However, for your extra money you get the finest manufacture, the best polish and coatings available. If you wish to find a short-focal length eyepiece with a longer, more comfortable eye relief, you could use a long-focus eyepiece with a separate, high-quality barlow lens (an achromatic or apochromatic fully multi-coated barlow would be necessary), or you could purchase one of the several designs incorporating a smyth/barlow lens into the eyepiece design. Not all are Plossls, but excellent eps at f/10. I do not miss beating my eyelashes against a 9.7mm Meade Plossl that I used to own. . What follows are specific eyepieces that I have tried, own, or have read so many good reports about that I feel very comfortable recommending them. The components of a Plossl eyepiece are the two groups of lenses. For planetary viewing, comfort is essential in helping to increase viewing time . One of the main drawbacks of this eyepiece, though, is the eye relief. As is outstanding in the workmanship, a Plossl type eyepiece is a moderately wide field eyepiece involving two colorless doublets in which the crown components generally face each other. I have not had an opportunity to test it yet but the general discussions have favorable. Even if you did need a 4mm focal length (for high powers in an f/4 telescope, of course), neither a Kellner nor a Plossl would have long enough eye relief for that to be comfortably usable! You have a very wide choice of brands and styles to choose from. They deliver sharp images in almost all telescopes. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Orion+Q70&ref=nb_sb_noss_2, Understanding Telescope Eyepieces- There are recommendations, based on budget, You will see these under many brands, including Orion, Celestron, GSO, and others. Non-eyeglass wearers can usually tolerate Plossls as short as about 10-12mm before their eyelashes start brushing the ocular lens. It is pretty much worth it for everyone that has a telescope with a 1.25 inch focuser to have a 32mm Plssl. Its quite long but that is what we are aiming for and hopefully, it was useful to you. 32 mm = 18.75X12 mm = 50X8 mm = 75X6 mm = 100X4 mm = 150X3 mm = 200X. Using this approach, you would buy a 2X Barlow and hold off on the 4 mm and 3 mm to see if you can reach these magnifications often enough to justify buying an eyepiece. How you divide up your magnification range is up to you. Depending on how fussy you are about having a completely clean image across the visual field, if you have a lower focal ratio scope you will want to look for eyepieces with a reputation for being better corrected in low focal ratio scopes. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you click through and make a purchase. When I was getting my start in the hobby, I bought an ultra-cheap ($15?) Something in the 30 to 38 mm range with a 65 to 70 degree AFOV. Here are a few types of eyepieces you may read about and their typical AFOV. As I mentioned earlier in the article, not all Plossls are created equal, which simply means that there are good Plossls and then there are bad Plossls. These are considered to be the least expensive eyepieces for serious astronomy and are offered in focal lengths from about 6mm to 40mm. Celestron Telescope Eyepieces - CHUCKHAWKS.COM 130 mm scope will have a max of 260X for planning purposes. We will now discuss the specifications of eye relief and apparent field of view. Press Esc to cancel. (Compare, for instance, 20mm of each type, or 10mm of each type.) My most used eyepiece is an 8-24 mm zoom. Orion 12 mm Sirius Super Wide Angle Correct Image Eyepiece has a rubber eyecup that holds in light, which enables you to enjoy this powerful telescope eyepiece at night without glare or reflections from any external sources. This saves money and helps you shop in an organized manner. Consider something between 35 and 40 mm in focal length with an AFOV of 65 degrees or wider for your lowest power eyepiece for your telescope. A Plossl eyepiece is one of the most decent general-purpose eyepieces that are available on the market. Unless you are a professional astronomer or extremely demanding, you can select your eyepieces based on magnification, the apparent field of view, eye relief, and price. Free shipping for many products! You see the object in a wider expanse of space with more stars. It includes two high-magnification Plossl eyepieces and five lower magnification zoom oculars with an adjustable focus in the kit. a breath of fresh air! These sizes have become the industrys standard sizes. 17mm Plossl, unbranded, used, no caps, in bolt case; previous owner said it was a very good EP; $18 25mm Plossl, Orion Sirius, fully MgF2 coated on every air-to-glass surface; used; $23 (these are a step up from . condition as described, a good transaction. The original Meade 5-piece Super Plossl hasnt been in production for decades and at this point is more of a collectors item than a high-performance eyepiece. SVBONY Eyepiece Review: Take Your Stargazing Up a Notch For modern eyepieces, the differences between Plossl and Super Plossl is going to depend on the manufacturer. There are so many others at comparable or higher prices, many of which are quite good and some rather poor. I found an ES 70 degree AFOV 35mm eyepiece and am wondering whether I should get this or the Orion 38 70. Most telescopes come with one or two eyepieces, which gives you one or two magnification options. I just ordered Hyperion 13mm and 21mm but I really like how sharp and crisp view is in plossl 40mm. Celestron - 1.25" Eyepiece and Filter Accessory Kit - 14 