21 replies to this topic

[ICYURNVS]

Recently purchased a Tele Vue Bino and I'm looking for eyepiece recommendations. I have TV Delos eyepieces in 8, 10, 12, 14, and 17.3. TV 24 Pan and 3-6 zoom Nagler. I'm looking to double up on one or two for my bino, but don't know where to start. I've read several post and realize this can be a bit of a personal choice that may require trial and error. The 24 Pan and 10 Delos are my favorite eyepieces, so I'm leaning there. I welcome any suggestions though. Clear skies! 

[lwbehney]

I also have the TV Bino Vue and I have to use the amplifier to come to focus with my refractor. My favorite pair of eyepieces are the Morpheus 17.5 giving me 120X on the Moon and a pair of Delos 10 mm giving me 208X on the planets. Since you already have the Delos 17.3, I would start there, if you are using the amplifier. IMHO, going much below an exit pupil below 0.75 mm might become a bit challenging with binoviewers. Others may feel differently. The Panoptic 24 mm gets rave reviews and if you do not require the amplifier, then this might be your best choice for wide field views. I find that using two eyes makes the fov of even a lowly pair of 40 mm Plossl eyepieces feel immense. 

[ICYURNVS]

I also have the TV Bino Vue and I have to use the amplifier to come to focus with my refractor. My favorite pair of eyepieces are the Morpheus 17.5 giving me 120X on the Moon and a pair of Delos 10 mm giving me 208X on the planets. Since you already have the Delos 17.3, I would start there, if you are using the amplifier. IMHO, going much below an exit pupil below 0.75 mm might become a bit challenging with binoviewers. Others may feel differently. The Panoptic 24 mm gets rave reviews and if you do not require the amplifier, then this might be your best choice for wide field views. I find that using two eyes makes the fov of even a lowly pair of 40 mm Plossl eyepieces feel immense. 

Iwbehney - Thanks for the reply! I've seen a lot of good reviews on the 24 Pans too. I'm using an SCT so I'm hoping to have enough back focus without the amplifier.

[cahanc]

I have been working with a Denk 27 and SS Apo for the last couple months. The more the magnification goes up the more finicky the image for sure. I’ve found my 7mm Delites really great and the 14mm Denks are outstanding. I have tried a pair of Celestron 18mm X-Cels and was uncomfortable as they pinched my nose. Good luck and enjoy??

[betacygni]

The 24mm panoptic for sure. This is probably the only eyepiece I’ve never heard someone dislike binoviewing, the ergonomics are superb, narrow taper to not interfere with your nose, good eye relief, and maximum FOV possible for a 1.25” eyepiece. If you like the 24mm panoptic in mono, you will undoubtedly love it in bino.

Doubling up on the Delos is going to be a bit riskier. They are going to be significantly heavier (especially an issue swapping between them and smaller/lighter 24mm panoptics), and nose clearance depending on your facial structure might make them uncomfortable. Since you already own singles there isn’t huge risk trying out doubling a pair, but they might not work out on the comfort front.

I used to like larger eyepieces binoviewing (such as the Morpheus line, similar to the Delos), but ultimately I realized they were just too bulky and uncomfortable. Smaller eyepieces such as Delites and even Plossls beat wide fields in my option (and are cheaper no less).

Edited by betacygni, 09 December 2023 - 09:48 PM.

[ICYURNVS]

The 24mm panoptic for sure. This is probably the only eyepiece I’ve never heard someone dislike binoviewing, the ergonomics are superb, narrow taper to not interfere with your nose, good eye relief, and maximum FOV possible for a 1.25” eyepiece. If you like the 24mm panoptic in mono, you will undoubtedly love it in bino.

Doubling up on the Delos is going to be a bit riskier. They are going to be significantly heavier (especially an issue swapping between them and smaller/lighter 24mm panoptics), and nose clearance depending on your facial structure might make them uncomfortable. Since you already own singles there isn’t huge risk trying out doubling a pair, but they might not work out on the comfort front.

I used to like larger eyepieces binoviewing (such as the Morpheus line, similar to the Delos), but ultimately I realized they were just too bulky and uncomfortable. Smaller eyepieces such as Delites and even Plossls beat wide fields in my option (and are cheaper no less).

Yeah - good call on the weight and size of the Delos'. It sounds like the 24's a winner. Now I just have to find one:)

[ICYURNVS]

I have been working with a Denk 27 and SS Apo for the last couple months. The more the magnification goes up the more finicky the image for sure. I’ve found my 7mm Delites really great and the 14mm Denks are outstanding. I have tried a pair of Celestron 18mm X-Cels and was uncomfortable as they pinched my nose. Good luck and enjoy??

Thanks Cahanc. I do have a 9mm Delite that I rarely use since I purchased my Delos set, so I may end up going that route in addition to the 24 pan. I'm definitely concerned about nose pinch with the Delos'.

[rob.0919]

Go with 24 and 19mm Panoptics.

This may be all you ever really need if you can use the multiplier (or whatever) TV have with their Binoview.

 

I use the Baader 2.6x GPC in my system, which with the 19mm gives 134x mag, which is often the limit for me in the UK.

