Celestron X-Cel Lx 25mm Vs Celestron Lumino 23mm

[Geospacial]

Hi there.

Firstly I would like to thank Steve at First Light Optics for offering to send me the Celestron Luminos 23mm free of charge to test against the 25mm Celestron X-Cel Lx that I had already bought. It was a very generous and trusting offer, that I am very grateful for as I was unsure which EP I would get on best with.

Here is a link to a photo of the two, with their boxes, case (X-Cel only) and a can of lemonade for scale!!

I am not a very experienced amateur astronomer but I do enjoy it and have been thinking of investing in new EP's for a while. I use the term "invest" as I want to buy the best EP's that I can afford to get the most out of the telescope (a Skywatcher Explorer 150P) and therefore the night sky which will then increase my enjoyment. I am afraid my review of both EP's won't be full of the technical terminology used by the more experienced members of the forum, they will just be from an enthusiastic "newbie" that will say what he see's as he doesn't have the vocabulary (yet!!) for the more technical reviews.

I was originally interested in the X-Cel as it appears to be a good mid range EP that doesn't cost too much, has reasonable reviews, comes from a reputable company and I have the 12mm which I like. My eyes were turned when I looked at the Luminos and found that the price for the shorter focal lengths were not too much more than the X-Cel's, which led to my original thread asking for members thoughts on the two: http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/233767-celestron-luminos-eye-piece/ The longer focal lengths are more expensive whereas all the X-Cels are the same cost.

Celestron X-Cel Lx.

My first impression of the EP is that it is a well made piece of kit that is significantly bigger than my kit EP's. They come in an attractive black with metallic orange detailing and the focal length written in white on the side. There is a band of rubber round the middle to aid grip. If you rotate the rubber ring surrounding the eye end (I told you it wouldn't be technical!!) this pops up the eye cup. The eye relief is quite generous and I tested wearing my specs to check - no problems. The FOV is 60 degrees and it is a 6 element multi-coated lens. You also get a twist tube to store the EP in which is quite handy if you don't have a case for your equipment as it gives it some semblance of protection.

Looking through the EP is a nice experience. The view is crystal clear and significantly better than my stock 25mm. I chose the Pleiades and Orion to observe as I thought they would be good objects to utilise the the longer focal length and the wider fields of view.......and more importantly, I can easily find them!!! All the stars looked bright and sharp in the view. There was a very small amount of blurring to the edges, but i only noticed this because I was looking for things to write about. I doubt I would have noticed otherwise. You could definitely see the nebula in Orion and just make out the trapezium. The FOV is good, and again better than the stock eye piece. This, with the x30 mag in my scope, made a fantastic view of both objects. The EP's are par focal which means there should be little, if any focusing between different focal lengths. I checked this with my 12mm........and there was no need to touch the focus knob!! All in all, this is a very good EP for a tad under £60 (at FLO. A lot of places are selling for near £90, so a very good deal). I can't vouch for any other makes, but I would be extremely happy at owning these.

Celestron Luminos.

Firstly, this is a beast of an EP!! It's double the size of the X-Cel but it is a 2" rather than a 1.25" throat.......sorry for the wrong terminology!! God knows how big the 31mm is at over a kg!! It is significantly heavier and I was a bit worried about the balance of the scope. It comes in a chromed metal exterior with the focal length engraved into the body. There is a rubber strip round the middle that aids your grip, but when it is twisted the eye cup extends above the lens. The FOV on this is a massive 82 degrees and boy do you notice it. The mag in my scope is 32x and with the 82 degrees, gives an astounding view. One thing you don't get is a small case or bag to place the lens in. The box it comes in is equally big and not something you want to be lugging about. It would have been nice to have something to put the lens in for protection when taking outside if you don't own an EP and accessories case.

The first thing I did was make sure both the Re and dec clutches were tight. It's significantly heavier than my stock and the X-Cel. The scope, or rather the mount (an EQ3-2) handled it fine. I would be unsure about the 31mm. The view is crystal clear. I could see the nebular in Orion and could clearly see the stars that make up the trapezium. The cluster of the Pleiades was a joy to see as I was able to get a fantastically sharp view. There was probably at bit of blurring to the edges, but I was looking for things and I wouldn't notice it normally. With the eye cup up, viewing through the EP is extremely comfortable and allows you to properly view the full 82 degrees. I am not great in the art of star hopping but one of these beasts would be pretty useful as you can see so much........maybe too much?! These are also par focal too, but with no other Luminos to hand I couldn't check. I would be very confident in suggesting that as the X-Cels were, there wouldn't be a problem with these.

