TheSkySearchers

I see Burgess Optical is still making monocentric 6mm, 8mm, 10mm and a 16mm (16mm is designed for BVs)
Burgess has made some high quality offerings in the past and the 10mm has been well reviewed.
Scroll down the page a bit: https://www.burgessoptical.com/

They also have a 91mm f/7.7 fluorite/ lanthanum doublet for $875USD.

I know one thing the 2-2" diagonals ( $49 ea.)and the 2" CR-X Contrast filter ( $59 ) I bought from them are excellent performers.

And they are easy to deal with, even up here to Canada, top notch service.

The 16mm will be an interesting focal length to have in monocentric design. Would be well suited for fainter DSO to get maximum throughput. I will probably get one of these when they become available. The 10mm is also quite flexible, especially when Barlowed as the off-axis cleans up nicely and it retains its superb contrast, so makes an excellent planetary when Barlowed, which is how I use it with a TV 2x for 5mm effective and with a TV 2.5x Powermate for 4mm effective. I am adjusting my previous review of the 10mm and when finished will submit it here.

WilliamPaolini wrote: ↑Wed Jun 23, 2021 2:05 pm The 16mm will be an interesting focal length to have in monocentric design. Would be well suited for fainter DSO to get maximum throughput. I will probably get one of these when they become available. The 10mm is also quite flexible, especially when Barlowed as the off-axis cleans up nicely and it retains its superb contrast, so makes an excellent planetary when Barlowed, which is how I use it with a TV 2x for 5mm effective and with a TV 2.5x Powermate for 4mm effective. I am adjusting my previous review of the 10mm and when finished will submit it here.

Any idea when the 16 will be available ? I should probably ask them direct.

I popped them a note asking.

WilliamPaolini wrote: ↑Thu Jun 24, 2021 3:32 pm I popped them a note asking.

Thanx, could you let us know ? If you think about it.

LDW47 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 25, 2021 4:56 pm

WilliamPaolini wrote: ↑Thu Jun 24, 2021 3:32 pm I popped them a note asking.

Thanx, could you let us know ? If you think about it.

I certainly will.

I really don't need another ep but I like to try new gear and support these type of smaller businesses incl. Russell Optics etc. and some up here in Canada.

FYI, Spoke to Bill Burgess yesterday. He indicated that the 16mm Ultramono is expected to be in production and available this Fall, along with a series of Barlows to get that unit to multiple shorter focal lengths. More of the 8mm's should be coming too. Also working on a few new scopes as well. So looks to be an interesting Fall and Winter at Burgess Optical if plans stay on track. If I get my hands on any of them will post an assessment.

Thank you for the information Bill.

I just remembered, the eye relief on the 16mm Ultramono is expected to be 16mm! So this one will actually be long eye relief and eyeglass compatible, something quite unusual for a 3 element 1 group type eyepiece!

Well that is sounding quite interesting. I may have to sacrifice the piggy bank.

I note that Harry Siebert sells monocentric eyepieces in a bunch of longer focal lengths and sells Barlows of a variety of magnifications so you can turn those monocentrics into any focal length you want.

Back in 2012 I reviewed a Siebert 10mm mono. Performed as expected relative to ER and AFOV. Planetary performance was certainly very good on planets but had a little more scatter than I thought it should have (comparing to AP-SPL). Execution of the build was rather crude though and a bit pricey at $199, no where near as refined of a build as the Ultramonos even with their more reasonable price ($99). However, I recall last year that Harry contacted me saying that he made a big improvement on the build of those and supposedly very nice. He was going to send me one to update my review but it never came through, so never got a chance to see the "better" build version.

WilliamPaolini wrote: ↑Wed Jun 23, 2021 2:05 pm The 16mm will be an interesting focal length to have in monocentric design. Would be well suited for fainter DSO to get maximum throughput. I will probably get one of these when they become available. The 10mm is also quite flexible, especially when Barlowed as the off-axis cleans up nicely and it retains its superb contrast, so makes an excellent planetary when Barlowed, which is how I use it with a TV 2x for 5mm effective and with a TV 2.5x Powermate for 4mm effective. I am adjusting my previous review of the 10mm and when finished will submit it here.

I’ve enjoyed my 10 mm and will happily read his updated review.

FYI, I just asked them for another update on the 16mm mono.

I never got an update on the 16 Ultramono. However I understand that he is expecting a shipment of 500 10mm Ultramonos in the next 30 days.

Thank you for the update Bill.

WilliamPaolini wrote: ↑Sat Jan 08, 2022 5:04 pm I never got an update on the 16 Ultramono. However I understand that he is expecting a shipment of 500 10mm Ultramonos in the next 30 days.

Looks like the 10mm Ultramono is in stock now according to their website With a quality 2x or 2.5x Barlow/PM makes an outstanding planetary eyepiece for Apos!

https://www.cloudynights.com/articles/c ... mono-r3174
"Overall, I felt the 10mm Ultra Mono with Tele Vue 2x Barlow showed some of the best performance I have seen on Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars with any eyepiece through my Apochromatic refractors! When I switched out the Barlow for the 2.5x Powermate instead so the 10mm Ultra Mono was operating at an effective 4mm focal length, its planetary performance maintained its excellent showing. The 4mm planetary position in my eyepiece stall has been vacant for many years trying to find a performer suitable to sit alongside my 6mm ZAO-II and 5mm XW. I used to have the 4mm TMB Supermonocentric and felt it outperformed all other contenders including the likes of the 4mm AP-SLP and 4mm ZAO-II. The 4mm TMB Supermonocentric though has the smallest eye lens I’ve ever seen and its eye relief is too tight for my tastes. Although the 4mm TMB Supermonocentric was an excellent performer I found it was just too uncomfortable in use. This 10mm Ultra Mono when combined with the 2.5x Powermate, with its large eye lens and fairly comfortable eye relief finally provides me with a 4mm equivalent I consider appropriate to sit alongside my other planetary eyepiece, the Pentax 5mm XO an the 6mm ZAO-II. Overall the field test revealed the Burgess 10mm Ultra Mono to be a top-of-class on-axis planetary performer when used with a Barlow or amplifier, and will remain in my collection."