13 replies to this topic

[MrsM75]

Hi, what is this Astromania 70 deg SWA is clone of? Is there a cheaper version of this, or I think this Astromania is the cheapeast as they are the clone ones, lol. I think of try one.

 

Edited by MrsM75, 28 April 2025 - 08:44 PM.

[scottinash]

Hi, what is this Astromania 70 deg SWA is clone of? Is there a cheaper version of this or I think this Astromania is the cheapeast as they are they clone ones, lol. I think of try one.

 

 

See the following post:  https://www.cloudyni...swa/?p=13686846

[MrsM75]

Thank you Sir.

 

Does anyone here has this eyepiece, is the eyecup hard to fold down? The Astromania 82 deg the eyecup is HARD fold down, and I need it fold down (wear glasses).

Edited by MrsM75, 29 April 2025 - 07:49 PM.

[scottinash]

I do not own one of these but have seen one at a star party.   The eyecup will pop screw off but not sure it will fold.

Edited by scottinash, 28 April 2025 - 09:38 PM.

[Starman1]

It folds down, but it's stiff.

I would suggest leaving it folded down if you want to use the eyepiece with glasses.

If you do not use glasses, removing the eyecup is easy.

[Oldfracguy]

That eyepiece, as Starman1 has pointed out in other threads, is a Barsta "Redline" 8-element eyepiece sold under a variety of brands, including here in the U.S.:

 

https://www.cameraco...degree-swa.html

 

I have the 2" Arcturus Ebony 22mm 6-element 70° eyepiece, and it performs very well.  Just a couple weeks ago I decided to try the next size down, the 17mm 8-element model that has both a 1.25" and a 2" barrel.  I compared it to an APM 18mm UFF (8-element, 65° AFOV) in a 70mm ED f/6 refractor and a 6" f/6 Newtonian.  The Arcturus Ebony 17mm eyepiece is now on its way back to the vendor.

 

I think you would be better off with a StarGuider Dual ED / Paradigm eyepiece in that 5mm focal length and at that price level, even though those are 60° eyepieces and not 70° like the Barsta "Redline" eyepiece.

[MrsM75]

I fail to see how can the Paradigm is better when their eye relief is 13mm, while these Astromania eye relief is actually 20mm

 

I wear glasses, 13mm will required me to strain my eyes.

[Oldfracguy]

I fail to see how can the Paradigm is better when their eye relief is 13mm, while these Astromania eye relief is actually 20mm

 

I wear glasses, 13mm will required me to strain my eyes.

OK, Eye Relief is a more important consideration then. 

[vtornado]

I wear glasses, 13mm will required me to strain my eyes ...

 

If you are considering the 5mm in an f/13 Mak,  the .4mm EP  will not require glasses use unless your astigmatism is very severe.  I keep my glasses on a cord around my neck, so I always know where they are and don't have to wear them at small exit pupils.

 

There are other considerations for wearing glasses other than eye relief and astigmatism.  I do find it annoying to have remove the glasses to look into the eyepiece and put them back on to see the sky.

If you have to use your glasses to read a chart, that is another issue.  I actually  have to remove my glasses to read. It depends upon your use case.

Edited by vtornado, 30 April 2025 - 01:43 PM.

[MrsM75]

 

 

I think you would be better off with a StarGuider Dual ED / Paradigm eyepiece in that 5mm focal length and at that price level, even though those are 60° eyepieces and not 70° like the Barsta "Redline" eyepiece.

 

Hi Sir, I listen to you and buy a Paradigm, also to support the site too. I was just being picky with the eye relief because I am nearsighted and I cannot see anything without my glasses. But then I can put on my contact lens then. I have both glasses and contact lens, it just I prefer glasses due to it no hassle, but I guess contact lens then when I stargaze.

 

I just ordered a Paradigm, thank you for recommendation Sir. I ordered a 8mm, I figure 5mm is too much for my small Maks, 8mm would be better.

Edited by MrsM75, 30 April 2025 - 07:45 PM.

[Oldfracguy]

Hi Sir, I listen to you and buy a Paradigm, also to support the site too. I was just being picky with the eye relief because I am nearsighted and I cannot see anything without my glasses. But then I can put on my contact lens then. I have both glasses and contact lens, it just I prefer glasses due to it no hassle, but I guess contact lens then when I stargaze.

 

I just ordered a Paradigm, thank you for recommendation Sir. I ordered a 8mm, I figure 5mm is too much for my small Maks, 8mm would be better.