Conclusion

These are both excellent EP's in my opinion. I don't have much to go on due to lack of experience, but either of these would provide a significant upgrade and improvement to your kit. The deciding factor would be cost. FLO has the best price I have seen for both. I struggled to see the difference in viewing through both as they were both so good and a colossal improvement on what I have. I did feel that the views were ever so slightly sharper with the luminos. The fact I could see the trapezium in Orion slightly clearer in the luminos is probably due to the slightly higher magnification. However, what tipped it for me was the added bonus of the 82 degree in the luminos. I just got the feeling I was seeing a whole lot more and gave the view more of a wow factor.....which is what I want!! Although the build quality of the X-cel is extremely good, the luminos is better. It feels weightier and very well made and solid. You wouldn't want to drop it. Details like the focal length being engraved into the metal make it feel like a premium product (which it is) and I can't help but wonder it the lettering on the X-cels would rub off with continued use.

Which one will I be buying? It's been a tricky one to think about. Viewing wise, both are extremely good and in this respect the X-Cel is a fantastic piece of kit offering excellent value for money. Great viewing and great build quality. However, I will be buying the luminos as the viewing pleasure was just that bit more with the 82 degree FOV. And I really like the way it looks and feels. If Steve from FLO hadn't generously offered to lend me the luminos, I would have been more than happy with the X-cel. Great sales technique there Steve!! (I shall call you on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday to discuss).

I hope you find this review helpful if you are deciding between the two or looking to buy either.

Thanks again to Steve and the loan of the Luminos.....which I am now keeping!!!

Alistair

[John]

Excellent write up Alistair - thanks for posting it

[Geospacial]

Excellent write up Alistair - thanks for posting it

Thanks John!

[Ruud]

Thank you, Alistair!

Happy observing with your new eyepiece ... 

[jetstream]

Great report Alistair, the 23mm Luminos will compliment your scope well. It has a 37mm field stop dia- great for a finder EP and viewing large clusters, nebulae etc. I also find it sharp and I know it is good with an OIII. From dark skies I see the Veil no problem with this EP and using the OIII the nebula comes alive.

 The view with the 23mm on the Beehive, Double Cluster, Pleiades etc is a sight to behold. Congratulations.

[Chris]

Hi Alistair, Great review it was really well balanced and easy to read  

Can I just double check something? I got the impression you could see the whole of the 82 degrees without having to peer around the corner so to speak, is this true? The only let down of my ES82 is the eyerelief. The optics are top notch but you really are peering around a tight porthole unless you roll the rubber eyecup down, in which case your eyelashes bat the eyelens. 

I plan on reviewing the 10mm Luminos against the 11mm ES82 soon.

Again, great review and well done on getting it done so quickly!

[Geospacial]

Hi Alistair, Great review it was really well balanced and easy to read  

Can I just double check something? I got the impression you could see the whole of the 82 degrees without having to peer around the corner so to speak, is this true? The only let down of my ES82 is the eyerelief. The optics are top notch but you really are peering around a tight porthole unless you roll the rubber eyecup down, in which case your eyelashes bat the eyelens. 

That I will need to check!! I used it most of the time with the eyecup down. I don't recall my eye lashes catching the lense though. When I get another clear night I will update you.

I will look forward to your review!!

Thanks for everyone's comments.

Alistair

[John]

On the issue of being able to see the whole field of view with wide / ultra wide / hyper wide eyepieces, this varies a lot from person to person I've found. There was a recent thread on this on another forum and the responses were hugely varied. My conclusion is that, as well as the physical characteristics of the eyepiece, such as eye relief, eye cup design, eye lens shape and recessing, etc, it also depends a lot on the shape of our faces, noses, eye sockets etc. So this one really is going to vary person to person

[laudropb]

Great review. Thanks very much

[bingevader]

Super review, well done Alistair.

I had a feeling that when you looked through the 82° EP you might find it difficult to send back!

Chris, there're aren't many Luminos reviews, and they're a keen price for an 82° EP, it'll be good to get your thoughts on the 10mm.

[Geospacial]

Super review, well done Alistair.

I had a feeling that when you looked through the 82° EP you might find it difficult to send back!

Chris, there're aren't many Luminos reviews, and they're a keen price for an 82° EP, it'll be good to get your thoughts on the 10mm.

Thanks Ben......will be ordering a 7mm but having it delivered to work so the wife doesn't see!!

[Chris]

Chris, there're aren't many Luminos reviews, and they're a keen price for an 82° EP

My thoughts exactly Ben. They've had me curious for some time so I've put up a couple of wanted ads recently. If I don't have any luck I'll buy new in the name of science

[Damo636]

Nice review Alistair, some very useful info for prospective buyers, thanks for sharing.

[mdstuart]

Excellent review..now you just need to compare the view with a 100 deg FOV eyepiece..!

