EP for 8" SCT as good as my old axiom 40mm

[Zeffer]

I used to own a 40mm Axiom EP. Loved it and wish I had never sold it. Great views of double cluster, stunning nebulae. Etc.

I just need something with a similar performance and wide view. Been pointed towards Maxvision. Can't find reviews. Seems wide enough but is it as sharp?

I know the Axiom wasn't the best ever, but I want something at least as good. Recommendations greatly appreciated!

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I do not have the 40mm but the 24 is very sharp at F/10 (and even in my F/6 scope). The 40mm should have a performance similar to the Meade Series 5000 SWA, which had a very decent rep. The Vixen LVW 42mm is very good but not cheap, and the TMB Paragon 40mm was also great (sold it, regret that now, I preferred its comfort to that of the LVW 42 I now have, even though they are well matched optically). The SW Aero 40mm is apperently a clone. The Paragon/Aeros are much lighter than most in their class, which can be handy.

[Chris]

Hi, I've owned all the Maxvision's apart from the 34mm and the optics are very well controlled right down to f/5 ish, really excellent for the money.

I did an unboxing thread for the 40mm because I thought it was hilarious how big it was!

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/225642-maxvision-40mm-unboxing-or-should-i-say-lenzilla/

They are basically rebadged Meade 5K SWA's at a fraction of the price! I sometimes kick myself for selling them, I especially miss the 28mm and the 24mm.

[YKSE]

Ithe TMB Paragon 40mm was also great (sold it, regret that now,

That's one of few misstakes Michael made which he has mentioned many times  I have the 40mm Skywatcher Aero, and I'm not going to repeat Michael's misstake

[John]

Are we talking about the old Japanese 70 degree AFoV Axiom (part of the Ultima range) or the newer Chinese Axiom LX 82 degree AFoV eyepieces ?

I've recently owned an example of the former and, while very nicely put together, it showed quite a lot of astigmatism even in my F/7.5 ED120 refractor. The Aero ED 40 or Maxvision 40 would beat it on that front, I'm sure.

[alan potts]

I owned the Meade 40mm SWA for a good while and like always wish I had kept hold of it. I did a review on the Meade 40mm and the 41mm Panoptic which is deep in the Members Equipment section.

It is a very good eyepiece at F10 and does not vignette where as the TeleVue does on the exact same scope. Maxvision are the Meade S5000 range with a different neck tie, there is no reason I have seen to believe they are any different. Careful though they are very heavy and you could have balance issues on a smaller scope than mine, the buying of this eyepiece was followed by a balance system.

Alan

[Zeffer]

Thanks for replies - it is the older one I am referring to so, John, you have made me feel much better that I would be able to replicate those gorgeous views and maybe even exceed them.

The two affordable options seem to be the Aero and Maxvision - how do they compare?  Also, would I need to balance my scope with either of them?

[alan potts]

I had the US version of the 40mm Aero, Titan 2 or something like from Astro Tech. It was a nice eyepiece, much lighter than a SWA Meade and not much between them. I thought it was really soft at the edge but have since found it was me being soft in the head, the scope needed collimatin, let it go for next to nothing.

That will serve you well and I would say no need to worry about balance problems.

Alan

[russ.will]

I have the 40mm Maxvision SWA and in my 8" LX200R, it is absolutely lovely. Pin sharp, edge to edge.

Theoretically, there should be some vignetting from the 38mm exit aperture of the 8" LX200 serving the 47mm (?) field stop of the SWA, but try as I might, I can't see it at night. It should also be a bit of a balance issue, but the 8" LX200 is massively over-mounted and by deliberately using a heavy dew shield (it's not like the ES100s or binoviewer are light either) to counteract this, I've not run into any issues with the scope becoming tail heavy.

Russell

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I have had no real balance issues with my C8 and the Nagler 31T5 "Panzerfaust", so I guess the MV40 should be OK.

[Zeffer]

Thank you. I have the Maxvision on its way from FLO. Since it should be better than my beloved Axiom, I am in for my best views ever.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Some of the best views of Markarian's Chain were with the Paragon 40 and LVW 42. The MV40 should be great on that as well.

[Zeffer]

It arrived today and is absolutely huge! Need my diagonal to arrive and clear skies now.