LDW1

I just received my 30mm Celestron Ultima Edge and it is by far the heaviest ep that I own, the only others that I used to own were my several Celestron Omni's that I got rid of because of the weight factor. I hope this one functions better than they ?I think it will because I didn't think much of the Omni's, no offense to other owners though. A few good nites will tell the tale !

This Celestron dielectric is an excellent performer but its on the expensive side.

Thats your eyes doing the brushing but maybe not the OP's and in -15C they are silky smooth but many are too afraid to tighten them down a bit for fear of marking the barrel. I have owned about 7-8 zooms and not one has been resistent to easy turning. It appeared the OP wanted options all I did was give them a good one.

Relaxed ? Throw in the cost comparison along with a relaxed view, to my eyes the views in any of mine are great. What does relaxed mean, not having to squint or blink or what ? Sometimes they make me so relaxed that I almost fall asleep zooming in and out without having to change eps, lol ! Now thats relaxed !

Most times I use an Svbony 10-30 zoom in my 90mm, f5.5 WL scope and Herschal Wedge in conjunction with a #56-58 green filter sometimes. On a real bright condition I also use a variable polarizing filter quite often. Play around, mix and match its fun / enjoyable.

Try one of the Svbony zooms for a bit of fun, a change of pace at a great price, I have 3 that I play with and I love them with solar viewing.

Something else you may want to try for a change of pace is the 7.2 - 21.6 Svbony zoom or similar for a pretty decent price and the FOV is a bit wider than most. I have 3 Svbony zooms and the Baader Hyperion Mark IV, I use them a lot in my ha and WL solar viewing, the Svbonys are every bit as good as the Baader for a lot less $'s, for just occasional use.

There is no duty on astro gear from any where incl. China, we just have to pay sales tax on the accessed Canadian value.

My refractors are f5.4, f5.5, f8.4 and f11.4 and my additional former scopes were f6.25 and f6.6, my 6 Hyperions performed great in all of them but I quickly changed to 4 Morpheus and kept a couple of the lower powered Hyps. The Morphs are just that much higher in performance and TFOV. I owned a couple of 82° and a 100° eps but they were just too wide for my liking. I also am playing with a couple of Celestron Ultima Edge eps ( 31-15mm ) and they are a couple of great performers as well and my Pan 24 is a keeper. So unless you are a picky perfectionist I think you will be satisfied with the Hyperions vs their cost. Don't let the so called experts dazzle you with high priced numbers that your eyeballs will never detect or care about because you can't control the quality of the nite skies, the seeing on those clear nights. Good Luck !

My career was in the transportation engineering industry and I have been fully retired for 14 years but back then it was always recognized that Canadian wages ranged between 25-35% above US but taxes at all levels and benefits costs were considered alot higher which added to the math. As well and as you know exchange rates change constantly which constantly change the comparative $#'s. It goes from above par occasionally to 40% below occasionally so figure out the math. But as far as worker compensations it was always accepted that they were considerably higher up here, most times but then add in the 10x more population, in the US, to draw from in purchasing power and it ........... ! It all combines as to why canadian prices on everything is so much higher but I still order a lot of high priced stuff fromm the US due to availability mainly and I am happy if I just break even cost wise most times. The idea that you can get the item when you want it has to be worth something and thats where the US comes in many times and now China is coming on strong, lol !

I have the 17.5 Morph and the 12.5 Morph so I decided to try the 15 Ultima because I had been researching them and also it was exactly half way between the 2 Morphs. Its the way I am, always looking to try new astro gear, money isn't the issue all the time, if I don't like the whatever I either resell or give it to whom ever. Its part of the challenge, my enjoyment, the learning experience. It makes my day !

I know one thing for sure if it is anything like my 15mm Ultima Edge's performance you will like it ! And I am using it in amoungst my various Morpheus eps (4) with my various quality refractors. I am looking forward to comparing.

I know one thing, I didn't mix anything, it just happens I am in the process of buying a 30mm Ultima Edge and selling my 31mm Hyperion so I have been comparing prices, regular dealer prices across Canada. I will stick with the $100 spread for various reasons. What is this challenging, its here plain and simple based on my original post.

First of all note that I mentioned here in C ( Canada ), prices compared to the US are quite different, always was. Secondly, over the ocean it could very well be a similar spread, if available. Take it any way you want as long as apples aren't oranges !

MSRP was mentioned as a comparison not the occasional, short lasting sale price(s). I stand by what I said about regular dealers prices which we all know is usually lower than MSRP here in C and thats over a broad range of dealers ! If you want to talk sale prices it can be all over the place, make up your minds.

The difference between the 31mm Hyperion $280 C and the 30mm Ultima Edge $380 C, is $100 C +/-. A bit more than similar over here in C.

Anxious to hear your findings !

Thats what happened to my post above,I don't know how to delete the last pic.

I shouldn't show this one but I will, its my mid 1959 60mm Tasco Model 304, f15 a forrunner of all the 60's and newer models. I can use 1.25" eps as well.

My Svbony 48P achro, f5.5 with a 2", 2 speed focuser, retractable dew shield, all for $340 C does not look or perform or feel like a cheap scope. Wih my Morpheus eyepieces or my several Svbony zooms the views on dsos are pinpoint right to the edge and the planets are as they should be. Some achros perform like apos, many times for a lot less $'s. Its an up and coming steal !

At age 75 I don't have to boast any more !

Sorry, I misread the intent ! Not boastful as I really do enjoy the great views in my Svbony 48P, Vixen A62SS and my pre 1995 Celestron C80 refractors as much.

My NP101 is a lot of fun as well ! Great views.

Almost all of the initial reviews / comments about that zoom are positive, on CN, even from the historical doubters ! How many do you mean by 'lots and lots of .....' ?

I don't think, due to the high powers obtained, that it will perform very well in a Travel 70 but I could be wrong !