[Geospacial]

Excellent review..now you just need to compare the view with a 100 deg FOV eyepiece..!

I've seen the price of those bad boys!!

[A40farinagolf]

Alistair,

Thanks for the review and as an Axiom eyepiece owner I knew all along which one you'd decide to buy.

I don't have a full set but working on it - I have the 7mm, 19mm, 23mm and 31mm - only 10mm and 15mm to go.

The 31 makes the 23 look like a toy, balancing the scope can be an issue and needs to be correct to ensure that excessive loads are not exerted on the gear mechanisms.

Happy viewing.

M

[Geospacial]

Alistair,

Thanks for the review and as an Axiom eyepiece owner I knew all along which one you'd decide to buy.

I don't have a full set but working on it - I have the 7mm, 19mm, 23mm and 31mm - only 10mm and 15mm to go.

The 31 makes the 23 look like a toy, balancing the scope can be an issue and needs to be correct to ensure that excessive loads are not exerted on the gear mechanisms.

Happy viewing.

M

Thanks A40farinagolf.

I am really pleased with it and will slowly build up the collection......will be ordering the 7mm in the next few days. Fully understood about the 31mm. Weight wise it's more than double! I would be interested to see the 2 next to each other for comparison.

Cheers.

Al

[jeffmar]

It has been a month since the last posting on this thread. I was going to do a review on the Luminos 23 but since it has been done I thought I would put in my two cents. If you wear glasses and have astigmatisms this is not the eyepiece for you. It was sent as part of the package with my new Celestron Edge telescope. I really wish I could have negotiated a different eyepiece with more than 5mm? of eye relief. I was amazed how little there was considering it was a 23mm eyepiece. The images were good but it was like trying to get a panoramic view through a drinking straw. Just my take on it. 

[jeffmar]

I was thinking of other uses for the Luminos 23mm. Counterweight for my SCT, anchor for my rubber raft, shot put, paper weight, silver and black nicknack, lamp base, white elephant gift 

I am sure it is a very good eyepiece, just not for me.

[John]

If you wear glasses to observe you will find that the eye relief of many 82 degree and 100 degree eyepieces is too tight for you to take in the full field of view. The Luminos quotes a generous 20mm eye relief but the eye lens is i) concave and ii) recessed a bit below the lowest level of the eyecup so you loose a good chunk of that becuase eye relief is measured from the centre of the top surface of the eye lens.

[jeffmar]

It may have 20mm of eye relief from the center of the glass, though I am a little skeptical about that number, but you are right about it being recessed. It is good to know about the wide field eyepieces having never experienced them before. Thanks John. 

[John]

It may have 20mm of eye relief from the center of the glass, though I am a little skeptical about that number, but you are right about it being recessed. It is good to know about the wide field eyepieces having never experienced them before. Thanks John. 

Sometimes the quoted specs are a little optomistic !

[Stropper]

Thanks all for a great review and then subsequent thread. At one point I thought I may have a mistake in getting the XL EPs but then I read jeffmar's posts and as I am astigmatic I relaxed

This is what sgl is all about so once again thanks guys

[Geospacial]

Thanks all for a great review and then subsequent thread. At one point I thought I may have a mistake in getting the XL EPs but then I read jeffmar's posts and as I am astigmatic I relaxed

This is what sgl is all about so once again thanks guys

End of the day, I think it's all down to personal preference and what your eyes get on with - everyone's are different as can be seen from my experience and jeffmar's. You take out of a review what you want.

The XL's are a good piece of kit so enjoy!!

[k4kilo]

What adapter do I need to be able to use a 2” eyepiece in a 1.25” eyepiece holder?

Alistair, I have found your “Celestron X-Cel Lx 25mm Vs Celestron Luminos 23mm” review through a Google search and found the reading so useful that I have now signed up to the Lounge. I am very new to astronomy and recently bought Celestron Luminos 15mm eyepiece for my very entry level Skywatcher 130P Dobsonian  - and I instantly fell in love with it – mind you, my comparison are the 2 standard 10mm and 25mm pieces that came with my Skywatcher!
 
Ever since I have been considering getting another size from the Luminos collection. Having established that Luminos 31mm is very big and heavy and a Tele Vue 35mm Panoptic completely out of my price range with slim chance of ever getting it on eBay, I decided that 20mm odd sizes were the right answer for me and my telescope. And your review was exactly what I was looking for.

I am sold on Luminos 23mm but how exactly do I use it with a 1.25” eyepiece holder? After a lengthy Google search I seem to be none the wiser how to find the right adapter. What adapter do I need to be able to use a 2” eyepiece in a 1.25” holder?  What do you use in your 150P?
Thank you,
Kasia