13 replies to this topic

[astrobeast]

I'm sure this subject has been talked to death, but didn't see this exact question.

 

The lowest power EP I have is the 23 / 82 (FL/ AFOV) Luminous that came with the scope. (I find the EP OK, but not crazy about the large, really flat top that for my facial structure makes it hard to get my eye centered in the exit cone).

 

Two guidelines (though not immutable): Like to keep the cost <$300 and for me, the >=82 deg AFOV eyepieces, while nice, aren't really worth the extra money (sacrilege, I realize!). The 68 and low 70's are the sort of sweet spot.

 

Top on my list is the ES 34 / 68 @$299. They also sell a 40 / 62 for about the same money which has very slightly larger TFOV, but think I'd prefer the 34, but open to be convinced otherwise.

 

Under that in cost been looking at:

 

Williams Optics SWAN 40 / 72 @ $130

 

Baader Hyperion-Aspheric 36 / 72 @ $180

 

Under these in cost are there all sorts of choices, but my general feelings is they will not be of similar quality to the above, but open to suggestions.

 

I'm sure I'm missing some, but looking for some suggestions.

 

Thanks

 

 

 

 

[sevenofnine]

The ES 28/68 is probably my favorite eyepiece. It works well in all of my scopes and weighs just 16 oz.. The ES 34/68 is considerably larger and heavier coming in at 24 oz.. If you are OK with that then I think you will really like it 

[SeattleScott]

The ES 34mm is a safe bet, but for a bit wider view and lower price, consider: https://www.astrosho...yepiece/p,33188

Yes, it is only available in Europe, so have to get it shipped international if you aren’t in Europe.

Looking closer, looks discontinued. Perhaps available through another vendor? Oh well. Perhaps ES it is.

Edited by SeattleScott, 03 December 2024 - 07:45 PM.

[Ernest_SPB]

Just take into account that 40mm from this Aero ED actually has 64° AFOV and quite moderate in field performance. 35mm looks better in part of AFOV (70°) with the same or worse quality of field correction.

 

68° Explore Scientific have noticeable better field performance, but bulky and twice heфvier.

 

And 41mm Panoptic is the best in performance (bulky and heavy similar to ES68) 

[PalomarJack]

I have a Baader 36mm Hyperion, and even with my 5" f/5.5 rich-field it is outstanding. Over 3.5 degrees of wide field goodness. I got lucky and found one on eBay for $100 and it is the best $100 I have spent on optics. For the price, even new, you can't go wrong. Also, they are very light weight.

 

Clear skies...

[areyoukiddingme]

Edge has flat and well corrected optics, so it's worth pushing to wide field. 

 

Given budget the 28 UWA comes to mind. Something in the 40mm range would also be good. Possibly the knock-off brand of the 40 Explore Scientific might fit the budget. Maxvision?

[balcon3]

I have an ES34/68 and I have to say, I don't love it and rarely use it. First it is heavy and bulky. I know that there are heavier eyepieces out there, but this eyepiece crosses some limit for me such that I do not look forward to bringing it out. It also causes balance issues on my scopes, since I usually use lighter eyepieces. Also, you say that you don't like the large flat top of your current eyepiece. The ES34/68 has a huge flattish top. It also has a large, 26.4mm eye relief. I don't wear glasses, and I find this too much eye relief. The rubber eye guard is quite short, and also falls off easily. This is another reason that I don't enjoy viewing with it. If you observe with glasses, it may be more comfortable for you. All that being said, it is a very sharp eyepiece and the broad FOV is nice to have. I don't have a specific alternative to suggest to you. The UFF30 is a bit lighter, so that is one possibility. One advantage of SCT's is that because of the slow focal ratio you don't need to get ultra-corrected eyepieces. I very much enjoy my Masuyama 26mm in my f12 scope. It should still be nice in your f10, although the edges won't be flat. It is wonderful ergonomically and light for a two inch eyepiece and it gives the same TFOV as the ES34/68.

[Mike Q]

In my 10 inch SCT i really like the Orion 38mm 70 degree, same eyepiece as the Williams 40mm if i am remembering correctly, but when i need to go really low power i have a Meade 4000 56mm which is around 45x.  

[Illinois]

In my 10 inch SCT i really like the Orion 38mm 70 degree, same eyepiece as the Williams 40mm if i am remembering correctly, but when i need to go really low power i have a Meade 4000 56mm which is around 45x.  

I like Orion 38mm 70 degrees for my 16 inch dobsonian and I can see all Messier and many ngc ovjects.  Orion company is out of business so anyone want is check eBay or CN classified.  
 

C11 if I want low power would be TeleVue 2 inch 41 mm eyepiece! 

