I want but not necessarily useful accessories

[davesellars]

These 14mm Starbase Orthos look interesting - they have a 53 degree FOV.

14mm would give me an effective focal length of 4.66 with the 3x barlow effect therefore 153x with the 4" refractor. I was looking at possibly 12.5mm orthos which is 172x. I'm currently using the 18mm BCOs which is 119x but could use something with more power for Saturn and lunar observing.

[Bigzmey]

Here is report on Starbase Orthos from our very own Bill

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/7004 ... rst-light/

It seems that there are a few shortcuts in the design and fits and finishes to bring the price down (single coating, no edge blackening, etc.). They are also rated for slower scopes >F10. So while they might be good in their own way, they are not in the same league as Abbe Orthos or BCOs. It also seems that Starbase line uses different designs for different FLs, so some might be better than others.

[notFritzArgelander]

Here is report on Starbase Orthos from our very own Bill

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/7004 ... rst-light/

It seems that there are a few shortcuts in the design and fits and finishes to bring the price down (single coating, no edge blackening, etc.). They are also rated for slower scopes >F10. So while they might be good in their own way, they are not in the same league as Abbe Orthos or BCOs. It also seems that Starbase line uses different designs for different FLs, so some might be better than others.

I did a direct comparison with KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics (which are my planet killing eps, a tad better than the BCOs for that, the BCOs are a tad better on DSOs) and the Starbase were a tad worse than the KKs, on a par with the BCOs. I don’t think that the f ratio issue will matter since IIRC the intended use is with a 3x Barlow. It’s rumored that the KKs are only good in slow scopes too, but I’m happy with them at f5.

[Bigzmey]

Here is report on Starbase Orthos from our very own Bill

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/7004 ... rst-light/

It seems that there are a few shortcuts in the design and fits and finishes to bring the price down (single coating, no edge blackening, etc.). They are also rated for slower scopes >F10. So while they might be good in their own way, they are not in the same league as Abbe Orthos or BCOs. It also seems that Starbase line uses different designs for different FLs, so some might be better than others.

I did a direct comparison with KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics (which are my planet killing eps, a tad better than the BCOs for that, the BCOs are a tad better on DSOs) and the Starbase were a tad worse than the KKs, on a par with the BCOs. I don’t think that the f ratio issue will matter since IIRC the intended use is with a 3x Barlow. It’s rumored that the KKs are only good in slow scopes too, but I’m happy with them at f5.

Good to know nFA! They seem to be made to more basic standards, hence the lower price, but I have/had a few basic, made in Japan EPs which performed nicely.

Also, thought it was worth mentioning that they are not of Abbe or Zeiss Ortho design.

[notFritzArgelander]

Here is report on Starbase Orthos from our very own Bill

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/7004 ... rst-light/

It seems that there are a few shortcuts in the design and fits and finishes to bring the price down (single coating, no edge blackening, etc.). They are also rated for slower scopes >F10. So while they might be good in their own way, they are not in the same league as Abbe Orthos or BCOs. It also seems that Starbase line uses different designs for different FLs, so some might be better than others.

I did a direct comparison with KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics (which are my planet killing eps, a tad better than the BCOs for that, the BCOs are a tad better on DSOs) and the Starbase were a tad worse than the KKs, on a par with the BCOs. I don’t think that the f ratio issue will matter since IIRC the intended use is with a 3x Barlow. It’s rumored that the KKs are only good in slow scopes too, but I’m happy with them at f5.

Good to know nFA! They seem to be made to more basic standards, hence the lower price, but I have/had a few basic, made in Japan EPs which performed nicely.

Also, thought it was worth mentioning that they are not of Abbe or Zeiss Ortho design.

No they aren't in the strictest sense. But the set does have either Abbe' Zeiss design heritage or Plössl heritage. The adverts show which design heritage applies to which focal lengths. Modern glass types are used and the old designs are uncoated.

[davesellars]

No edge blackening would be a bit of a concern particularly for bright subjects like Jupiter and the Moon. The Starbase eyepieces are not that cheap...

[Thefatkitty]

These 14mm Starbase Orthos look interesting - they have a 53 degree FOV.

14mm would give me an effective focal length of 4.66 with the 3x barlow effect therefore 153x with the 4" refractor. I was looking at possibly 12.5mm orthos which is 172x. I'm currently using the 18mm BCOs which is 119x but could use something with more power for Saturn and lunar observing.

Hi Dave, maybe these would interest you: 12.5mm-japanese-hd-orthoscopic-eyepiece-fujiyama-series

I have the 25, 18 (X2), 12.5 and 9mm of these. The 18mm is my favourite eyepiece, with the 12.5mm close behind. I bought them on the advice of both Lady Fraktor and nFA and I'm extremely glad I did.
Isn't it great when members on here can help you spend your money?

