GSO 2" SuperView Eyepiece - 42mm

[JayTee]

I need a big piece of glass...

Does anyone have any experience with the GSO 2" SuperView Eyepiece - 42mm EP?
Link https://agenaastro.com/gso-42mm-superview-eyepiece.html

Will it work well in the C6R HD 6" f/8 frac?

Curious minds want to know.

Thanks.

[Shorty Barlow]

I need a big piece of glass...

Does anyone have any experience with the GSO 2" SuperView Eyepiece - 42mm EP?
Link https://agenaastro.com/gso-42mm-superview-eyepiece.html

Will it work well in the C6R HD 6" f/8 frac?

Curious minds want to know.

Thanks.

It seems to have a limited FOV compared to the 30mm, although it is 56~58º I believe. I think you should be OK at f/8.

[Bigzmey]

Hi JT
You got ES82 30mm which provides the same true field of view as SV 42mm, but with better contrast and sharpness. ES82 is much better EP all around. Even if you get SV 42mm, you will prefer the views delivered by ES82.

If you still want to get something above 30mm for lower power/larger exit pupil I would consider Russell Optics 52mm RKE or 50mm Super Plossl, definitely better quality than SVs.

http://www.russell-optics.com/two_inch.html

[Shorty Barlow]

I'm with Bigz on this. I originally bought the 42mm to get the widest exit pupil for my f/7.5 80ED, mainly for nebulae viewing in the Summer Triangle. It does it, but it's not a particularly pleasant view in regards to the field. It seems kind of tunnel-like in many respects and constrained.

[Bigzmey]

SV 42mm was my first 2" EP. It was usable and I was wowed by the FOV it provided, but the views were messy with excessive light scatter on stars and astigmatism at the edge even in slow scopes.

[JayTee]

SV 42mm was my first 2" EP. It was usable and I was wowed by the FOV it provided, but the views were messy with excessive light scatter on stars and astigmatism at the edge even in slow scopes.

Key-dokie, good job in talking me out of it.

I just keep thinking that I need to buy a new special EP for this new scope.

Thanks Andrey

For S & Gs, here's a field of view comparison between the two good EP's I own and that SV42.

[notFritzArgelander]

I have a set including this item in my outreach ep kit. Now I’m one of those minority that loathes AFOV larger than ~70 degrees. So I’d prefer a TV Panoptic for a wide field or a Takahashi LE.

It might work well in the frac but in my f12 MK66 it doesn’t perform as well as the TVs or Taks. It’s okay as long as you don’t look at the edge of the field.

[Bigzmey]

SV 42mm was my first 2" EP. It was usable and I was wowed by the FOV it provided, but the views were messy with excessive light scatter on stars and astigmatism at the edge even in slow scopes.

Key-dokie, good job in talking me out of it.

I just keep thinking that I need to buy a new special EP for this new scope.

Thanks Andrey

For S & Gs, here's a field of view comparison between the two good EP's I own and that SV42.
CR6 FOV.jpg

I know how do you feel JT. If you are not in the rush I would keep my eyes on the used EPs market. There are many good options: Vixen LVW 42mm (I would not mind getting this one for myself ), Meade SWA 40mm, Pentax XW40, just to name a few.

SV like quite few other companies is a bit too optimistic about the FOV. The actual FOV for SV 42mm (based on the field stop) is about 56 degree, so the TFV is the same as for ES82 30mm. In fact according to my calculation ES82 30mm FOV is ~5% wider.

[SkyHiker]

I have the 35 mm 2" GSO superview, I think. It came with my Z12. What Andrej says is true but how sensitive you are to the defects is a personal matter. It doesn't bother me a whole lot, and I still use the GSO it more than the ES one. On AA I see a set of 2" GSO superviews for $210, who can beat that price? Many 68 degree 2" eyepieces cost $300 to $400 (just one, not a set of three for $200). So, value wise, it is probably very good. It just depends on how much priority you put on having superb optics vs. OK optics.

[notFritzArgelander]

I have the 35 mm 2" GSO superview, I think. It came with my Z12. What Andrej says is true but how sensitive you are to the defects is a personal matter. It doesn't bother me a whole lot, and I still use the GSO it more than the ES one. On AA I see a set of 2" GSO superviews for $210, who can beat that price? Many 68 degree 2" eyepieces cost $300 to $400 (just one, not a set of three for $200). So, value wise, it is probably very good. It just depends on how much priority you put on having superb optics vs. OK optics.

Yes. They may not serve for the most fussy purposes but the price - performance ratio is very nice.

[Shorty Barlow]

I find the 42mm SuperView a little specialist with my observing habits.