[Mike Q]

I like Orion 38mm 70 degrees for my 16 inch dobsonian and I can see all Messier and many ngc ovjects.  Orion company is out of business so anyone want is check eBay or CN classified.  
 

C11 if I want low power would be TeleVue 2 inch 41 mm eyepiece! 

Both the 32 and 36 work decently in my 16 inch, provided there is a coma corrector involved.  Without the corrector things out on the edge get a bit sloppy.  In my SCT at F10 they are pretty decent.  

[astrobeast]

I have a Baader 36mm Hyperion, and even with my 5" f/5.5 rich-field it is outstanding. Over 3.5 degrees of wide field goodness. I got lucky and found one on eBay for $100 and it is the best $100 I have spent on optics. For the price, even new, you can't go wrong. Also, they are very light weight.

 

Clear skies...

Thanks for this recommendation.

 

It's on sale now at Agena for $190 (supposed regular price $239) so giving this serious consideration. 

 

Also giving the ES 40 / 62 a second look for the slightly lower power than the ES 34 / 68. 

[Jon Isaacs]

I have a Baader 36mm Hyperion, and even with my 5" f/5.5 rich-field it is outstanding. Over 3.5 degrees of wide field goodness. I got lucky and found one on eBay for $100 and it is the best $100 I have spent on optics. For the price, even new, you can't go wrong. Also, they are very light weight.

 

Clear skies...

 

My experience is that Baader Aspherics are not well corrected in even a moderately fast scope.  In my world, the Panoptics, Naglers, the 30mm UFF and the 28mm UWA qualify as very good to excellent in a fast scope.  I have not used the 40mm ES 68 degree but the ES 68s are based on the Panoptics so the should be quite good.  The Aspheric's are not in that league.  

 

Of course an F/10 SCT is more forgiving but the issues are still there.  The 41mm Panoptic is expensive and heavy but in an 11 inch Edge,  it would be essentially perfect.  Low power, wide field views are what distinguish the Edge from a standard SCT.  

 

An 11 inch Edge is $4400 just for the OTA.  Investing in an eyepiece that allows it to really show what it can do just might be worth it in the long run.  

 

Jon

[astrobeast]

My experience is that Baader Aspherics are not well corrected in even a moderately fast scope.  In my world, the Panoptics, Naglers, the 30mm UFF and the 28mm UWA qualify as very good to excellent in a fast scope.  I have not used the 40mm ES 68 degree but the ES 68s are based on the Panoptics so the should be quite good.  The Aspheric's are not in that league.  

 

Of course an F/10 SCT is more forgiving but the issues are still there.  The 41mm Panoptic is expensive and heavy but in an 11 inch Edge,  it would be essentially perfect.  Low power, wide field views are what distinguish the Edge from a standard SCT.  

 

An 11 inch Edge is $4400 just for the OTA.  Investing in an eyepiece that allows it to really show what it can do just might be worth it in the long run.  

 

Jon

Thanks for your response. This is always the problem with trying to "evaluate" optics based on peoples personal preferences, experiences and their own sense of what is good / great, etc.

 

I've read the reviews of all the eyepieces at the various vendor sites, and you can find people who rave about everyone one of them, relating stories of how they have compared some lower cost brand to the ES or Televue and see very little difference, etc. 

 

While its use would initially be for the Edge 11, I have a 12-1/2 f/5 Zambuto mirror that will ultimately find its way into a Dob of some description so don't want to buy anything that would not work in that as well. And you make a good point about the cost and why skimp over a $100 or so.

 

Rick

[Patrick]

I'm sure this subject has been talked to death, but didn't see this exact question.

 

The lowest power EP I have is the 23 / 82 (FL/ AFOV) Luminous that came with the scope. (I find the EP OK, but not crazy about the large, really flat top that for my facial structure makes it hard to get my eye centered in the exit cone).

 

Two guidelines (though not immutable): Like to keep the cost <$300 and for me, the >=82 deg AFOV eyepieces, while nice, aren't really worth the extra money (sacrilege, I realize!). The 68 and low 70's are the sort of sweet spot.

 

Top on my list is the ES 34 / 68 @$299. They also sell a 40 / 62 for about the same money which has very slightly larger TFOV, but think I'd prefer the 34, but open to be convinced otherwise.

 

Under that in cost been looking at:

 

Williams Optics SWAN 40 / 72 @ $130

 

Baader Hyperion-Aspheric 36 / 72 @ $180

 

Under these in cost are there all sorts of choices, but my general feelings is they will not be of similar quality to the above, but open to suggestions.

 

I'm sure I'm missing some, but looking for some suggestions.

 

Thanks

I always think "Televue" for eyepieces.  I always used a 27mm Panoptic as my low power eyepiece on my C11.  Worked out well.  If you want to go wider with less mags, then the 35 Pan would be a good choice.

 

Patrick