224 replies to this topic

[BKSo]

My Olympus GSWH 30x/7 microscope eyepiece is often called underrated, or does it’s reputation improves to the point that it is no longer underrated.

Edited by BKSo, 11 May 2025 - 10:42 AM.

[25585]

Jon you always give your honest opinion, that is what makes your posts so interesting.

 

I was keen to get others opinions on whether they find a particular spot most comfortable when adjusting rotating eye cups. Crazypanda seems to say no. 

 

Perhaps I've made an error when trying to explain the Morpheus/12mm Paradigm eye relief. My apologies.

What I meant to say is there is no way to reduce the distance between the eyepiece 'top lens element' and the observer's entrance pupil. I don't know the correct terminology for this, perhaps someone could help. I find eyepieces that have a lot of this prone to black-outs when panning.

 

For me the amount of variable eye relief depth is not the problem, how can that ever be a problem?

 

I can only see a spacer helping if it gives you the correct distance for you eye socket to rest on, thus allowing the viewer to hold their preferred eye position steady.. It doesn't help because it reduces eye relief? 

Even when I find this correct distance with the Morpheus/Starguider I still experience some black-outs depending on the exit pupil size/F- number of the telescope.

 

Perhaps Im missing something?

 

PS. Could someone tell me the correct name for the 'top lens element' of an eyepiece!

Are you then talking about ease of eye placement/exit pupil attainment and retention?

[Princess Leah]

Are you then talking about ease of eye placement/exit pupil attainment and retention?

Sounds good.

[25585]

I only experience blackouts with two eyepieces and only when panning and predominantly at F7.5. The 17.5mm Morpheus and the 12mm Paradigm.

I have tried extending (or I should say reducing) the native eye relief with a spacer and other eye guards.

The problem is when I do find the place of optimum comfort I can't see the entire FOV. Even then black-outs occur occasionally.

If I concentrate hard I can avoid it. But in my experience it doesn't matter too much where I place my eye/how much eye relief is used.

Because of this I tend to use the slow-mo controls more than normal. Not a big hassle, but something people should be aware of.

A Google search reveals many other experienced observers have the same issue especially with the Morpheus.

 

My overwhelming feeling is that Astro eyepieces with too much eye relief often suffer from blackouts for reasons other than eye relief.

The exception (and the reason for me believing this) is that all my Opticron HDF spotting scope EPs have the same amount of eye relief as the 17.5mm Morpheus and never produce blackouts.

These eyepieces, like the Pentax spotting scope/Astro eyepieces are extremely comfortable to use. Infact all spotting scopes EPs seem to be made with comfort in mind. You can also pan fast without blackouts.

It is for this reason that I sometimes prefer to use Opticron HDF eyepieces in my spotting scopes instead of astro EPs with an adapter.

Certainly they are easier if you are sharing the spotting scopes with a beginner.

I also sometimes use the HDF eyepieces with my astro refractors for comfort.

I find that problem gets worse with wider FoV and shorter FL. I tried TV Delos (72 AFOV), but needed too much eye distance, which cut off some FoV, while TV Delites (62 AFOV), 10 degrees AFOV less, for near-equivalent FL, were easy closer to their eye lenses, allowing me to see the whole FoV, edge to edge, about the same as the cut-off Delos views.

 

With Pentax XWs and XLs of same FLs it was the same. XWs are 70 degrees AFOV, XLs 65 degrees. I see all the FoV in XLs, but due to needing to raise XWs eyecups, some of their FoVs are cut-off.

Edited by 25585, 11 May 2025 - 04:18 PM.

[John Huntley]

I recently picked up a pre-owned Vixen NPL 30mm for just a few £'s. I bought it as a travel / outreach eyepiece but find myself popping it in my main scopes quite frequently and enjoying the views. One of the better low cost 30-something mm plossls I think.

[Dave Mitsky]

The XCel-LXs, the Meade HD-60s and some focal lengths of the Paradigms are undertated IMHO.