 

I think theres a chance you may find 2x Delos a bit too big and cumbersome.

[The Ardent]

I found this article helpful.
The Delos are nice on paper, but in practice the Type 6 Naglers and Delites are much easier to use.

https://www.cloudyni...noviewing-r3110

I'm definitely concerned about nose pinch with the Delos'.

[noisejammer]

The 24mm panoptic for sure. This is probably the only eyepiece I’ve never heard someone dislike binoviewing, the ergonomics are superb, narrow taper to not interfere with your nose, good eye relief, and maximum FOV possible for a 1.25” eyepiece. If you like the 24mm panoptic in mono, you will undoubtedly love it in bino.

Let me be the first then - I positively loathe the 24 Pan. It has terrible pincushion - not a huge issue if you have a driven mount but I find it puke-inducing when I pan through the sky at low power.

 

Yeah - good call on the weight and size of the Delos'. It sounds like the 24's a winner. Now I just have to find one:)

I have Delos pairs of 6, 10 & 14 mm. The real issue is whether your binoviewer collets centre them and hold them securely. Ditto for how he scope holds your diagonal & how the diagonal connects to your Binovue.

 

On selecting eyepieces ..

We don't know what scope you're using so it's a bit of a wild guess. Overall, I would suggest you keep the exit pupil bigger than 0.65 - 0.75 mm when binoviewing. Even though it's quite possible to use a smaller exit pupil with a single eye, binoviewing requires that your IPD is accurately matched to that of the binoviewer. If you make the exit pupil too small, you can provoke blackouts that alternate between your eyes.

 

So, if you have a f/7 refractor and use the 2x corrector, the effective focal ratio is f/14. Achieving an exit pupil > 0.65 mm would mean a 9 mm (or longer) eyepiece.

 

Fwiw, my primary scope is f/7.3 but I use a 1.25 corrector. I have pairs of the Nagler 7T6, Delos (as above) and the Nagler 16T5. Based on the OP's options, I would look at the 10 mm & 17 mm Delos as starters.

[betacygni]

Let me be the first then - I positively loathe the 24 Pan. It has terrible pincushion - not a huge issue if you have a driven mount but I find it puke-inducing when I pan through the sky at low power.

Amusingly enough I actually feel the same way (and it’s the only reason I don’t own them anymore), but that’s not an issue specific to binoviewing, and he stated it was already one of his favorites in mono, so in his case it shouldn’t be a concern.

[ICYURNVS]

I found this article helpful.
The Delos are nice on paper, but in practice the Type 6 Naglers and Delites are much easier to use.

https://www.cloudyni...noviewing-r3110

 

Thanks for linking to this. Very helpful indeed!

[ICYURNVS]

Let me be the first then - I positively loathe the 24 Pan. It has terrible pincushion - not a huge issue if you have a driven mount but I find it puke-inducing when I pan through the sky at low power.

 

I have Delos pairs of 6, 10 & 14 mm. The real issue is whether your binoviewer collets centre them and hold them securely. Ditto for how he scope holds your diagonal & how the diagonal connects to your Binovue.

 

On selecting eyepieces ..

We don't know what scope you're using so it's a bit of a wild guess. Overall, I would suggest you keep the exit pupil bigger than 0.65 - 0.75 mm when binoviewing. Even though it's quite possible to use a smaller exit pupil with a single eye, binoviewing requires that your IPD is accurately matched to that of the binoviewer. If you make the exit pupil too small, you can provoke blackouts that alternate between your eyes.

 

So, if you have a f/7 refractor and use the 2x corrector, the effective focal ratio is f/14. Achieving an exit pupil > 0.65 mm would mean a 9 mm (or longer) eyepiece.

 

Fwiw, my primary scope is f/7.3 but I use a 1.25 corrector. I have pairs of the Nagler 7T6, Delos (as above) and the Nagler 16T5. Based on the OP's options, I would look at the 10 mm & 17 mm Delos as starters.

Appreciate the feedback. It's a 6SE on the stock mount. I'm swapping out the stock VB with the Baader Ultra Short SCT adaptor, heavy duty quick change and T2 Zeiss prism diagonal. I'm thinking I'll thread the bino directly into the diag, but I also have the 1.25 clicklock.

[Deep13]

For a 6" SCT, maybe an additional 24 Pan. Or, a pair of 25 or 32 Plössls.

[ABQJeff]

I use Maxbright II binoviewers in my C11 Edge SCT with 2.6x GPC. I like the ES68-24 and ES68-20s very much, these are very similar to TV Panoptics. I then go to Baader Morpheus 17.5, ES68-16 and Stellarvue 82-15, as seeing allows. I am debating getting TV 18.2mm and 15mm Delites as another option.

I have two Delos, they seem way too big (for me) for BV use.

[ABQJeff]

I have and use 32mm Plossls as well, but the long eye relief can be awkward.

[noisejammer]

Appreciate the feedback. It's a 6SE on the stock mount. I'm swapping out the stock VB with the Baader Ultra Short SCT adaptor, heavy duty quick change and T2 Zeiss prism diagonal. I'm thinking I'll thread the bino directly into the diag, but I also have the 1.25 clicklock.

