16 replies to this topic

[great_bear]

Does anyone know how good / bad the Meade S5k HD-60 is off-axis at 25mm in a small (130) F5 Newt?

 

I'm considering a used one, but if it's not great, then I'll pull out.

- would it be better/worse than the S5k 24mm SWA?

 

I guess what I'm really asking is whether the HD-60 25mm (60deg) is the best-corrected low-cost option in this class?

 

Thanks in advance, J.

Edited by great_bear, 24 January 2023 - 05:34 AM.

[SeattleScott]

Very good. As far as I know it is best in class. Some like the 22mm 70 AFOV ones as a value pick that still does well in fast scopes, but it is usually a 2” eyepiece, and usually a bit more expensive.

Edited by SeattleScott, 24 January 2023 - 09:27 AM.

[Starman1]

Does anyone know how good / bad the Meade S5k HD-60 is off-axis at 25mm in a small (130) F5 Newt?

 

I'm considering a used one, but if it's not great, then I'll pull out.

- would it be better/worse than the S5k 24mm SWA?

 

I guess what I'm really asking is whether the HD-60 25mm (60deg) is the best-corrected low-cost option in this class?

 

Thanks in advance, J.

First, the actual field size is a bit smaller, so you would sacrifice some True Field.

Second, the 24mm SWA is a tad better corrected at the edge at that f/ratio.

On the other hand, the smaller apparent field of the HD60 would reveal less coma from the f/5 mirror, so the star images would have a bit less coma at the edge.

6 of one, a half dozen of the other, I think.  And the wider true field would be more engaging for the objects you'd observe at 27x.

I'd keep the 24x68 and pass on the 25mm HD60.

[SeattleScott]

Ernest’s bench tests show the HD-60 noticeably better than the ES/Meade 24mm 68 at F4. Yes the field stop is about 10% smaller though.

If one already has the 24/68 probably no point in getting the HD-60. If they are trying to choose between them, the HD-60 is cheaper, very well corrected and generally enough ER for glasses. The Meade goes 10% wider with 4% more magnification though.

Scott

[great_bear]

I much prefer 60-degree eyepieces over larger ones (for driven scopes at least) and find astigmatism at the edge-of-field (regardless of afov) very distracting.

The 24mm/68 won’t be going anywhere soon - it just might sit on the shelf for a while.

Edited by great_bear, 25 January 2023 - 05:41 AM.

[Starman1]

I much prefer 60-degree eyepieces over larger ones (for driven scopes at least) and find astigmatism at the edge-of-field (regardless of afov) very distracting.

The 24mm/68 won’t be going anywhere soon - it just might sit on the shelf for a while.

I hate astigmatism too.  You should look at a 24mm TeleVue Panoptic.  No astigmatism.

[SeattleScott]

I hate astigmatism too. You should look at a 24mm TeleVue Panoptic. No astigmatism.

According to Ernest’s bench tests both Meade HD-60 and 24 Panoptic have virtually identical scores at F4 (Panoptic does better at F10). I have used both at F4 although not at the same time. Both fabulous eyepieces, nearly perfect edge correction, really have to put a somewhat brighter star next to the edge to tease out any imperfections. I have the Meade because it is glasses compatible for me. But you can’t go wrong either way.

[great_bear]

Yes, I've had the 24 Pan before - I moved it on at the time because I didn't like the pincushion (doesn't bother me these days) but more importantly it vignetted in my Mak180, while the SWA24 does not.

 

Don I misremembered about the Pan - it wasn't field curvature, you're right it was the pincushion. I was probably getting confused with the WO 16 UWAN I had at the time, which IIRC had strong curvature (of course I might be wrong about that too!)

 

In any case - this time around I'm looking to round-out the Tele Vue-free "vacation eyepiece" collection which is mainly Paradigm Dual EDs, but I want something better (at 60deg) for the ~25mm slot.

[Bkoh]

In any case - this time around I'm looking to round-out the Tele Vue-free "vacation eyepiece" collection which is mainly Paradigm Dual EDs, but I want something better (at 60deg) for the ~25mm slot.

https://stargazerslo...bst-starguider/

Comprehensive review and comparison of both sets. Meade HD-60 NOS is available on AliExpress.

[25585]

According to Ernest’s bench tests both Meade HD-60 and 24 Panoptic have virtually identical scores at F4 (Panoptic does better at F10). I have used both at F4 although not at the same time. Both fabulous eyepieces, nearly perfect edge correction, really have to put a somewhat brighter star next to the edge to tease out any imperfections. I have the Meade because it is glasses compatible for me. But you can’t go wrong either way.

I don't get how performance can be less at F10.

[Starman1]

I don't get how performance can be less at F10.

The Meade merely improved less at f/10 than the 24mm Panoptic.

Neither eyepiece was worse at f/10.

[great_bear]

Didn’t win the eBay auction. That that’s OK - my maximum was £58 used, and I think that’s a reasonable price for used, so I don’t mind letting it go if people wanted to pay more than that.

I’ll keep waiting on ABS and see what comes up.

[Andrea Salati]

Well, you know you can buy that for less on AliExpress if you really want it.

[great_bear]

Well, you know you can buy that for less on AliExpress if you really want it.

I don’t see any. 

[Andrea Salati]

On the “Agnicy Outdoor Store” as of right now I see 970 units available in that focal length.

$57.20 plus shipping.

[great_bear]

On the “Agnicy Outdoor Store” as of right now I see 970 units available in that focal length.

$57.20 plus shipping.

Fascinating though that is, I find no results for either the eyepiece or that store. 

[Andrea Salati]

Maybe there are regional blocks? I sent you a PM, have you checked that link?