 

I think they lose points because of the 60° AFoV but they are quite sharp across the field and for me, despite having 100° eyepieces, 60° is wide enough to feel wide.

 

Jon

ASH owns a set of Celestron X-Cel LXs that I've been using from time to time for about a year.  

 

Recently, I had the opportunity to purchase a used set of Meade HD-60s and based on my experience with the similar X-Cel LXs plus the general consensus that HD-60s are equally as good, I broke my oath to not buy any more eyepieces.

I find the HD-60s to be very good performers.

[Dave Mitsky]

I don't know that it's necessarily underrated but I've always thought that my 30mm Celestron Ultima pseudo-Masuyama was an excellent eyepiece.

[Princess Leah]

I find that problem gets worse with wider FoV and shorter FL. I tried TV Delos (72 AFOV), but needed too much eye distance, which cut off some FoV, while TV Delites (62 AFOV), 10 degrees AFOV less, for near-equivalent FL, were easy closer to their eye lenses, allowing me to see the whole FoV, edge to edge, about the same as the cut-off Delos views.

 

With Pentax XWs and XLs of same FLs it was the same. XWs are 70 degrees AFOV, XLs 65 degrees. I see all the FoV in XLs, but due to needing to raise XWs eyecups, some of their FoVs are cut-off.

Very interesting , thanks for sharing.

[Princess Leah]

Interesting comparison of the Starguider/Paradigm here

https://stargazerslo...r-vs-tv-radian/

 

Some references to kidney beaning as well....(SAEP).

Edited by Princess Leah, 12 May 2025 - 04:16 AM.

[DWPBG]

I have always liked my 1970s Edscorp 18mm Kellner, the first real eyepiece I bought (could not afford the Orthoscopics).  Has worked well in every scope that I have owned. 

[JayinUT]

My University Ortho's at 4mm, 6mm and 12.5mm. Yes, not much in field of view but what is in the FOV is wonderful! I use them when I really want to see details even though I am nudging a lot more! 

[Procyon]

I like this eyepiece. Last night was my 2nd time using it. Seeing and transparency was so bad I stayed with low magnification and low exit pupil types for my scope. I tried the 38mm SKyWatcher Panaview 70º the night before in a 4" f/6 achro with a field flattener and last night in an 11" SCT and the center and zone up to 75% of the field stars looked like tiny pin points. Very sharp. Outer zones were not too bad either. It put up some really nice looking red carbon stars and open clusters. I kept switching back and forth from it and my 48mm Brandon and both were so enjoyable. I find it's twist top eyecup so smooth and very comfortable on the skin too. 

 

Makes me want to get the 32mm version too. Anyhow, a very decent eyepiece for it's low cost if one doesn't need a Panoptic or Pentax immediately. Great eyepiece for outreach also I'd think. I found it on a very obsurce (to me) German website that still has them in stock and took a chance on it. https://www.teleskop...GRAD::2442.html

 

Edited by Procyon, 14 May 2025 - 11:12 AM.

[Mike Allen]

45mm Celestron Silvertop (circle V) plossl from the 1980’s.  Narrow field of view, but under a dark sky in the Milky Way, it is stunningly sharp with high contrast. Bought mine new, and it never fails to impress.

[russell23]

45mm Celestron Silvertop (circle V) plossl from the 1980’s.  Narrow field of view, but under a dark sky in the Milky Way, it is stunningly sharp with high contrast. Bought mine new, and it never fails to impress.

I really liked the 36mm Silvertop too! 

[Procyon]

I've been looking for a pair of 30-36 Silvertops to try in my binoviewers. The 45 looks tough for this, not sure. Very curious about them, never tried one before. 

[Scoper47]

12.5mm Coulter Optical Ortho and 18mm Circle V Ortho. both sharp and good eye relief. Regret I sold off the 12.5 Ortho
Still have and use the 18mm Ortho.
12mm Meade HD 60 and 16mm Meade SWA
9mm and 6mm Expanse
32mm, 2 inch Astrola widefield.

