53 replies to this topic

[gul1337]

I just saw this on AliExpress:

 

LAIDA Zoom Eyepiece 8-20mm Wide field of view Zoom Lens Telescope Accessory for Astronomic Telescope LD3006A

 

Does anyone know if this is a new design? or re-brand?

 

It promises 57-76 deg FOV, and 8-20mm 

 

Competitor to APM Super Zoom?

 

I'm not brave enough to be the first one to try it 

 

 

edit: typos

Edited by gul1337, 25 September 2023 - 11:41 AM.

[CTerry]

YEA.... not for that price. nope.  lol   here is another link for same thing.  https://www.alibaba.....37a675b0Mge2If

Edited by CTerry, 25 September 2023 - 11:45 AM.

[havasman]

57^o AFOV at the long focal length end is hardly wide, failing in the same way any zoom, including the APM, does. It's a 1.25" eyepiece and the size field stop is thus limited so the TFOV is only going to be so wide.

[csrlice12]

The specs say it's got a wider fov at 20mm than at 8mm, which is the reverse of other zooms.....it also states it has good haptics, whatever a haptic is...will be interesting to see the reviews.  It also isn't cheap...maybe competition for the Baader.

[Mike B]

Hmmmm… It do seem to check a lotta boxes!?

[Jethro7]

Hello,

Interesting. Maybe somone out there either has one or will buy and try one and will post a review. I am totally happy with my Leica ASPH zoom so it won't be me. 

 

HAPPY SKIES AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

[f18dad]

Yeah, gonna be hard to invest in an eyepiece named "Zoin" at any price!             

[havasman]

Yeah, gonna be hard to invest in an eyepiece named "Zoin" at any price!             

And paying premium prices for astro goods from Ali Express is as poor and short-sighted a way to practice amateur astronomy as is available, throwing the hobby's valuable supply chain under the bus while posting about it on the forum site Astronomics makes available.

 

A friend of mine used to say Karma's a b______ all the time until I pointed out to him that Karma's only a b_______ if you're an a__h____. 

[JeremySh]

I’m going to swap my Leica Zoom for a Laida Zoom.

[JeffreyC]

The specs say it's got a wider fov at 20mm than at 8mm, which is the reverse of other zooms.....it also states it has good haptics, whatever a haptic is...will be interesting to see the reviews.  It also isn't cheap...maybe competition for the Baader.

I wouldn't be surprised if they made a mistake in the specs and the wider FOV is actually at 8mm.

Wouldn't be the first time for AliExpress.

[areyoukiddingme]

Does seem to be a clone of the Leica, and they must have reversed the specs on apparent field in relation to focal length.

 

Reminds me of the Svbony that cloned the Nagler zoom. . . 

[rexowner]

The specs say it's got a wider fov at 20mm than at 8mm, which is the reverse of other zooms.....it also states it has good haptics, whatever a haptic is...will be interesting to see the reviews.  It also isn't cheap...maybe competition for the Baader.

Haptics are tactile feedback, in this case probably means a "click" at whole number focal lengths.

[Sarkikos]

Haptics are tactile feedback, in this case probably means a "click" at whole number focal lengths.

Or more likely that the eyepiece has a knurled band that is easily gripped as you dial the zoom, as you can see in the pic.  If the ad description doesn't mention click stops, it's likely the zoom doesn't have them.   Hmmm ...   Just like the Leica Zoom.  

 

It looks like the focal length settings are not very well labelled on the eyepiece.   I see 20, then a long band of lines.  Maybe the 20mm and 8mm settings are the only ones marked?

 

Mike

Edited by Sarkikos, 25 September 2023 - 06:01 PM.

[SeattleScott]

With roughly similar specs as Superzoom, just variable AFOV instead of fixed, I don’t know why someone would pay even more for this complete unknown when the Superzoom has a respectable reputation, is parfocal, etc.

[f18dad]

...will be interesting to see the reviews...  

 

Very bold to buy this sketchy eyepiece. I wouldn't hold my breath on reviews.

[areyoukiddingme]

Now if someone could clone the APM super zoom, and make it 75 degrees at all focal lengths?

