Scanning4Comets
Markus
Reged: 12/26/04
Loc: Deep Space!
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Meade 18mm Series 5000 UWA
#5228558 - 05/18/12 03:41 PM
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There have been some mixed reviews of this EP. Some say they see FC and others say none. I also read one review where someone said it gives 95% the view of the 17mm Nagler T4.
What say you????
Looking forward to your thoughts on this eyepiece! I have one on the way!
Cheers,
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jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan
Reged: 02/28/06
Loc: Petaluma, CA
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Re: Meade 18mm Series 5000 UWA
[Re: Scanning4Comets]
#5228625 - 05/18/12 04:32 PM
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Yay! The EVIL MUSHROOM!
I think it depends in the type of scope you use it in. I don't like mine in fast Dobs without a Paracorr. In such scopes it shows curvature.
In scopes with inherent curvature, like conventional SCTs, it actually mitigates the scope's inherent curvature somewhat.
Is there such a thing as "counter-curvature"? Can a field curve both ways (dished down vs. dished up so that the side of focus on which the edges are focused relative to the center flip-flop?
Because that's what seems to happen with the 18mm UWA in an SCT.
- Jim
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craytab
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/10/11
Loc: Bethlehem, PA
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Re: Meade 18mm Series 5000 UWA
[Re: jrbarnett]
#5228644 - 05/18/12 04:59 PM
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I just got one and have only used it once. I was nicely surprised to not see much FC in my faster dobs. You must also remember that there is a bit of a controversy in who sees FC. Some say the age of the eyes looking into the EP make a huge difference. As in younger folks don't see as much FC. I sort of believe this as I have the 14mm ES 82 which lots of people say has FC. I can see it if I look for it, but it doesn't bother me at all.
BTW, once you get it, you can slim it down a bunch by removing the mushroom part.
Before:
After:
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MikeBOKC
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/10/10
Loc: Oklahoma City, OK
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Re: Meade 18mm Series 5000 UWA
[Re: Scanning4Comets]
#5228671 - 05/18/12 05:21 PM
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That was the first premium eyepiece I bought, if you count premium as anything over about $150. I still use it often and find it a nice outreach eyepiece and good for white light solar viewing. I am also kind of fond of the mushroom shape . . . very unusual look, and makes it look substantial.
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Scanning4Comets
Markus
Reged: 12/26/04
Loc: Deep Space!
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Re: Meade 18mm Series 5000 UWA
[Re: MikeBOKC]
#5228707 - 05/18/12 06:23 PM
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Thanks you guys! 
Hey Craytab,
That 18mm UWA looks way better de-cloaked! I will post my findings once the EP arrives and I get to spend some time with it under the stars! My main reason for getting it was to frame M-42 in my scope when it comes around again with my O-III and Orion Ultrablock filters.
Nice pics too Craytab! Thanks! ...and also thanks to you Jim and also MikeBOKC!
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skyjim
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/13/07
Loc: Long Island, NY
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Re: Meade 18mm Series 5000 UWA
[Re: MikeBOKC]
#5229400 - 05/19/12 09:40 AM
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I have owned one for six months, bought the last of Hi Point had in stock for a great price, I use that ep allot, yes my babys ugly but it sure works well, used it in a F10 mac and it was one of my most used ep, I am looking at a 8HD and I know from Ed's report it will work well in that scope to. IT even does a real nice job in my F5.9 achro, nice ER cause the eye lens is at the top, I had the ES82N2 18 2" and there eye lens was sunken into the ep a bit so although the ep performed very well, it didnt have that comfort level of the Meade uwa, yes for me this EP really works.
Jim
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Phillip Creed
Idiot Seeking Village
Reged: 07/25/06
Loc: Canton, OH
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Re: Meade 18mm Series 5000 UWA
[Re: skyjim]
#5229549 - 05/19/12 11:40 AM
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I tried out the 18mm M5K-UWA in my 12" f/4.9 dob a few years back. I didn't use a Paracorr at the time, and I do wonder if that would have made a difference. The off-axis astigmatism was impressive, but the field curvature just drove me nuts. I couldn't get a "happy medium" focus where put the star out about halfway between the center and edge and focus on it.
Clear Skies,
Phil
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Scanning4Comets
Markus
Reged: 12/26/04
Loc: Deep Space!
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Re: Meade 18mm Series 5000 UWA
[Re: Phillip Creed]
#5229615 - 05/19/12 12:36 PM
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I wonder how it is up against the 17mm Nagler T4? I know BOTH would need a paracorr to clean up the edges, but just how different are they from each other?
I tried 2 times to sell my 12mm Nagler T4, and was going to trade it for a 10mm Pentax XW, but I just can't do it. Every time I look into it I love it more & more all over again, LOL!
