Telescope Reviews: 10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt

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Equipment Discussions >> Eyepieces

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Magnum
newbie

Reged: 02/01/13

10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt
#5657520 - 02/02/13 02:27 AM

I,m looking at getting a 5mm planetary eye piece, inparticular a Pentax XO-5 for my 6" f8 reflector. Would a straight 5mm EP be any advantage over a 10mm Delos with a 2x barlow for planetary? I,m thinking better light transmission with the straight 5mm, but better eye relief and viewing with the Delos and Barlow????

Post Extras:

izar187
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 09/02/06

Loc: 43N

Re: 10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt new

[Re: Magnum]
#5657623 - 02/02/13 06:34 AM

Perhaps consider one of these:
http://www.siebertoptics.com/SiebertOptics-Ortho%20page).html

I've found my 3.9 and 5.4 to be superior to any of my various ep+ barlow combo's to similar focal lengths.

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Tank
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 07/27/09

Loc: Stoney Creek, Ontario, CANADA

Re: 10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt new

[Re: izar187]
#5657800 - 02/02/13 09:48 AM

Depnend how picky you are but if you did a side by side in great seeing im sure you would see a difference.
5 XO is a spectacular EP.

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bsim
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/04/08

Loc: Miskatonic

Re: 10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt new

[Re: Magnum]
#5657828 - 02/02/13 10:04 AM

Quote:

I,m looking at getting a 5mm planetary eye piece, inparticular a Pentax XO-5 for my 6" f8 reflector. Would a straight 5mm EP be any advantage over a 10mm Delos with a 2x barlow for planetary? I,m thinking better light transmission with the straight 5mm, but better eye relief and viewing with the Delos and Barlow????

The Pentax XO 5 has 3.6mm eye relief vs. the Delos with 20mm eye relief. If you need eye relief, you're better off with the Delos + barlow combo. I have the Delos 10mm and it barlows well with either my TV 2x barlow or Powermate 2x. The Delos is a great planetary eyepiece. I've had amazing views of Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. It's comparable to the Pentax 10XW which I used to own.

Post Extras:

Jeff Morgan
Post Laureate

Reged: 09/28/03

Loc: Prescott, AZ

Re: 10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt new

[Re: Magnum]
#5658308 - 02/02/13 03:04 PM

Depends upon you. The 5 XO is a very short eye relief eyepiece, but the double star performance was incredible on the night I got to look through one.

The Delos 10 I currently do own, and it is very good - nearly as good on planetary and double stars as my Brandons. But the Delos is a easier to use, and frames larger targets.

If you can live with 95% as good, go Delos.

If you must have the best performance, go XO.

If you have the budget, get both.

Post Extras:

Scanning4Comets
Markus

Reged: 12/26/04

Loc: Deep Space!

Re: 10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt new

[Re: Jeff Morgan]
#5658320 - 02/02/13 03:10 PM

I highly doubt a Siebert EP will outperform a Delos.

Just sayin'...

IMHO, if you want comfort for long observing sessions, get the Delos or a Pentax XW. The differences in detail will be hard pressed to see. Some say comfort does not matter, but it does. You *could* use the EP/barlow combo, but I would recommend the 4.5mm Delos or a 5mm Pentax XW.

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johnnyha
Postmaster

Reged: 11/12/06

Loc: Sherman Oaks, CA

Re: 10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt new

[Re: Scanning4Comets]
#5658887 - 02/02/13 08:37 PM

My thought too, get the 5XW.

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Fred1
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 09/19/07

Loc: Somewhere in the Orion Spur

Re: 10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt new

[Re: johnnyha]
#5658915 - 02/02/13 08:56 PM

Delos 10mm mated to my TV Powermate 2X is a superb combo. I tried it one night and put it up against my 6mm Delos. It retained all of the Delos characteristics as if the Powermate wasn't even in the chain. But it's a bit cumbersome.

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GeneT
Ely Kid

Reged: 11/07/08

Loc: South Texas

Re: 10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt new

[Re: Magnum]
#5659087 - 02/02/13 11:05 PM

Quote:

a Pentax XO-5

One of the finest eyepieces ever made. I bought one (used) to serve as a bench mark for my other eyepieces.

