20mm Pentax XW and it does have the adjustable eyeguard. I also own a 35mm Ulitma which I consider it a very good eyepiece with about 50* filed of view. I think that 18mm Ultima should be good also, but since I don't own one I can't really say anything about it. By price alone, Ultima (same as Orion Ultrascopic) probablly does not qulify as a primum eyepiece anyway. The Vixen 22mm superwide is the same as Orion Lanthanum superwide. And they both are expensive.
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Rusty
Postmaster
Reged: 08/06/03
Posts: 16399
Loc: Brooker, FL
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Quote:
Dee,
The new Pentax XW 20mm has 20mm eyerelief and a 70* FOV. That should definitely be considered when considering the others mentioned. I know some very seasoned observers that think quite highly of the Pentax premium eyepieces.
Mike Swaim
Or the 21mm XL - discontinued and getting harder to snag, but usually considerably cheaper than the XW, and the FOV is only 5* less. It also has 20mm ER.
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N11GPS Fastar
TOA-130S
MK66 Std
Vintage C5
Megrez II 80mm ED Triplet APO
SolarMax 40
NJP Temma II
Sirius EQ-G
ST8XE/CFW-8(LRGBHa)/AO-7/DF-2/STV Dlx/ST237a/350D (Unmodded)/Mallincam Color Hyper Plus/DSI III Color/DSI II Pro
Two not-spoiled Golden Retrievers - Maggie and Casey
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke
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Syzygy
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/01/04
Posts: 1693
Loc: New Jersey
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I use a pair of 19mm Panoptics and they're great. I also own a pair of 18mm Ultimas and they're also sweet. The Ultimas don't quite have the FOV that the Pans have, but the view is just as sweet and sharp edge to edge as the Pans. "Premium" or not, I definitely like the Ultimas and I'm going to buy some more from that line.
Just my two pesos...................
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John
NexStar 11 GPS XLT
NexStar 130GT
Orion ST80
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spaceydee
Postmaster
Reged: 04/16/04
Posts: 15346
Loc: Where the Kittens Are
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Hmmm. The Ultimas sound very good from your description. I think I will give that serious consideration.
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Dee
space-scientist
student violinist
Nexstar8i,SV80S,80/9D,FC100,94 Brandon,TMB92SS,GM8
8" f/7 Discovery,12.5" Portaball, PST
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RGM
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/15/03
Posts: 643
Loc: Burks Falls, Ontario, Canada
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The 22 Pan was my first premium EP. Still have it and use it everytime out. Wonderful EP. I also have a 7mm and 10mm XW. Again, excelent EPs. You can not go wrong with either brands. The 19 Pan is as low as I would go because of eye relief. Switch to XWs for 14mm and below. Speaking of XW 14mm, another good choice for your first purchase
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Bob
Tak FS78
C8 SCT XLT ASGT
10" LightBridge
Denk Standards and Power Switch diagonal
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