As far as the 18mm UWA goes, there is no turning back now....I have sent payment for it and will see how it goes!
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dscarpa
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/15/08
Loc: San Diego Ca.
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Re: Meade 18mm Series 5000 UWA
[Re: Scanning4Comets]
#5229676 - 05/19/12 01:20 PM
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I don't see any in my IM715 mak, C9.25 or WO ZS110. The outer 5% of the FOV has a curved look but it's sharp. It's almost as good edge correction wise as my T6s and 22 T4. Barlowed it makes for a solid B lunar-planetary eyepiece. I like it better than my friends 18 ES82 which has image quality equal to the Meade's but the lens is too deep set. I can easily see the edge of the FOV in Meade not so with the ES. I like the 18 UWA a lot. I see a some of FC in my 14 ES82 but it doesn't bother me as I can't see the outer 15% of the FOV anyway. I'm fast closing in on 59 years old. David
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craytab
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/10/11
Loc: Bethlehem, PA
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Re: Meade 18mm Series 5000 UWA
[Re: dscarpa]
#5229722 - 05/19/12 01:57 PM
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The best part about the 18mm UWA is that it has a 1.25" Barrel. Why ES didn't do there's like this I do not know. If they had, they would have had my money a long time ago...
Edited by craytab (05/19/12 01:58 PM)
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MrJones
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/15/10
Loc: Indiana
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Re: Meade 18mm Series 5000 UWA
[Re: jrbarnett]
#5229773 - 05/19/12 02:39 PM
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Quote:
Is there such a thing as "counter-curvature"? Can a field curve both ways (dished down vs. dished up so that the side of focus on which the edges are focused relative to the center flip-flop?
Because that's what seems to happen with the 18mm UWA in an SCT.
- Jim
I wonder! After hearing about all the field curvature with the ES 14mm UWA, I can't see much or any with it in my C9.25. I haven't really paid attention to the difference in my Z12 but I'll have to see.
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Sean Puett
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/06/10
Loc: always cloudy, washington
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Re: Meade 18mm Series 5000 UWA
[Re: craytab]
#5229785 - 05/19/12 02:49 PM
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I have the ES 18mm and it works well in all my scopes. It didn't get as much use because i prefer my 24mm in my dobs but, that isn't the fault of the eyepiece. I do use it more in my 4"f5.4 refractor. It is much lighter than the 24mm and works well in that scope for a finder/ low mag widefield.
As far as field curvature, i guess i am one of the lucky people that has eyes that compensate for it. I have seen none in any of the ES82 line and i own all of them.
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Scanning4Comets
Markus
Reged: 12/26/04
Loc: Deep Space!
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Re: Meade 18mm Series 5000 UWA
[Re: Sean Puett]
#5233141 - 05/21/12 08:15 PM
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I have a 20mm SWA right now, and an 18mm UWA on the way! Both are different focal lengths, but I will compare the two anyways because they are close in FL and would be used for the same targets.
My 20mm Meade 5000 SWA gives me 60x and the 18mm UWA will give me roughly 67x. I can frame M-81/82 nicely in my 20mm SWA and will also be able to do the same in the 18mm UWA, but they will be framed at 67x.
The 18mm UWA will also fit the Double Cluster and M-42!
M-42 will be nice to see in my O-III and Orion Ultrablock in the 18mm UWA. I will also be trying out the 20mm SWA on The Double Cluster and M-42 when they get high enough.
The Double Cluster will be high enough to see by June 22 at around 3:45 am. M-42 will be ready to view by Sept 22 at about 5:00 am.
Can't wait to see how it looks with both filters in the 18mm UWA and 20mm SWA! 
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Jaimo!
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/11/07
Loc: Exit 135 / 40° North
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Re: Meade 18mm Series 5000 UWA
[Re: craytab]
#5233218 - 05/21/12 09:07 PM
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The best part about the 18mm UWA is that it has a 1.25" Barrel. Why ES didn't do there's like this I do not know. If they had, they would have had my money a long time ago...
+1
I use mine in my travel kit for a finder EP in my 80mm f/6.9 refractor, and in a WO66 before that, before I move up to the 6.7mm & 4.7mm 82°.
And yes it looks better as a smoothie. I decloaked mine after getting rid of the 6.7mm & 4.7mm Meade 5000 UWA's and went to the ES versions. Keeps my travel kit looking a little more homogenous.
However, I tend to prefer the 24mm Meade 5000 SWA in my MAK.
Jaimo!
