138 replies to this topic

[Scott99]

>>Got a new 24 Panoptic and it has no undercut.

 

Ding Dong the wicked witch is dead!  Never thought I'd live to see this day

Edited by Scott99, 13 March 2025 - 01:02 PM.

[jrmacl]

There is no standardization of threads in the astronomy market If you tried 50 different eyepieces, you'd be lucky to find two that matched.

seem a bit like phone and other chargers, the different companies could make it easier for the end user but just goes to show you that even a company with a reputation as good as TV really doesn't care as much as they want you to believe, it would be such an easy fix (for those that care, I don't but then I don't have any big heavy ep's or anything to hang up on- I don't use the set screw on my sct, just let gravity keep it there, and my Dob is a horrible press fit). Seems like if there was a cheap smooth barreled ep that could replace at least the TV Plossl undercut barrels that it would be common knowledge so if you don't know of any then well I guess there aren't. Seems like it would be easy for someone with the right tools to make aftermarket barrels

[Jon Isaacs]

seem a bit like phone and other chargers, the different companies could make it easier for the end user but just goes to show you that even a company with a reputation as good as TV really doesn't care as much as they want you to believe, it would be such an easy fix (for those that care,

 

 

 

Plossl barrels are not as simple as they seem.  Many of them have the field stop built in and some of them serve to hold the optics in place.

 

I would guess the 24mm Panoptic has the field stop in the barrel, the 22mm and 35mm Panoptics do. They also hold the optics in place.  Both those factors mean generic barrels will not work.  

 

Jon

[Enyo]

Long ago (2003) when the TMB monocentric eyepieces came out, the barrels were threaded on both ends. So one had the option of flipping the barrels to avoid the undercut. They came assembled with the undercut at the top where it would engage (beveled edge down).  I flipped mine as they are small light eyepieces. I don't mind the undercuts on my other eyepieces as they have saved a few drops over the years.

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[slavicek]

Look for a used one. They made one for years.
Finding someone willing to part with one will be the challenge. Expect to pay $1000 for a used one.

Way back when they were in production Don got me two of those "Binovues". Binovue is lighter and sleeker when compared to other binoviwers I have. Even thou Denis007 has some "issues" with Binovues, I look at them now as a collector's item so I'd have to be offered lot more then $1G to let them go.
Just saying....

[25585]

Baader Mk 5s for me!  But I would like a Bizarro kit.

[Starman1]

My review of a William Optics 80mm binoviwer scopes from 2006:

https://www.cloudyni...tar-80-st-r1390

[Look at the sky 101]

My review of a William Optics 80mm binoviwer scopes from 2006:

https://www.cloudyni...tar-80-st-r1390

Hi Don,
do you know the binoviewer, linear orion?

[Starman1]

Hi Don,
do you know the binoviewer, linear orion?

I know of it, but I've never used one or seen one at star parties.

[Starman1]

Speaking of the 24mm Panoptic, it seems to be the binoviewer eyepiece. I sold lots of them in pairs.

[betacygni]

The 24 Pan with no undercut is aimed at binoviewer/binocular users I imagine.

Very much so. Undercuts are a nightmare for the binoviewer crowd. My compliments to TV for listening to its customers and making this change to what is the gold standard for max FOV binoviewer eyepieces. I imagine the change cost them a bit of money.

I do wonder if this doesn’t mean they might return to the binoviewer market. Their binovues were a bit quirky (odd diopter adjustment method), but their binovue light path corrector is my favorite, 2x but makes the binoviewer 100% parfocal to mono eyepiece so it would reach focus in any scope hassle free.

[f18dad]

Speaking of the 24mm Panoptic, it seems to be the binoviewer eyepiece. I sold lots of them in pairs.

Did you also sell lots of 24mm UFF in pairs?

[Starman1]

Did you also sell lots of 24mm UFF in pairs?

No, only a few.  They were almost all single purchases.

