University Optics 7mm Ortho

[paul mc c]

Just picked one of these up 2nd hand will look forward to trying it out and comparing it with my BGO's.

Does anyone have any experiance with them.

[John]

Yes I have owned them. They do two types - the "volcano" top design and the flat topped "HD" design. The former is the same as the Circle-T classic orthos sold by Lyra Optics (and others I guess) and the HD ones look more or less identical to the Baader Genuine Orthos and perform identically as well.

Both types are excellent examples of the orthoscopic design. The HD's show a little less light scatter than the "volcano tops" and have slightly better lens coatings.

[Damo636]

I have owned the 7 & 9mm and found them excellent, superb planetary ep's for very little £££s. If I had a driven scope I would buy a whole set of these.

[AndyH]

I've had various company badged, volcano topped and flat topped versions, in the 7mm size. All superb !!

Enjoy !!

[paul mc c]

Its the volcano toped version with the smooth barrel and is mint condition,hopefully i will get a look at Jupiter tonight,sky is looking good here .

[AndyH]

Nice.

I had the full set (4-25mm) of U.O. badged, smooth barrelled, volcano toppers. Why I sold them all, still rankles

Eejit.

[nightfisher]

At the peak star party, a good friend had his 6" orion dob set viewing Jupiter, with a 7mm BGO, so i suggested trying my 7mm circle T volcano top along side, head to head, the view in both ep`s were superb, but we both felt the BGO had a very slight edge, mainly a bit more light transmission, you will enjoy your 7mm, they are very good

[Moonshane]

I had the UO 9mm before the BGO I got to replace it, which I then sold to you and then replaced when I missed it! the quality is excellent and almost imperceptibly as good as the BGOs. I am just slightly obsessive about 'same'.

[paul mc c]

I am thinking it would substitute for a 7mm BGO as i probably wont be able to get one,the 9mm BGO is excellent as you know Shane and the 6mm i have also excellent but needs excellent seeing to git the best out of it,so i think the 7mm will will be just right for that bit extra power on planets.

[cs1cjc]

I see that Scientific Mirrors are still listing a single Antares 7mm Ortho, which is remarkably similar to the BGO.

http://www.scientificmirrors.co.uk/pricelists.html

[paul mc c]

There is 7mm Antares ortho on ebay at the minute.

[AndyH]

Yeah, I had the Antares flat topped 7 & 9. Couldn't tell the difference between it and the U.O. versions. ie: same 'piece, different branding.

All in all, orthos, no matter their shape etc are corking high power units. An ancient, but affordable design but one that continues to work.

Hail. All hail to the Ortho

:grin:

Andy.

[nightfisher]

since the circle T ortho`s are going out of production, i have ordered the 9mm kk from lyra, so i will have the 7mm 9mm 12.5mm and 25mm kk`s and 18mm BGO, i feel that pretty much covers my ortho habit

[paul mc c]

I forgot about this topic,having used my U.O. ortho it is an excellent planetary eyepiece,not as must contrast as the BGO but just as sharp and will only replace it with a 7mm BGO if one comes along.