22 replies to this topic

[JayinUT]

So I am going into purchase mode. My current line up is as follows: 

 

TeleVue 

35mm Panoptic 

27mm Panoptic 

22mm T4 Nagler 

26mm T5 Nagler 

 

Pentax XW 

30mm Pentax XW

20mm Pentax XW

14mm Pentax XW

10mm Pentax XW 

7mm Pentax XW

5mm Pentax XW

3.5mm Pentax XW

 

Astro Tech 

25mm Paradigm

18mm Paradigm

12mm Paradigm

5mm Paradigm 

 

4,6,9,12mm University Orthos HD

6mm & 10mm Baader Classic Orthos

 

 

Explore Scientific

11mm 82 degree 

20mm 68 degree 

24mm 68 degree

 

There is redundancy and I know that in my collection. I'd actually be fine just holding with what I have but the astro-purchasing bug is biting me hard right now.   I run a 17.5" f/4.4 dob and a 14" dob f/4.5, a 10" dob f/4.7 and I have a 102mm refractor.  I will in about a year or so have either a 22" or 24" dob about f/3.3 or 3.5.  FYI I always observe with my Paracorr 2 in my focuser and leave it there, adjust for the eyepiece. 

 

So I have a friend that goes observing with me and he has a 8" dob but I always loan him one of my dobs, usually the 14" when we go observing. My son also will go with me sometimes, so having multiple quality eyepieces is not an issue for me. I can or cannot wear my eye glasses, I am nearsighted so I do need them to look at the night sky but my astigmatism is .5 in the left eye and .75 in the right both are in the mild range. I am left eye dominant so I observe with that eye. 

 

I am considering these groups of purchases and would like thoughts. Please do not recommend selling eyepieces. I've sold in the past and regret it today so I'll keep what I have even if it means redundancy. . I am personally leaning to option 2 because of that.  Still would like thoughts, pro's, con's and if you have a better suggestion. 

 

1. 16.5mm Pentax XW. Heard nothing but good about this eyepiece outside that you can't wear glasses with it. I usually have my glasses on a band so I can wear them around my neck when I observe so I can easily put them on to see the night sky to use the telrad to align for my star hopping. 

 

2. Bite the bullet and supplement my XW's with the Baader Morpheus. I would probably do the 12.5mm, the 9mm, the 6.5mm and the 4.5mm.  Duplicates the XW's but then I could loan one set out to my friend who observes with me and I would use the other. Also gives me options on which I would prefer long term (I don't want this turning into a XW vs Morpheus thread). 

 

3. Go with the Astro-Tech's and get the full series, the 28mm, the 16mm, the 13mm, the 10mm, the 7mm and the 4mm all cheaper than option 2.

 

4. Pre-order the Nagler 7 14mm & 9mm.  Redundancy yes, but much wider field of view and as I age, if I need to wear glasses I could with these. I still think I could do option 2 with the Morpheus and have a full set to use on one of my scopes be it the Pentax XW's or the Morpheus. 

 

Max budget is $1250.00. 

 

This would be the final purchases for me; ie new refractor and accessories, night vision and then eyepieces. 

Edited by JayinUT, 18 April 2025 - 07:19 PM.

[CosmicWreckingBall]

You got some really nice eyepieces there.  If I were trying to fit some EPs in there, I'd lean towards:

13mm Ethos (It WILL become your favorite EP)
and 

41mm Panoptic.  This pair got me through about 99% of the Messier Catalog.  

Reasoning:

Since you didn't have the 40 Pentax... and I would have suggested the 32 Masuyama but the f3.5 will probably NOT play nice with it, even with a paracore.  YMMV

And the 13mm Ethos... closest you got to it on that list I've looked through is the 14 Pentax.  Given, the darkhorse there is that 11mm 82 degree cause I've never looked through it, but I can't imagine it beating the 13mm Ethos.  

Yeah, I don't see anything else my knowledge will help you with.  

