
University Optics Super Erfles
#1
Posted 03 July 2004 - 10:58 AM
These marketing/sales guys just need to let them stand on their own like the orthos do...either they will or they won't. For the price, they seem interesting ($80 for the 16,20 and $90 for the 25).
Tom T, is their a potential review for these in the works? Would be nice to do that TV Panoptic/UO SE shootout!
#2
Posted 03 July 2004 - 01:26 PM
I've owned the set of Super Erfles for several years. All the SE's have a 58-degree FOV. They really don't have any advantages over a standard plossel other then a slightly wider FOV. Personally I think the 20mm SE is the best of the bunch while the 25mm SE is the worst.
I use mine with Maksutov-Cassegrains as they make a real sweet combination. Most of that is probably due to the long focal lengths of the Maks I use.
Allister
#3
Posted 03 July 2004 - 02:14 PM
Wow, 58 degrees when they are advertised as 65...bummer...I was hoping that these lived up to their hype. I guess not. Over on the Yahoo UO group, Mark at Clearvue Optics was portraying these as a new design. Have they been out for a long time then?
#4
Posted 03 July 2004 - 02:53 PM
I'll basically second Allister's comments, but will add a little extra info.
First, I agree that the 20mm is the best. I've owned the 16, 20, and 25. I've kept the 20...and got rid of the others.
In terms of view quality, all are very good, but the problem is mis-stated FOV. As Allister said, the 16mm and 20mm are about 60 degs...not 65 degs as specified. I thus prefer a 16mm Konig (because it IS 65+ degs), but since there's no 20mm Konig, I found the Erfle worth keeping so far (58-60 degs being preferrable to me over 50-52 degs in a Plossl).
For the 25mm, the error is even worse. This piece is supposed to be 60 degs (not 65 like the others), but I only found it to be 50-52...so effectively nothing more than a Plossl.
In short, I CAN recommend the 20mm because the 60 degs is nice, and the view is sharp, and well corrected.
For 16mm, get a Konig if you want an affordable 65 degs (or a 14mm or 18mm SW if you want an affordable 80*)
For 25m, you're just as well off with a Plossl (or if you want an affordable 60+ degs, I'll recommend a 24mm Konig, or 25mm Antares W70).
As for them being a "new design", well, I think they are different from the traditional Erfles, so they're new than those. I know UO has had them for at least as long as I've been buying EPs (which isn't that long...but more than 6 mos).
jeff
#5
Posted 03 July 2004 - 04:47 PM
#6
Posted 05 July 2004 - 07:07 AM
Since they must exist, what am I doing wrong?

Thanks
John
#7
Posted 05 July 2004 - 10:18 AM
#9
Posted 05 July 2004 - 07:04 PM
Thanks guys,
John

#10
Posted 05 July 2004 - 08:11 PM
Jason
#11
Posted 06 July 2004 - 08:49 AM
UO hasn't updated their site in years.
Jason
I think its closer to a decade

#12
Posted 06 July 2004 - 09:01 PM
UO hasn't updated their site in years.
Jason
I think its closer to a decade![]()
Try calling them - I've always gotten through, and they've always been very accommodating...
#13
Posted 06 July 2004 - 11:10 PM
#14
Posted 06 July 2004 - 11:34 PM
#15
Posted 06 July 2004 - 11:42 PM

#16
Posted 06 July 2004 - 11:59 PM


#17
Posted 07 July 2004 - 10:44 AM
Somehow Adam found out where his garage was and with his mom in tow off he went. Being the young whipper snapper it did not occur to him that the guy was NOT set up for shoppers at the door! His mom justed begged off saying she was just the driver!
From their web site and from talking to the man who always answers the phone when you call to order, I had come to the conclusion that this was a very small outfit. That the owner runs it out of his garage does not surprise me at all. That's one good way to keep overhead down.
MC^2