747 replies to this topic

[MrJones]

Hah. Mine is the Sky Rover 30mm UFF version. Haven't had a good night in a few weeks to try it against my ES68 34mm though. I really expected it to be lighter though and it isn't. I should have checked the specs ...

[northernmike]

AT10mm UWA to complete a set of the 1.25"


Now if I can get out a try them.

It's the same EP as mine but from another company , right?

[Olimad]

It's the same EP as mine but from another company , right?

Yes, all from the same manufacturer, KUO. Skyrover is KUO's house brand for selling its own products.

 

I've always wondered if there are any differences—not in the optics themselves, but in aspects like internal baffling—when the same eyepiece is sold under different brands. There are relatively significant price differences between brand names: the Skywatcher Nirvana can be found for under 100€, the Skyrover for around 100€+, and the TS version for around 130€, even though they are all the same eyepiece from KUO. Maybe it’s related to the number of units ordered by each brand, but I’m not sure.

Edited by Olimad, 26 March 2025 - 01:37 AM.

[northernmike]

I just made the conversion between canadian dollar and euro , i paid 129$ for the Sky Rover and in euro it's almost 84€

Edited by northernmike, 26 March 2025 - 03:13 AM.

[therealdmt]

Hah. Mine is the Sky Rover 30mm UFF version. Haven't had a good night in a few weeks to try it against my ES68 34mm though. I really expected it to be lighter though and it isn't. I should have checked the specs ...

To get its excellent edge-of-field-of-view correction, the 30UFF is a 9-element eyepiece. As a result, it isn’t a lightweight like, say, a 30mm GSO SuperView. There’s a bit of heft to it. Still, it’s lighter than the 1 1/2 pound ES 68° 34mm (let alone 2+ pound heavyweights like the ES 82° 30mm).

 

SR 30UFF:       550g (19.4 oz)

ES 68° 34mm: 695g (24.1 oz)

​

 

Side by side, I see the 30 UFF is actually a bit taller, though more svelte. They’re more comparable than I thought until lining them up next to each other just now. To me, the ~1/3rd of a pound less weight of the 30UFF is noticeable though. However, it sounds like the both of them are just in a different weight category than you were hoping for (which I can appreciate. To keep things light and compact, I often top out on the wide end with a 1.25" ES 68° 24mm)

[vrodriguez2324]

30mm Celestron Ultima Edge. 

Does this have the same optics as your 30mm APM UFF? 

[Olimad]

I just made the conversion between canadian dollar and euro , i paid 129$ for the Sky Rover and in euro it's almost 84€

Yes, me too. I bought them (4, 7 and 10mm) at around these prices (including shipping) from AliExpress when they had some offers.

It was cheaper than the Nirvana on a European website (where you also have to add the shipping cost...).

 

But ordering from AliExpress is not without problems. I have bought a lot from them, and so far, I’ve had two issues.

The first one: I ordered the famous Celestron Spotting Scope 15mm eyepiece for 9 euros but received a Celestron 15mm Omni Plössl instead. I kept it and later sold it.

The second one: I ordered the SkyRover 82° 13mm eyepiece and received the 10mm version. I sent it back and will get my refund. I’ll wait for another offer on the 13mm before ordering it again.

Edited by Olimad, 26 March 2025 - 04:30 AM.

[MrJones]

That’s good news on the weight. I only looked at the Celestron Ultima Edge version specs and it’s 674.7g. The Sky Rover is still heavier than expected but phew. For me the issue is I don’t have quite enough counterbalance weight on my 12” reflector for the ES and I don’t want to add more.

Edited by MrJones, 26 March 2025 - 05:27 AM.

[25585]

Does this have the same optics as your 30mm APM UFF? 

Yes.

[northernmike]

Yes, me too. I bought them (4, 7 and 10mm) at around these prices (including shipping) from AliExpress when they had some offers.

It was cheaper than the Nirvana on a European website (where you also have to add the shipping cost...).

 

But ordering from AliExpress is not without problems. I have bought a lot from them, and so far, I’ve had two issues.

The first one: I ordered the famous Celestron Spotting Scope 15mm eyepiece for 9 euros but received a Celestron 15mm Omni Plössl instead. I kept it and later sold it.

The second one: I ordered the SkyRover 82° 13mm eyepiece and received the 10mm version. I sent it back and will get my refund. I’ll wait for another offer on the 13mm before ordering it again.

Maybe try another vendor ?

I ordered my 10 mm SR from ---Celestron telescope and accessories---- they have a 97.6% rating from other costumers and the delivery estimation was respected.

