Explore Scientific vs Opticstar

[bomberbaz]

Hello all.

I found these EP's on opticstar website and they appear to be a perfect clone of the ES 82 degree range. Apologies in advance if this has been done before. 

Opticstar XL 82° Ultra Wide Angle Eyepieces.

Explore Scientific 82º Series Eyepieces | First Light Optics

Has anyone bought these or better still, compared them directly to the ES, would be interesting to hear anyone's findings. 

[Zermelo]

Yes, it has been mentioned, e.g. here and here.

There are other clones of the ES 82° range; I think some don't have the same waterproofing or purging as the ES, though the Opticstars clearly do.

[John]

With some of the ES eyepiece ranges, what seems to have happened is that ES signed an exclusivity deal with a manufacturer with a 2 year (or so) term. Once that ended, the manufacturer was free to market the design to other brands.

I've seen a similar thing with other designs, eg: the Long Perng made 82 degree range. Originally it was only available under the William Optics branding (the UWAN range) but after a while started appearing under other brandings, often at a lower cost.

Now whether the specifications are exactly the same in all respects, is hard to tell. In the past it has been possible for a brand to specify better quality coatings for example, especially if they were ordering a large quantity.

 

 

 

[bomberbaz]

8 minutes ago, Zermelo said:

Yes, it has been mentioned, e.g. here and here.

There are other clones of the ES 82° range; I think some don't have the same waterproofing or purging as the ES, though the Opticstars clearly do.

Thank you my friend, if the QC is on the ball then at £20 cheaper they seem an obvious choice for what I am planning. 

Thanks