48 replies to this topic

[MrsM75]

Hi, I know the Zhumell Z line has discontinued but Celestron has the Zhumell Z 18mm eyepiece with 20mm eye relief for $39.98 New and Free shipping. It a made in Taiwain eyepiece too.

 

https://www.celestro...-18mm-eyepiece?

 

No, I have no connection with Celestron. It just due to the tariff, if you want a planetary eyepiece for $40 price, you should get it. I actually get myself one, it is New, and I got free shipping. Just want to share this.

 

Screenshot from Celestron site.

 

Edited by MrsM75, 10 May 2025 - 01:56 PM.

[hfjacinto]

Great price. I really liked these and had a few when they first came out.

[MrsM75]

Great price. I really liked these and had a few when they first came out.

 

I bought one free shipping from Celestron and I really like it, and it 20mm eye relief too, so comfy for eyeglasses wearer like me. If you know anyone who in need of 18mm eyepiece, let them know. 

 

No idea how Celestron get it due to it already discontinued, but it came New, in a box and a cloth, and those silica gel too. 

 

Celestron do have the Zhumell Z series Dobsonian, so maybe that how they get this eyepiece.

[Starman1]

That eyepiece is made by Long Perng in Taiwan and is available under several labels.

When William Optics introduced the eyepiece to the US market, it sold for $130.

That being said, that is a great price, and it is a better eyepiece than most eyepieces in the $50 range and under and has a wider apparent field than Plössls.

18mm isn't a "planetary" eyepiece in most scopes, though it could be in a long focal length Maksutov.

 

The eyepiece also Barlows quite well.

Edited by Starman1, 10 May 2025 - 09:10 AM.

[MrsM75]

Thank you Sir starman1 for the factual about the eyepiece. It sure is better than the eyepiece in this price range, it made in Taiwain and 7 lens elements too.

 

I like it, I think of buy another one due to the tarriff, eyepieces only get more expensive, not cheaper. No idea how Celestron get this ep, I think it due to they do sale the Zhumell Z Dobsonian on their site.

Edited by MrsM75, 10 May 2025 - 02:00 PM.

[Starman1]

Thank you Sir starman1 for the factual about the eyepiece. It sure is better than the eyepiece in this price range, it made in Taiwain and 7 lens elements too.

 

I like it, I think of buy another one due to the tarriff, eyepieces only get more expensive, not cheaper. No idea how Celestron get this ep, I think it due to they do sale the Zhumell Z Dobsonian on their site.

They probably bought the remaining stock from Hayneedle (Zhumell) when they closed down.

[MrsM75]

I really like this eyepiece, the 20mm eye relief I love it. I wish they have more magnification than just 18mm, for the price I want to buy more, but it the only Zhumell Z they have in the line.

[Starman1]

That line of eyepieces from Long Perng is also sold under the following names:

Altair Astro (UK) Lightwave LER Planetary (UK)
Bintel Premium LER (Australia)
Founder Optics Alien (EU,UK, Canada)
Lacerta Super Planetary (EU and UK)
Long Perng LER (US)
Omegon LE Planetary (EU)
Stella Lyra (FLO) LER Planetary (UK)

 

And comes in 3mm, 5mm, 6mm, 9mm, 12.5mm, 14.5mm, 18mm.

FLO (First Light Optics) in the UK will ship to the US.

[RLK1]

I hate to rain on your parade but, as I've previously posted on this 18mm eyepiece, as reviewed by Ernest on this identical series eyepiece:

 

"Unlike other eyepieces in the line, this one (essentially half an eyepiece) does not look suitable for amateur use - the image quality is perhaps even worse than the most budget WA. I do not recommend it."

 

https://astro-talks....=32&t=709#p7770

 

I do have the 5mm version and it's fine for high power views with its reasonable eye relief and decent field of view but the 18mm is, as reported above, the grunt of the litter...

[MrsM75]

Like or not like a specific eyepiece it subjective Sir RLK1, maybe to your scopes you not like it, but my scopes I like it. This 18mm Zhumell eyepiece is fine in my Maks, good actually. I just ordered another one so I have two.

