Telescope Reviews: Pentax XW's Toast?

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Equipment Discussions >> Eyepieces

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Dr Morbius
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/06/07

Loc: ManorvilleNY-but not for long

Re: Pentax XW's Toast? new

[Re: GeneT]
#5691223 - 02/20/13 04:05 PM

Myself, I'll stick with the Delos - for some reason I just prefer them over the Pentax XW's.

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GeneT
Ely Kid

Reged: 11/07/08

Loc: South Texas

Re: Pentax XW's Toast? new

[Re: Dr Morbius]
#5691275 - 02/20/13 04:33 PM

Quote:

Myself, I'll stick with the Delos - for some reason I just prefer them over the Pentax XW's.

I have the 14, 10, 8, and 6 Delos, a Pentax 5XO, and 4 Radian. I love the Delos. For several years, I have been curious how the Pentax Extra Wides compare to the Delos. Pentax makes a 7XW. I thought that would fit in nicely between the 8 and 6 Delos. I also wanted to do my own comparision of how the different optical characteristics were different between the Pentax and Delos eyepieces. I was going to order a 7XW, and was surprised to find out that many vendors are sold out--and don't know if anymore are going to be available.

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MRNUTTY
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/22/11

Loc: Mendon, MA

Re: Pentax XW's Toast? new

[Re: Dr Morbius]
#5691283 - 02/20/13 04:36 PM

Delos is a great eyepiece. I compared the 10mm of both sets and found them for all intents and purposes identical, except the Delos is even more expensive than the XW's.

I'm glad to have caved on the previous scare before the 2" XW disappeared.

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Sarkikos
Postmaster

Reged: 12/18/07

Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA

Re: Pentax XW's Toast? new

[Re: frebie]
#5691308 - 02/20/13 04:45 PM

frebie,

Thanks for the heads up.

Mike

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ibase
Vendor Affilliate

Reged: 03/20/08

Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N

Re: Pentax XW's Toast? new

[Re: MRNUTTY]
#5691315 - 02/20/13 04:48 PM

Traded my Pentax XW7mm for a Delos 6mm and am very happy with the decision. It's a comforting thought that the Delos on hand has the most up-to-date modern coatings that can be had in the market today.

Best,

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Bob S.
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 07/14/05

Re: Pentax XW's Toast? new

[Re: Kent10]
#5691382 - 02/20/13 05:31 PM

Quote:

Quote:

For some of us, the demise of the 14mm XW is of no concern whatsoever. I can't remember how many 14mm XL's and XW's I have moved along? The field curvature would make me woozy I have wondered if the 14mm Delos is much better and does not have that FC issue? I was a very early adopter of the XW line and will not sell my 20, 10, 7, 5, 3.5. However, I found the 31mm Nagler and 21mm Ethos ep's to be superior to the 30mm XW so will not miss that one as well. It is sad if Gene's information is true because other than my Leica ASPH zoom, nothing I have in the ep boxes compares with my 10mm XW. Bob

Hi Bob:

I have often wondered about the Pentax 20mm XW but I have the 21mm Ethos. In what circumstances do you find you use both. The Ethos is much larger and heavier or do you appreciate a smaller FOV at times. Or is the 1mm difference in magnification important? Color? Thanks, Kent

Kent, I find that the XW's have slightly "truer" color than the Ethos. The 20mm XW has a bit of field curvature but is very pleasant for my eye. It is especially useful in a weight critical situation. OTOH, the 21mm Ethos is a very nice eyepiece with beautiful 100 degree AFOV compared to the XW's 70 degree AFOV and so has its place as long as I do not have a weight critical application. With my Paracorr I, Paracorr II or SIPS, both eyepieces are pretty stunning. As I mentioned earlier, I could never tame the 14mm XW to suit my tastes and much prefer my 13mm or 17mm Ethoi. Bob

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Lane
Post Laureate

Reged: 11/19/07

Loc: Frisco, Texas

Re: Pentax XW's Toast? new

[Re: ibase]
#5691447 - 02/20/13 06:08 PM

I see very little difference in the Delos and the XW line myself. I have the XW 3.5, 5, 7, 10, 14, and 40.
I added the Delos 6 a few months ago and like it so much that I plan to add some more at a later date. Maybe when TV runs another sale.

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WStewart
professor emeritus

Reged: 11/02/05

Loc: Dallas, TX

Re: Pentax XW's Toast? new

[Re: Lane]
#5691499 - 02/20/13 06:38 PM

Quote:

I was going to order a 7XW, and was surprised to find out that many vendors are sold out--and don't know if anymore are going to be available.

Did you try Adorama?