Just my 0.02 $

[starfinder123123]

Reality check!!! This is an intervention!
You have multiple very fine sets of eyepieces. You do not need anything else.
I would recommend finding a budding astronomer near you and buying an eyepiece or two for him, that will cure you fast.
I know this sounds harsh, but this is not meant to indulge you.
Materialism is the downfall of civilizations, let alone a single individual. Good luck!

[T1R2]

Smart move with thinking about longer ER for eyeglasses when we age. That would be my priority as well, you got some nice eps, but what I didn't see was a Correct Image Diagonal in your arsenal, this may not be a concern of yours if you're not a lunar observer or star hopper with the refratcor, but since I got a new Moon Atlas and everything was correct view, I found I had trouble identifying features at high power without certain marker points, this didn't matter when all I did was look, but made a big difference when hopping my way around the moon. It would go great with that 102mm refractor and casual lunar viewing  

[TOMDEY]

Go all-out and buy all of them... now... just in case!    Tom

[Jethro7]

Hello JayinUT,

I think that you have plenty of choices with the eyepieces. If I had a recommendation, I would keep saving up and look into a light intensifier that would super charge some of the eyepieces that you already have and greatly expand your capacity to go deep. Way beyond what your present equipment will provide. These devices are used just like an eyepiece and you are viewing in real time. I own two light intensifiers now. A PVS14 for afocal and a RVM -C for Prime focus and these two devices are total game changers and the best money that I have ever spent for my Backyard Astronomy Project.

 

HAPPY SKIES AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

 

https://www.cloudyni...sion-astronomy/

 

https://youtube.com/...gP3BZ4p3Ezjd5T-

 

 

Edited by Jethro7, 18 April 2025 - 09:54 PM.

[Jethro7]

This would be the final purchases for me; ie new refractor and accessories, night vision and then eyepieces. 

Hello JayinUT,

P.S. L3 Harris has discontiniued the sale of photocathode tubes for the civillian market. So there is a problem obtaining the L3 night vision tubes and the supply of astronomy spec tubes are getting more difficult to obtain and the supply is going to run out sooner than later. There are other brands like ITT Elbit and Photonis but the L3 Tubes are considered the better tubes. 

 

https://www.cloudyni...in-prime-focus/

 

Night Hawk  Vision Systems still has a few

https://nighthawkvis...-14-hand-select

Edited by Jethro7, 18 April 2025 - 10:22 PM.

[Tulsa]

Go all-out and buy all of them... now... just in case!    Tom

You can never have too many toys. 

[Procyon]

I'd clear out all the Paradigms, UO's, and one or two of those ES's, than I'd try a 20mm Astro Tech XWA 100º and if you like it get the set. Probably can fit the whole set in your budget. Than, sell the 20mm and 14mm Pentax XW's and replace them with a 16.5mm Pentax XW.

The selling is to avoid attachment to these shiny things and have less clutter. Or a good excuse to the wife to get rid of B's and C's and bring in a boatload of A's.

https://astronomics....-xwa-2-eyepiece

Edited by Procyon, 19 April 2025 - 03:24 AM.

[areyoukiddingme]

I read your post twice, and was looking for a substantive motive--i.e,. to fill a need, and I came up without something obvious.

 

It sounds like you are interested in trying out some new stuff more than anything, and you anticipate a big/fast Dob soon. 

 

With that in mind, and your budget, I would say yes to a 16.5XW (it is an excellent eyepiece), and/or if you like 100 degree fields, I would go with the 12.5/10 Nikon HW. While I think the 17/14 is even a tiny bit better, it does vignette in the P2, and may be pushing the exit pupil a big on the fast Dob.

 

Have fun.

[MTibb]

The Pentax 16.5 and the Morpheus 12.5 are both relatively recent purchases for me, and both are outstanding.