[dmgriff]

The Long Perng branded 18mm at Agena Astro (out of stock) are 95usd/76usd sale. 

 

The 18mm is 5 element in 3 groups. No smyth/barlow element as in the other 7 element 4 groups eps in the series. I think it should be ok in slow otas. Aberrations at the edge probably increase as the focal ratio decreases. 

 

More Information
Manufacturer Long Perng
Eyepiece Series 55º Long Eye Relief
Focal Length 18mm
Barrel Size 1.25" (31.7mm)
Apparent Field of View (Mfg Specified) 55°
Eye Relief (Designed) 20mm
Filter Threads 1.25" Filter Thread (M28.6 x 0.6)
Coatings Fully Multi-Coated
Lens Elements 5
Lens Groups 3
Blackened Lens Edges Yes
Barrel Type Tapered barrel
Protective Plastic Storage Container Yes - Free Agena Eyepiece Container
Protective Plastic Storage Container Size Agena 52x80mm
Height (With Eyeguard Extended) 83.2mm
Maximum Width 45.5mm
Eye Lens Diameter 20mm
Field Stop Diameter 17.6mm
Weight 147 g / 5.2 oz

 

At 45.5mm maximum width, they are similar to a SV207 SPL (Vixen spec) 30mm plossl or a SV190 UFF (APM spec) 18mm. 

 

At 40usd (same price as the ATPF 19mm 65afov) I ordered a pair for mono and binoviewer use. I need to compare the Z Series 18mm to my ATPF 19mm, SV190 UFF 18mm. Any edge aberrations should clean up with a oca/telecentric on the bvs.

 

I have the Orion Edge On Planetary 55afov 6mm, 3mm which are the same as the Long Perng, Z, etc. I beleive.

Edited by dmgriff, 13 May 2025 - 02:36 PM.

[MrsM75]

 

 

At 40usd (same price as the ATPF 19mm 65afov) I ordered a pair for mono and binoviewer use. I need to compare the Z Series 18mm to my ATPF 19mm, SV190 UFF 18mm. Any edge aberrations should clean up with a oca/telecentric on the bvs.

 

 

You can always return it, Celestron give you 30 days return policy, https://www.celestro...m/pages/returns

Here Sir, a return submit form link in Celestorn site, in case if you don't like it after you get it.

 

oh ATPF 19mm? Is that the same as the Astrotech 19mm, the Zhumell 18mm is better.

But with the Svbony SV190 UFF 18mm which is 65 degrees, the Zhumell is only 55 deg 

Edited by MrsM75, 13 May 2025 - 09:38 AM.

[MrsM75]

 

 

I have the Orion Edge On Planetary 55afov 6mm, 3mm which are the same as the Long Perng, Z, etc. I beleive.

 

oh Sir if you want the Long Perg/Orion Edge on planetary 14.5mm eyepiece, you can get it at HighPoint for $59.95 https://www.highpoin...ry-14-5-mm-1-25

I actually got one from HighPoint. They are awesome nice.

 

And yep, Zhumell Z, Orion Edge on, and Long Perg, same series, it just rebrand.

 

Screenshot for 14.5mm

 

Edited by MrsM75, 13 May 2025 - 09:49 AM.

[vtornado]

I have the 18mm UFF eyepiece "svbony" branded and it has quite good edge correction.

It is well corrected in my f7 scopes.

 

Current price is $96.00 but I have seen it cheaper on different channels.  It may be effected by the current tariff regime.

[dmgriff]

You can always return it, Celestron give you 30 days return policy, https://www.celestro...m/pages/returns

Here Sir, a return submit form link in Celestorn site, in case if you don't like it after you get it.

 

oh ATPF 19mm? Is that the same as the Astrotech 19mm, the Zhumell 18mm is better.

But with the Svbony SV190 UFF 18mm which is 65 degrees, the Zhumell is only 55 deg 

Thank you, I doubt that a return will be necessary though. However, it is good to know about the return policy. I do not foresee a big problem either mono or binoviewer. I have several slow scopes (I consider ~f/8 + slow). I will eventually check it out in some of the fast ones.

