391 replies to this topic

[ibase]

Jeebs, it's good to know that you are seeing more planetary details on the HypZoom and that you see using it often in the future - I too like the convenience it gives coupled with its good performance.

About being parfocal on different focal lengths, different users report varied results but the consensus seems to be that only very slight adjustments are necessary when changing focal lengths, and this is the same experience that I've had. If you have the chance, try someone else's zoom EP to be able to compare with the one you have now, because 1/2 turn of the focusing knob when changing from 24mm to 8mm seems too big an adjustment on a parfocal EP; like in my case when changing from these two FL's, I am able to achieve exact focus with very minor focusing knob adjustments. Hope you'll be able to sort it out, but you did say that it's just a very minor kink and otherwise your HypZoom is fine.

Just to clarify, I double checked the focus range and did it properly (from 8mm to 24mm) and I only had to make less than a 1/4 turn on the focus knob to regain focus from across the full range. I was clearly mistaken when I stated earlier about the 1/2 turn needed to regain focus.

The OP stated he was blown away by this eyepiece and although I don't have a collection comparable to his I would like to humbly agree with him.

If I recall correctly, there was a post before to the effect that specific set of eyes will require different intensities of re-focusing when using various focal lengths from a set of parfocal EPs so that what you're experiencing could well be only an effect of this variance (in upper limit). Again, if you can get hold of another zoom, try to compare it with what you have.

Being "blown away" and also "wow" are a normal reactions when peering thru the Hyperion zooms; I let my astro buddies use my HypZoom and the same words were used in describing the experience, together with the question, "..and this is a zoom?"

Best,

[ibase]

Sorry, just a few minutes after posting info about it here, the zoom has been SOLD! The Hyperion zoom looks like a really hot item theses days, and rightly so.

This time around, lets look at the opposite, a recent "wanted" ad in the eyepiece section:

Wanted: Hyperion click-stop zoom 24mm-8mm:

I'd like to make my grab and go setup even more portable. It would be nice to not have to grab my eyepiece case, and I've been hearing good things about this eyepiece for a while. Please let me know if you have one in good condition.

It's interesting to note what enthusiasts plan to do with their Hyperion zooms and in this case it's as a Grab&Go EP. This is a good plan because it eliminates the need to bring several EPs especially for those who already have expensive ~$700 high-end ones which will send you looking for a safety deposit box to store them in every time you leave the hotel. Not so with the Hyperion zoom - with its modest price, you don't have to worry too much when leaving it behind. And the performance is nothing to sneeze at either, so what's the one word that best describes it as a Grab&Go EP? P-e-r-f-e-c-t!

Now if only anybody here is willing to let go of their HypZoom, you'll make the ad poster a very happy guy/gal!

Best,

[ibase]

Had the chance to use the Pentax XF zoom, shown here with the Hyperion and WO zooms:



The Pentax 6.5-19.5mm zoom is a very good performer and quite sharp and contrasty too. The quality and make is top class and has a solid feel to it. But the AFOV is only from 42 to 60 deg, thus compared to the Hyperion zoom, it lags behind in terms of having a wider more expansive view.

Best,

[ibase]

The Pentax 6.5-19.5mm zoom is a very good performer and quite sharp and contrasty too. The quality and make is top class and has a solid feel to it. But the AFOV is only from 42 to 60 deg, thus compared to the Hyperion zoom, it lags behind in terms of having a wider more expansive view.

Another observation about the Pentax zoom is that just looking through it in daytime, a noticeable fuzziness can be seen at the edges in the longest focal lenght (19.5mm); other than that, the edge is sharp and well-defined in the shorter focal range.

Best,

[cuzimthedad]

Okay, so last night at our regular monthly OFLI gathering I had the opportunity to observe through the same Hyperion zoom the op, Jim Barnett, did way back when and I have to say this is quite an incredible eyepiece. I observed a couple of double stars, the double cluster and M31 and was very impressed with it's performance both optically and mechanically; so much so that I may have to add one to my stable of Naglers.

