Recommendations for EP upgrade?

[StarBru]

I'm wanting to upgrade from my Meade plossl and MA eyepieces without breaking the bank. My requirements are: $60 to $80 each, at least 60 degrees or more, good eye relief, best performance possible for the price in f/4 through f/10 scopes and 1.25" only as I can only use 2 inch EP's in half of my scopes. Yeah, I know I don't want much!

I've narrowed it down to Meade Series 5000 HD for around $75 apiece or Celestron X-cel LX eyepieces around $65 each, and I'm open to other recommendations as well. I know that a lot of people recommend the X-cel EP's, but I have read a few reviews that state the X-cel's have poor quality control (ie: fingerprints and dirt on insides of lenses) and that the Meade HD's are better made. I have also heard that they are the same design. I have heard the Meade 18mm is the weakest of the bunch with loss of edge sharpness and the 6.5mm is the star of the series. I haven't heard any bad feedback on the X-cel's other than the QC problems. I had my heart set on the X-cel's until I read about the QC problems. I definitely like the look of the Meade's. If I were to choose the Meade HD's I would want to substitute a better 18mm EP if warranted. Any recommendations?

[Bigzmey]

Dirt and fingerprints happen on occasion to all brands, including TV. If it happens send it back to store for replacement.

During the last few years I had two full sets of X-Cel LX and a couple of HD90, no issues with either. They both perform equally well. I actually prefer look and design of X-Cels.

I don't remember any issues with edge sharpness in 18mm X-Cel LX. I did not look for it specifically but I would notice if it was extra bad. In most cases it is actually due to scope (coma of FC) not the EP. In your price range I don't think you find anything better than these two if FOV > 60deg is a must.

If you can live with 50deg FOV, Baader Classic Ortho 18mm is a couple of classes higher in terms of performance. I would buy it over the other two any day.

[Ozman]

I'm with Andrey, they are both good (they're the same EPs) and the Baader Ortho is VERY good.

[JayTee]

I recently acquired a couple of GSO 68°AFOV EPs, the 20mm and the 15mm. Both are excellent EPs and you can't beat the price. When I bought them they were advertised as 70°AFOV EPs. I'm glad they are trying a little harder to tell the truth.
https://agenaastro.com/gso-20mm-superview-eyepiece.html
https://agenaastro.com/gso-15mm-superview-eyepiece.html

They easily rival my XCel-LX 25 and 18mm.

Here's a comparison between the GSO 15/68 and the XCel-LX 18/60

Cheers,
JT

[StarBru]

Bigzmey, Ozman, and JT: thank you for your answers! I believe I'm going to definitely get the Baader 18mm Ortho based on your recommendations. I'm used to the 52 degree view of my Meade 4000 26mm and I think its a decent EP so the 52 degree view of the ortho should be okay. I am still torn between the other sizes of Meade and Celestron EP's at this time, although the Celestron EP's are definitely easier on the pocketbook!

I had seen the GSO 15 and 20 Superviews before, offered at $85 for the pair. It's very tempting especially since you get the pair for only $10 more than what one Meade ED costs!

My worry is the Baader 18mm and the GSO 15mm and 20mm would be so close in magnifications that I wouldn't use them to their full extent, or would the wider views through the GSO's be different enough so that I would still use all 3? Would it be a better choice to get the 7mm, 12mm and 25mm X-cel's with the Baader 18mm to start?

[pakarinen]

Not sure if they fit all your parameters, but have you looked at the AT Paradigms? I only have one so far, but it performs well, good ER and FOV, and is pretty inexpensive.

[StarBru]

Not sure if they fit all your parameters, but have you looked at the AT Paradigms? I only have one so far, but it performs well, good ER and FOV, and is pretty inexpensive.

I've read multiple postings on other forums about the Paradigms and I have heard both good and bad about them. They are considered similar but not the same as the Meade ED60 and Celestron X-cel's. The major complaint seems to be loose optics in the Paradigms. The Meade HD60's have the least amount of complaints but are also the most expensive. The Paradigms are usually about $5 less than the X-cel's, which makes them the least expensive of the three. Before I decide to buy any of these EP's, I think I will attend a local star party to see if anyone has any of these to compare against each other!

Even though the X-cel's and the Meade HD60's are considered the same design, the X-cel's do not advertise ED glass and in the lower focal lengths, they are slightly different than the Meades: 5 and 7mm vs 4.5 and 6.5mm respectively.

[Bigzmey]

Not sure if they fit all your parameters, but have you looked at the AT Paradigms? I only have one so far, but it performs well, good ER and FOV, and is pretty inexpensive.

