Telescope Reviews: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's?

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Equipment Discussions >> Eyepieces

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ibase
Vendor Affilliate

Reged: 03/20/08

Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N

RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's?
#5112529 - 03/08/12 10:06 PM

Currently have several 27mm - 36mm's:

L-R: Panoptic 27mm, UWA-80 30mm, Proxima 31mm, Siebert 36mm Observatory Series (together with TMB Paragon 40, GSO 42mm)

Meade SWA 28 & 34mm Series 5000

Placed an ad at A-mart for an RKE 28mm and found one - it's on the way (eyepiece #71 in the stable); what can be expected of this eyepiece compared to those in above pics? So excited to receive and try out the new EP. Thanks.

Best,

Post Extras:

ibase
Vendor Affilliate

Reged: 03/20/08

Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

[Re: ibase]
#5112601 - 03/08/12 11:12 PM

Asked the seller to send me a pic and got this one (posted with permission):

Any idea if this is the new type or an older version? Thanks.

Best,

Post Extras:

Bob Clift
sage

Reged: 03/22/05

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

[Re: ibase]
#5112907 - 03/09/12 06:48 AM

The red grippy band is new, the older ones were plain metal. I assume the optical design is unchanged

Have a look here for a biiiiig thread about the joys of the RKE 28.

Post Extras:

dan_h
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 12/10/07

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

[Re: Bob Clift]
#5113057 - 03/09/12 09:14 AM

Quote:

The red grippy band is new, the older ones were plain metal. I assume the optical design is unchanged

I purchased my RKEs the early 80's so they are now about 30 years old. They all have a red grippy band. (8,15 & 28mm.)

dan

Post Extras:

Jaimo!
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 10/11/07

Loc: Exit 135 / 40° North

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

[Re: ibase]
#5113060 - 03/09/12 09:16 AM

Quote:

what can be expected of this eyepiece compared to those in above pics?

Hernando, you need to compare these to your stable unbiased, and then report your findings... If someone tells you what to expect you will have a bias and may subconsciously agree. But if you go in unbiased what you learn and the opinions you gain are MUCH more valuable. I'd love to hear your opinions after a few evening of comparisons.

By the way, nice looking eyepieces.

Jaimo!

Post Extras:

Bob Clift
sage

Reged: 03/22/05

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

[Re: dan_h]
#5113069 - 03/09/12 09:21 AM

Quote:

so they are now about 30 years old. They all have a red grippy band. (8,15 & 28mm.)

dan

That all? They're youngsters! If you're thinking of selling them, don't forget to put 'Factory fresh' in the ad

Didn't realise the red n black look went back that far, mine was bought 2nd hand so I've no idea how old it actually is apart from 'old'.

Post Extras:

Vondragonnoggin
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/21/10

Loc: Southern CA, USA

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

[Re: ibase]
#5113077 - 03/09/12 09:26 AM

Quote:

Currently have several 27mm - 36mm's:

L-R: Panoptic 27mm, UWA-80 30mm, Proxima 31mm, Seibert 36mm Observatory Series (together with TMB Paragon 40, GSO 42mm)

Meade SWA 28 & 34mm Series 5000

Placed an ad at A-mart for an RKE 28mm and found one - it's on the way (eyepiece #71 in the stable); what can be expected of this eyepiece compared to those in above pics? So excited to receive and try out the new EP. Thanks.

Best,

A unique experience compared to all of those. Smaller FOV, more critical eye placement, but definitely a unique view.

Quite a bit lighter weight than all of those as well.

Keep an open mind. The view will grow on you. Remember to back your eye off a ways if you get blackouts. Loooong eye relief.

I think the older with no grippy band is the 1 1/8 marking type.

I have the 28mm SWA which is a great eyepiece, but I often grab the RKE because it offers up quite a different view. In my opinion, it shows brighter images. Can't say that would be for everyone though. This is for either older or newer with grippy band. They are identical when taken apart, and I can't tell the difference.

Post Extras:

TMK
Post Laureate

Reged: 12/30/08

Loc: Connecticut

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

[Re: Vondragonnoggin]
#5113089 - 03/09/12 09:32 AM

Your quite lucky Hernando. I've been keeping an eye out for the 28mm for quite some time on the used market and it's a tough one to land.

I have the red banded 15mm and I really love it. I'm surprised it doesn't get more fanfare. Good luck and again congrats on finding the 28mm.

Post Extras:

SATMAN
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/02/07

Loc: NJ 39.7 lat., -74.3 long

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

[Re: TMK]
#5114033 - 03/09/12 07:11 PM

You will really enjoy the RKE's they are a well kept secret vintage eyepieces , I originally bought mine in 1978 they as far as I know have always had the red grip band , they work extremely well in longer focal length Telescopes. See my post in the classic telescopes forum " suprise set of RKE eyepieces"

Post Extras:

ibase
Vendor Affilliate

Reged: 03/20/08

Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

[Re: Bob Clift]
#5114151 - 03/09/12 09:01 PM

Quote:

The red grippy band is new, the older ones were plain metal. I assume the optical design is unchanged

Have a look here for a biiiiig thread about the joys of the RKE 28.

Thanks for the link - such a long thread and have only gone through its latter pages, driving me over the edge into getting one.

Best,

Post Extras:

Bob Clift
sage

Reged: 03/22/05

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

[Re: SATMAN]
#5114155 - 03/09/12 09:01 PM

What's under the red band? Mine's just got a ring of grooves, it came as is with no band, perhaps it lost it?