OTOH my ST80 grab and go rich field scope rarely leaves the house without a 30mm SuperView. I can live with a bit of edge astigmatism as the 30mm EP's lighter weight (significantly lighter than a 31mm Baader Aspheric) really helps with balance on an AZ5 mount. Especially as I have limited function in my right arm and hand.

[Bigzmey]

I would not hesitate recommending SV 42mm to some one looking for a starter 2" EP, but since JT got a nice ES82 30mm, I don't believe he would benefit from getting SV 42.

[Shorty Barlow]

I would not hesitate recommending SV 42mm to some one looking for a starter 2" EP, but since JT got a nice ES82 30mm, I don't believe he would benefit from getting SV 42.

The 42mm SuperView is also around a third of the weight of something like a 30mm ES82, which I believe is about a kilo.

[Bigzmey]

I would not hesitate recommending SV 42mm to some one looking for a starter 2" EP, but since JT got a nice ES82 30mm, I don't believe he would benefit from getting SV 42.

The 42mm SuperView is also around a third of the weight of something like a 30mm ES82, which I believe is about a kilo.

Weight is valid concern, but there are better EPs in the similar weight range.

[JayTee]

The 42mm SuperView is also around a third of the weight of something like a 30mm ES82, which I believe is about a kilo.

That is the reason why the ES 30mm 82° is affectionately named "The Holy Hand Grenade."

[Shorty Barlow]

The 42mm SuperView is also around a third of the weight of something like a 30mm ES82, which I believe is about a kilo.

That is the reason why the ES 30mm 82° is affectionately named "The Holy Hand Grenade."

I don't doubt it lol.

[Shorty Barlow]

I would not hesitate recommending SV 42mm to some one looking for a starter 2" EP, but since JT got a nice ES82 30mm, I don't believe he would benefit from getting SV 42.

The 42mm SuperView is also around a third of the weight of something like a 30mm ES82, which I believe is about a kilo.

Weight is valid concern, but there are better EPs in the similar weight range.

Do you have anything specific in mind Bigz? Ideally I'd like something at least 40mm, preferably longer. The idea is to get the widest exit pupil I can with my SW 80ED DS PRO. I have a 36mm Baader Aspheric already. I'm pretty sure it was you who originally recommended it to me on the old forum. It's still one of my most used EP's. I can get a 5.6mm exit pupil with the 42mm SuperView. Which is an 0.8mm increase over the 36mm. Anything much over 300g though might be difficult for me.

[Bigzmey]

The 42mm SuperView is also around a third of the weight of something like a 30mm ES82, which I believe is about a kilo.

Weight is valid concern, but there are better EPs in the similar weight range.

Do you have anything specific in mind Bigz? Ideally I'd like something at least 40mm, preferably longer. The idea is to get the widest exit pupil I can with my SW 80ED DS PRO. I have a 36mm Baader Aspheric already. I'm pretty sure it was you who originally recommended it to me on the old forum. It's still one of my most used EP's. I can get a 5.6mm exit pupil with the 42mm SuperView. Which is an 0.8mm increase over the 36mm. Anything much over 300g though might be difficult for me.

Pentax XL 40mm is a great EP and has the same weight as the Baader Aspheric. Vixen LVW 42mm is ~100g heavier than Baader Aspheric but still relatively lightweight. Russell Optics makes good quality and lightweight (~100g less than Baader Aspheric) 50mm and 56mm Super Plossls and 52mm RKE. Unfortunately, Russell does not ship outside US, but they come out fairly often used on CN and AM, and some sellers willing to ship abroad.

http://www.russell-optics.com/two_inch.html

[Shorty Barlow]

Weight is valid concern, but there are better EPs in the similar weight range.

Do you have anything specific in mind Bigz? Ideally I'd like something at least 40mm, preferably longer. The idea is to get the widest exit pupil I can with my SW 80ED DS PRO. I have a 36mm Baader Aspheric already. I'm pretty sure it was you who originally recommended it to me on the old forum. It's still one of my most used EP's. I can get a 5.6mm exit pupil with the 42mm SuperView. Which is an 0.8mm increase over the 36mm. Anything much over 300g though might be difficult for me.

Pentax XL 40mm is a great EP and has the same weight as the Baader Aspheric. Vixen LVW 42mm is ~100g heavier than Baader Aspheric but still relatively lightweight. Russell Optics makes good quality and lightweight (~100g less than Baader Aspheric) 50mm and 56mm Super Plossls and 52mm RKE. Unfortunately, Russell does not ship outside US, but they come out fairly often used on CN and AM, and some sellers willing to ship abroad.

http://www.russell-optics.com/two_inch.html

Thanks Bigz. The Pentax looks nice, although it's 700g.



I forgot I owned a 55mm TV Plossl lol.

[Bigzmey]

Pentax XW is ~700g, Pentax XL is ~400g.

Your TV Plossl (great EP BTW) is ~500g.