Threading the binoviewer directly onto a T2 threaded diagonal is probably the most secure. You may need a shim to orient them correctly.

 

Keeping the optical path as short as possible is good for a SCT. It minimises the spherical aberration caused by moving the mirrors away from their designed separation.

 

On eyepieces - you may be fine without the 1.25x GPC, in which case your scope will be working at f/10-f/11. Achieving a 0.65mm exit pupil suggests a 6-7 mm eyepiece for your highest power. Since you have a driven mount, the 24 Pan should be fine for wide field.

[25585]

TV Delites are ideal for binoviewing with.

[Erik Bakker]

Please share the scope(s) you will be using the Bino Viewer with for the dots on the “i”.

 

In your situation, the TV 24 PanOptic is a great eyepiece in any binoviewer in any scope. Then choose 1 or 2 pairs in the 19-12mm range would be my general next recommendation. The specific scope being important to decide on your higher power eyepiece. 

 

To illustrate what I mean: in my custom MW 16” f/5, a pair of 16.7mm Zeiss is a favorite in my BinoVue, in the 4’f/8 Tak fluorite a pair 12.8mm Zeiss. All with the 2x corrector in place. In my Questar 7, I used the now classic Celestron-Baader 60 degree binoviewer directly mounted to the rear port of the Questar 7 (no glass path corrector) equipped with 9mm N T6 eyepieces. That worked very well on good nights @ around 300x. But most often preferred what a single Brandon 12mm with the internal Barlow (1.65x) would present to my eye in the Q7.

 

For viewing comfort in binovieing, I do not use eyepieces shorter in focal length than the 12.8mm any longer. I have a high quality 2” 2x Barlow that I use if I require higher powers still. But for the highest powers, I enjoy mono viewing with high quality eyepieces more.

 

I consider binoviewers the best solution for medium to medium high powers. Low powers for me are the territory of m 2” Naglers. And (very) high powers I enjoy most with single high quality eyepieces by Zeiss, TeleVue and others.

 

So basically, I recommend a mix of mono and bino viewing with the appropriate eyepieces.

 

But as always, YMMV. Follow you gut and order some favorite candidates and try what works best for you under the stars.

[bokemon]

Recently purchased a Tele Vue Bino and I'm looking for eyepiece recommendations. I have TV Delos eyepieces in 8, 10, 12, 14, and 17.3. TV 24 Pan and 3-6 zoom Nagler. I'm looking to double up on one or two for my bino, but don't know where to start. I've read several post and realize this can be a bit of a personal choice that may require trial and error. The 24 Pan and 10 Delos are my favorite eyepieces, so I'm leaning there. I welcome any suggestions though. Clear skies! 

If it has to be Televue, then I suggest Delites, since Delos are very large and have "unnecessarily large" AFOV whereas the 62 deg of the Delites is fine.  However, depending on your face shape, the eyecups of the Delites might pinch your nose bridge.

If it doesn't have to be Televue, then I suggest the APM UFFs, which are half or less the price of a Delite and at the higher F# of binoviewers will be well-corrected to the edge.

[BCEagleScope]

Recently purchased a Tele Vue Bino and I'm looking for eyepiece recommendations. I have TV Delos eyepieces in 8, 10, 12, 14, and 17.3. TV 24 Pan and 3-6 zoom Nagler. I'm looking to double up on one or two for my bino, but don't know where to start. I've read several post and realize this can be a bit of a personal choice that may require trial and error. The 24 Pan and 10 Delos are my favorite eyepieces, so I'm leaning there. I welcome any suggestions though. Clear skies!

Ed Ting has a fantastic YouTube video on this very topic. Towards the end he covers eyepiece use and he recommends 24mm Panoptics.

I went with a Binotron 27, 24mm Pans, and I have the powerswitch. It has eliminated the need for a second set of eyepieces because I have low/medium/high magnifications in one setup.

Most people start to have trouble resolving images when you dial the power up too high. I have excellent uncorrected vision and have no eye issues, but if you but anything higher than a 12mm set of Naglers in a binoviewer, I can't resolve the image.

[betacygni]

Ed Ting has a fantastic YouTube video on this very topic. Towards the end he covers eyepiece use and he recommends 24mm Panoptics.

I went with a Binotron 27, 24mm Pans, and I have the powerswitch. It has eliminated the need for a second set of eyepieces because I have low/medium/high magnifications in one setup.

Most people start to have trouble resolving images when you dial the power up too high. I have excellent uncorrected vision and have no eye issues, but if you but anything higher than a 12mm set of Naglers in a binoviewer, I can't resolve the image.

I really liked his video, except for one glaring error. Merging issues aren’t the result of higher powers, but rather shorter focal length eyepieces. For example you might not be able to merge 5mm eyepieces, but 15mm eyepieces with a 3x amplifier will likely merge without issue. So strictly speaking it’s not high powers that causes merging issues, but trying to use short focal length eyepieces. As long as high powers are achieved with an amplifier merging shouldn’t be any harder at high powers than low.

Edited by betacygni, 27 January 2024 - 08:56 AM.