Nagler vs Pentax

[CanisMajorTom]

Has anyone compared Nagler eyepeices to the Pentax ones? I hear that the Pentax ones are just as good. But at 800 a peice, they are hard to compare.

I still need to get a bunch of decent eyepeices. It will either be Naglers or Pentax at this stage.

[Radar]

Hmm. I'd say off hand that Nagler are better, but some of the astro guys that I know swear by the Pentax.

[CanisMajorTom]

I found some good info here.

http://www.astro-tom.com/technical_data/eyepiece_specs.htm

[Radar]

It would be a good idea if there were a link somewhere with a panel of judges that had done comparison tests with all the eyepeices. Sometimes it is hard to just go by the manufacturers claims.

[Tenacious Del]

I would be interested in reading a comparison test as well. It is hard to decipher all the jargon that comes on some spec lists.

[Radar]

I would be interested in reading a comparison test as well. It is hard to decipher all the jargon that comes on some spec lists.

I agree with this mate. I get lost with all the data.

Welcome to My Asto Space :thumbsupmate:

[CanisMajorTom]

Apparently these are very good as well. (I'm only going by reviews)

http://www.kendrickastro.com/astro/ep_williamoptics.html

[Radar]

Apparently these are very good as well. (I'm only going by reviews)

http://www.kendrickastro.com/astro/ep_williamoptics.html

I have seen these eyepeieces. Apparently they are very good. The eyepeice I saw was as big as a coke can (literally).

[Astrolounge]

what you have to keep in mind is that ep selection is not as critical in all scopes, the longer the focal length the more forgiving a scope is.
what works in one scope may not work in another you need to try them for yourself if possible especially when you are thinking of parting with up to $800.00 of your hard earned, l have the full set of Stratus 68 degree ep's and find these work well in all of my scopes with their varying focal lengths, they do not have the 82 degree field of some Naglers but at $199 great value.

[Tenacious Del]

Is it possible for the human eye to even see 82 degrees in an eyepiece. I heard that your eye cannot see an entire eyepiece view of 82 degrees.

[CanisMajorTom]

I think you have to move your head around a bit to see the 82 degrees. I don't think you can see a field of view that wide without a moving a bit.

[AstroBob]

There is a wide range of quality eyepeices on the market these days. What A.lounge says about choosing the right one for you is right. Star parties and astro camps are a good place to check stuff out before buying.

[rocketman]

We have pentax xw 7mm and 20mm eyepieces and all sorts of others.What wa have found is the performance depends on the scope.On a trip to the magellan observatory south of goulburn,NSW, we tested our pentaxes against Zane's naglers on his 17 1/2 inch scope.All of us came to the conclusion that the naglers held up well to further out,but the pentax were sharper and more contrasty in the centre.The 7mm was equal to the nagler.The 20 was not quite as good.On the ASNSW's wiruna scope,the naglers were significantly better than the pentaxes.On our little ETX 125,the pentaxes are nothing special(havent put naglers on this scope) and our favourite eyepiece is a 32mm Celestron(not particularly expensive).The horses for courses conclusion has been voiced on other eyepiece reviews we have read.There is also variation between eyepieces from the same manufacturer-try to try before you buy if possible or try eyepieces at a star party.

Clear skies,
Rocketman

[CanisMajorTom]

Hi Rocketman, Thanks for that advice. Interesting how the Pentax was sharper and more contrasty. I guess trying these eyepieces on the scope they are intended for would be worth while.