Any good planetary eyepiece to recommend?

Canopus Lim · Post by **Canopus Lim** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 11:28 pm

Hi guys,

I have been doing some 'research' on planetary eyepiece. I don't own a dedicated eyepiece for planetary and I guess my Celestron Ultima 7.5mm is the closest to what is called a planetary eyepiece.

Could you guys recommend an excellent planetary eyepiece that is of ok price (less than 100 usd or second hand)? I have heard that UO orthos are good but they have small field and small eye relief which means more shifting of the scope as I don't have tracking and also cleaning the eyepiece very often as my eye lashes will bound to touch it with eye relief of about 5 to 7mm.

Anyone of you guys used the Burgess/TMB designed 60 degree AFOV planetary eyepieces before and how does it compare with other planetary eyepieces?

I am looking for one in the range of 5 to 6mm focal length.

Thanks.

rlow · Post by **rlow** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 12:24 am

Well... for this weekend, I can bring along the UO orthos 5 & 6mm, the Burgess Planetary Series 6mm and Pentax 5.2mm XL for you to try, if you like.

Canopus Lim · Post by **Canopus Lim** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 12:34 am

Ok can! Thanks.

weehan · Post by **weehan** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 11:47 pm

YangBeng,

New owner of your XT8 here

. I called CheeChien to seek his advice regarding short FL EPs. His recommendation was the Burgess TMB Planetary EPs...I looked around and there were alot of rave reviews about them. 20mm eye relief with 60 deg FOV. The attraction is the price of USD99.

I might be getting one soon though Im looking at the Stratus and the Lanthanums....

Cheers

WeeHan

Post by **VinSnr** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 12:42 am

weehan wrote:YangBeng,

New owner of your XT8 here . I called CheeChien to seek his advice regarding short FL EPs. His recommendation was the Burgess TMB Planetary EPs...I looked around and there were alot of rave reviews about them. 20mm eye relief with 60 deg FOV. The attraction is the price of USD99.

I might be getting one soon though Im looking at the Stratus and the Lanthanums....

Cheers

WeeHan

Not exactly 20mm...around 15-16mm to be exact.

elton · Post by **elton** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 2:54 pm

YangBeng,

The orthos are nice but they are more suited for a tracking mount. The orthos' sweet spot does not extend to the edge of the field - it softens very slightly from about halfway out. That does not leave you with much of a sweet spot left. At that price point, the Burgess TMB probably is the best image quality/viewing comfort compromise. If you are willing to pay more, I would recommend : 5 Tak LE , 5 AP SPL, 5 XO, 5 radian (slight colour tinge but very sharp and comfortable)

Canopus Lim · Post by **Canopus Lim** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 1:31 pm

Hi guys,

Thanks for your recommendation. I was thinking of that so I managed to borrow one to test it out if it is suitable for my scope. Have to wait for good weather though. The 60 degree FOV and 16mm eye relief is something that is good for dobs. The price is good to for such specification.

weehan, are you going to buy that? If I find it good, maybe I can 'tumpang' in the purchase?

weehan · Post by **weehan** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 7:21 pm

Thanks VinSnr for your info.

No problem Yang Beng. Let me know about it's performance too! Hate blackouts and kidney beaning!

Cheers

WeeHan