 

Yes the ATPF is the AstroTech PFF 19mm 65afov. The ATPF is also a 5 element 3 groups ep, so, it will fit in a comparison with the Z 18mm 5/3 configuration. I have a SV190 on the way for a pair (tariff fears!). I can use a Vixen VMC 110L f/9.4 cass for a mono and BV test at native focal lengths and with 2x and 3X telecentrics. Light and easy.

 

Nice to hear that you are enjoying the Z.

Edited by dmgriff, 13 May 2025 - 02:34 PM.

[MrsM75]

I have the 18mm UFF eyepiece "svbony" branded and it has quite good edge correction.

It is well corrected in my f7 scopes.

 

Current price is $96.00 but I have seen it cheaper on different channels.  It may be effected by the current tariff regime.

The 18mm UFF Svbony is same as the Celestron Ultima Edge? omg it sale like $150 if buy the Celestron brand on it. 

[dmgriff]

I have the 18mm UFF eyepiece "svbony" branded and it has quite good edge correction.

It is well corrected in my f7 scopes.

 

Current price is $96.00 but I have seen it cheaper on different channels.  It may be effected by the current tariff regime.

Svbony does have the best price on the APM UFF 18mm clones.

The SV190 was less than 90usd for some time. The dollar may be getting weaker to some other foreign currencies which may increase the price? It still shows 89.99 at Svbony with a google search for me, but, click on it and it is higher at the website.

 

The 18mm UFF Svbony is same as the Celestron Ultima Edge? omg it sale like $150 if buy the Celestron brand on it. 

The SV190 18mm is the same as the Ultima Edge, APM UFF, Altair Astro UFF, Stellalyra UFF, Sky Rover UFF, etc 18mm.

Svbony only offers the 18mm, 10mm UFFs as far as I know. The Sky Rover UFF 2in 30mm 70 degree is only 155usd and the Sky Rover 24mm 65 is 153usd. 

Edited by dmgriff, 14 May 2025 - 02:57 PM.

[MrMartin]

Some of the first eyepieces I bought for my old 8 inch dobsonian were from this Zhumell planetary line. I found the 6mm and 12.5mm to be great eyepieces for the price. Nice deal and thanks for sharing!

[MrsM75]

 

The SV190 18mm is the same as the Ultima Edge, APM UFF, Altair Astro UFF, Stellalyra UFF, Sky Rover UFF, etc 18mm.

Svbony only offers the 18mm, 10mm UFFs as far as I know. The Sky Rover UFF 2in 30mm 70 degree is only 155usd and the Sky Rover 24mm 65 is 153usd. 

 

Sir the Celestron Ultima Edge is the Orion Ultra Flat Field 65 deg. HighPoint at the Orion sale they have one, a 15mm 65 deg called Orion Ultra Flat Field. Here is a pic. If you want to get one. I get one for myself, and it arrived today and I really like it. 

 

https://www.highpoin...e-15mm-eyepiece

 

[Starman1]

Sir the Celestron Ultima Edge is the Orion Ultra Flat Field 65 deg. HighPoint at the Orion sale they have one, a 15mm 65 deg called Orion Ultra Flat Field. Here is a pic. If you want to get one. I get one for myself, and it arrived today and I really like it. 

 

https://www.highpoin...e-15mm-eyepiece

 

If you like the 15mm, the 18mm has more eye relief and is better corrected at the edge.

The 24mm improves on that, and the 30mm is worthy of the moniker "high-end" (only 2', though).

The 10mm (actually 10,5mm) is somewhat of a let down and has a narrower apparent field.

The 15mm was a good choice for your Maks.

[MrsM75]

If you like the 15mm, the 18mm has more eye relief and is better corrected at the edge.

The 24mm improves on that, and the 30mm is worthy of the moniker "high-end" (only 2', though).

The 10mm (actually 10,5mm) is somewhat of a let down and has a narrower apparent field.

The 15mm was a good choice for your Maks.