I've read multiple postings on other forums about the Paradigms and I have heard both good and bad about them. They are considered similar but not the same as the Meade ED60 and Celestron X-cel's. The major complaint seems to be loose optics in the Paradigms. The Meade HD60's have the least amount of complaints but are also the most expensive. The Paradigms are usually about $5 less than the X-cel's, which makes them the least expensive of the three. Before I decide to buy any of these EP's, I think I will attend a local star party to see if anyone has any of these to compare against each other!

Even though the X-cel's and the Meade HD60's are considered the same design, the X-cel's do not advertise ED glass and in the lower focal lengths, they are slightly different than the Meades: 5 and 7mm vs 4.5 and 6.5mm respectively.

I had a full set of Paradigm at one point. Boy, lots of EPs went through my hands. I can confirm that loose glass elements is an issue. I had two which rattled, but it did not seem to effect the performance. Paradigms certainly offer good value, but from my side by side test I feel they are somewhat behind X-Cel and HD60. The eye relief is tighter, I was not able to see the whole FOV with my glasses on. Also, in lower focal length there is more light scatter than in X-Cel/HD60.

X-Cel/HD60 also have ED glass incorporated in the design. As for the focal lengths I suspect that Celestron simply rounds up FL value. I could not detect even slightest difference in the AFV between 4.5mm HD60 and 5mm X-Cel.

[Bigzmey]

Bigzmey, Ozman, and JT: thank you for your answers! I believe I'm going to definitely get the Baader 18mm Ortho based on your recommendations. I'm used to the 52 degree view of my Meade 4000 26mm and I think its a decent EP so the 52 degree view of the ortho should be okay. I am still torn between the other sizes of Meade and Celestron EP's at this time, although the Celestron EP's are definitely easier on the pocketbook!

I had seen the GSO 15 and 20 Superviews before, offered at $85 for the pair. It's very tempting especially since you get the pair for only $10 more than what one Meade ED costs!

My worry is the Baader 18mm and the GSO 15mm and 20mm would be so close in magnifications that I wouldn't use them to their full extent, or would the wider views through the GSO's be different enough so that I would still use all 3? Would it be a better choice to get the 7mm, 12mm and 25mm X-cel's with the Baader 18mm to start?

Indeed 20mm EP is too close to 18mm, but 7mm, 12mm and 25mm is a nice spacing.

Baader Orthos are more then decent. As far as sharpness, light transmission and contrast they are at the same level as $200-300 EPs. Narrow field of view and short eye relief for 10mm and 6mm are the only weaknesses. 18mm eye relief is not bad.

I would suggest to get 18mm BCO first and see how you like it. Then for lower focal lengths there is an option of getting a good quality barlow. Baader Q barlow complements nicely BCO EPs. You can convert your 18mm BCO to 8mm EP or 13.8mm EP using this barlow.

https://agenaastro.com/baader-q-barlow-bqb-2956185.html

I have a complete set of BCOs and I would take them over X-Cel or HD60 any day.

https://agenaastro.com/baader-classic-q ... 57000.html

[Lady Fraktor]

Even though the X-cel's and the Meade HD60's are considered the same design, the X-cel's do not advertise ED glass and in the lower focal lengths, they are slightly different than the Meades: 5 and 7mm vs 4.5 and 6.5mm respectively.

They are the same eyepiece just different packaging and the very slight difference in focal length is only to make it seem it is a different eyepiece.
This is a common practice with different vendors. If you were to time them you would find they are identical.

Have you ever noticed that WO refractors are advertised as being 1mm larger than everyone else? (Mine is bigger syndrome)

[StarBru]

I ordered and received the 18mm Baader Classic Ortho eyepiece last week! I want to thank all of those who recommended it to me here and have only tested it briefly with my Adventure Scope 80mm f/5 for daytime viewing from my patio window at the treetops. It is clear and sharp throughout the view, as expected. Can't wait to have a good night to test it out.

The temps have been up to 112 degrees with lots of clouds rolling in (the monsoon season is ramping up but no rain yet) so just waiting for a more comfortable clear night. I'm such a wimp when it comes to hot weather!

[Bigzmey]

I ordered and received the 18mm Baader Classic Ortho eyepiece last week! I want to thank all of those who recommended it to me here and have only tested it briefly with my Adventure Scope 80mm f/5 for daytime viewing from my patio window at the treetops. It is clear and sharp throughout the view, as expected. Can't wait to have a good night to test it out.

The temps have been up to 112 degrees with lots of clouds rolling in (the monsoon season is ramping up but no rain yet) so just waiting for a more comfortable clear night. I'm such a wimp when it comes to hot weather!

Congrats! You will not be disappointed. I noticed you have TV 2.5x barlow. 18mm BCO will barlow nicely to 7.2mm.