[TayM57]

After a two year absence of buying EPs because the 24" has been sucking up all my funds, I'm finally buying back what I had prior. Last EP purchase was a 17ES92 with the 12ES92 being the next one. 

[Apnee44]

I am crazy… I just bought again the Radian 14/10/4…. Hope to find soon the 12/6/5

[eblanken]

Hi Tay,

 

After a two year absence of buying EPs because the 24" has been sucking up all my funds, I'm finally buying back what I had prior. Last EP purchase was a 17ES92 with the 12ES92 being the next one. 

 

Good for you !!!

 

Do you want back the Pentax XW 68 Deg. Set I bought from you (LOL) ???

 

Best,

 

Ed

[kwyjibo]

Found a 45mm ultima for a good price to go with my 35mm.

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[TayM57]

Hi Tay,

 

 

Good for you !!!

 

Do you want back the Pentax XW 68 Deg. Set I bought from you (LOL) ???

 

Best,

 

Ed

Aren't those XW's 70°?

 

Will be fun to look through them when we evidently get together.

[therealdmt]

Sky Rover 10mm UWA

 

Now, I just have to resist getting the 7mm and the 13mm UWAs merely to complete the 1.25"ers of the line. I already have ES82s of 6.7mm and 14mm, so there is simply no need. (Repeat to myself: "No need. No need"). The 4mm UWA I bought previously was shorter than any of my ES82s, and then the 16mm UWA was longer than my 82° 1.25"ers and I specifically wanted to try 3x barlowing it for 5.3mm, so those two had genuine use cases. Now, the 10mm UWA makes some sense too because I typically have my ES 82 11mm in a 2x focal extender, but sometimes I want to use the eyepiece on its own — now I’ll have the 10mm UWA to grab for that unbarlowed purpose (instead of faffing about with the barlow or buying exactly the same 11mm ES82 again), plus it’ll give me a fuller feel for the UWA line in case I ever decide to… complete the set 

 

I do plan to get the 28mm, and if it comes back around, a 21mm UWA. Anyway, 10mm UWA in da house (surrounded by wind under an overcast sky)

[Greg77]

WIth the help of a friendly astronomer from Germany, I bought a practically new Pentax XO 2.58mm eyepiece.

 

I was looking for exactly something like this for my really great Pentax 75 SDHF.

 

During my last observation I realized that there were still "reserves" with the XP 3.8mm.

[Jon Isaacs]

TV 12mm Type 2 Nagler. Had been thinking about it for 39 years..... 

 

I had the 12mm Type 2 Nagler for a number of years.  I always liked it and it seemed like a very special eyepiece. 

 

At that time, it was part of my main set, the 31mm Nagler, the 20mm, 16mm, 12mm Type 2s and the 9mm, 7mm, 5mm and 3.5 mm Type 6s plus a 2x TV Barlow. That set was nicely spaced and I could just just about anything... 

 

Then disaster stuck.  I bought a 20mm 100 degree ES 100 degree and with the low prices of the XWAs and other KUO eyepieces plus a deal on the 21mm, 13mm and 8 mm Ethos, well, the storm still hasn't settled down after about 10 years, I am still looking for that last perfect eyepiece to compete the set.

 

Jon

 

Edited by Jon Isaacs, 29 March 2025 - 08:08 AM.

[Olimad]

Sky Rover 10mm UWA

IMG_8528.jpeg

 

Now, I just have to resist getting the 7mm and the 13mm UWAs merely to complete the 1.25"ers of the line. I already have ES82s of 6.7mm and 14mm, so there is simply no need. (Repeat to myself: "No need. No need"). The 4mm UWA I bought previously was shorter than any of my ES82s, and then the 16mm UWA was longer than my 82° 1.25"ers and I specifically wanted to try 3x barlowing it for 5.3mm, so those two had genuine use cases. Now, the 10mm UWA makes some sense too because I typically have my ES 82 11mm in a 2x focal extender, but sometimes I want to use the eyepiece on its own — now I’ll have the 10mm UWA to grab for that unbarlowed purpose (instead of faffing about with the barlow or buying exactly the same 11mm ES82 again), plus it’ll give me a fuller feel for the UWA line in case I ever decide to… complete the set 

 

I do plan to get the 28mm, and if it comes back around, a 21mm UWA. Anyway, 10mm UWA in da house (surrounded by wind under an overcast sky)

You can test the ES82 and KUO82 lines and compare them. They don't share the same focal length, but with your different scopes, you'll be able to provide valuable insight into their differences. I'd love to hear your feedback! (I only have the three shortest focal lengths of the KUO82 line myself.)