Edited by Jaimo! (05/21/12 09:15 PM)
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spaceoddity
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/28/09
Loc: Cloudsylvania
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Re: Meade 18mm Series 5000 UWA
[Re: Scanning4Comets]
#5233543 - 05/22/12 03:04 AM
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I have a 20mm SWA right now, and an 18mm UWA on the way! Both are different focal lengths, but I will compare the two anyways because they are close in FL and would be used for the same targets.
My 20mm Meade 5000 SWA gives me 60x and the 18mm UWA will give me roughly 67x. I can frame M-81/82 nicely in my 20mm SWA and will also be able to do the same in the 18mm UWA, but they will be framed at 67x.
The 18mm UWA will also fit the Double Cluster and M-42!
M-42 will be nice to see in my O-III and Orion Ultrablock in the 18mm UWA. I will also be trying out the 20mm SWA on The Double Cluster and M-42 when they get high enough.
The Double Cluster will be high enough to see by June 22 at around 3:45 am. M-42 will be ready to view by Sept 22 at about 5:00 am.
Can't wait to see how it looks with both filters in the 18mm UWA and 20mm SWA!
I bought the 18 UWA with the intentions of replacing my 20 SWA with an 82* ep. Bigger is better right? I still have both but I like the 20 SWA much better. It's much more comfortbale, better eye relief and less field curvature.
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David E
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/25/06
Loc: North Carolina
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Re: Meade 18mm Series 5000 UWA
[Re: Scanning4Comets]
#5233627 - 05/22/12 06:37 AM
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I have a 20mm SWA right now, and an 18mm UWA on the way! Both are different focal lengths, but I will compare the two anyways because they are close in FL and would be used for the same targets.
If you're like me, it will be tough to choose between the two. I liked both of them, but eventually sold the 18 mainly because I liked the smaller size of the 20 SWA. The views are very sharp and contrasty in both eyepieces.
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skyjim
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/13/07
Loc: Long Island, NY
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Re: Meade 18mm Series 5000 UWA
[Re: Scanning4Comets]
#5233669 - 05/22/12 07:53 AM
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Hi Markus, well there will be many differences between the Meade 5K 18UWA, I had one ep in my collection that was very good but its 65 degree FOV was small and wanted the 82, that ep was a Vixen 17mm UWA. Tried the 17mm Hyperion but it wasn't no Vixen, tried a friends 17T4 Nag, very nice but way to big and I didnt like the fish bole effects, very hard on eye placement so I ordered the ES82N2 18, that ep was nice but the eye lens is deep, and placement was critical so I sold that. I found one new meade 5K 18uwa about 6 months ago and figured why not, I had some of there uwa's in the past, well the eye lens its on top and yes my babys ugly ep but I found eye placement easy, has very good to excellent contrast, snaps tho focus, has nice detail with crisp images when seeing is good, maybe the last 5% of the fov is not perfect like the nags are but has no lateral color seen to this date. It did everything the ES did and was a 1.25" ep and had more of that easy feelin when looking threw the eye lens. There are a few others here on CN who have almost the same thoughts on this ep but for some its just way to ugly. Since I bought the 18 I bought the new N2 purged Meade 5K UWA's in the 14 and 8.8 and thinkin about the 5.5, I also have the ES 6.7 and 11 n2's but that 18 is one really nice ep plus it plays nice with barlows as well.
Jim
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Albie
Post Laureate
Reged: 02/22/05
Loc: Alberta,Canada
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Re: Meade 18mm Series 5000 UWA
[Re: Scanning4Comets]
#5234447 - 05/22/12 05:14 PM
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I have a 20mm SWA right now, and an 18mm UWA on the way! Both are different focal lengths, but I will compare the two anyways because they are close in FL and would be used for the same targets.
I would be interested in your comparison.I have always wanted or been curious about the 18mm Meade 5000 UWA.
Perhaps I could do some kind of trade with you later.You can get back into bino-viewing 
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George Methvin
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/30/06
Loc: Central Texas
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Re: Meade 18mm Series 5000 UWA
[Re: Albie]
#5235937 - 05/23/12 03:33 PM
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One of my all time best eyepeices I really like it. Using this eyepeice with my 120mm ed refractor and my Meade 10 sct I get some outstanding views. Don't know what all the fuss is about I got mine used for $100.00 a few years back. Of course I tend not to be to picky on a lot of things that might bother others folks.
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Scanning4Comets
Markus
Reged: 12/26/04
Loc: Deep Space!
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Re: Meade 18mm Series 5000 UWA
[Re: George Methvin]
#5255555 - 06/05/12 12:53 AM Attachment (19 downloads)
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My 18mm UWA should be here very soon! I'll report my findings when it arrives with and without a barlow! I did a small comparison using stellarium. The 18mm UWA gives me almost 67x and the 20mmm SWA 60x. They are very close! The 18mm UWA will have more of an immersive feel to it!
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