[ibase]

Okay, so last night at our regular monthly OFLI gathering I had the opportunity to observe through the same Hyperion zoom the op, Jim Barnett, did way back when and I have to say this is quite an incredible eyepiece. I observed a couple of double stars, the double cluster and M31 and was very impressed with it's performance both optically and mechanically; so much so that I may have to add one to my stable of Naglers.

Wow sir! Thanks much, in more ways than one, for sharing your impressions of the Hyperion zoom, there's nothing like receiving a weighty assessment of the highest level, and positive at that, from one of such much-respected stature in the community.

Best,

[ibase]

Another excellent application of the versatile Hyperion zoom:

So a local astro forum member posts a message describing difficulties encountered in balancing a 12" Dob, when exchanging EPs for higher power, a short excerpt:

"..When I removed the heaviest eyepiece, the scope tipped rapidly toward vertical. Such movement would not be nice after spending a while locating objects and changing to a higher power.. .."

Suggested the Hyperion zoom and pointed to this thread and mentioned that it's also in keeping with what was mentioned in the post about the KISS (keep-it-simple-s____d) concept, that power/focal length can be changed in the zoom at the click of the selector, without upsetting the balance of the scope.

Got convinced - ordered one.

But the story does not stop there, because of the Hyperion zoom supply snafu. Status is "Preorder," but credit card has been charged and the vendor's estimate of fresh stock is before the end of the month; but there's a constraint, the zoom has to be delivered for inclusion in a box in the US for overseas shipment by month's end. It's a cliff-hanger.

Would be good to know if others who also "Preordered" from OPT have already received theirs. Thanks.

Best,

[davidpitre]

One very minor complaint is that it doesn't seem to be as parfocal as everyone touts it to be. Maybe mine is malfunctioning because I have to tweak it a little on every click.

I might be wrong, but I don't believe there is a decent zoom out there that is perfectly parfocal requiring no focus shift.
I own the Baader and the Televue 3-6 , and both require tweeking the focus.
When someone claims parfocal, I believe they mean "nearly parfocal".

[starrancher]

Correct ! .....(Nearly Parfocal)

[coffee_prince]

Can anyone comment more on the issue of field curvature on fast scopes e.g. f/5

Thanks

[phil piburn]

They ain't nobody gonna get any including OPT until the
shipment gets here from overseas.!

[ibase]

Can anyone comment more on the issue of field curvature on fast scopes e.g. f/5

Thanks

There's a good discussion about "field curvature" here with respect to fast f/5 scopes.

Feedback on the use of Hyperion eyepieces on f/5 scopes is not definitive and are varied - different eyes see different degrees of edge correction or non-correction but I've seen many posts that are positive; it would be best to try one out in your scope if you can to see for yourself if it works out well.

Best,

[ibase]

They ain't nobody gonna get any including OPT until the
shipment gets here from overseas.!

Phil, thanks for the feedback; so I take it that you don't have your Hyperion zoom yet?

Best,

[ibase]

I might be wrong, but I don't believe there is a decent zoom out there that is perfectly parfocal requiring no focus shift.
I own the Baader and the Televue 3-6 , and both require tweeking the focus.
When someone claims parfocal, I believe they mean "nearly parfocal".

Agree to this too. I have yet to come across a post saying there is absolutely no need to tweak a little when changing focal lengths in a "parfocal" zoom, more often than not there's always some small/minute adjustments needed to be made, and "nearly parfocal" is generally accepted to be the norm when speaking of parfocal eyepieces/zooms.

Best,

[Asbytec]

As it turns out, Optcorp did eventually debit my account for the 10% deposit for the 'preorder', even though the initial debit pending appeared to be for the full amount. I guess that means I am waiting... <sigh>

[ibase]

As it turns out, Optcorp did eventually debit my account for the 10% deposit for the 'preorder', even though the initial debit pending appeared to be for the full amount. I guess that means I am waiting... <sigh>

Am keeping my fingers crossed that the HypZoom arrives on schedule to make it in time for the overseas box. Baader should really seriously crank up production and delivery, many are raring to get their hands on this EP, it's really like a bestseller book that has cleared from the shelves.

Best,

[csa/montana]

This thread has run it's course, & is becoming too large to keep bumping it; so it will now be locked.

The many pages of information is still available for members to read.

Thanks all!