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New higher power eyepiece for my scope. Suggestions?

Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 9:12 am
by turboscrew
I'm starting to get ready to the darker nights, and I think it's time for higher power eyepiece.
My scope is 12"/1200 mm F/4 and I'm looking for something around 250x - 300x.
I've been thinking about
- ES 4.7mm 82°
- De Lite 4 mm 62°
- Delos 4.5 mm 72°
Which one would you recommend? Or maybe something else?

I think I could also use a good 2x Barlow. Which one would you recommend?
Is Artesky Premium APO Barlow 2" good enough?
Or maybe rather TeleVue 2x 1.25" Barlow lens?

Re: New higher power eyepiece for my scope. Suggestions?

Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 12:15 pm
by 25585
Baader Morpheus 4.5 & 6.5mm eyepieces.

Re: New higher power eyepiece for my scope. Suggestions?

Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 1:00 pm
by SpyderwerX
From my perspective: Considering the magnification factor, which I would normally employ with planetary or small/bright target viewing, the AFOV usually becomes less important. I myself would probably lean toward the Delite. Its smaller and lighter form lends well to higher mag work. And they are very comfortable to use. :)

I actually prefer the Powermates versus Barlows. The 1.25" 2.5X Televue Powermate outperforms a 2x Barlow almost always for me. (or even the 2" 2X Powermate) It will preserve the native eye relief of the EP, without introducing any potential aberrations of the light cone.

Re: New higher power eyepiece for my scope. Suggestions?

Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 2:38 pm
by notFritzArgelander
SpyderwerX wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 1:00 pm From my perspective: Considering the magnification factor, which I would normally employ with planetary or small/bright target viewing, the AFOV usually becomes less important. I myself would probably lean toward the Delite. Its smaller and lighter form lends well to higher mag work. And they are very comfortable to use. :)

I actually prefer the Powermates versus Barlows. The 1.25" 2.5X Televue Powermate outperforms a 2x Barlow almost always for me. (or even the 2" 2X Powermate) It will preserve the native eye relief of the EP, without introducing any potential aberrations of the light cone.
I like these ideas. Also, you may wish to consider not bothering with the coma corrector at high power.

Re: New higher power eyepiece for my scope. Suggestions?

Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 2:40 pm
by turboscrew
25585 wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 12:15 pm Baader Morpheus 4.5 & 6.5mm eyepieces.
I wonder how Morpheus handles F/4? At least I recall that Hyperions were recommended for F/6 or higher.
Later that mention of F-number seem to have disappeared.

Re: New higher power eyepiece for my scope. Suggestions?

Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 3:00 pm
by John Fitzgerald
I recommend the TV Delite series. The Delos has essentially the same, but slightly wider, view. The Delite is, IMO, easier to look through, and is lighter and slimmer. The Delos is about 100 dollars more, also. I vote for the 4 or 5mm Delite. I have the 5 myself, and it's great.

Re: New higher power eyepiece for my scope. Suggestions?

Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 4:36 pm
by Refractordude
Forgot where I snipped this from.

Re: New higher power eyepiece for my scope. Suggestions?

Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 4:59 pm
by notFritzArgelander
Refractordude wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 4:36 pm Forgot where I snipped this from.
Image
Hm...... I've never used Delites enough to have an opinion. But for planetary performance, not worrying about eye relief, from what's on the market now I'd go BCO. I tested the predecessors (the UO Orthos/ Baader Genuine Orthos) on planets at f4 and they outperformed the Delos. I had the AT 8" f4 at one time. At f5 in the Z12 both the BCOs and KK Fujiyamas do better contrast views than the Delos.

Re: New higher power eyepiece for my scope. Suggestions?

Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 5:08 pm
by Gfamily
Refractordude wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 4:36 pm Forgot where I snipped this from.
Image
A search came up with this.
A review on the Agena Astro website. https://agenaastro.com/televue-1-25-del ... e-5mm.html

Re: New higher power eyepiece for my scope. Suggestions?

Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 6:26 pm
by Makuser
Hi turboscrew. I am with SpyderwerX (Frankie) on the TV 2.5x Powermate. The Barlow section is 2 elements to achieve the negative focal length, and another doublet for collimation, which is like what the old film enlargers and wall projectors used. It produces an extremely clean magnified image at the eyepiece. I hope this helps turboscrew and the best of wishes on your future purchases.
Powermate2.JPG

Re: New higher power eyepiece for my scope. Suggestions?

Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 6:41 pm
by Thomas_M44
turboscrew wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 9:12 am I'm starting to get ready to the darker nights, and I think it's time for higher power eyepiece.
My scope is 12"/1200 mm F/4 and I'm looking for something around 250x - 300x.
I've been thinking about
- ES 4.7mm 82°
- De Lite 4 mm 62°
- Delos 4.5 mm 72°
Which one would you recommend? Or maybe something else?

I think I could also use a good 2x Barlow. Which one would you recommend?
Is Artesky Premium APO Barlow 2" good enough?
Or maybe rather TeleVue 2x 1.25" Barlow lens?
I’d strongly recommend simply getting the TeleVue 2.5X Powermate, which will very cleanly convert your existing longer FL eyepieces to shorter FL.

You’ll gain versatility and save considerable money in not having to buy so many additional eyepieces.

The Powermates will not cause any vignetting, even with super-wide AFOV eyepieces, and will not disturb the exit pupil behavior of your eyepieces as even very good conventional Barlows often can.

Re: New higher power eyepiece for my scope. Suggestions?

Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 6:43 pm
by turboscrew
notFritzArgelander wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 4:59 pm
Refractordude wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 4:36 pm Forgot where I snipped this from.
Image
Hm...... I've never used Delites enough to have an opinion. But for planetary performance, not worrying about eye relief, from what's on the market now I'd go BCO. I tested the predecessors (the UO Orthos/ Baader Genuine Orthos) on planets at f4 and they outperformed the Delos. I had the AT 8" f4 at one time. At f5 in the Z12 both the BCOs and KK Fujiyamas do better contrast views than the Delos.
My 6 mm is BCO, but I'd like to try a bit wider view - just for comfort.

Re: New higher power eyepiece for my scope. Suggestions?

Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 6:45 pm
by turboscrew
Thomas_M44 wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 6:41 pm
turboscrew wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 9:12 am I'm starting to get ready to the darker nights, and I think it's time for higher power eyepiece.
My scope is 12"/1200 mm F/4 and I'm looking for something around 250x - 300x.
I've been thinking about
- ES 4.7mm 82°
- De Lite 4 mm 62°
- Delos 4.5 mm 72°
Which one would you recommend? Or maybe something else?

I think I could also use a good 2x Barlow. Which one would you recommend?
Is Artesky Premium APO Barlow 2" good enough?
Or maybe rather TeleVue 2x 1.25" Barlow lens?
I’d strongly recommend simply getting the TeleVue 2.5X Powermate, which will very cleanly convert your existing longer FL eyepieces to shorter FL.

You’ll gain versatility and save considerable money in not having to buy so many additional eyepieces.

The Powermates will not cause any vignetting, even with super-wide AFOV eyepieces, and will not disturb the exit pupil behavior of your eyepieces as even very good conventional Barlows often can.
I guess I'll get a Powermate 1.25" when they'll available again.

Re: New higher power eyepiece for my scope. Suggestions?

Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 9:30 pm
by Bigzmey
I believe everyone should have a good quality barlow or focal extender (powemate) in their EP case. It is such a useful tool. Saying that one still need to have a good EP to barlow. Barlowing 15mm Plossl or 6mm BCO will get you nice high power views but the eye relief and FOV will still be tight.

I had quite a few barlows over the years. My favorites are Baader Q barlow and Televue 2x and 3x. At the end I sold TV barlows and have two Baader Q barlows now, not because I did not like the views, but because TV barlows were colliding with prisms in my diagonals due to the length.

For the EPs you will see 'for' and 'against' opinions for ES 82, Delos, Morpheus and Naglers, but Delites seems to be universally loved. In my personal experience I have tried and moved away from ES 82, Morpheus and Delos, but Delites are keepers. :D

Re: New higher power eyepiece for my scope. Suggestions?

Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 9:43 pm
by Don Pensack
turboscrew wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 2:40 pm
25585 wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 12:15 pm Baader Morpheus 4.5 & 6.5mm eyepieces.
I wonder how Morpheus handles F/4? At least I recall that Hyperions were recommended for F/6 or higher.
Later that mention of F-number seem to have disappeared.
F/4 is right on the cutting edge for the Morpheus eyepieces.
They work great at f/5 and poorly at f/3.45, in my experience.
Ernest's measurements at f/4 show mediocre performance at f/4:
http://astro-talks.ru/forum/viewtopic.p ... 483#p41976
I think I'd recommend them at f/4.5 and longer for those seeking eyepieces sharp at the edge.
If you don't care about star quality in the outer 50%, then any f/ratio is fine.

Re: New higher power eyepiece for my scope. Suggestions?

Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 11:42 pm
by Refractordude
turboscrew wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 6:45 pm
Thomas_M44 wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 6:41 pm
turboscrew wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 9:12 am I'm starting to get ready to the darker nights, and I think it's time for higher power eyepiece.
My scope is 12"/1200 mm F/4 and I'm looking for something around 250x - 300x.
I've been thinking about
- ES 4.7mm 82°
- De Lite 4 mm 62°
- Delos 4.5 mm 72°
Which one would you recommend? Or maybe something else?

I think I could also use a good 2x Barlow. Which one would you recommend?
Is Artesky Premium APO Barlow 2" good enough?
Or maybe rather TeleVue 2x 1.25" Barlow lens?
I’d strongly recommend simply getting the TeleVue 2.5X Powermate, which will very cleanly convert your existing longer FL eyepieces to shorter FL.

You’ll gain versatility and save considerable money in not having to buy so many additional eyepieces.

The Powermates will not cause any vignetting, even with super-wide AFOV eyepieces, and will not disturb the exit pupil behavior of your eyepieces as even very good conventional Barlows often can.
I guess I'll get a Powermate 1.25" when they'll available again.
There are a few available at Firstlightoptics. I purchased a mount and eyepieces from them with quick delivery to the USA. Left click the image. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/barlow ... mates.html

Re: New higher power eyepiece for my scope. Suggestions?

Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2021 12:04 am
by turboscrew
Refractordude wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 11:42 pm
turboscrew wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 6:45 pm
Thomas_M44 wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 6:41 pm

I’d strongly recommend simply getting the TeleVue 2.5X Powermate, which will very cleanly convert your existing longer FL eyepieces to shorter FL.

You’ll gain versatility and save considerable money in not having to buy so many additional eyepieces.

The Powermates will not cause any vignetting, even with super-wide AFOV eyepieces, and will not disturb the exit pupil behavior of your eyepieces as even very good conventional Barlows often can.
I guess I'll get a Powermate 1.25" when they'll available again.
There are a few available at Firstlightoptics. I purchased a mount and eyepieces from them with quick delivery to the USA. Left click the image. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/barlow ... mates.html
Image
Yes, but after Brexit, the customs things is a mess. I ordered some radius blocks and such @ about £230. I got to pay 444 eur altogether before they were in my hands.

Re: New higher power eyepiece for my scope. Suggestions?

Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2021 12:24 am
by SpyderwerX
Would Telescope Express be a more "currency friendly" option? I've also heard others speaking of the conversion troubles due the Brexit conspiracy.

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... uelse.html

Re: New higher power eyepiece for my scope. Suggestions?

Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2021 12:16 pm
by turboscrew
SpyderwerX wrote: Sat Jul 17, 2021 12:24 am Would Telescope Express be a more "currency friendly" option? I've also heard others speaking of the conversion troubles due the Brexit conspiracy.

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... uelse.html
Yes. "Delivery acc. to manufacturer: 30.07.2021 (13 days)". Much better than "sometime in the future". :lol:

And it's not just the currency, but I had to pay the British VAT, customs and EU VAT.

Re: New higher power eyepiece for my scope. Suggestions?

Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2021 1:37 pm
by turboscrew
I seem to have been "too clever". Now I have hard time to figure out which comes first: Powermate or 5 mm.