[OAJoe]

Pentax XW 

30mm Pentax XW

20mm Pentax XW

14mm Pentax XW

10mm Pentax XW 

7mm Pentax XW

5mm Pentax XW

3.5mm Pentax XW

The Delos 12, 8, 6, and 4.5 would give you some magnification options in between the Pentax XWs. But, I think they are not close to parfocal with them. The TV Delos might be 0.5 to an inch different focus points -- more inside?

[SeattleScott]

If you are getting something around F3.3 you should pay close attention to Ernest’s bench tests. Most of yours do pretty well down to F4-5 but F3.3 is a bit of a different animal. Granted P2 would bump that up a bit. The 12.5 Morpheus isn’t one of the better corrected ones. It’s fine for the typical guy with a F5 Dob but would probably struggle at F3.3. Now if it is just to loan out to a buddy with a slower Dob, fine. Likewise, the AT UWA series are viewed as great performers for the price, but they aren’t as good as Naglers at the edge of the field, and certainly wouldn’t be recommended at F3.3. Again, if it is just a loaner set for your kid or buddy, then beggars can’t be choosers so fine.

Typically, at F3.3, the standard recommendation is Delos or Ethos. Doesn’t seem like you are a hyperwide guy so maybe Delos. Although the new Naglers are supposed to be just as good, so I like your idea of T7s to do full justice to a new, super fast Dob. Then the XWs and Paradigms can be your loaners.

[Starman1]

So I am going into purchase mode. My current line up is as follows:

TeleVue
35mm Panoptic
27mm Panoptic
22mm T4 Nagler
26mm T5 Nagler

Pentax XW
30mm Pentax XW
20mm Pentax XW
14mm Pentax XW
10mm Pentax XW
7mm Pentax XW
5mm Pentax XW
3.5mm Pentax XW

Astro Tech
25mm Paradigm
18mm Paradigm
12mm Paradigm
5mm Paradigm

4,6,9,12mm University Orthos HD
6mm & 10mm Baader Classic Orthos


Explore Scientific
11mm 82 degree
20mm 68 degree
24mm 68 degree

There is redundancy and I know that in my collection. I'd actually be fine just holding with what I have but the astro-purchasing bug is biting me hard right now. I run a 17.5" f/4.4 dob and a 14" dob f/4.5, a 10" dob f/4.7 and I have a 102mm refractor. I will in about a year or so have either a 22" or 24" dob about f/3.3 or 3.5. FYI I always observe with my Paracorr 2 in my focuser and leave it there, adjust for the eyepiece.

So I have a friend that goes observing with me and he has a 8" dob but I always loan him one of my dobs, usually the 14" when we go observing. My son also will go with me sometimes, so having multiple quality eyepieces is not an issue for me. I can or cannot wear my eye glasses, I am nearsighted so I do need them to look at the night sky but my astigmatism is .5 in the left eye and .75 in the right both are in the mild range. I am left eye dominant so I observe with that eye.

I am considering these groups of purchases and would like thoughts. Please do not recommend selling eyepieces. I've sold in the past and regret it today so I'll keep what I have even if it means redundancy. . I am personally leaning to option 2 because of that. Still would like thoughts, pro's, con's and if you have a better suggestion.

1. 16.5mm Pentax XW. Heard nothing but good about this eyepiece outside that you can't wear glasses with it. I usually have my glasses on a band so I can wear them around my neck when I observe so I can easily put them on to see the night sky to use the telrad to align for my star hopping.

2. Bite the bullet and supplement my XW's with the Baader Morpheus. I would probably do the 12.5mm, the 9mm, the 6.5mm and the 4.5mm. Duplicates the XW's but then I could loan one set out to my friend who observes with me and I would use the other. Also gives me options on which I would prefer long term (I don't want this turning into a XW vs Morpheus thread).

3. Go with the Astro-Tech's and get the full series, the 28mm, the 16mm, the 13mm, the 10mm, the 7mm and the 4mm all cheaper than option 2.