I also noticed these; they look remarkably like the KK's but beyond that I haven't a clue as to how good they are:
Japanese Genuine Abbe Orthoscopic Eyepieces

I'm no eyepiece expert, but I do know what I like.

All the best,

[Bigzmey]

No edge blackening would be a bit of a concern particularly for bright subjects like Jupiter and the Moon. The Starbase eyepieces are not that cheap...

Well, cheaper than Abbe Orthos.

[Lady Fraktor]

@Thefatkitty
Those are KK Orthos

PS: found the JAWA image yet?

[Thefatkitty]

@Thefatkitty
Those are KK Orthos

PS: found the JAWA image yet?

Seriously they are KK's? There's obviously a lot I don't know...

Yes, I found an image, sort of. It turns out the frame I had was from a 1950 Jawa Perak; I still have the ID tag from the gooseneck around somewhere. As well as a photo of me and my aunt sitting on it, taken in 1981. To be fifteen again!

This was a photo I found online. It was a single and square tube front half, and plunger shocks in the rear. The original engine was a 250cc two stroke with a four speed tranny.

I put an 8HP Kohler snowblower engine into the frame and turned it into a trike. I made the axle for it and used two snowblower wheels for the back, and a Harley Sportster front end with a 12" bicycle wheel
The handlebars were from an old 70's chopper-style bicycle; literally apehangers.

At the time I lived in Dorval; a city in the West Island of Montreal. Public transit didn't even reach there at the time, the roads were my oyster. Yet a month later I did get pulled over by the local police, and my trike was impounded. My mum was so angry, yet she paid the impound fee. I had to walk the 5 miles (8km's) to go get it at the cop shop. The best part? After I was out of earshot of the local gendarmes (flatheads with straight pipes are so loud), I fired it up and drove it home.
Well, not quite; I shut it down a few blocks away so my mum wouldn't hear it... "Oh yes Mum, I walked it home"

I'll have to dig these both up this week, the tag and the pic. So many boxes to go through. Gabrielle, you're making me work

TTYS!

[notFritzArgelander]

@Thefatkitty
Those are KK Orthos

PS: found the JAWA image yet?

Seriously they are KK's? There's obviously a lot I don't know...

.....

Well, greater certainty is hard to achieve without taking them apart and comparing them.... but they look on the outside to be identical twins, so I'd be 99.99% certain.

Thanks for the JAWA story.

[Lady Fraktor]

That is a great story Mark, I am always impressed with your ability to adapt things. I hope you do find a picture of it as I would love to see it!

[notFritzArgelander]

FLO.jpg

.... and the fine print evades detection once again! Thanks.

[davesellars]

I'm also seriously considering the BST Starguiders (AT Paradigm in the US?) @ 12mm. These do seem to get very good reviews and are 60 degrees as well. Cheap at £48 per eyepiece too.

[Bigzmey]

I'm also seriously considering the BST Starguiders (AT Paradigm in the US?) @ 12mm. These do seem to get very good reviews and are 60 degrees as well. Cheap at £48 per eyepiece too.

The value of Starguider/Paradigm is hard to beat. One thing to consider, they are on the wider side with max diameter 49.3mm. I have discovered by trial and error that I can't use EPs wider than 45mm in bino mode. I can't align them with my eyes because my nose gets in the way. Your face might be different though. Some people get away binoviewing with Baader Mark IV zooms (55mm diameter).

[davesellars]

Thanks Andrey. I think you're right. I am most likely going to have the same issue as my nose has a largish bridge and my IPD is only 63mm. I've done a quick test and I don't think these would really fit. :p

[notFritzArgelander]

I'm also seriously considering the BST Starguiders (AT Paradigm in the US?) @ 12mm. These do seem to get very good reviews and are 60 degrees as well. Cheap at £48 per eyepiece too.

Wider field means center of field sharpness suffers. I love my TV Panoptics when a wide field is desirable. But for lunar and planetary they suffer in comparison with KK Orthos, BCOs. They might be only equal to the Starbase set.

[davesellars]

Yep, I think I'm going back to the KK Fujiyamas idea... I just had a few hours out initially viewing Jupiter with the BVs in the 4" refractor. It ended up spectacularly transparent so switched to viewing some DSOs with the new 18mm BCO - This is an amazing eyepiece for galaxies!

[davesellars]

OK... 2 x KK Fuyijamas 12.5mm orthos bought!

[Bigzmey]

Yep, I think I'm going back to the KK Fujiyamas idea... I just had a few hours out initially viewing Jupiter with the BVs in the 4" refractor. It ended up spectacularly transparent so switched to viewing some DSOs with the new 18mm BCO - This is an amazing eyepiece for galaxies!

Yep, on a few occasions I was able to log faint galaxies only with 18mm BCO. They were not resolved with other EPs in similar FL.