58 replies to this topic

[SeattleScott]

I use Baader Morpheus 4.5mm and 6.5mm, preferring both to the XW and Delite.

Easier eye placement than XW, and wider AFOV than Delite?

[25585]

Easier eye placement than XW, and wider AFOV than Delite?

Yes and yes

[ABQJeff]

Easier eye placement than XW, and wider AFOV than Delite?

Wider AFOV than Pentax XW as well

[SeattleScott]

Wider AFOV than Pentax XW as well

AFOV, sure. Field stop, yes on the 4.8M vs 5XW. But the 7XW has a wider field stop than the 6.7M. Granted, the 7XW is lower magnification, so it’s basically a wash.

[25585]

AFOV, sure. Field stop, yes on the 4.8M vs 5XW. But the 7XW has a wider field stop than the 6.5M. Granted, the 7XW is lower magnification, so it’s basically a wash.

I sold my XW after getting the Morpheus, but have a Pentax XL (& Vixen LVW 8mm). 

[Chen Sir]

I have some pairs of XWs but 10s and am used to observing solar system with them.

 

Bought a couple of DeLite 11 at NEAF, hoping they will fill the gap perfectly.

[SeattleScott]

I sold my XW after getting the Morpheus, but have a Pentax XL (& Vixen LVW 8mm). 

Well sure, they work better for you than the short FL XWs in terms of eye placement, and the view is wider (4.8) or as wide (6.7) relative to the focal length. 

 

I still have some LVWs myself. I agree they have very easy eye placement, like Nikon SW. The Morpheus are the same style so I would think they would have easy eye placement as well, and that's their reputation, although I don't have them (I feel like they are too similar to my LVWs).

[25585]

Well sure, they work better for you than the short FL XWs in terms of eye placement, and the view is wider (4.8) or as wide (6.7) relative to the focal length. 

 

I still have some LVWs myself. I agree they have very easy eye placement, like Nikon SW. The Morpheus are the same style so I would think they would have easy eye placement as well, and that's their reputation, although I don't have them (I feel like they are too similar to my LVWs).

LVWs being hard to replace now, mine are snuggled away in semi-retirement and six Morphei + a 30 UFF are my "Magnificent Seven" now- no undercuts on any of them.

[mountain monk]

Here is my two cents:

 

Over the past year I've used my old Pentax 7mm XW, a 7mm Nagler Type 6, a Nikon 7mm SW, a Delite 7mm, and a Morpheus 6.7(?) mm. I kept the Pentax, the rest are gone. Much has to do with the structure of your face, eye socket, eyes, and general aesthetic preferences--it's not just a matter of numbers. I found the Pentax easier to use.

 

Dark, clear, calm skies.

 

Jack

[MrsM75]

As of 2025 the Delite price is $268 and the Pentax price is $266 so basically same price range. 

 

I also wonder which one is better.

[Procyon]

As of 2025 the Delite price is $268 and the Pentax price is $266 so basically same price range. 

 

I also wonder which one is better.

I'd definitely want a Pentax XW over a Delite and a Delos over Pentax XW. I ended up buying the 2 Pentax XW's I thought were best (7 & 10mm) and one 8mm Delos. I'd like to add one more Delos but not sure which one. Sometimes I feel like selling everything I have under 12mm and getting a Leica Zoom. That's when I shut down the computer and go away to forget that thought. 

[Neanderthal]

A question for those that would choose a 70° XW (or other 70°-ish eyepiece) over the 62° DeLite. Would you be using a coma corrector with any of these? Something I see a lot around here is the thought process "I'll use a coma corrector with a 70° EP but not with a 60° EP". I'd opt for using a DeLite without a coma corrector vs an XW with one. Just my 2¢. The image below shows the result of using an XW with a Paracorr (1.15x mag) vs a DeLite without.

 

[cbowlsby]

For me the XW is more of a Morpheus competitor than a DeLite competitor.

The DeLite in my mind is better thought of as a modern long eye relief version of minimum glass eyepieces with no compromises that become necessary to get the wider field of other alternatives.

I use the DeLite for lunar and planetary and the Morpheus (formerly XW) for everything else

Just my 2c

[Mike W]

If you MUST have wider -Delos.

