56 replies to this topic

[ErnieM]

Are these EPs good for DSO viewing.Thinking of UO 5mm for DSH8 dob.I have read all threads on eye relief so this is not much of concern to me.Thanks.

[Derek W]

They are supposed to be sharp.

A sharp eyepiece on Planets.... a sharp eyepiece on DSOs.

As long as you're not using this as an eyepiece for big DSOs(a 5mm ortho doesn't give a wide view), or even worse, to find DSOs, it sounds like a good buy.

(if, as you say, the eye relief doesn't bug you)

[Rushwind]

I have the 5mm and 7mm. I don't have a lot to compare them to (10mm of questionable quality and 2x Barlow of OK quality), but they're pretty spiffy. Sharp. Short eye relief, but that's OK with me. I'm satisfied.

Jimbo

[John Kocijanski]

I have a 5mm that I use primarily with my smaller scopes for the moon, planets, and double stars. It gives a sharp view. I don't mind the eye relief. I tend to use my 9mm UO ortho for DSOs. I also use my 9mm with my C8 for planets and the moon.

[EdZ]

I've used the original UOs in 9, 7, 6 and 5mm for detailed observation of globular clusters. With these UOs I have seen more detail at closely equivalent magnification than with 7.5 Tak LE, 7.5 Ultima, 8mm Edmund RKE, 8mm TV plossl, 5mm Ultima, 7mm Meade RG ortho, any Meade 4000 SP.

edz

[Mark]

My 9mm UO ortho is my favorite high power ep. Personally I prefer to barlow the 9mm, when conditions permit the extra power, as opposed to having the 5mm. I use the Orion 2x shorty plus which works very well with the UO.

MC^2

[Tom L]

The 5mm in a DSH8 is 240x. Do your skies typically support that high of a magnification?

I use my 12.5mm and 9mm for globs and planetary nebulas and have occasionally used my 7mm and 5mm as well if the sky cooperates, but I rarely get the skies to support the 5mm...the 7mm gets a lot more use. I'll keep trying with the 5mm though!

[rodrake]

I have the 12.5, 9, and 7 orthos which in my MN56 give me 61x, 85x, and 109x. With the 2.8x Klee I get 171x, 238x, and 305x. I use them for everything except finding objects and large DSOs where I use a wider field eyepiece. I find the contrast and sharpness is great regardless of the subject.

[lighttrap]

I use the UO 12mmHD, sometimes with an Orion Shorty Plus APO 2x barlow, and a UO standard 7mm ortho, because like EdZ, I've found them to be of superior resolution than Meade SPs and TV Plossls.

Personally, I don't like eyepieces with shorter eye relief than the 7mm UO ortho, but that's obviously not a concern to everyone. My current theory is UO orthos under 15mm and barlows for anything under 7mm.

[Tom L]

Mike, have you used the 18mm ortho? I have the same basic rule as you only I start at the 18mm classic. It barlows nicely to 6mm with my 3x TV barlow...talk about a comfortable view with an ortho! My TV 20mm and 25mm plossls are exceptional EPs as well. I don't have anything between the 18 and 12.5 though except the 25mm barlowed with my 1.8x barlow (~14mm).

[Tom L]

www.helix-mfg.com as well as Dale's website

[Jim]

you could go directly to U.O.

[Mark]

That would be such a hassle to have to mail them the payment through snail mail though

I buy direct from UO, they take credit cards over the phone. You know, the old fashioned way. At least there is no risk of your info being hacked off the internet that way. If they have it in stock they usually get things out the same day.

MC^2

[Tom L]

Tom (and others). These eyepieces, when bought from Tim at Helix or Dale, normally go back to UO for order fulfillment. My orthos that I have bought from Tim have been drop-shipped from UO directly. If Dale doesn't have it, chances are UO doesn't have it and they are backordered at the source.

Dale, if that is incorrect, let me know via PM and I'll amend this statement.

[ErnieM]

Thank you all.I will be getting the 7mm or 9mm(will hold off on the 5mm).I do have 4,6,9,15,18,25,35,and40 plossls and a 2" 32mm.Not happy with the 4,6 and 9 is the reason I'm going to try the orthos.Favorite ep right now is my 35mm Parks gold series ocular which out does my entire collection even when barlowed.

[Oldfield]

I started using these Orthos with a 18mm, and it barlows very well (I have 2x, 3x and 5x)... then after borrowing a 6mm and 7mm from my friend, I got one more 7mm to minimize the amount of glasses which I will want to use with my C8 for most of the time. A few days ago, I acquired one more 18mm for binoviewing.

[Jim]

U.O. Orthos rule and.....
I picked up a used Konig 8mm, it's very nice.
So.... U.O. totally rules

[Tim2723]

I hope you guys are right, I just ordered 25, 18, 12.5, and 9mm U.O.'s. I'm going to put them head to head against my Lanthanums and see for myself.