However, I didn't track how many came back later and bought a second one.

The 24mm ES 68° was in between--some pairs, most not.

 

The biggest selling binoviewer series was the Delites.  Maybe 50% sold as pairs.

[25585]

Delites without undercuts would be cool. They are made in Japan already.

Edited by 25585, 15 March 2025 - 05:59 PM.

[Scott Beith]

One of the EP's I desperately want to add to my collection.  Congrats on finding one! 

 

 

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

[Scott Beith]

And to loop back into the topic I still need the 24mm Pan as well.  

[denis0007dl]

Share box of new Pan 24mm, wondering if its changed also like Nagler T6 have...

[5u4]

New box is smaller as in the photo, older box is larger with a different texture.

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[denis0007dl]

Yes, thats same as ln Nagler T6.
Older Pan 24 box was smoother and lager indeed.

Thanxs for photo.

Denis

[SteveC]

New box is smaller as in the photo, older box is larger with a different texture.

Now I need the new box.

[sanbai]

The new panoptic certainly has that amazing Japanese polishing. The coatings surely are now up to the most modern standards. And the absence of undercut is now a must.

All those who are (still!) thinking of getting the newer, better version, are better disposing the old ones rather than selling for a price you won't like. In order to avoid you disposal cost (and possible disposal regulations), you can better send them to me and I'll take care of all those hassles. I cover shipping costs to make you feel even better. Think about all the satisfaction you'll get: brand new best-ever-panoptic and no low-selling the aged one.

 

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jokes aside, [although accepting a panoptic for just shipping cost is not a joke!]:
 

The picture in TV website isn't really an updated one. the "MM" writing is the same size as the old one.

I would question if the factory in Japan and the one in Taiwan are really different companies and standards. Maybe is just the same.

 

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further note on undercuts and old/new TV versions:

 

* I collected all my Naglers from the classifieds. At some point I paid attention they were the the "newer" tapered undercuts. All my T6 are now that type, except two of the "extras" (7 & 9) that I only use as a matching pair for binoviewing, and my 2.5T6 - which is more of rarity and I can't be so picky (I haven't seen a picture of a 2.5T6 with tapered undercut). My 16 T6 (last acquisition) is also tapered.

 

Unfortunately, I was not aware of that when I got the 31, 22 and 17: they are older versions. I was tempted to get a newer version of my beloved 22T4 (and sell the old one), but never went through the hassle. That was when I was in the US. Being now in Belgium, I think it's a no go. Although, now that I think, I could still use some friends...

to be clear: I have not seriously compared both versions for the eyepiece I have old+new pair. I haven't really realized a difference either. I don't think *I* would notice it, if there's any.
 

[Starman1]

 

I would question if the factory in Japan and the one in Taiwan are really different companies and standards. Maybe is just the same.

 

 

The factories in Japan and Taiwan are definitely different companies.

Though, despite some speculation, Tele Vue only has one standard, so you can pretty much be assured that the Japanese 24mm Panoptics will match the performance of the Taiwanese ones.

[stevo58]

and no, the top cap doesn't stay on. 

I thought it was just me, and I was a total loser at this stuff. 

[Highburymark]

Suspect the 19mm Panoptic will be next to lose its undercut, another popular binoviewing eyepiece.
After the success of the Maxbright II, I question whether there’s a place for another $1,000+ TeleVue binoviewer. Those of us who do much of observing through a BV are pretty spoilt these days, even compared to just a few years ago.

[C0rs4ir_]

Suspect the 19mm Panoptic will be next to lose its undercut, another popular binoviewing eyepiece.
After the success of the Maxbright II, I question whether there’s a place for another $1,000+ TeleVue binoviewer. Those of us who do much of observing through a BV are pretty spoilt these days, even compared to just a few years ago.

I would rather think the 19 Pan will be discontinued soon instead. Or is it still that popular?

Edited by C0rs4ir_, 20 April 2025 - 07:24 AM.