138 replies to this topic

[vrodriguez2324]

I don't own a 24mm Panoptic but I have never had trouble with TeleVue caps staying on.  With the 2 inches, the smaller diameter cap fits over the folded down eye cup.  With the 1.25 inch Type 5 and Type 6 Naglers, the cap fits over the unfolded down eye cup.. 

 

Jon

Jon,

 

Are your two inch caps the double sided type? I quite like the double sided caps. I use them on all my 2 inch TVs which is pretty much my whole TV collection: 31NT5, 22, 17, 12 NT4s, and 13E. Just reach in the case and grab one, it is guaranteed to fit, kind of like socks. (12NT4 and 13E have a short barrel extender). They all stay on perfectly. Never an issue. The smaller diameter side fits snuggly on the folded down rubber eyecup. 

 

My only other Tele Vue is the 24mm Panoptic.

 

Here he is. Tipping his hat and hiding his undercut   . 

 

-Victor

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Edited by vrodriguez2324, 10 March 2025 - 07:23 PM.

[vrodriguez2324]

I spotted some other differences too. 

There is an increase in the width of the font and trim on the name ring.

 

The engraved MM is now also the same height as the rest of the lettering. Maybe a different color green?

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Edited by vrodriguez2324, 10 March 2025 - 07:33 PM.

[vrodriguez2324]

Are the lower barrels easily changed. I think the answer is yes. It unthreads and there are no optics in there. 

 

Something else I discovered after unthreading the lower barrel is that, like its granddaddy the 41mm Panoptic, the 24mm Panoptic is also coated in gold!

 

Credit CN user Spartinix https://www.cloudyni...ion/?p=10535865

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Edited by vrodriguez2324, 10 March 2025 - 07:27 PM.

[Andrea Salati]

I don’t know about the 24mm but the 19mm Panoptic came with a warning label as unscrewing the nosepiece would cause all lenses to fall out. Proceed with caution.

[vrodriguez2324]

I don’t know about the 24mm but the 19mm Panoptic came with a warning label as unscrewing the nosepiece would cause all lenses to fall out. Proceed with caution.

Just by pure chance or a subconscious internal warning I kept the field lens up the whole time. I threaded the lower barrel back on promptly after I snapped the photo. Thanks for the word of caution. 

[Jon Isaacs]

Jon,

 

Are your two inch caps the double sided type? I quite like the double sided caps. I use them on all my 2 inch TVs which is pretty much my whole TV collection: 31NT5, 22, 17, 12 NT4s, and 13E. Just reach in the case and grab one, it is guaranteed to fit, kind of like socks. (12NT4 and 13E have a short barrel extender). They all stay on perfectly. Never an issue. The smaller diameter side fits snuggly on the folded down rubber eyecup. 

 

My only other Tele Vue is the 24mm Panoptic.

 

Here he is. Tipping his hat and hiding his undercut   . 

 

-Victor

 

 

With the 1.25 inch eyepieces, do not fold the eyecup down .. at least that's how I do it.

 

Jon

[helpwanted]

It’s the bottom caps on all Tele Vue 1.25” eyepieces that drive me crazy, they all fit too firmly. I replace them all with clear plastic caps so I’m not struggling in the dark.

[Pat Rochford]

It has JAPAN engraved on the other side and no, the top cap doesn't stay on. 

That's a change from my Taiwan made version. 

 

Are the Type 7's made in Japan by any chance?   Can't remember if anyone mentioned their origin.

[helpwanted]

That's a change from my Taiwan made version. 

 

Are the Type 7's made in Japan by any chance?   Can't remember if anyone mentioned their origin.

Yes, Japan

[Pat Rochford]

Yes, Japan

 

Thanks.

[Highburymark]

Wait for someone to post that the ‘new’ Panoptic is sharper…..

[rexowner]

Tele Vue website shows the same:

https://www.televue....Tab=EP_EPO-24.0

 

Looked through all of their current EPs, and it looks like the probably well-selling 24-Pan is the

only one to have a smooth barrel, other than the new NT7's.

 

My guess is they will transition over the rest of the line as they run out of new old stock.

Pretty minor change to manufacturing.

 

Also hoping they offer barrel swaps for a reasonable price.  I have a whole bunch of 

Tele Vue eyepieces I'd be willing to do it with.

[jimeh]

Wait for someone to post that the ‘new’ Panoptic is sharper…..

If they're made in two different places, there WILL be differences. They might both meet TeleVue's specs, but two different sets of machinery will create optical differences between Taiwan-made and Japan-made. That's just a manufacturing reality.

Edited by jimeh, 10 March 2025 - 09:18 PM.