Wow, then you might very well be able to observe without wearing your glasses.  I am extremely nearsighted, and observe without my glasses on.  In fact, I also focus my RACI finder scope for my vision witthout glasses on so I can move back and forth between the finder and the main telescope eyepiece with ease.  If all your are is nearsighted and have to wear glasses to see things far away, and you have no significant astigmatism that your glasses correct, you can certainly observe without your glasses or contacts on.

 

By the way, as you probably know, certain focal length eyepieces in a model series are better than others.  The 8mm Paradigm is one of the best of the Paradigms, along with the 12mm and the 5mm.  You should get some good views in your Maks with that 8mm Paradigm.

[jrmacl]

Hi Sir, I listen to you and buy a Paradigm, also to support the site too. I was just being picky with the eye relief because I am nearsighted and I cannot see anything without my glasses. But then I can put on my contact lens then. I have both glasses and contact lens, it just I prefer glasses due to it no hassle, but I guess contact lens then when I stargaze.

 

I just ordered a Paradigm, thank you for recommendation Sir. I ordered a 8mm, I figure 5mm is too much for my small Maks, 8mm would be better.

MrsM75, you already have the 9mm and 7mm X-cel, you really don't need an 8mm Paradigm.

 

 

These are the ep's MrsM75 listed in another post:

 

30mm and 20mm Vixen NPL Plssol, awesomeee, zero blackout.

25mm XCell 55 deg, good.

20mm stock Sarblue eyepiece, like 55 deg, and awesome, it like hybrid of Kneeler and Plossol, lol.

Long Pergn 18mm of 55 deg, awesoem.

15mm Vixen SLV Lanthanium (not Plossl) but it 55 deg, zero blackout, awesome.

Long Pegn 14.5mm of 55 deg, zero blackout

12mm of the XCell, good.

10mm of the clone of Luminos, it Astromania 82 deg

9mm of the XCell, good.

7mmof the XCell, good. XCell they are all 60 deg.

6mm of the Vixen Lanthanium SLV 55 deg, awesome, zero blackout, got it in 2024

ah, Zhumell eyepiece 55 deg.

Edited by jrmacl, 30 April 2025 - 10:52 PM.

[MrsM75]

I am going to return all the X-Cell back to Amazon, I am within the 30 days return policy. I was panic buying due to the tariff. 

 

Let me explain why I don't really like the X-Cell compared to my other eyepieces.

The X-Cell, it looks FLAT in there, like flat. Compared to my Vixen Lathanium and the Zhumell, it curve. And I just like the view that curve more than flat.

 

And the X-Cell, example Jupiter at the edge corner, Jupiter is not round anymore it become oval looking like it crooked Jupiter. I get it it at the edge, BUT I don't see that with the Vixen SLV Lanthanum glass though.

 

Plus I don't need the 25mm X-Cell, I don't like wide field eyepiece, I barely use it. I only use the 20mm and downward. I use my 15mm the most.

 

So I think of return all the X-Cell and get the money back to buy that Paradigm.

[jrmacl]

I am going to return all the X-Cell back to Amazon, I am within the 30 days return policy. I was panic buying due to the tariff. 

 

Let me explain why I don't really like the X-Cell compared to my other eyepieces.

The X-Cell, it looks FLAT in there, like flat. Compared to my Vixen Lathanium and the Zhumell, it curve. And I just like the view that curve more than flat.

 

And the X-Cell, example Jupiter at the edge corner, Jupiter is not round anymore it become oval looking like it crooked Jupiter. I get it it at the edge, BUT I don't see that with the Vixen SLV Lanthanum glass though.

 

Plus I don't need the 25mm X-Cell, I don't like wide field eyepiece, I barely use it. I only use the 20mm and downward. I use my 15mm the most.

 

So I think of return all the X-Cell and get the money back to buy that Paradigm.

I don't own either of those ep's but from what I have read I believe it will be a sideways move, most of the comparisons I have read say they are similar. You mentioned in the other thread how much you love your 3 element 20mm, and how you like your Vixen NPL. Do you know that Edmunds makes an 8mm RKL? And there is an 8mm Vixen NPL? There is also the Tele Vue 8mm Plossl and an 8mm Brandon. The SvBony SV207 8mm SPL is a clone, the exact same ep, as the Vixen NPL, and is only $31:

 

https://www.svbony.c...yepiece/#W9158A

Edited by jrmacl, 02 May 2025 - 01:39 PM.