[gul1337]

With roughly similar specs as Superzoom, just variable AFOV instead of fixed, I don’t know why someone would pay even more for this complete unknown when the Superzoom has a respectable reputation, is parfocal, etc.

 

I agree that this eyepiece is an unknown, and it needs some testing. I learned the hard way that it may be better often to wait.  Maybe we have to wait for some establish brand to re-brands them

 

On paper this eyepiece seems be better than Super Zoom, but it all depends what AFOV it has at 15.4mm. I remember laughing while reading about SuperZoom being "almost parafocal" I wonder how this one is. If AFOV is linear then it should have around 63 deg at 15.4mm, so I hope for a strong competitor, but I don't keep my hopes too high 

 

I was wondering if Omegon Premium Zoom is similar

 

For sure I will not be ordering it from Aliexpress... too many unknows

[rexowner]

Or more likely that the eyepiece has a knurled band that is easily gripped as you dial the zoom, as you can see in the pic.  If the ad description doesn't mention click stops, it's likely the zoom doesn't have them.   Hmmm ...   Just like the Leica Zoom.  

 

It looks like the focal length settings are not very well labelled on the eyepiece.   I see 20, then a long band of lines.  Maybe the 20mm and 8mm settings are the only ones marked?

 

Mike

Perhaps. Knurled bands are not haptics, and if claimed, they fail miserably.

 

Those of us who have made smartphone apps know what "haptics" means.

 

https://www.google.c...chrome&ie=UTF-8

 

These folks need to hire a minimally-competent marketing person.  It's not that hard.

 

Sticking with reputable brands....

Edited by rexowner, 25 September 2023 - 08:45 PM.

[Sarkikos]

Perhaps. Knurled bands are not haptics, and if claimed, they fail miserably.

 

Those of us who have made smartphone apps know what "haptics" means.

 

https://www.google.c...chrome&ie=UTF-8

 

These folks need to hire a minimally-competent marketing person.  It's not that hard.

 

Sticking with reputable brands....

Why even bother to have real haptics - which give tactile feedback as you position the zoom at the various focal length settings - if the focal length settings in the intervals between 20mm and 8mm are not even marked on the eyepiece?

 

I'm referring to the third pic from the left in the link cited in the Opening Post.  https://www.aliexpre...ayAdapt=glo2usa

 

Mike

Edited by Sarkikos, 25 September 2023 - 10:06 PM.

[rexowner]

Why even bother to have real haptics - which give tactile feedback as you position the zoom at the various focal length settings - if the focal length settings in the intervals between 20mm and 8mm are not even marked on the eyepiece?

 

I'm referring to the third pic from the left in the link cited in the Opening Post.  https://www.aliexpre...ayAdapt=glo2usa

 

Mike

I have no idea.

 

I simply stated what haptics are, and how they might be useful in the case of a zoom eyepiece,

as a previous poster seemed to not be familiar with the term.

 

In any case, haptics are not knurled bands.  If that what was portrayed by the seller, it's simply wrong.

 

Just trying to be helpful.

Edited by rexowner, 25 September 2023 - 11:14 PM.

[CTerry]

anyone else notice it says it has 11 elements and 7 groups.

[EGGarcia10]

Appereantly it has a buitl in liver with hepatic ducs!  LOL!!

[Bkoh]

The eyepiece in question could indeed be good optically, but I think it suffers from a few issues:

1. No intermediate FL markings

2. Name sounds like a Leica knockoff

3. Price, for such money most people expect a good local warranty and premium finishing/packaging.

#1 and #2 are quite easy to fix. APM notably used user feedback to improve the superzoom prototype (eyecups, clickstops) before committing to full production. Even then the final product fell short in AFOV, 66° vs 75°. But it seems to have been well-accepted.

#3 is solvable if a reputable US/Europe/Japan retailer rebrands it, like how APM does with KUO.

[pregulla]

Maybe it's LongPerng in different closing?

 

Makes no sense to manufacture a new eyepiece and release it under LAIDA label, but who knows

 

[Starman1]

Maybe it's LongPerng in different clothing?

 

Makes no sense to manufacture a new eyepiece and release it under LAIDA label, but who knows

I'll virtually guarantee you it is not made by Long Perng.