Incoming!

[Stu]

I have been on a fairly strict policy of austerity over the past few years with more kit going than coming. I have somehow managed to cling onto my favourite scope, but it has been touch and go at times.

I finally seem to be emerging from this, and having been without any nice 2" eyepieces for a number of years, I've just opted back in with a 30mm 82 degree Explore Scientific and a 20mm 100 degree Lunt/APM.

I enjoyed using the 30mm ES before when I had one, and the APM decision was driven one by price ie significantly cheaper than the 20mm ES equivalent, but also reputation which seems pretty good.

Hopefully these two should arrive on the next few days, and I will be away camping fairly soon somewhere fairly dark so I am looking forward to getting my fill of NAN, Veil and Southern treasures .

[dweller25]

Just being nosey - What is your favourite scope ? ??

[Pig]

Nice one Stu ? Great choice of sky coverage between them

[Stu]

21 minutes ago, dweller25 said:

Just being nosey - What is your favourite scope ? ??

[Stu]

26 minutes ago, Pig said:

Nice one Stu ? Great choice of sky coverage between them

Thanks Shaun. At some point I need something down around the 12 or 13mm area but that can wait for a little while.

[Special K]

Nice choices Stu!  That 30mm ES is a chunky outfit and sure to give a good view on those massive nebula.  I really enjoy using my ES 8.8. 

Theres something special about a 2" EP in hand!!!  Enjoy the camping and clear skies

[Stu]

5 minutes ago, Special K said:

Nice choices Stu!  That 30mm ES is a chunky outfit and sure to give a good view on those massive nebula.  I really enjoy using my ES 8.8. 

Theres something special about a 2" EP in hand!!!  Enjoy the camping and clear skies

Thank you

I know the field of view is only a little bigger, but I do like the max fov, plus the extra exit pupil is useful for OIII/UHC filtered views.

[Special K]

14 minutes ago, Stu said:

Thank you

I know the field of view is only a little bigger, but I do like the max fov, plus the extra exit pupil is useful for OIII/UHC filtered views.

I totally agree: maximize surface brightness in the wide fields so they give enough punch even through a filter.  What has backfired on me from time to time is when using the 31mm under bright light pollution as the background is too bright, but that's unavoidable. 

[dweller25]

1 hour ago, Stu said:

?

[rwilkey]

Hi Stu, you will love the 30mm 82 degree ES, such a large flat field it gives an incredible vista.  Though I haven't had a proper opportunity to use it yet, I wonder if it will be eclipsed by my recent purchase of a 35mm Panoptic - it will be interesting to see!

[Stu]

6 hours ago, rwilkey said:

Hi Stu, you will love the 30mm 82 degree ES, such a large flat field it gives an incredible vista.  Though I haven't had a proper opportunity to use it yet, I wonder if it will be eclipsed by my recent purchase of a 35mm Panoptic - it will be interesting to see!

Thank you  

I have used one before and did enjoy it, not sure vs the Panoptic. In theory the larger Exit pupil of the 35mm may have advantages for filtered views, but the 31mm may be better unfiltered or under a bit more LP??

Annoyingly the 20mm looks like it won’t ship in time from the UK. Anyone know what the shipping time from APM is, can they get it to me by Friday if I order tomorrow am? Will call them anyway to check.

[Littleguy80]

10 minutes ago, Stu said:

Thank you  

I have used one before and did enjoy it, not sure vs the Panoptic. In theory the larger Exit pupil of the 35mm may have advantages for filtered views, but the 31mm may be better unfiltered or under a bit more LP??

Annoyingly the 20mm looks like it won’t ship in time from the UK. Anyone know what the shipping time from APM is, can they get it to me by Friday if I order tomorrow am? Will call them anyway to check.

When I ordered the 9mm and 20mm, the order was placed on the 16tg April, dispatched same day and arrived on the 19th April via DPD. Not sure if they offer a faster service than that. Shipping was 17 Euros on that. Are you staying somewhere that you could have it shipped to? 

[Stu]

7 minutes ago, Littleguy80 said:

When I ordered the 9mm and 20mm, the order was placed on the 16tg April, dispatched same day and arrived on the 19th April via DPD. Not sure if they offer a faster service than that. Shipping was 17 Euros on that. Are you staying somewhere that you could have it shipped to? 

Thanks Neil, was going to on you

Looks like it will probably have to wait. The 30mm will be a big bonus over current 24mm Pan anyway, the 20mm can join the club after the holiday.

[Littleguy80]

23 minutes ago, Stu said:

Thanks Neil, was going to on you

Looks like it will probably have to wait. The 30mm will be a big bonus over current 24mm Pan anyway, the 20mm can join the club after the holiday.

No probs

I think for the targets you’re after, especially given the use of filters, the 30mm will keep you more than happy!

I’m ordering the 13mm APM in a couple of weeks. Need something in between the 9mm and 20mm. I’m really interested to hear how you find having the 30mm and 20mm. I keep debating whether to save up for the 30mm after the 13mm. The general feedback I’ve had is that the 20mm is the every session low power eyepiece with the 30mm being more specialised for targets like the NAN and Veil. Of course, that may be specific to using those eyepieces with my particular scope. Either way, looking forward to hearing how you find them  

 

 

[Mark at Beaufort]

Nice EPs Stu. I appreciate you will be using these EPs on your Tak but are you thinking of getting a Dob again in the future?

