Ascension eyepieces

[D Wright]

I am looking at some new eyepieces. There is a pair of Ascension 7.5 and 12.5 for sale for £40.00. Could anyone tell me if these are any good. I have an Orion 10" reflector at f4.9 and am not sure if these will be suitable for my scope.

[Mak the Night]

Are they these?

http://www.opticstar.com/Run/Astronomy/Astro-Accessories-Telescopes-Ascension.asp?p=0_10_5_1_1_2

I don't know anything about them, but they look OK for 40 quid.

[D Wright]

Yes that's them. I am looking at second hand ones and it is £40.00 for both so may be a bargain.

[Mak the Night]

I found this:

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/174046-ascension-2-swa-32mm-eyepiece-review/

[D Wright]

Interesting, but they are talking about the 2" low power eyepiece. the ones I am curious about are 1.25" and higher power.

[Mak the Night]

Well, for 20 quid apiece it might be worth just buying them and seeing if they work. I notice they have the older undercuts though and may be difficult to extract from anything with a compression ring.

[Mak the Night]

Well, for 20 quid apiece it might be worth just buying them and seeing if they work. I notice they have the older undercuts though and may be difficult to extract from anything with a compression ring.

[Ruud]

They look exactly like these by Kunming United Optics.

Wide angle 50 degrees 
6-elements include two elements crafted from special exotic glass 
Blackened lens edges 
Fully broadband multi-coating 
All models are parfocal

KUO make some very good eyepieces, but if these are among those I can't say.

[D Wright]

For £20.00 each including postage I might give them a try. If they don't work out I can always sell them again.

[Mak the Night]

1 hour ago, Ruud said:

They look exactly like these by Kunming United Optics.

Wide angle 50 degrees 
6-elements include two elements crafted from special exotic glass 
Blackened lens edges 
Fully broadband multi-coating 
All models are parfocal

KUO make some very good eyepieces, but if these are among those I can't say.

Good find! Kunming manufacture most of the binoviewers on the market today.

[John]

For £20 apiece they are fine but they won't be sharp in the outer 30% or so of the field of view in an F/4.9 scope. Nor are the Ascension 2" eyepieces for that matter.

But for low cost eyepieces they provide decent views.

 

[D Wright]

I am not sure whether to go for these or to go for a Vixen NPL 12mm for £40.00. I know this is a far superior eyepiece and will perform well in my scope.

[laudropb]

I would certainly go for the Vixen.

[Mak the Night]

To be honest, the Vixen sounds like the best choice.

[Highburymark]

The ascensions used to be sold in the US as Agena EDs, for about $60 each, so they're ok, but I go along with the advice to buy better quality if you can. One great eyepiece is better than two average ones.