HCR32
sage
Reged: 08/27/10
Loc: Australia
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University Abbe Orthoscopics
#4823213 - 09/23/11 07:56 AM
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What do ppl know about these EP? How do they perform how dont they perform?
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Dave Ponder
super member
Reged: 04/12/06
Loc: Greenville, SC
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Re: University Abbe Orthoscopics
[Re: HCR32]
#4823226 - 09/23/11 08:13 AM
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Pros: Sharp views, not expensive, good quality
Cons: Narrow FOV, short eye relief
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BDS316
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/16/09
Loc: Sol 3
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Re: University Abbe Orthoscopics
[Re: Dave Ponder]
#4823240 - 09/23/11 08:30 AM
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Quote:
Pros: Sharp views, not expensive, good quality
Cons: Narrow FOV, short eye relief
+1
These eyepieces have been around for a gazillion years. They were very popular in the 60's and 70's when most telescopes were on equatorial mounts and this lessened the disadvantage of the narrow fields of view. Now with the Dobsonian revolution, far fewer scopes are able to track and eyepiece designs with larger fields of view are more popular.
With the Dob revolution also came reflectors of shorter focal ratio (faster) and the demand for wide field eyepieces with better edge of field correction in these faster scopes.
UO used to sell quite a few wide field eyepieces that they no longer carry like widescans, erfles and konigs. They did not work well in faster scopes.
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tomchris
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/22/10
Loc: Connecticut, U.S.A.
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Re: University Abbe Orthoscopics
[Re: BDS316]
#4823278 - 09/23/11 08:42 AM
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Recently bought the 12.5mm and have been impressed with it's sharp views. I'm now thinking of buying another. From what I've read, the University HD orthos (available from some sellers) seem to be slightly better than the "classic" one but not enough to matter. I hear the same about comparison with the Baaders. Anyway, the UO classic orthos are cheaper & have had an excellent reputation for years.
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great_bear
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/05/09
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Re: University Abbe Orthoscopics
[Re: tomchris]
#4823296 - 09/23/11 08:53 AM
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If you can afford the HD ones, they are a better choice, but both are top-rated performers.
Nonetheless, these days many observers prefer the comfort afforded by the wider fields and longer eye-relief of more modern eyepiece designs.
I used to use the orthoscopics. Now I use 16 and 24mm Meade SWAs in conjunction with a Tele Vue Powermate for mono use, and Burgess Binolites and Vernonscope Brandons for bino use.
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Tank
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/27/09
Loc: Stoney Creek, Ontario, CANADA
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Re: University Abbe Orthoscopics
[Re: great_bear]
#4823464 - 09/23/11 10:31 AM
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Love the sharp views of the UO HD's!
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ibase
Vendor Affilliate
Reged: 03/20/08
Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N
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Re: University Abbe Orthoscopics
[Re: Tank]
#4823501 - 09/23/11 10:52 AM
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Have both UO HD and Volcano Tops. As others have mentioned, both are very sharp but with tight eye relief in the shorter focal lengths. The VT's just seem to be a bit more comfortable to use.
Best,
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planet earth
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/07/10
Loc: Ontario
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Re: University Abbe Orthoscopics
[Re: Dave Ponder]
#4823537 - 09/23/11 11:14 AM
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Pros: Sharp views, not expensive, good quality
Cons: Narrow FOV, short eye relief
+2
And they are a good looking eyepiece!
Clear Skies
Sam
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FeynmanFan
sage
Reged: 02/18/11
Loc: N Colo front range
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Re: University Abbe Orthoscopics
[Re: planet earth]
#4823642 - 09/23/11 12:05 PM
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I've used the 6 and 9mm volocano tops, and the 12mm HD for years, and I love them. They give sharp views and don't cost a fortune. They do have narrow fields of view (about 40°) and pretty tight eye relief, although the 12mm isn't bad at all and in the shorter focal lengths the volcano shape kind of mitigates the problem. They've been around forever, and you never hear anything bad about them, although some are bothered by the "porthole effect" and the need to get your eye pretty close. FYI, the HD's are not shown on the website, and presumably are not available new. I gather that the Baader Genuine orthos are the same eyepiece, though.
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astro_baby
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 06/17/08
Loc: United Kingdom
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Re: University Abbe Orthoscopics
[Re: FeynmanFan]
#4823824 - 09/23/11 02:13 PM
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I just bought 9mm and 12.5 UO Abbes for use as planetary eyepieces in my Mak 180. Eye relief for me is usually a problem and I cant get on with tight eye relief eyepieces most Plossls below about 15 I find too tough. I did try a Baader GO but found it uncomfy.
Someone suggested the UO Volcano tops might be better so I thought I'd take a punt.
The tight FOV doesnt worry me as the Mak is pretty restricted anyway and I always use a tracking mount.