[SeattleScott]

A question for those that would choose a 70° XW (or other 70°-ish eyepiece) over the 62° DeLite. Would you be using a coma corrector with any of these? Something I see a lot around here is the thought process "I'll use a coma corrector with a 70° EP but not with a 60° EP". I'd opt for using a DeLite without a coma corrector vs an XW with one. Just my 2¢. The image below shows the result of using an XW with a Paracorr (1.15x mag) vs a DeLite without.

DeLite 7 vs XW 7.jpg

Looks like you put in 1.5x barlow instead of 1.15x.

[MrsM75]

Amazon it is $266 for the 1.25 ones Pantex. 10mm 7mm 14mm 20mm

The 2 inches Pantex one is $450  16.5mm and 23mm

 

The price is expensive, I think I have no choice but pass.

Edited by MrsM75, 11 April 2025 - 05:59 PM.

[Neanderthal]

Looks like you put in 1.5x barlow instead of 1.15x.

Oops - you are correct! I've re-posted a corrected image below:

 

 

It's a lot closer, but if it were me, I'd still opt for the DeLite in this case.  

[Procyon]

Amazon it is $266 for the 1.25 ones Pantex. 10mm 7mm 14mm 20mm

The 2 inches Pantex one is $450  16.5mm and 23mm

 

The price is expensive, I think I have no choice but pass.

Cheapest entry into premium.

 

But there are other great alternatives out there.

 

Like 7 and 9mm Celestron X-Cel LX 

 

Check for the ones marked in yellow here: https://astro--talks...hl=en-US#p41976 or other similar ones for your type of scope.

Edited by Procyon, 11 April 2025 - 08:44 PM.

[Alterf]

When I got to 5mm, I bought a DeLite and a Pentax XW and compared them.  Neither was sharper than the other, but the Pentax was sharper for a wider view, easier to use place my eye over, more comfortable, and more uniform across the view.  I was happy to unload the DeLite for almost what I paid.  The experiment was well worth the small cost and hassle.  I've been happy with the Pentax 5XW and its 10 and 20 siblings for years.

 

Val

[Mike W]

I don't know why people are comparing an XW with a Delite? Should be a XW and Delos.

[cbowlsby]

For the purposes of the OP’s question it’s difficult to bring the Delos into the conversation purely due to budget. These are both under $300 (for now) and the XW in particular continues to be an exceptional value.

Between the XW and the DeLite, while I really don’t think they are in the same group of eyepieces, if you can only have one the XW is really hard to beat for the price. If I only had Delites I’d probably find myself wanting something wider often…

[MrsM75]

I'm saving money to get my first premium eyepiece, lol. And I'm torn between Delite and Pentax XW.

 

I have the Pentax XF 8.5mm and 12mm, and my Maks love it.

 

I want to try the XW line.

 

But then it vs. Televue, who could beat Televue.

[MrsM75]

When I got to 5mm, I bought a DeLite and a Pentax XW and compared them.  Neither was sharper than the other, but the Pentax was sharper for a wider view, easier to use place my eye over, more comfortable, and more uniform across the view.  I was happy to unload the DeLite for almost what I paid.  The experiment was well worth the small cost and hassle.  I've been happy with the Pentax 5XW and its 10 and 20 siblings for years.

 

Val

 

Do you wear glasses Sir? What scopes you use for the XW Sir? I am leaning toward the XW

 

The only Televue experience I had is the 32mm Televue Plossl price $177, and No, returned. Massive blackout, my Maks get very fussy with the blackout of the 32mm Televue Plossl, it was very hard eye placement.

 

But then my Maks love the $40 Vixen NPL Plossl 30mm

[Mike W]

Do you wear glasses Sir? What scopes you use for the XW Sir? I am leaning toward the XW

 

The only Televue experience I had is the 32mm Televue Plossl price $177, and No, returned. Massive blackout, my Maks get very fussy with the blackout of the 32mm Televue Plossl, it was very hard eye placement.

 

But then my Maks love the $40 Vixen NPL Plossl 30mm

If you don't wear glasses with a TV32 plossl you need to ad a blank diopt. adapter to cut down the E/R.

[MrsM75]

Vixen NPL 30mm Plossl has 24mm eye relief

 

Televue 32mm Plossl has 22mm eye relief.

 

Surely the Televue Plossl has shorter eye relief than the Vixen Plossl. But somehow my eyes very fussy with the Televue, blackout everywhere, super hard for me to get my eye position right.

 

Vixen Plossl is very comfortable, regardless of how I look into it, there No blackout anywhere.