4. Pre-order the Nagler 7 14mm & 9mm. Redundancy yes, but much wider field of view and as I age, if I need to wear glasses I could with these. I still think I could do option 2 with the Morpheus and have a full set to use on one of my scopes be it the Pentax XW's or the Morpheus.

Max budget is $1250.00.

This would be the final purchases for me; ie new refractor and accessories, night vision and then eyepieces.

I'd skip option 3, but any of the others would work.
Buy right now before the prices double due to the tariffs.

[Procyon]

F3.3 and not a hyperwide dude?

Delos than for sure.

Would love to see a side by side between the 6mm Delos and the turkey leg looking 5.5mm T7 though.

Edited by Procyon, 19 April 2025 - 03:58 AM.

[Jon Isaacs]

Jay:

 

It seems like you have two needs, a loaner set or two and then a set or two for yourself.  The Paradigms and the 1.25 inch UWAs are decent loaners and affordable.  I have a set of Paradigms that I use as travel eyepieces and grab and go backyard eyepieces.  

 

It is not clear to me how dependent you are on eyeglasses.  The orthos, Paradigms and 1.25 inch 82 degree ES's are not eyeglasses friendly.  What appears to be missing are 100 degree eyepieces.  It wasn't that long ago that you could by a compete set of XWAs for $1400 new. Now it is more like $1700 and it's pretty clear that they will soon cost quite a bit more.  What I am finding is that in my 16 inch and 22 inch, I am only using my 100 degree eyepieces, the complete set of XWAs plus the 13mm, 10mm and 8mm Ethos.  

 

I don't need to wear eyeglasses at this time, if I did, I would use the set of Morpheus's I have.  I would also want either the 31mm Nagler or the 28 mm UWA.  In faster scopes, they are a better fit than the Panoptics.  I have the 35mm Panoptic but rarely use it, preferring the other two.

 

The possibility of a fast 22 or 24 inch is a game changer...  Probably that leans towards Televue and away from the Pentax's.

 

Jon

[JayinUT]

Thanks. I think one thing I've gotten from this is it may be time to go ultrawide for me. I could bump up what I spend and get the XWA's 100's as Jon suggested and then perhaps one Ethos.  I really am learning now to the 14mm, the 9mm and 5.5mm. I'll have to spend some time on the 22mm T4 which I love and is my finder eyepiece right now and see how that could work in a f/3.3 to 3.5 dob. I think preordering those 3 would be good. Jon, I forgot to list I do own the 31mm Nagler so I'm covered there except I have added the 28mm UWA to the order. I've increased the budget. I guess it comes down to do I want 3 Ethos or the full XWA's? I'll probably place my order tomorrow. 

Edited by JayinUT, 19 April 2025 - 12:02 PM.

[Procyon]

Thanks. I think one thing I've gotten from this is it may be time to go ultrawide for me. I could bump up what I spend and get the XWA's 100's as Jon suggested and then perhaps one Ethos.  I really am learning now to the 14mm, the 9mm and 5.5mm. I'll have to spend some time on the 22mm T4 which I love and is my finder eyepiece right now and see how that could work in a f/3.3 to 3.5 dob. I think preordering those 3 would be good. Jon, I forgot to list I do own the 31mm Nagler so I'm covered there.

Nice blog archive...wish I'd have done the same all these years, subbed.

[jrmacl]

If that money is just burning a hole in your pocket you could fill in your HD Orthos with the 5mm and 7mm

 

https://www.teleskop...e-in-japan-8854

 

https://www.teleskop...e-in-japan-8856

[Inkie]

Go all-out and buy all of them... now... just in case!    Tom

Oh, you nasty, nasty man you....    You just HAD to do that, right?

[TOMDEY]

Oh, you nasty, nasty man you....    You just HAD to do that, right?

One of my in-laws is a loan officer at a bank.    Tom

[eyeoftexas]

What you need is the full set of TV Ethos. Go big, or go home.

[SeattleScott]

At F3.3 or 3.5, the Ethos might make more sense.