[Stu]

27 minutes ago, Littleguy80 said:

The general feedback I’ve had is that the 20mm is the every session low power eyepiece with the 30mm being more specialised for targets like the NAN and Veil.

That's about right I reckon Neil. Thing is, I only generally  get to see the NAN and Veil properly once or twice a year, so I will be happy to get the best views I can of those. Would be nice to have the 20mm but such is life.

I suppose I could get the 20mm ES but reports I've read tend to put the APM above it in terms of transmission, I'm guessing that is where you got to as well?

[Stu]

27 minutes ago, Mark at Beaufort said:

Nice EPs Stu. I appreciate you will be using these EPs on your Tak but are you thinking of getting a Dob again in the future?

Hi Mark,

Yes, I do have some plans which are forming along the truss dob lines. Will post up about it at some point soon

[Littleguy80]

11 minutes ago, Stu said:

That's about right I reckon Neil. Thing is, I only generally  get to see the NAN and Veil properly once or twice a year, so I will be happy to get the best views I can of those. Would be nice to have the 20mm but such is life.

I suppose I could get the 20mm ES but reports I've read tend to put the APM above it in terms of transmission, I'm guessing that is where you got to as well?

For sure, the Veil and NAN are well worth the investment of a good eyepiece and OIII. I hope as time goes buy to go for more and more challenging targets so I think the larger exit pupil will start to pay dividends in the long run.

Pretty much every write up I could find talked about the APM and Ethos. Most gave the Ethos the edge but not by much. Gerry rates as at least as good if not better than the 21mm Ethos. Can’t get much higher praise than that. I saw more positive comments for ES92 range than the 100. All in all, the APM just seem like great value for money. I don’t have much experience with premium eyepieces but I’ve looked through some Naglers and Panoptics and wasn’t blown away by them after using the APM.  

[Stu]

14 minutes ago, Littleguy80 said:

For sure, the Veil and NAN are well worth the investment of a good eyepiece and OIII. I hope as time goes buy to go for more and more challenging targets so I think the larger exit pupil will start to pay dividends in the long run.

Pretty much every write up I could find talked about the APM and Ethos. Most gave the Ethos the edge but not by much. Gerry rates as at least as good if not better than the 21mm Ethos. Can’t get much higher praise than that. I saw more positive comments for ES92 range than the 100. All in all, the APM just seem like great value for money. I don’t have much experience with premium eyepieces but I’ve looked through some Naglers and Panoptics and wasn’t blown away by them after using the APM.  

I've had all the longer focal length Ethos, 13, 17 and 21mm plus the 31mm Nagler and they are lovely. I would rebuy again if things get better financially, but currently I just can't justify that sort of cash at the moment, particularly when the APM gets so close.

[Littleguy80]

53 minutes ago, Stu said:

I've had all the longer focal length Ethos, 13, 17 and 21mm plus the 31mm Nagler and they are lovely. I would rebuy again if things get better financially, but currently I just can't justify that sort of cash at the moment, particularly when the APM gets so close.

I quite agree. It’s a lot of money for marginal gains. I don’t feel like those gains would bring me anymore enjoyment either.

[John]

14 minutes ago, Littleguy80 said:

I quite agree. It’s a lot of money for marginal gains. I don’t feel like those gains would bring me anymore enjoyment either.

Do try an Ethos though, if you get a chance

I'm interested in trying a Lunt/APM a) to see how they compare to the Ethos and b) to see if they are similar/the same as the Myriad 100's.

Nothing like finding out for yourself

[Littleguy80]

24 minutes ago, John said:

Do try an Ethos though, if you get a chance

I'm interested in trying a Lunt/APM a) to see how they compare to the Ethos and b) to see if they are similar/the same as the Myriad 100's.

Nothing like finding out for yourself

I certainly will, John. I’m sure I’ll soon change my tune once I’ve tried one!

If I see you at a star party you’ll be more than welcome to try mine. Would love to hear your thoughts on the APM  

[John]

16 minutes ago, Littleguy80 said:

.....I’m sure I’ll soon change my tune once I’ve tried one!

 

Not necessarily Neil, but it's interesting to try what others are on about anyway, even if it's only to decide that something else is a better option for you

 

[Stargazer McCabe]

@Stu  when are you going and how long for? 

The reason I ask is I have the 20mm Lunt, the 13mm APM and the 9mm Lunt 100*s.

I also have the ES82* 30mm. 

Depending on when you are going, you could always borrow mine. The only snag might be “logistics” as, although we’re reasonably close,  I’m currently away for a few days with chums golfing...

Let me know when you’d need them as that’s probably the show stopper. We’re not sure when we are heading back home yet; it might be at the weekend...

Simon 

 

[Stu]

5 hours ago, Stargazer McCabe said:

@Stu  when are you going and how long for? 

The reason I ask is I have the 20mm Lunt, the 13mm APM and the 9mm Lunt 100*s.

I also have the ES82* 30mm. 

Depending on when you are going, you could always borrow mine. The only snag might be “logistics” as, although we’re reasonably close,  I’m currently away for a few days with chums golfing...

Let me know when you’d need them as that’s probably the show stopper. We’re not sure when we are heading back home yet; it might be at the weekend...

Simon 

 

Simon, that is very kind of you.

I am going on Sunday morning so suspect the logistics would not work out, I certainly don’t want to affect your plans in any way.

I do have another offer which I may take up if I can trust myself to look after Gavstar’s 21mm Ethos enough!!! Eeeek!