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Since Vixen SLVs are on sale again, I want to grab a 5mm or a 6mm for my Meade ST80 clone and my ST120.
Conventional wisdom says not to exceed the F-ratio of the scope in EP focal length, so that means 5mm for both.
I have an Orion 6mm Expanse, but I think 6mm might be pushing the limits of both scopes. Problem is I don't have another 6mm to compare, so I don't know if it's the Orion EP's quality or if 6 mm is really the scope's limit.
My 10mm SLV performs wonderfully (thanks to Gabby for her insight on the Vixens), so I'm thinking it's a matter of the SLVs being much superior to the Orions and I can go to 5mm without the image getting mushy and such. I considered buying a 5 and a 6, but I'm not sure that would be a good use of funds.
Experiences or opinions? Thanks!
============================================================================= I drink tea, I read books, I look at stars when I'm not cursing clouds. It's what I do. =============================================================================
AT50, AT72EDII, ST80, ST102; Scopetech Zero, AZ-GTi, AZ Pronto; Innorel RT90C, Oberwerk 5000; Orion Giantview 15x70s, Vortex 8x42s, Navy surplus 7x50s, Nikon 10x50s
I don't like the Orion Expanse eyepieces. The Vixens are likely better BUT 5mm is pushing it as far as chromatic aberration is concerned. You might get away with it on DSOs but for lunar/planetary.... a different scope is a better option.
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
I have to agree with nFA, the Orion is not a great eyepiece so an upgrade to the Vixen would be a good change.
It will likely be pushing the telescope at that focal length so target selection and sky conditions are going to be factors.
Gabrielle See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102 Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1011110) The only culture I have is from yogurt
SLVs are great EPs. I have a whole set except 10mm which is too close to 9mm. They are indeed much superior to the Expanses.
Unfortunately F5 achros do get mushy around 1mm exit pupil, so I would go with 6mm SLV in your case. It will also give you better spacing if you eventually decide to get 4mm SLV.
So I bit the bullet and ordered a 6mm. I had some dinero that had been languishing in my PayPal account, so why not?
If the 6 mm is too much for my fracs, I can probably sell it pretty easily since it's a Vixen. Maybe I can get a few bucks for the Orions that I have.
============================================================================= I drink tea, I read books, I look at stars when I'm not cursing clouds. It's what I do. =============================================================================
AT50, AT72EDII, ST80, ST102; Scopetech Zero, AZ-GTi, AZ Pronto; Innorel RT90C, Oberwerk 5000; Orion Giantview 15x70s, Vortex 8x42s, Navy surplus 7x50s, Nikon 10x50s
pakarinen wrote: ↑Fri Nov 15, 2019 5:35 pm
So I bit the bullet and ordered a 6mm. I had some dinero that had been languishing in my PayPal account, so why not?
If the 6 mm is too much for my fracs, I can probably sell it pretty easily since it's a Vixen. Maybe I can get a few bucks for the Orions that I have.
Expanses have there uses as outreach, starter, spare, etc. EPs. Once I moved to better EPs I sold my set on CN, no problem.
Vixens are by order of magnitude better, in the same league as TeleVue. For the price they are on sale now I would not hesitate, except I already have a set.
My 6mm arrived yesterday. And we have clouds /rain / snow forecasted for at least the next three days.
I didn't realize the new equipment curse applied to EPs as well.
============================================================================= I drink tea, I read books, I look at stars when I'm not cursing clouds. It's what I do. =============================================================================
AT50, AT72EDII, ST80, ST102; Scopetech Zero, AZ-GTi, AZ Pronto; Innorel RT90C, Oberwerk 5000; Orion Giantview 15x70s, Vortex 8x42s, Navy surplus 7x50s, Nikon 10x50s
Enjoy when you can, the cloud deities normally will escort good astro purchases and then stay around a bit.
Gabrielle See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102 Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1011110) The only culture I have is from yogurt
