7mm Japanese Abbe Orthoscopic Eyepiece

[memoryman]

365 Astronomy are selling these for £88 + P&P.

Are they worth it as there are two Celestron Ortho 7mm EP's on sale on the UK Astronomy Buy & Sell website for *£25 & **£26 inc P&P.

I'm no expert, so they could be exactly the same EP, perhaps more knowledgeable people can enlighten me?   

* http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=73608

** http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=72969

Or (with my f4 scope) would I be better with a Celestron X-Cel LX 7mm?

http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=72515

[John]

£25 is a reasonable price for a used abbe orthoscopic although I feel that the "volcano top" ones are a little better than the Vixen made flat topped Celestrons linked to above. The ones that 365 Astronomy are listing at £88 are the "volcano top" type but the price is ridiculous I think as these can be bought for around £25 on the used market as well.

The Astro Hutech or Fujiyama orthoscopics are a bit better than any of the above but retail for around £79 each, new.

The orthoscopic design should work fine with your F/4 schmidt-newtonian. 

The Celestron X-Cel LX's are also good eyepieces, not quite so crisp as an abbe ortho perhaps but more comfortable to look through and with a wider field of view which has a lot to be said for it.

[alan potts]

It just goes to show that reading this and other forums is well worth while. John you really are very up to date especially with your orthoscopic knowledge.

Alan

[Pig]

I had set of Xcels and they all performed very well, I must add my scope was f10   I did use them occasionally on my brothers Skywatcher P200 and I never noticed any difference.

I have yet to buy an orthoscopic eyepiece, this will change soon I suspect

[John]

It just goes to show that reading this and other forums is well worth while. John you really are very up to date especially with your orthoscopic knowledge.

Alan

Thanks Alan. My Wife says I'm "...a mine of useless information..." 

[alan potts]

John,

I don't think she will find many on the SGL that would be in agreement with her.  I think I will look for a 5mm BGO and if I can't get one I will get a 5mm Hutech from FLO when I come over next year, I need to renew my passport ( I can send it to Germany for a new but but a visit is more fun ).

Alan