Piece Telescope Accessory Set - Plossl Telescope Eyepiece - Barlow Lens - Colored Filters - Moon Filter - Sturdy Metal Carry Case. The quality of a Plossl eyepiece completely depends on the brand and model, so be very careful in our selection. Then set your maximum based on your aperture and split it up. How important a consideration is this when deciding on an eyepiece? On many occasions, that will be too high power for the atmospheric conditions. Cheap to try, and if you don't like it, easy enough to sell also. You are talking about the technical details of how a Barlow works, and I agree. She has been looking at the sky for years and hopes to introduce more people to the wonderful hobby that is astronomy. Kellner eyepieces have 3 lenses cemented together and have a 35-50 degree field of view. At shorter focal lengths they have less eye relief, and at all focal lengths they have a narrower field of view, than newer types. The 21mm is simply amazing, I can't believe that TV decided to discontinue this little gem, it is better than the newer version in every category including eye comfort, the overall shape along with fit and finish is one of the best from TV. Are Plossl eyepieces any good? Optics manufacturers began selling and popularizing Plossl eyepieces, albeit with a generally simplified design where each achromatic doublet had the same focal length. Between $100 and $250, I will call it mid-range. Despite this, I also have some Plossls which are indispensable. However, i can read very well without my glasses with almost microscopic vision and can use my binoculars without glasses. Ideally, you want a minimum of three eyepieces for (1) low power (2) peak visual acuity and (3) high-power viewing. No price limit? Below 20 however, the eye relief makes it difficult for me and my glasses so Ive been replacing my 5-15 EPs with 82 degree EPs with more relief. To get the best performance, you have to be willing to pay the price. There are some very good choices in this range. You can do the calculation which will show that the 70 will have a significantly wider field of view as compared to the 52. Can you help me. But those EPs mentioned were all great too! I also really liked my E-Lux 32mm, a Kellner. In general terms, the higher the AFOV number, the more the eyepiece will cost. Plossls are available from many suppliers in a wide range of focal lengths in 1.25 and 2 sizes. Scott. Sooooo helpful! This is perfect for a 25mm Plossl (an extremely common standard) and downright luxurious with a 32mm Plossl, but when you get below about 12.5mm or 10mm, it can begin to get difficult to use. Other than the limited AFOV, which you are apparently fine with, and limited eye relief in the shorter focal lengths there is certainly no reason not to choose Plssls. The longer FL Plossls (>15mm) have some distinct advantages over more complex designs without the major disadvantage of Plossls which is short ER. And certainly, if you are getting into AP you are going to need that big budget. I saw Jupiter today and its 4 moons but when I looked at saturn I struggled to get a really clear image and it was very small. The Astrovid 40X60mm Zoom Telescope Camera Lens Kit is a great choice for those looking to get a variety of lenses, at different magnifications. The price ranges we show here are the typical prices. The Plossl is a good all-around eyepiece design, is well suited for generic use and is relatively inexpensive to make. Plossl eyepieces have an eye relief equal to about 80% of their focal length. It costs a lot to get that last 10% of performance. You mentioned regarding ORTHO eyepieces: Excellent specialty eyepieces, usually for planets. Ever since, I have been attempting to cram in every fact about the Universe, I can find into my head. Any exit pupil between 7 mm and .5 mm is just fine. New and used eyepieces + 2 diagonals - Updated We will talk more about the field of view later, but note that if you can use 2 eyepieces, you will typically only have one or two for very low power wide field views. Recall that your lowestpower eyepiece's exit pupil should not exceed 6mm. A decent barlow might cost as much or even more. NEW. Take the AFOV of the eyepiece (provided by the mfg) in your case 82 degrees The difference isnt that severe, and I often track more often than is strictly necessary to keep the object centered anyway. This is not a hard and fast rule, just a cautionary note. Etc.? https://telescopicwatch.com/?s=barlow, Best of luck with your new telescope. This is important to keep in mind because it means brands have to try really hard to one-up each other because the competition in a niche hobby such as astronomy can be fierce. The original design for Plossl eyepieces has existed since 1860. 8.5-ish mm (75x & 150x) Even when I upgraded to a 6mm Goldline, I kept the Kellner around because of pretty annoying kidney-bean blackout issues on the Moon with that eyepiece. Or we say that F10 would be easier or less demanding on the eyepiece than the F5. The magnification and field of view is the same as a 10 mm eyepiece (AFoV being unchanged) in a 600 mm telescope but the eye relief is that of a 30 mm eyepiece. Plossl eyepieces are often included in better telescope packages as the starter eyepieces. Between Kellners and Plossls, this means a 32mm Plossl, which maximizes the field of view in the 1.25 barrel diameter format, will show more stars than either a 32mm Kellner with the same magnification but a smaller true field of view, or a 40mm Kellner (or 40mm 1.25 Plossl, which has a 40 degree apparent field of view) with a lower