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MRNUTTY
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/22/11

Loc: Mendon, MA

Re: Pentax XW's Toast? new

[Re: Lane]
#5691500 - 02/20/13 06:38 PM

That's when I bought my Delos, and nearly any of the TV's I bought new. The rest I bought used on AM. Not as yummy.... But technically satisfactory.

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ausastronomer
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/30/03

Loc: Kiama NSW (Australia)

Re: Pentax XW's Toast? new

[Re: t.r.]
#5691668 - 02/20/13 08:11 PM

Quote:

IMHO, $299 is too much.

I paid over $400 each for mine 10 years ago. You're counting the pennies and missing the pounds, particularly if they do go out of production.

Cheers,

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howard929
Member

Reged: 01/02/11

Loc: Low End of High Ground

Re: Pentax XW's Toast? new

[Re: WStewart]
#5691696 - 02/20/13 08:25 PM

Quote:

Quote:

I was going to order a 7XW, and was surprised to find out that many vendors are sold out--and don't know if anymore are going to be available.

Did you try Adorama?

Right you are, they have the 7mm XW for $299 as well. Maybe it's not such a big deal but I'd swear they were $270 about a month ago.

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Sarkikos
Postmaster

Reged: 12/18/07

Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA

Re: Pentax XW's Toast? [Re: howard929]
#5691708 - 02/20/13 08:31 PM

Now Adorama has five XW 5's available on eBay. I might click that "Buy It Now" button very soon ...

Mike

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zeldaboy101
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/13/04

Loc: Maryland

Re: Pentax XW's Toast? new

[Re: howard929]
#5691741 - 02/20/13 08:50 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I was going to order a 7XW, and was surprised to find out that many vendors are sold out--and don't know if anymore are going to be available.

Did you try Adorama?

Right you are, they have the 7mm XW for $299 as well. Maybe it's not such a big deal but I'd swear they were $270 about a month ago.

The 20 and 14mm tend to be cheaper and can be in the $270-290 range, but the 3.5-10 seem stuck at that $299 price. It's odd though, because I find the 20 and 14 going for $250-270 used a lot of the time, whereas the 3.5, 5, and even the 7 have come up for $200-250 used. Most people found them to be too much power and seemed to devalue them a lot more, marking them down so much.

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Sarkikos
Postmaster

Reged: 12/18/07

Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA

Re: Pentax XW's Toast? new

[Re: zeldaboy101]
#5691764 - 02/20/13 09:09 PM

Devaluing an eyepiece because it is "too much power" is at least a little silly. Maybe some observers don't know about such things as exit pupil, power per inch, best magnification for the object and the seeing range for their area?

Yes, I guess that's possible.

On the other hand, I think I might understand why the 20mm and 14mm would be sold new at a lower price. For one thing, they show more field curvature. And maybe they are easier and less expensive to manufacture than the shorter focal length XW's.

Mike

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Sarkikos
Postmaster

Reged: 12/18/07

Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA

Re: Pentax XW's Toast? new

[Re: Sarkikos]
#5691768 - 02/20/13 09:16 PM

It's been awhile since I've seen any XW's offered used for around $200. Around $250 is more like it.

Mike

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chboss
professor emeritus

Reged: 03/24/08

Loc: Tokyo Japan

Re: Pentax XW's Toast? new

[Re: Sarkikos]
#5691825 - 02/20/13 09:58 PM

They are still in stores here in Tokyo but reduced in price, so it is well possible that they are faded out.
Currently priced around 280 US$.

best regards
Chris

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Scanning4Comets
Markus

Reged: 12/26/04

Loc: Deep Space!

Re: Pentax XW's Toast? new

[Re: chboss]
#5691837 - 02/20/13 10:05 PM

I'm selling my 7mm XW to whoever wants it.

NOT !!!

Cheers,

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ibase
Vendor Affilliate

Reged: 03/20/08

Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N

Re: Pentax XW's Toast? new

[Re: Scanning4Comets]
#5691911 - 02/20/13 10:50 PM

LOL! Mark, I know how much you love that Pentax XW7, glad it's in good hands.

Best,

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Sarkikos
Postmaster

Reged: 12/18/07

Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA

Re: Pentax XW's Toast? new

[Re: Scanning4Comets]
#5691912 - 02/20/13 10:50 PM

I want it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOT !!! But only because I already have one!

Mike

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mkothe
super member

Reged: 03/08/07

Loc: Boston, MA

Re: Pentax XW's Toast? [Re: Sarkikos]
#5692032 - 02/21/13 12:10 AM

Here is the price history for the 7mm on Amazon (you can also display their 3rd party vendors):

http://camelcamelcamel.com/Pentax-70513-1-25-Inch-Eyepiece-Telescopes/product...

I bought mine used for $225 right before that creep to $200 started in February of 2012.

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