The ultimate 2" eyepiece for my Tak 100?

[osbourne one-nil]

...but it's my money! My wife doesn't work...well, she does but only as a teacher so it doesn't really count (joke?!)

Oh go on then!

[Mark in Macc]

The ES equivalents are damn good eyepieces. You wouldn't really be compromising if you went down that road. There are a number of positive reviews available.

[alan potts]

I did a review of the Meade 30mm and the 31mm but sadly then my notes were handed to me by my son to help start the wood burner, in the dim light I didn't notice, also notes of 4 other tests. Now I record note, I'm not likely to throw a machine in to start a fire.

That was about 16 hours work down the pan, If I recall the edge was better on the Nagler was also showing greater edge of field distortion. The 30 mm Meade was a little softer in faster scopes (F5.26) at the edge but a close second on axis, all in all a nice eyepiece.

My advice would be if you like quality and can get a secondhand Nagler, do so if not buy the 30mm Meade of ExSc.

Hope this helps,

Alan

[osbourne one-nil]

Thanks - it'll only be used in my f7.4 Tak so I don't think a lot's going to be asked of whichever eyepiece I choose in those terms. 

The weight of the ES 30mm (and the Nagler 31mm), is half as much again as the Panoptic though, but at the low magnification they give, I don't think it will be a problem. Instead of filling it with Nitrogen why don't ES fill it with Helium? Idiots. 

[John]

I think using the term "ultimate" in the thread title tends to lead to talk of Tele Vue or Pentax

Sometimes even Zeiss, Nikon, Takahashi or Leica.

There are a number of alternatives that are very nearly as good, especially in slower scopes.

[Mark in Macc]

You must really rate the ES eyepieces John, as you mentioned them as alternative 'ultimate' eyepieces.

[osbourne one-nil]

I think using the term "ultimate" in the thread title tends to lead to talk of Tele Vue or Pentax

Good point. I also suspect a lot depends on the person using it and how the observe. I tend not to look critically at the view trying to find faults so perhaps the small percentage increase in performance of a Televue isn't good value for money for me. 

[Liquid360]

I have an FSQ106 I've used a bit for visual. Thus far I've only used two EPs, a ES100 20mm and an Ethos 13mm. The Ethos is such a wicked good EP I have a difficult time imagining a better one. Had I purchased anything less it would've meant compromise, the destroyer of dreams [emoji6]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[osbourne one-nil]

I'm being emotionally blackmailed into buying a Nagler. This is exactly what I wanted to happen. 

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I'm being emotionally blackmailed into buying a Nagler. This is exactly what I wanted to happen.

Glad to be of service

[alan potts]

Osbourne,

No blackmail going on from me, I am talking from a positon of having owned all the eyepieces you talk of and the same as suggested second level in the shape of 30mm meade Series 5000 and as pointed out in your scope even i would be hard pressed to call it names. I am rather assuming the ExSc is exactly the same, something we can never be absolutely sure of, but it is going to be very close with only coatings being different, maybe. There is no real evidence I have seen to say one is better than the other.

For me my advice stands if a S/H Nagler drops by and you really feel you want an eyepiece that goes to eleven, then buy it, if not the 30mm ExSc will be great for you and I am sure you will be happy.

Alan

[estwing]

I'm being emotionally blackmailed into buying a Nagler. This is exactly what I wanted to happen.

i felt the same way about the ethos range...great at spending other people's money aren't we!!!

[damnut]

To go with that lovely scope, it should be an orbinar 30mm plossl. That should bring the view back to normal levels:-) ..

[faulksy]

That's my wife for you; she says she doesn't regret a single day since we met...without ever specifying which day that was. 

Looking good for a Nagler then. Guess I might need a 2" Deep Sky Filter for those objects too?

has she got a sister

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I'm being emotionally blackmailed into buying a Nagler. This is exactly what I wanted to happen. 

Heads up for a secondhand 31T5!!

http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=96322

[osbourne one-nil]

Thank you!!!

[mikeDnight]

A 40mm Burgess TMB Paragon is incredibly light weight and as pure as the driven snow. At 70° AF it would give X18.5, a 3.8° true field and an exit pupil of 5.4mm. It would give a brighter sky background than the 31 Nagler but at a fraction of the weight. The 31 Nagler weighing one third as much as the FC 100 could cause some balance issues.

On the other hand, the 20mm Nagler gives a truly dark sky background, tak sharp to the edge and is great for fuzzy finding.

Mike :-)

[osbourne one-nil]

Thanks Mike - don't think they're available any more, unless a used one crops up of course. I don't think balance will be an issue as the Porta Mount is pretty stiff and I do have a fair bit of adjustment along its dovetail, but we shall see....I've enquired about the Nagler, but something in the back of my mind says it's too good to be true. 

[John]

The Skywatcher Aero ED have the same optics that the TMB Paragon used I believe. They are nice, and light, 2" eyepieces as Mike says.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I had the TMB Paragon 40mm (my first premium EP). Lovely piece of kit. Very comfortable. When I got the 31T5 it fell into disuse so I sold it. I later regretted it, and got an LVW 42. Also good, but the Paragon has the edge in terms of comfort.

[osbourne one-nil]

Well, for the price and considering it's brand new, I've taken the Nagler...I asked why he was selling it and it's because he'd bought a 21mm Ethos. Hmmmmm....should I?