David,

I recently took advantage of the sale also, getting the 10mm & 6.3mm
Highlights, the 10 to compare direct with my 10mm Sirius plossl. I
have the XT4.5 dob (and the 25 Sirius supplied & 32 Sirius in
addition). I've only gotten to use mine twice-the weather has been
cold & windy or cloudy & not too cold, or just rain for days straight
so I'm waiting to see Jupiter & Saturn again

Well, the short time I've used them, the first night I tried, the
seeing was very good, and Cassini's division looked like it jumped out
from the rings-almost 3D, and very clear. Banding on the globe was
evident and showed tannish color, also looked like some color from the
rings, contrast from the Highlights is higher, a nice black sky. I
used it another night for Jupiter, with my C102hd, & xt4.5, saw more
banding-clearer-on the globe than I've ever seen, besides the 4 moons.
I can tell the difference, and I have no qualms about using my Sirius
eps for Astrophotgraphy snapshots (single shots, not stacked), as I
relly like the Sirius plossls. The contrast from the Highlights
remind me of my 7mm UO classic ortho, but I like the wider field of
view. I use Orion's Shorty Plus barlow, and these do barlow well,
especially the 10mm of either the Sirius or the highlight. So the
bottom line for me is the higher contrast, and with good seeing & dark
skies (I live in the country-no city lights to fight with), and it's
wider field of view than an ortho, it is a definite keeper. I may get
the 17 or 20 next.

Here are some shots taken with the Sirius plossls, hope you don't
mind, 1 from the 7mm UO using my xt4.5 dob. I haven't had a chance to
take shots yet with the Highlights yet.

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/Albu...&a=30847724&f=

Regards and clear skies,
Kerry