Guess the Ethos Price!

[Clifford60]

Everyone can guess a different value but still can be a draw. Eg, One @ 650, the other @ 590 and the result is 620. I suggest the first one who guess the closest wins. So, give you guess the soonest give you a better chance.

[acc]

Wah you guys very paranoid hor can come up with all these different scenarios...

[denebman]

My guess: $399

But I won't buy it due to its tight eye relief (15mm on a concave eye lens) and too much AFOV, which may not be comfortable in use.

ps: When the eyelens is concave, 15 mm eye relief is not enough for me even without wearing glasses, which is the case when I was using Nagler T4/17 and T5/31 (though they boast longer eye relief); eye strain develops much easier on the one with "instadjust". However the problem varies on different individual, so my suggestion is to test it before you buy.

[Canopus Lim]

15mm is not tight if you do not use it with glasses; the Ethos allows the use of Dioptrx. Recently I bought the adaptor for Dioptrx for my 11 Nagler T6. The 'short' 12mm eye relief is sufficient for me to see the full field with the Dioptrx on. It worked very well and stars are real sharp (with the Dioptrx as my astigmatism is 100 percent corrected) and with the eyeguard design, it blocks out stray light and is more comfortable for resting my face than with glasses. That is one of the reason why I do not like to use glasses because it cannot make use of the eyeguard on the eyepiece; not to mention it is tiring trying to observe with one eye squinted the whole night with glasses on.

[Canopus Lim]

"ps: When the eyelens is concave, 15 mm eye relief is not enough for me even without wearing glasses, which is the case when I was using Nagler T4/17 and T5/31 (though they boast longer eye relief); eye strain develops much easier on the one with "instadjust". However the problem varies on different individual, so my suggestion is to test it before you buy."

I guess everybody is different. Having the 17T4, I find it easy to take in the entire huge field with my glasses on. I would remove the rubber eye guard on the 17T4 and so I have a choice to either use Dioptrx or my glasses. I would adjust 1 stop of the Instajust when I use my Dioptrx.

About 82 degree and not taking in, I think it depends on the individual. I never found it a problem taking in 82 degree, perhaps because I have use T6 Naglers for a few years and am 'well trained' in positioning my eye. I also have no problems using a 5mm ortho with 'pathetic' 4mm eye relief. Maybe those who use Naglers are better trained in eye placement and whatever eyepiece I use, I never have a problem. Also, it depends on the human biology. Some people can only concentrate a small field. I find quite a few people have 'tunnel vision'.. not really mean their eyes cannot see wide, it is just that when they look at one direction their concentration field is so small. I can just stand perhaps 20 degree off-axis to them and they cannot see me.

A 100 degree eyepiece will be different though. I think the field stop is so immense it becomes hard to ever see the edge. It probably will give a 'floating in space' sensation because it is not like looking through an eyepiece and seeing the field stop (hence knowing that you are looking through the eyepiece). I do not think I will buy it though as my guess is a US$500.. haa. However, the benefits of 100 degree eyepiece is really there. I feel that the magnification advantage far outweigh any difference in optical quality between similar focal length eyepieces. This is especially so in Singapore where we need to go at high magnification to see stars better. With a bigger field, it allows operating at a higher magnification. This really helps. Sadly many people do not see that as an advantage.

[denebman]

...perhaps because I have use T6 Naglers for a few years and am 'well trained' in positioning my eye. I also have no problems using a 5mm ortho with 'pathetic' 4mm eye relief. Maybe those who use Naglers are better trained in eye placement and whatever eyepiece I use, I never have a problem. ...I find quite a few people have 'tunnel vision'.. not really mean their eyes cannot see wide, it is just that when they look at one direction their concentration field is so small. I can just stand perhaps 20 degree off-axis to them and they cannot see me.

...However, the benefits of 100 degree eyepiece is really there. I feel that the magnification advantage far outweigh any difference in optical quality between similar focal length eyepieces. ... With a bigger field, it allows operating at a higher magnification. This really helps. Sadly many people do not see that as an advantage.

Don't really understand :?: Maybe we need some insight into ep designs.

[weixing]

Hi,

This is especially so in Singapore where we need to go at high magnification to see stars better. With a bigger field, it allows operating at a higher magnification. This really helps. Sadly many people do not see that as an advantage.

Yes, big AFoV at higher magnification do helps in observing object better. But everyone viewing habits is different and not all will need a 100 AFoV eyepiece. For example, a person may feel uncomfortable in viewing object at the edge of a 80++ degree eyepiece. In this case, his comfort observing maximum AFoV may be around 70 degree. As a result, he'll just need to get a 70 degree AFoV eyepiece. If he want the "In Space" effect, he can get an eyepiece with 80++ degree AFoV, but he'll still use AFoV 70 degree to frame the object. In this case, he don't need eyepiece with 100 AFoV and will be a waste of money if he get one since he won't be looking pass the 70 degree AFoV field.

Anyway, ultra/super wide angle eyepiece is good to have, but not necessary to have.

By the way, if you answer "Yes" in any of the below 2 questions, you probably don't need a 100 AFoV eyepiece:
1) You usually don't notice the edge of 80++ AFoV eyepiece.
2) A virtual test (from a website): Don't really do this. Imagine you hold the most expensive eyepiece that you own at arm's length and drop it on the floor... don't really do it, just pretend you are going to. Do you have a virtual heart attack, or experience virtual financial ruin??

Have a nice day.

[acc]

I hope that Televue will price the Ethos out of my reach!

[Canopus Lim]

"Yes, big AFoV at higher magnification do helps in observing object better. But everyone viewing habits is different and not all will need a 100 AFoV eyepiece. For example, a person may feel uncomfortable in viewing object at the edge of a 80++ degree eyepiece. In this case, his comfort observing maximum AFoV may be around 70 degree. As a result, he'll just need to get a 70 degree AFoV eyepiece. If he want the "In Space" effect, he can get an eyepiece with 80++ degree AFoV, but he'll still use AFoV 70 degree to frame the object. In this case, he don't need eyepiece with 100 AFoV and will be a waste of money if he get one since he won't be looking pass the 70 degree AFoV field.

Anyway, ultra/super wide angle eyepiece is good to have, but not necessary to have"

Yup what Weixing said is true. The 80++ AFOV eyepieces are not for everyone due to cost and ability to use the field. I was just saying the benefits that one could have if they own that 100 degree EP. For medium and low power, the benefits of 80++ AFOV eyepiece is there and I find the benefit good. For high power, the benefit of these kind of eyepieces are less due to limition of the atmosphere; but there are benefits for a non-tracking scope due to the larger field. That is why I own orthos for high power viewing too.

[aquillae]

I own a 3.5 T6 Nagler and I love its high power wide FOV, sharpness, and comfort. But when I'm in the mood for "extra crispy", I switch to my ortho