Edited by Scoper47, 28 May 2025 - 09:47 PM.

[JoeBlow]

I own/owned a number of different well made 25-26mm Plossls. Including Televue smoothie, Meade 3000 and 4000 smoothies. There is something special about these eyepieces for scanning the Milkyway and observing star clusters. Very bright, contrasty and pleasing views, despite the small afov.

[Mike W]

Televue Radian.

[T1R2]

I own/owned a number of different well made 25-26mm Plossls. Including Televue smoothie, Meade 3000 and 4000 smoothies. There is something special about these eyepieces for scanning the Milkyway and observing star clusters. Very bright, contrasty and pleasing views, despite the small afov.

Me too, I think when used in instruments that they still give about 1.5*+ fov, they are nice. I guess that would be about up to 800mm FL scope

[quilty]

Are you suggesting that with any EP with an adjustable eye guard you can select any position of the eye guard and still be comfortable with the view?
Seems to me everyone has a preference where the comfortable position is and too much deviation from that point means they can't see the image.
 
I don't find EPs have a range of positions that work for me. More usually there is one position that I find comfortable and I have to stay close to that position for comfort.

I think you're unique at this. Never had an ep with too much ER. I can twist up the rubber then to find my optimum ER.
Don't see your problem.
I'm not suggesting but I know I can adjust any ep which a long enough ER to a most comfortable practical ER

[quilty]

I like this eyepiece. Last night was my 2nd time using it. Seeing and transparency was so bad I stayed with low magnification and low exit pupil types for my scope. I tried the 38mm SKyWatcher Panaview 70º the night before in a 4" f/6 achro with a field flattener and last night in an 11" SCT and the center and zone up to 75% of the field stars looked like tiny pin points. Very sharp. Outer zones were not too bad either. It put up some really nice looking red carbon stars and open clusters. I kept switching back and forth from it and my 48mm Brandon and both were so enjoyable. I find it's twist top eyecup so smooth and very comfortable on the skin too. 
 
Makes me want to get the 32mm version too. Anyhow, a very decent eyepiece for it's low cost if one doesn't need a Panoptic or Pentax immediately. Great eyepiece for outreach also I'd think. I found it on a very obsurce (to me) German website that still has them in stock and took a chance on it. https://www.teleskop...GRAD::2442.html
 
1.jpg

Looks very much like my Omegon SWAN 32mm 70°. Nice indeed, Erfle type I think. Never really used it though because it's 2"
Use the ES 26 mm 62° instead, Erfle, too.

Like to repeat the above posts. Plössls are really great, the cheap, no name ones, too. Like the long ER of longer fl specimen like 40-20 mm and the clear view.
If only they had 70° AFOv, too.

Edited by quilty, 30 May 2025 - 03:11 AM.

[Binofrac]

My most underrated eyepiece is my 2" 42mm GSO Superview. I'm not sure I've ever had such a good view from such a cheap eyepiece in my F11/102mm refractor.

[Princess Leah]

I think you're unique at this. Never had an ep with too much ER. I can twist up the rubber then to find my optimum ER.
Don't see your problem.
I'm not suggesting but I know I can adjust any ep which a long enough ER to a most comfortable practical ER

I think you do see my problem as you say I'm unique.

 

However a Google search will unfortunately reveal I'm not unique :/  and other punters share this problem.

[saemark30]

My most underrated eyepiece is my 2" 42mm GSO Superview. I'm not sure I've ever had such a good view from such a cheap eyepiece in my F11/102mm refractor.

Antares 40mm erfle is probably the same eyepiece. It is very good on my refractors and thus I have not needed to purchase the Tele Vue Panoptic 41mm.

[Refractor6]

Antares 40mm erfle is probably the same eyepiece. It is very good on my refractors and thus I have not needed to purchase the Tele Vue Panoptic 41mm.

  The Antares 52mm Erfle is great too especially in my 152 F/8 refractor....had it since 2001.