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Starman81
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 03/06/08

Loc: Metro Detroit, MI, USA

Re: 10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt new

[Re: Fred1]
#5659233 - 02/03/13 01:09 AM

Quote:

Delos 10mm mated to my TV Powermate 2X is a superb combo. I tried it one night and put it up against my 6mm Delos. It retained all of the Delos characteristics as if the Powermate wasn't even in the chain. But it's a bit cumbersome.

Maybe the Delos with the TV 2x barlow instead?

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Magnum
newbie

Reged: 02/01/13

Re: 10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt new

[Re: Starman81]
#5662887 - 02/05/13 03:47 AM

WEll, I have just bought a 2.5x powermate, so it looks like I will be going for the Powermate Option for a start. If I see any used XO-5 EPs for sale at a reasonable price, I will get one of them as well.

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Aquarist
sage

Reged: 08/27/12

Loc: Illinois

Re: 10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt new

[Re: Magnum]
#5662956 - 02/05/13 06:39 AM

In my opinion observing comfort trumps almost all. But, as mentioned above, a Pentax XO-5 would be almost irresistible.

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BDS316
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 09/16/09

Loc: Sol 3

Re: 10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt new

[Re: Scanning4Comets]
#5662958 - 02/05/13 06:48 AM

Quote:

I highly doubt a Siebert EP will outperform a Delos.

Just sayin'...

Is there anyone who has actually done a head-to-head?

The proof would be in the observation...not the speculation.

Just sayin'...

Post Extras:

Sarkikos
Postmaster

Reged: 12/18/07

Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA

Re: 10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt new

[Re: Magnum]
#5663095 - 02/05/13 09:02 AM

Magnum,

Quote:

I,m looking at getting a 5mm planetary eye piece, inparticular a Pentax XO-5 for my 6" f8 reflector. Would a straight 5mm EP be any advantage over a 10mm Delos with a 2x barlow for planetary? I,m thinking better light transmission with the straight 5mm, but better eye relief and viewing with the Delos and Barlow????

I've had very good views through my XO 5 and XO 2.5. They are excellent, top-tier planetary, lunar and double star eyepieces. The XO 5 has been compared favorably with the ZAO's. For me, personally, I can deal with the dreaded short eye relief. I observed Sirius B through the XO 5 and 2.5 for at least 45 minutes recently. When I am enjoying a superb view, I am very comfortable!

I also have XW eyepieces, which are great eyepieces with good transmission, but not at the level of the XO's for fine detail, scatter control and contrast. I've never viewed through a Delos, but I've read that they are similar to the XW's.

Mike

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Sarkikos
Postmaster

Reged: 12/18/07

Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA

Re: 10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt new

[Re: GeneT]
#5663108 - 02/05/13 09:10 AM

Gene,

Quote:

Quote:

a Pentax XO-5

One of the finest eyepieces ever made. I bought one (used) to serve as a bench mark for my other eyepieces.

Mike

Post Extras:

Scanning4Comets
Markus

Reged: 12/26/04

Loc: Deep Space!

Re: 10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt new

[Re: Sarkikos]
#5663801 - 02/05/13 03:41 PM

Quote:

Is there anyone who has actually done a head-to-head?

The proof would be in the observation...not the speculation.

Just sayin'...

Did a head-to-head comparo of a Siebert WF against a 38mm Orion Q70, which isn't very corrected as everybody knows. The Siebert was close in correction, which wasn't very nice...

Speculation of a Delos compared to a Siebert? LOL!

Cheers,

Post Extras:

BDS316
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 09/16/09

Loc: Sol 3

Re: 10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt new

[Re: Scanning4Comets]
#5663912 - 02/05/13 04:38 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Is there anyone who has actually done a head-to-head?

The proof would be in the observation...not the speculation.

Just sayin'...

Did a head-to-head comparo of a Siebert WF against a 38mm Orion Q70, which isn't very corrected as everybody knows. The Siebert was close in correction, which wasn't very nice...

Speculation of a Delos compared to a Siebert? LOL!

Cheers,

We're not talking about 38mm eyepieces here; we're talking about shorter focal lengths, and I can recall one review where a rather experienced CNer compared a Siebert 8.4mm Super star splitter to a highly regarded 8.5mm Pentax XF....
and the Siebert won...

link to review: read it...