By the way, I don’t mean you should complete the set—there’s no need for that. What you already have is more than enough.

[Jon Isaacs]

You can test the ES82 and KUO82 lines and compare them. They don't share the same focal length, but with your different scopes, you'll be able to provide valuable insight into their differences. I'd love to hear your feedback! (I only have the three shortest focal lengths of the KUO82 line myself.)

By the way, I don’t mean you should complete the set—there’s no need for that. What you already have is more than enough.

 

For what it's worth, I have the complete set of Astro-Tech 82 degree eyepieces plus a set of type 5 and type 6 Naglers that include the 31mm, 16mm - 3.5mm.  I do like the 28mm, it's not quite a 31mm Nagler but it is very good and weighs about 2/3s what the Nagler does.

 

Otherwise, the Naglers are consistently excellent, sharp across the field, contrasty, stray light is well controlled.  The AT UWAs are solid eyepieces for the money, some are better than others.  I think the best are the 8mm and the 10mm, the 16mm has noticeable off-axis issues as does the 13mm to a lesser extent.  (The 7mm seems to be closer to 8mm, I believe StellarVue measured it at about 8mm)

 

How they fit in with the Explore Scientific 82s, my limited experience with the ES 82s is that they are closer to the Naglers than the AT UWAs are.

 

Jon

 

(I call the 7mm an 8mm, tests of

[Olimad]

For what it's worth, I have the complete set of Astro-Tech 82 degree eyepieces plus a set of type 5 and type 6 Naglers that include the 31mm, 16mm - 3.5mm.  I do like the 28mm, it's not quite a 31mm Nagler but it is very good and weighs about 2/3s what the Nagler does.

 

Otherwise, the Naglers are consistently excellent, sharp across the field, contrasty, stray light is well controlled.  The AT UWAs are solid eyepieces for the money, some are better than others.  I think the best are the 8mm and the 10mm, the 16mm has noticeable off-axis issues as does the 13mm to a lesser extent.  (The 7mm seems to be closer to 8mm, I believe StellarVue measured it at about 8mm)

 

How they fit in with the Explore Scientific 82s, my limited experience with the ES 82s is that they are closer to the Naglers than the AT UWAs are.

 

Jon

 

(I call the 7mm an 8mm, tests of

So we have Nagler, then ES, then KUO.

[Kefka1138]

Found a 45mm ultima for a good price to go with my 35mm.

So nice! Just picked up a 35mm Parks Gold and a second 30mm Ultima myself (I really thought I was done lol). Really jonesing for a 45mm though - how are the views?

[BKBrown]

So I haven't bought any new eye pieces in quite some time, but have been seriously thinking about how to improve my comfort and convenience. I concluded that a set of high eye relief EPs would be a worthwhile investment so that I wouldn't have to be taking my glasses on and off all the time. Having reached this conclusion, I took the plunge and picked up a set of TV Delites to fill that role. In addition, having heard lots of good things about the AT 28mm UWA I picked up one of those as well. Early impressions have been very favorable so far on the AT 28mm UWA, and while I like the significantly reduced weight, it won't be replacing my ES100 25 in the lineup...just augmenting. The Delites are fantastic! And their size/weight are a real blessing for my 66mm-100mm class refractors. I haven't tried them in the NP101 yet, almost feels kind of wrong to waste that amazing FOV by using 62 degree EPs 

 

 

 

Clear Skies,

Brian 

Edited by BKBrown, 29 March 2025 - 12:15 PM.

[mikeDnight]

 I've bought several over the course of a week. The first was a 23mm 85° XW, which I likes so much that I sold my 27mm Pan and 12 & 13mm Naglers to replenish my funds. Then I bought a 40mm & 30mm TMB orthoscopic Paragon. And finally for now, a new arrival based on my experience with its larger brother, a 16.5mm XW.

I've still to have first light with the 16.5, but after a week with the 23, 30 & 40 I'm walking on air!

Edited by mikeDnight, 29 March 2025 - 12:17 PM.

[kwyjibo]

So nice! Just picked up a 35mm Parks Gold and a second 30mm Ultima myself (I really thought I was done lol). Really jonesing for a 45mm though - how are the views?

Haven't had a chance to use it yet, it's been cloudy since I bought it and will be for the next few days. The 35mm is one of my favorite eyepieces so I have high expectations for the 45mm.