 

Thank you Sir, I'm just cheap, so when I find something cheap I'm happy.

 

All my eyepieces are under $100. Even when I get my Vixen SLV at Amazon Japan, it was $85 to $95 that was before the tarriff and Amazon Japan shut down all the "made in China" eyepieces listing, and the Vixen SLV just happen to be China made so it got pulled down. Same with the Vixen NPL Plossl.

 

Basically what up there now is the 2 inches eyepieces that are 'made in Japan', but those are for $400 omg, and I do not have any 2 inches scope. 

 

oh Sir, I got my Skymax 90mm Mak on Amazon Japan for $170 New, omg it was a deal consider it Synta made Mak Skymax. But on strike of midnight of 4/30, that scope got took down too due to it "China made". I was going to buy another one, but it too late now.

 

I'm so sad, Amazon Japan it where I go to get cheap stuff, now it all pulled down except Japan made stuff.

Edited by MrsM75, 14 May 2025 - 06:32 PM.

[MrsM75]

Maks are easy with eyepiece, especially long focal Mak and small Maks like mine. It swallow anything.

 

It just my eyes is fussy with blackout. This is not the Mak fault, it my eyes. Example, the Televuel Plossl 32mm price of $171, I actually bought it but it did not work for me, omg blackout galore, like blackout everywhere. I have to returned it.

 

However my Maks loves the Vixen 30mm NPL Plossl, zero blackout. It also love the cheap Svbony 32mm Plossol too. Seem like my Maks is fussy like me too and just not like brand name eyepiece.

 

Not Televue fault, Televue is top notch company in eyepiece, their Plossl is the highest grade of Plossl. but my Maks hate it omg hate it. It like the $40 cheap Vixen NPL Plossol instead.

[vtornado]

Like you MrsM75 I only use cheap eyepieces too.  I reco'd the 18mm UFF because it was $75.00 at one time.  But I guess prices have gone up during the trade war.

 

I think you got a great deal with the 15mm and I wouldn't get the 18 if I were you because it would be too close to your new 15.  With your slow maks, I don't think you would see a correction difference either.  I use my eyepieces at f/5 - f/7

[MrsM75]

Like you MrsM75 I only use cheap eyepieces too.  I reco'd the 18mm UFF because it was $75.00 at one time.  But I guess prices have gone up during the trade war.

 

I think you got a great deal with the 15mm and I wouldn't get the 18 if I were you because it would be too close to your new 15.  With your slow maks, I don't think you would see a correction difference either.  I use my eyepieces at f/5 - f/7

yah Sir, I have a 20mm Vixen SLV and that is good enough, no need the 18mm Celestron Ultima Edge, but it 65 deg vs. the Vixen of 50 deg though.

 

If you don't mind the annoying me asking, what is the most expensive eyepiece you have and the the price, like couple hundreds dollars?

 

My most expensive eyepiece I have is the Pentax XF the one that is $129 come in 8.5mm and 12mm. I do not mean the Pentax XW series eyepiece that is $296 each, those are expensive.

 

I have the cheap one the Pentax XF that made for spotting scope, but I use it for my Mak. People seem to hate it, but my Mak love it, Mars is sharp to the edge, and I use a 8.5mm

 

I be honest, the Pentax XF 8.5mm it even sharper than the Vixen SLV 9mm, when it come to the edge, like the 10% outer edge, Vixen SLV Mars was kindda blurry on the 10% outer edge, but not the Pentax XF

 

It worth every dollar of the $129 I spend on the Pentax XF, I love it.

Edited by MrsM75, 14 May 2025 - 07:40 PM.

[vtornado]

Hello MrsM75.  Regarding My most expensive eyepieces,

 

I had a televue 11mm Delite retail $280.   After comparing it to my AstroTech Paradigm 12 $65.  I had to hurt my eyes to see any difference.  I sold it. 

 

Of my current eyepieces I have several celestron xcel-lx.  They are listing at $110 now.

 

Perhaps I will research the Pentax XF,  from what you say, it seems like a value leader.  Thank you

Edited by vtornado, 15 May 2025 - 10:08 AM.