I cant say I have exhaustively tested them by any means as the only night I have used them the moon was full and Jupiter was suffering haze BUT they seemed very good to me and they look beautiful too in an understated way.
The moon at 300 was razor sharp and they got as good a view of Jupiter as anything could given the freaky atmosphere. Looking forward to trying them out on a deep sky target.
One of the nice things with the Mak is the power of magnification means you dont need much below about 10mm and indeed on most nights I'd not expect to get under about 12 mm and eye releif with the 9mm seemed find to me. Its at the limit of what I can cope with and the Volcano tops were definietly more comfy for me. It seemed a bit counter intuitive that a pointy topped eyepiece would be more comfy than one with a rubber cup but there you go.
They arent expensive either which is why I felt justified in taking a punt - I am happy based on limited viewing so far.
Edited by astro_baby (09/23/11 02:15 PM)
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tomchris
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/22/10
Loc: Connecticut, U.S.A.
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Re: University Abbe Orthoscopics
[Re: astro_baby]
#4823845 - 09/23/11 02:39 PM
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I just bought 9mm and 12.5 UO Abbes for use as planetary eyepieces. The moon at 300 was razor sharp and they got a good a view of Jupiter...eye releif with the 9mm seemed find to me.
Well, I don't know about the OP, but you convinced ME to buy the 9MM!! I just ordered it! 
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desertlens
sage
Reged: 12/06/10
Loc: 36°N 105°W
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Re: University Abbe Orthoscopics
[Re: HCR32]
#4824289 - 09/23/11 09:04 PM
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Excellent EPs. I have a full set and have found that I use them as much as my widefields. AFoV runs from about 43 degrees at the short end to 47 degrees with the 25mm. As others have mentioned, eye relief is tight with the shorter FLs but I observe without glasses so this is less of a problem. If you must wear glasses, I'd recommend the longer FLs with a decent Barlow. The volcano top configuration works better for me than the flat top format of the UO HDs and the BGOs. Image quality is difficult to beat. As gravy, I use the 25mm in a 60mm finder for cyclops views that rival many binoculars. IMO, The UO Abbes are among the best of the old school eyepieces.
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telescopemullet
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/16/09
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Re: University Abbe Orthoscopics
[Re: desertlens]
#4824305 - 09/23/11 09:20 PM
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What say the masses about their 80 degree 2" oculars?
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HCR32
sage
Reged: 08/27/10
Loc: Australia
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Re: University Abbe Orthoscopics
[Re: telescopemullet]
#4824638 - 09/24/11 03:09 AM
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Are these the same as Kokusai Kohki Or's
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t.r.
Post Laureate
Reged: 02/14/08
Loc: Upstate NY
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Re: University Abbe Orthoscopics
[Re: HCR32]
#4824781 - 09/24/11 07:17 AM
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I had the whole set of VT's as my base eyepiece set. Loved them for all facets of observable objects. Highly recommended within their FOV/ER limitations.
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Richard McC
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/31/04
Loc: Australia
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Re: University Abbe Orthoscopics
[Re: HCR32]
#4824797 - 09/24/11 08:01 AM
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Quote:
Are these the same as Kokusai Kohki Or's
Yes Peter, the KK Orthos are the same as the UO `volcano top' orthos (but not the same as the UO HD series).
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astro_baby
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 06/17/08
Loc: United Kingdom
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Re: University Abbe Orthoscopics
[Re: Richard McC]
#4824808 - 09/24/11 08:13 AM
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Damn....I just convinced myself to order the 18 and 25 as well.
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bgavin
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/25/11
Loc: 38°41' x 121°13'
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Re: University Abbe Orthoscopics
[Re: astro_baby]
#4825225 - 09/24/11 12:41 PM
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I was out at 4am this morning specifically for Jupiter.
The back yard conditions limited me to the BGO 7mm ortho in the XT10, but views are excellent.
I saw at least 4 moons and the various color bands in my first look at Jupiter.
My astigmatism is a non-issue without glasses and the 7mm ortho.
Jupiter is an easy track by nudging the dob.
I am one of those who are not at all put off by the narrower FOV.
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jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan
Reged: 02/28/06
Loc: Petaluma, CA
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Re: University Abbe Orthoscopics
[Re: HCR32]
#4825464 - 09/24/11 03:42 PM
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They perform much better in slow telescopes. At f/14.4 to f/16.7 they rock. At f/8.6 to f/10, they are still excellent. At f/7 they start to weaken even on axis. Faster than that, there are better choices.
Regards,
Jim
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bgavin
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/25/11
Loc: 38°41' x 121°13'
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Re: University Abbe Orthoscopics
[Re: jrbarnett]
#4825630 - 09/24/11 05:25 PM
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Jim,
What would be your pick in an XT10 1200/4.7, in the 5~10mm range for sharpness and contrast?
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