30mm Explore scientific bottom lens cap falls off ??

[spaceboy]

I have come across mention of similar problems with the bottom lens cap just falling off due to loose fit on other forums but wondered if this is the same for all ES30 82 owners or it is a possible tolerance issue at manufacture for different batches?? I even had new caps sent to me by ES but this too just falls off at the slightest jiggle

For those who are experiencing similar I found the solution to the problem by using the longer clear plastic cap that comes with Revelation / GSO 2" eyepieces which in truth I actually prefer over the more flexible rubber ones ES supply.

[alan potts]

Not really good enough is it? When all is said and done they are not a cheap eyepiece.

I tested a 14mm Meade Series 5000 Super Plossl a short while ago and that was the same, made by the same factory.

Alan

[spaceboy]

I agree and add to that all the talk of filter threads that don't thread you kind of get a feeling you've been short changed.

I wouldn't mind but the GSO cap fits like a glove which is funny as it is a tight squeeze on the Superviews. I think GSO and ES should have a chat as maybe they could help each other out 

[Mark in Macc]

Same on mine. I sourced some different caps. The ES caps are rubbish, the eyepieces are excellent.

[YKSE]

My wild guess is that ES' bottom caps are just the same as most other 1.25" or 2" bottom caps.

The issue is most likely caused by ES tapered barrel, which result in smaller than 1.25" or 2" at the bottom ends. In the mean time, ES are sourcing the caps from the same suppliers as before to keep the cost of caps down.

While there're observers cheer for ES no under-cut barrels, there're certainly some not as satisfied owners.

[jetstream]

My ES 30 82 cap fits well, no issues- except in the cold the bottom cap gets hard and very hard to get on. All my filters fit the barrel nicely, no problems. Maybe different caps on EU eyepieces?

[Dude_with_the_tube]

dont have any issues with my 30mm ES with cups or either filter threads,but i did had the issue with Ethos and hated the cup on that one.

[alan potts]

Spaceboy,

To save you reading the miles I wrote, it was not just a poor fit of the cap the sleeve was clearly smaller and there was play in the 1.25 inch reducer, and that was not a cheap one either. Clearly a case of moving goal posts.

Alan

[bingevader]

ES 82° 18mm, not tight, but doesn't fall off.

MV 82° 24mm, both fine.

My 2" UHC filter fits all my 2" EPs and adapter fine.

Worst culprits I have for loose caps?

All 3 of my TV plossls!

[russ.will]

After a couple of nights observing, I'm surprised that anybody knows which cap comes from what.

Russell

[Astro_Baby]

No probs with mine - the filter threads can be difficult though - some filters go on easy peasy - others not so well.  I think the fault seems to lie in some filters.  Most astro gear is not well sorted with respect to standards in my experience.

[John]

The ES 20mm / 100 had dust caps that seemed to fit OK. They were made of flexible material though and the field lens of the eyepiece is positioned right at the bottom end of the 2" barrel. The flex in the bottom end cap allowed it to press against, and mark, the outer surface of the field lens when the eyepiece is in it's box. Not good !

The 2" TV dust caps fit the 2" barrels fine but are not quite so snug when fitted to a raised rubber eyecup, which is how I use them. Fold the eyecup down and the dust cap fits much better.

[spaceboy]

dont have any issues with my 30mm ES with cups or either filter threads,but i did had the issue with Ethos and hated the cup on that one.

You must have been one of the lucky ones DWTT

This is why I thought there may have been a slip in QC. Maybe a change in supplier of some of the manufactured parts ??

I had a filter thread problem with mine. I managed to resolve it by carefully re-cutting and feathering the threads although it has to be said that not all of my 2" filters will thread. I'm aware of Damo636 pointing out issues with the 30mm ES http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/171317-27mm-panoptic-or-26-mm-nagler/page-2#entry1748164 and it has been mentioned on several other sites regards filters not threading properly onto 2" ES eyepieces http://www.cloudynights.com/topic/471783-30mm-es-82-or-31mm-nagler/ http://jaysastronomyobservingblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/explore-scientific-30mm-82-degree.html http://www.astronomyforum.net/telescope-eyepieces-forum/144727-es-18mm-

82deg.html and it seems to be a similar story with the lens cap. 

[spaceboy]

The ES 20mm / 100 had dust caps that seemed to fit OK. They were made of flexible material though and the field lens of the eyepiece is positioned right at the bottom end of the 2" barrel. The flex in the bottom end cap allowed it to press against, and mark, the outer surface of the field lens when the eyepiece is in it's box. Not good !

The 2" TV dust caps fit the 2" barrels fine but are not quite so snug when fitted to a raised rubber eyecup, which is how I use them. Fold the eyecup down and the dust cap fits much better.

This is another reason why I'm not a big fan of the rubber caps ES supply with their EP's. When you consider the price of some of these eyepieces you would think they'd do all the could to help protect the glass in them. All the talk of purged to protect the glass inside but come to the glass on the outside and they get sloppy with rubber lens caps that either flex or fall off altogether.