[rexowner]

If they're made in two different places, there WILL be differences. They might both meet TeleVue's specs, but two different sets of machinery will create optical differences between Taiwan-made and Japan-made. That's just a manufacturing reality.

Hmm, I wonder could old Panoptic optics in a new sans undercut barrel will be the optimal?

[vrodriguez2324]

Definitely truth in there. 

 

If they're made in two different places, there WILL be differences. They might both meet TeleVue's specs, but two different sets of machinery will create optical differences between Taiwan-made and Japan-made. That's just a manufacturing reality.

[helpwanted]

Tele Vue website shows the same:

https://www.televue....Tab=EP_EPO-24.0

 

The picture is updated, but the copy on the website is still old:

 

“Standard on all Panoptics
an undercut in the barrel for extra locking security”

[PKDfan]

Definitely truth in there. 

 

Spit ballin here;

 

I think Japan really enjoys its reputation as a nation of fine optical artisans and they make the sacrifices to keep it.

 

Say there are 5 grades of polish standard a firm can contract for with say scratch and dig counts of (guessing) 60/40 30/10 10/7 etc and TV orders the 'third' tier my thought is they eat the extra polishing time and give the 'second' tier to gain their high reputation. I'm convinced thats the strength of my vintage binocular Japanese glass. A superb polish.

 

Further i can prove it with my Japanese T2's and my superb new 17.3 Delos with an obvious way-out-of focus Airy disc you can see the ultra clear polish of the T2's and the not quite the same Taiwanese Delos.

 

I looked through a 24Pan and TV-76 and what an impressive view it was. If I got it I'd have two TeleVues with a smooth barrel and two without.

I could use it i really could ! I think this is a very wise move by TV. Truly the madness never ends. Good grief my wallet cries !

[scotsman328i]

Mine has the undercut. I hope I’ll live. 

[Olimad]

Or the optics comes from the same manufacturer, (kyocera for example). And the rest of the eyepiece (mechanical properties) is different.

 

So optically the same (if there is no change in the coating or polishing).

If they have upgraded the optics of the pan24 (a newer better coatings, differents glass properties  or a new polishing etc...), then better to have the new one... Tele Vue should tell if there is a change in the optics.

Edited by Olimad, 11 March 2025 - 09:30 AM.

[Starman1]

Does TV sell the new barrel separately? 😀

Tele Vue has no plans to do so. Most of their eyepieces have lenses in the lower barrels, and they have neither the money nor the personnel to make the changes.
Just a caution here--Japanese production is more expensive than Taiwanese, so I would expect some price increases. It's been several years since Tele Vue raised prices and they've experienced the same inflation we all have.

[Jon Isaacs]

Mine has the undercut. I hope I’ll live. 

 

 

My personal opinion is that these new 24mm Panoptics will be far superior to the originals.  The stars will be so sharp, such small pinpoints that you can't even see them. 

 

This superior performance may cause the market for used 24mm Panoptics to tank and people will be trading the older Panoptics for 0.965 inch 6 mm SRs (Super Ramsdens)  

 

At that point, I might just acquire an older 24 mm Panoptic and suffer along with it.  Currently, I have the 22 mm Panoptic.

 

 

Jon

[SeattleScott]

I have an old 15mm Panoptic. If there was ever a SWA eyepiece that didn’t need an undercut, that’s the one.

[scotsman328i]

 

My personal opinion is that these new 24mm Panoptics will be far superior to the originals.  The stars will be so sharp, such small pinpoints that you can't even see them. 

 

This superior performance may cause the market for used 24mm Panoptics to tank and people will be trading the older Panoptics for 0.965 inch 6 mm SRs (Super Ramsdens)  

 

At that point, I might just acquire an older 24 mm Panoptic and suffer along with it.  Currently, I have the 22 mm Panoptic.

 

 

Jon

LOL Jon! I laughed reading SeattleScott’s comment on if TV will sell the barrel separately, then Don answering him in all seriousness and actually providing reasons why they won’t due to manpower and financial constraints to take on thousands and thousands of Panoptic 24s sent in to the company to have smooth barrels replaced on them. 

Edited by scotsman328i, 11 March 2025 - 03:09 PM.

[scotsman328i]

Wait for someone to post that the ‘new’ Panoptic is sharper…..

Oh, it’s coming! This is Cloudy Nights! You’d better believe it! 

[scotsman328i]

I think we will need to wait for both types to appear on the used market to ultimately find out what cost is placed on the models with vs. without undercuts.

 

I would think an actual dollar amount for specific models, or just a percentage difference should emerge.

Scott, I’m telling you, Brother…these old 24 Pans with undercuts aren’t going to be worth a Darn now! 

Edited by scotsman328i, 11 March 2025 - 03:06 PM.