magnification and the same true field of view. As the clear cut worlds best eyepiece manufacturer, their name should at least be mentioned in an article like this. If you are new around here and you want to get started with the hobby, check out our astronomy for beginners guide or the recommended gear page. Im also uncertain about what to expect from an additional investment? I think Id really enjoy a zoom for all the reasons you mention, But Im having a difficult time assessing how much weight to put on the field of view of given eyepieces. With a refractor, SCT or MCT, it is usually better to get a correct image diagonal than a correcting eyepiece. Heres the short answer Plossl eyepieces are generally better than Kellner eyepieces, but they also tend to be more expensive. If you are investing for the future, get the BH zoom. This has nothing to do with your scope or eyepiece. Well, I'll just say it. Their 50 to 52 degree AFOV is wide enough for general observing. Whether it is cars or telescope eyepieces, there are inexpensive ones, upgraded models, and very expensive ones. If you do not have your Hyperions yet I recommend you wait until you have these and try them out before you buy the Plossls. Although Kellner eyepieces will help you learn a lot in the beginning but soon will realize that youre missing out on something, and eventually you will be tempted to spend money on another good quality eyepiece. I already got the 10mm super wide because of the added eye relief but at 15mm both have the same eye relief. Plossl eyepieces have 4 lenses that are paired in two doublets. Do you need to have the best to enjoy astronomy? The Orthoscopic Plossl eyepiece is for those who are interested in performing close-up work on specimens up to three inches away from them and still get high magnification. Hello sir, thanks for your article its realy helpful. Many approach the quality of the premium brands. I would like to know what is best for a 7 year old that would be getting his first telescope. In 1860, Georg Simon Plossl invented the Plossl eyepiece. If you want a very good eyepiece with a bit wider field of view but are on a budget, these are very good choices. https://telescopicwatch.com/best-barlow-lens-and-how-to/, Celestron 8-24 Zoom Review A Televue Plssl may be better than a generic one, but the difference is probably not worth the additional cost. Thinking in a super ploss 32mm and maybe something between 9mm and 15mm . 1. They have good center sharpness but exhibit some field curvature and astigmatism. There is always more to learn but it helps if you go in with a good base understanding, and that was my goal. Yes, eyepieces is a large and complex topic. As said, they are cheap to compare. The ES is actually slightly cheaper than the Orion but my understanding from your reviews and replies is that ES might actually be the better eyepiece have I got that right? Thanks for your comment. We can see that 2 eyepieces have an advantage over 1.25 eyepieces when designers are making wide-view eyepieces. Know what diameter eyepieces your scope takes. This would definitely matter to observers who wear eyglasses when viewing. They have a 50-56 degrees field of view, better eye relief, and cost more than Kellners. Are Plossl eyepieces any good? - KnowledgeBurrow.com I think you will love it! So its best for use during duller times when there isnt much brightness visible. Glad you found it helpful. Why two sizes? Customer reviews Average Rating (16 Reviews): Write a Review and share your opinions! But for AP you should really start your planning with the mount. The larger barrel allows them to create an eyepiece with a higher AFOV. AP is all about the mount and accurate tracking. But some people demand the very best, and it is available, at a price. But with 2 eyepieces and a Barlow, you have the full effective range of your telescope. You can buy eyepieces specifically focused on a particular scope or you can buy eyepieces that you expect to use with this and all future scopes. Combining a cheap eyepiece with a cheap barlow isn't a elegant solution. If you are a glasses wearer and plan to keep your glasses on while you are observing, then you will likely want eyepieces with at least 17 mm of eye relief, and some glasses wearers prefer at least 20 mm. By default, expect a 40-degree field of view in a Kellner and a 50-52 degree field of view in a Plossl. Plossl vs Kellner Eyepieces: Which Is The Best? - The Big Bang Optics However, I have eyepieces with much smaller exit pupils and they work fine. Its made up of four lenses in two groups. Omni 6mm Eyepiece - 1.25" Learn More. However, Orion has managed to make one that is quite compatible with most styles of telescope. Over time, you may wish to add a specialty eyepiece here or there, but I would not make that a priority until you have filled out your magnification range. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Once we are done, they will make sense. I can recommend these with confidence. For astronomical observations, such as viewing craters on the moons surface from Earth, high-magnification models are preferred because they offer more detail. Plossl telescope eyepieces are the most popular type of eyepiece on the market. If there is a local club, I would suggest you visit and consider joining. A typical zoom eyepiece has a focal length range of 8 mm to 24 mm. But just because an eyepiece is 2 doesnt mean it has a wider field of view than one that is 1.25. When I started, I purchased less expensive eyepieces to learn about them and how I would use them. By the 1980s, amateur astronomy equipment suppliers were still selling new telescopes with Huygens and Ramsden eyepieces, not merely because they were cheap but because they lacked internal reflections. If you are on a strict budget, this is a good choice as a zoom eyepiece. It doesnt matter what type of telescope you have, as long as your scope takes these standard sizes. . very happy. Take a look at your manual or users guide. Orion Sirius Plossl 10mm telescope eyepiece 1.25" in very good to excellent 185794462395 https://telescopicwatch.com/orion-skyquest-xt8-intelliscope-review/. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our team of experts has reviewed and ranked 180+ telescopes based on price and quality. Best Telescope Eyepieces 2022 (TOP 7 Reviews) - Buyer's Guide This is your Lexus, Acura, and Infinity types that offer more features, better build, and a bit more polish. The Big Bang Optics is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. That is a wonderful expression. Best Telescopes For 10 Year Old Kids: Reviews and Buying Guide, The Complete Guide to the Planets You Can See With a Telescope, The Best Barlow Lenses: Reviews and Buying Guide. I agree. What is a Plossl Eyepiece and What's So Great About Them? I am going to use 6. I have since moved up to a 12 Dob but I use the same eyepieces and the BH Zoom continues to be my most used. Tele Vue has eyepieces that approach $1000. Kellner eyepieces were first designed by Carl Kellner in 1849. They also offer a generous 16 mm of eye relief which is most important in the shorter focal lengths. As we go along, I will refer back to these, so dont worry if you cant answer the questions or understand the formulas now. Again, it only costs $30 to $40 to find out, so the education is not that expensive. But, at least get the 32mm Plssl. And that is pretty much what Super Plossl are today. They also improve a bit when it comes to eye relief. THANK YOU x 12! I dont think so. The big problem with Plssls is that the eye relief is about 0.75 times the focal length. It all comes down to cost-benefit. I also just bought the Celestron Starsense 102mm refractor (650mm focal length, f/6.5) as a first scope for me and my kids. I consider the Plossl to be the minimum standard for a good eyepiece. It offers good color correction and high-contrast images. Remember that visual and AP have very different requirements, so plan on at least two different optical tubes. The 26 and 32 are usually the first ones I reach for. I often recommend the 2 in this series as excellent low-power wide view eyepieces, especially in scopes at focal ratios below F8. Note that as we get into the higher magnifications, the millimeter jumps between eyepiece focal lengths gets smaller. If your scope uses eyepieces that are closer to 1, then you have an old style .965 that is now obsolete. This means you will be able to see a greater expanse for the objects in space but with fewer magnification levels than Kellner or Plossl lenses. Most of Celestrons entry-level telescopes are sold with Kellners (and other cheap but reasonable-quality designs like RKEs or Konigs), whereas their more expensive SCTs tend to come with a single 25mm Plossl. You really understood the material. (Focal ratio is a term that refers to the telescopes focal length divided by its aperture. Be sure to read the following as you consider your eyepiece purchases. There is a little bit more to it than that and there are other design . Question: would it perform well with 1.5/2x and 3x Barlows? Many Kellners are made with field stops opened up to 50 degrees, in which case it can truly compare to a Plossl in any telescope with a focal ratio of f/6 or slower. If you plan to go longer than that you can get an AC adapter or a power tank. A standard Plossl eyepiece is typically between 20mm to 25mm but can range anywhere from 15mm up to about 40mm in diameter. Celestron 2026 Erecting Prism Barlow Lens Set is another great choice for those looking to get a variety of magnifications. Plssl eyepieces are good all-around performers, producing sharp images at the center of the field, but they have only four lens elements. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Plossl eyepiece is a four-element design consisting of two doublets. It also gives the widest possible exit pupil in my dob and SCT, very handy when using nebula filters. Now looking for a couple of decent eyepieces. 1200 mm FL scope / 10 mm FL eyepiece = 120X, 40 degree AFOV / 120X = .33 degrees (less than 1 full moon wide), 60 degree AFOV / 120X = .5 degree FOV (about one full moon with no space around it), 82 degree AFOV / 120X = .68 degree FOV (about one full moon with a star field around it to frame it). There is no shortage of accessories for the Nexstar series. This is a good thing, because normally the shorter the focal length of the eyepiece, the less eye relief you have. If you don't like the reflections, there really aren't many other budget options at its focal length beside a Plossl which will be super uncomfortable to use, or spending over $100 for something like a Meade UWA. It had one of the best fields, edge to edge, in my SCT that I've ever seen. In the case of the Celestron, you get all the focal lengths from 24 to 8mm in one eyepiece that costs $100. Those that still come with Huygens and Ramsdens are generally cheap and low quality, since practically the only reason to use those designs in modern times is that they are extremely cheap to manufacture. Some optics brands have taken the next step and launched some eyepieces they have labeled as Super Plossl.