Post Extras:

ibase
Vendor Affilliate

Reged: 03/20/08

Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

[Re: dan_h]
#5114160 - 03/09/12 09:05 PM

Quote:

I purchased my RKEs the early 80's so they are now about 30 years old. They all have a red grippy band. (8,15 & 28mm.)

So there's no way to tell if a unit is from the 80's or if it's from the more recent batch? I guess it wouldn't matter so long as they're optically equivalent.

Best,

Post Extras:

ibase
Vendor Affilliate

Reged: 03/20/08

Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

[Re: Jaimo!]
#5114167 - 03/09/12 09:09 PM

Quote:

Quote:

what can be expected of this eyepiece compared to those in above pics?

Hernando, you need to compare these to your stable unbiased, and then report your findings... If someone tells you what to expect you will have a bias and may subconsciously agree. But if you go in unbiased what you learn and the opinions you gain are MUCH more valuable. I'd love to hear your opinions after a few evening of comparisons.

By the way, nice looking eyepieces.

Thanks Jaimo! If possible, will bat for an unbiased comparison and post opinions when I've gotten hold of the EP.

Best,

Post Extras:

ibase
Vendor Affilliate

Reged: 03/20/08

Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

[Re: Vondragonnoggin]
#5114175 - 03/09/12 09:16 PM

Quote:

A unique experience compared to all of those. Smaller FOV, more critical eye placement, but definitely a unique view.

Quite a bit lighter weight than all of those as well.

Keep an open mind. The view will grow on you. Remember to back your eye off a ways if you get blackouts. Loooong eye relief.

I think the older with no grippy band is the 1 1/8 marking type.

I have the 28mm SWA which is a great eyepiece, but I often grab the RKE because it offers up quite a different view. In my opinion, it shows brighter images. Can't say that would be for everyone though. This is for either older or newer with grippy band. They are identical when taken apart, and I can't tell the difference.

Thanks, reading this certainly heightened the curiosity and anticipation for the RKE28. Glad to know the older & newer versions are internally identical.

Best,

Post Extras:

ibase
Vendor Affilliate

Reged: 03/20/08

Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

[Re: TMK]
#5114178 - 03/09/12 09:17 PM

Quote:

Your quite lucky Hernando. I've been keeping an eye out for the 28mm for quite some time on the used market and it's a tough one to land.

I have the red banded 15mm and I really love it. I'm surprised it doesn't get more fanfare. Good luck and again congrats on finding the 28mm.

Thanks Tom; it was a shot in the dark and I too was pleasantly surprised that one came up in such a short time.

Best,

Post Extras:

ibase
Vendor Affilliate

Reged: 03/20/08

Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

[Re: SATMAN]
#5114181 - 03/09/12 09:19 PM

Quote:

You will really enjoy the RKE's they are a well kept secret vintage eyepieces , I originally bought mine in 1978 they as far as I know have always had the red grip band , they work extremely well in longer focal length Telescopes. See my post in the classic telescopes forum " suprise set of RKE eyepieces"

Thanks! I'll visit that thread/post at the classic telescope forum.

Thanks everybody for the responses, really appreciated 'em!

Best,

Post Extras:

ibase
Vendor Affilliate

Reged: 03/20/08

Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

[Re: Bob Clift]
#5114248 - 03/09/12 10:16 PM

Quote:

What's under the red band? Mine's just got a ring of grooves, it came as is with no band, perhaps it lost it?

Couldn't tell as I haven't received the EP yet, but here's another pic from the seller (posted with permission):

Can't seem to find the ring of grooves in there. I hope nothing got lost or anything, thanks.

Best,

Post Extras:

Scanning4Comets
Markus

Reged: 12/26/04

Loc: Deep Space!

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

[Re: ibase]
#5114348 - 03/09/12 11:33 PM

Quote:

I have the 28mm SWA which is a great eyepiece, but I often grab the RKE because it offers up quite a different view. In my opinion, it shows brighter images. Can't say that would be for everyone though. This is for either older or newer with grippy band. They are identical when taken apart, and I can't tell the difference.

This says SHOOT OUT all over it !!!

Cheers,

Post Extras:

Vondragonnoggin
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/21/10

Loc: Southern CA, USA

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

[Re: Scanning4Comets]
#5114794 - 03/10/12 09:36 AM

Quote:

Quote:

I have the 28mm SWA which is a great eyepiece, but I often grab the RKE because it offers up quite a different view. In my opinion, it shows brighter images. Can't say that would be for everyone though. This is for either older or newer with grippy band. They are identical when taken apart, and I can't tell the difference.

This says SHOOT OUT all over it !!!

Cheers,

Two things -

I'm not worthy and my pair is shipping to Canada next week to assist in some testing of another instrument.

I will have to resort to using the most excellent Meade 28 SWA exclusively for a little bit.

Post Extras:

Bob Clift
sage

Reged: 03/22/05

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

[Re: Vondragonnoggin]
#5114912 - 03/10/12 10:42 AM

You're welcome Hernando

There's another thread worth trying to find in the eyepieces forum, "Favorite eyepieces" or something similar. Lots of mentions of the usual multi-$$$$$ high-end suspects, as you'd expect, but also a lot of mentions of the RKE 28, including from the high-end-owners.

Post Extras:

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