vixen slv

[AlexB67]

I was out using it again last night, and I did find myself thinking about how comfortable it was to use! I sit to observe, could that be a factor? I'm not saying the Delos isn't much better on that front - I've never used one - but I didn't find it bad at all.

And I got much the same results as before - the 5mm showed a bit more detail, but I think that was just magnification, the 6mm seemed much better, crisper and cleaner and I don't think that was just focal length. I'd love to have the 5mm to do a direct comparison.

And you're right about it being about what you're using it for - for me, this was a purchase for a x200 planetary eyepiece. Still, maybe one day, when I win the lottery - Delos.

I know how you feel.  It  is very hard to compare a 5mm and a 6mm, I have this dilemma with the BGO 5mm and the TV Radian 6mm, I've used  both now for a while on planets like Jupiter, Mars, the moon, and still I cant decide is one better or worse, they are different that's for sure. 

In the 130p I felt it was edging as my preferred eyepiece, could be that jump form 108 to 130 and seeing not limiting things and also at that mag you actually still have quite a bit of FOV as well even in an ortho. I've used it more in the 10 inch now though, and really so far it has come down to what works on the night as my preferred weapon of choice.  That said I feel the Radian is etching it though for the simple reason that pretty much does everything the BGO does in a nice wider FOV that works with big eye relief to boot, and  works all the way across, and I prefer the character of the Radian in some ways with that slightly warmer tone on planets, but that is purely a preference. I felt on axis the BGO was etching it if ever so slightly on good nights of seeing for example in Jupiter for out an out detail, but this was very rare and I can't be certain, but on the whole preferred the Radian most nights.

The moon in particular I feel the BGO is more usually the weapon of choice, but than last night that was hard to split, though I do feel these BGO are really good for lunar, with their  whiter than white rendition where the Radian is a tiny tad warmer and despite the mag difference it holds that crisp image and is just about as crisp to my eyes as the Radian at the lower mag. 

In the end I really can't say for sure with confidence and if someone asked me next year I may have a better idea after many more sessions   

The only way to get a better idea would be to pitch my 6mm Radian against a 6mm BGO, but I ain't ever buying one to find out as I love the Radian 6mm. Perhaps one day at a party someone has a 6mm BGO I can try to compare for the fun of it.    As much I like comparing eyepieces, but not enough that I would go out and by two in the same focal length to find out, unless, like you I win the lottery one day.

[Paul73]

6mm SLV it is! (But I'll still hanker after a collection full of Ethos/Delos)

[John]

.....In the end I really can't say for sure with confidence and if someone asked me next year I may have a better idea after many more sessions   

The only way to get a better idea would be to pitch my 6mm Radian against a 6mm BGO, but I ain't ever buying one to find out as I love the Radian 6mm. Perhaps one day at a party someone has a 6mm BGO I can try to compare for the fun of it.    As much I like comparing eyepieces, but not enough that I would go out and by two in the same focal length to find out, unless, like you I win the lottery one day.

I've ended up keeping an ortho or two in my eyepiece case because sometimes they are just what is called for. Other times my wide angles do the job very well. Sometimes it just depends what mood I'm in which I use !

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

The only orthos that worked for me were 25mm types. The shorter ones are impossible to use with glasses.

[AlexB67]

I've ended up keeping an ortho or two in my eyepiece case because sometimes they are just what is called for. Other times my wide angles do the job very well. Sometimes it just depends what mood I'm in which I use !

I'll be keeping the ortho for sure and will be a sort of in the specialist case I feel in the longer term for situations when called for, a 5mm Radian would be welcome as a more regular workhorse in the long run for me, or something longer eye relief or as you say if in the mood.  I do love the BGO optically, but something I did not mention, with the 5mm  they get dirty quite quickly I find with the eye being so close. It is almost ready for another wipe I think. The long eye relief ones stay sparkling clean in my case for much longer. 

Sorry for the OT, it was about SLVs, oh to get it back to topic, may be I should get that 5mm SLV at some point

[Stu]

I have a nice set of Orthos (BGO and Hutech) and TV Plossls which gives me a great portable option in one case. I have a 3 to 6 Nag zoom in there aswell to cover all bases in my refractors.

I must say, I wasn't using them that much, but since getting the Vixen I have really been enjoying them. I've just ordered a 5mm Hutech to (sort of) cover the gap left by my XW, but in theory this will also be covered by the Leica with VIP Barlow.

Anyway, enough rambling. My point? Just that since getting the Atlux mount, I have found using the narrow afov Orthos much easier, I am able to get into a comfortable position relative to the eyepiece and really enjoy the view. There is something very nice about the star shapes, very white image, contrast and scatter control which I like very much.

Stu

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Stu]

I'll be keeping the ortho for sure and will be a sort of in the specialist case I feel in the longer term for situations when called for, a 5mm Radian would be welcome as a more regular workhorse in the long run for me, or something longer eye relief or as you say if in the mood. I do love the BGO optically, but something I did not mention, with the 5mm they get dirty quite quickly I find with the eye being so close. It is almost ready for another wipe I think. The long eye relief ones stay sparkling clean in my case for much longer.

Sorry for the OT, it was about SLVs, oh to get it back to topic, may be I should get that 5mm SLV at some point

Alex, I shall blame you (if I may), for tempting me off topic too, and apologise to the OP :-).

Cheers,

Stu

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[AlexB67]

That's fine Stu. how could I possibly argue with anything you say after what I'll be receiving in the post from you

[Mark at Beaufort]

Interesting report Andy. We also tried the 6mm SLV at SGL9 but did not have very long with it before switching targets to dodge the clouds !.

It seemed to do a pretty nice job on Jupiter but I've got to give more scope time and some more competition before reaching any firm conclusions. Seems a promising design though.

I was fortunate to undertake some observing with John at SGL9. I tried the SLV 6mm on John's 12" Orion Dob and the view of Jupiter and the GRS was very good indeed. We switched to his TeleVue Ethos and yes I thought that the contrast was slightly better in the Ethos but it was pretty close. The FOV in the 6mm SLV was sharp across the whole field and I liked the feel of the EP.

I look forward to John's more detailed review which I know will be comprehensive.

[alan potts]

They sound very good eyepieces, reading a report from seasoned folk like you two that it was sharp across the whole FOV, I know John's fine scope is not the fastest on earth but still a good report for a 100 quid eyepiece.

Alan.

[BrixtonAstronomer]

I've got the older version - the NLV 9mm. Has anyone who has tried both SLV and NLV say whether there are any differences betweent the older and newer models? I notice that the SLVs are now made in China rather than Japan.