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=Eyepieces&...

Oh, and....LOL to you, too

Edited by BDS316 (02/05/13 07:49 PM)

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Deep13
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/25/05

Loc: NE Ohio

Re: 10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt new

[Re: BDS316]
#5667948 - 02/07/13 10:06 PM

Dob, XW

EQ, XO

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Scanning4Comets
Markus

Reged: 12/26/04

Loc: Deep Space!

Re: 10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt new

[Re: Deep13]
#5668027 - 02/07/13 10:49 PM

Quote:

We're not talking about 38mm eyepieces here; we're talking about shorter focal lengths, and I can recall one review where a rather experienced CNer compared a Siebert 8.4mm Super star splitter to a highly regarded 8.5mm Pentax XF....
and the Siebert won...

link to review: read it...

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=Eyepieces&...

Oh, and....LOL to you, too

Yep.

But YOU said I was "speculating" and I wasn't at the time I did a head-to-head on the two widefields.

Try not to let your "feelings" get in the way of objective testing.

Cheers,

Post Extras:

BDS316
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 09/16/09

Loc: Sol 3

Re: 10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt new

[Re: Scanning4Comets]
#5668508 - 02/08/13 09:02 AM

Quote:

Quote:

We're not talking about 38mm eyepieces here; we're talking about shorter focal lengths, and I can recall one review where a rather experienced CNer compared a Siebert 8.4mm Super star splitter to a highly regarded 8.5mm Pentax XF....
and the Siebert won...

link to review: read it...

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=Eyepieces&...

Oh, and....LOL to you, too

Yep. But YOU said I was "speculating" and I wasn't at the time I did a head-to-head on the two widefields.

Try not to let your "feelings" get in the way of objective testing.

Cheers,

No feelings, believe me...Your comparison of low power wide field eyepieces is legit...but let's keep in mind that the ORIGINAL POSTER (remember him?) is interested in opinions on eyepieces in the 5mm focal range, and I think that there is reasonable evidence, ie the 8.4mm Siebert SSS review, to believe that in this focal length range, Siebert may indeed make some eyepieces that can compare favorably to those made by Pentax or even TeleVue.

If you did a head to head with ep's in this focal length, ie near 5mm, let's hear about it. Info about low power wide field ep's belongs in a separate thread.

Post Extras:

Scanning4Comets
Markus

Reged: 12/26/04

Loc: Deep Space!

Re: 10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt new

[Re: BDS316]
#5669280 - 02/08/13 03:32 PM

Quote:

I highly doubt a Siebert EP will outperform a Delos.

Just sayin'...

Yep. And YOU keep jumping on everything I say. It's time you moved on and got over what I said.

...Just sayin'

Time to hit the IGNORE button...good thing for that eh?

BYE BYE.

Post Extras:

Lane
Post Laureate

Reged: 11/19/07

Loc: Frisco, Texas

Re: 10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt new

[Re: Scanning4Comets]
#5669382 - 02/08/13 04:39 PM

Try the 4.7mm ES 82 before you spend a whole lot on these other eyepieces. This eyepiece really surprised me the first time I compared it to my Orthos, Delos, and my Pentax XW eyepieces. The light transmission on the 4.7mm is excellent and the sharpness is as good as any eyepieces I have personally used. And most important, that wide field makes viewing a lot easier if you don't have a motorized mount. Not enough eye relief for wearing eye glasses but pretty comfortable for a non-eyeglass wearer.

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Sarkikos
Postmaster

Reged: 12/18/07

Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA

Re: 10mm Delos+ Barlow, or Pentax XO-5 for 6" f8 newt new

[Re: Lane]
#5669479 - 02/08/13 05:36 PM

I agree that the ES 82 4.7 is a good eyepiece. It recently give me a contrasty, detailed view of Jupiter with good color through my 10" Dob. I'm still up in the air over whether I should bother replacing it with an XW 5 ... if I ever see a used XW 5 at a good price and I'm quick enough to jump on it.

But to the OP: I don't think I'd ever give up my XO 5 or XO 2.5. Those eyepieces are worth it for that last bit of detail on planets and pretty splits of double stars. I certainly see the difference. It's best to keep specialty eyepieces like that regardless of whatever wide fields you might have.

Mike

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