Orion Highlight Plossl

I recently took advantage of the sale at Orion Telescope and got the
following
Highlight Plossls. I use them with my XT6. Using the experience of
SAA to remember that additional eyepieces should be factored into the
cost of a scope, I purchased 2 eyepieces. I realize that these aren't
the premium eyepieces that sell for several magnitudes more and my
comparison is to the Sirius Plossl line.

Highlight Plossl (Fully multi-coated):
32mm - As stated in another post, this is not the worst eyepiece. FOr
me it gave very functional results. It "seemed" to give good contrast
on the Orion Nebula.

7.5mm - Viewing conditions last night weren't the best, but I used it
when viewing Saturn. THis gave me a clear view of the Cassini
division. the image is best in the center of the FOV, at the very
outer edges, it is not as sharp. Eye relief is a bit short but that
is probably true for the 7.5mm Sirius plossl.

The highlights do look very nice with the shiny finish on them and
they feel sturdy. Fit well into the focuser - no play.

Sirius Plossl (these come with the XT6)
25mm, 10mm. I have found these eyepieces deliver a clear and sharp
image. I have no issue with them and these two give a good image. I
have looked at really bad eyepieces - Bushnell 70mm relector with the
supplied 9mm - and I would have to say that at least the XT6 supplied
eyepieces are capable.

The bottom line is that on sale the Highlights are $8 US more than the
Sirius plossl and are they worth the extra expense? Well, my opinion
is that if you do most of your viewing from a backyard in a place with
light pollution it probably is not worth the $8.00 as the Sirius
eyepieces are good. I suspect that I wouldn't "see" the difference
unless the viewing place is a dark sky place. At $33 for the Sirius
plossl, these deliver good value. To get the "noticable" difference,
one would have to spend alot more money than the $8.00 delta on an
eyepiece.

If I get even a tad bit more astronomy and aperature fever, then I'll
get the primo eyepieces - clear crisp images and long eye relief -
that cost more than my telescope :-). In fact I am saving my money
now to do that.

Thanks for the review and opinion.
Clear, Dark, Steady Skies!
(And considerate neighbors!!!)

Thanks for the review and opinion.
Clear, Dark, Steady Skies!
(And considerate neighbors!!!)

Thanks for the review and opinion.
Clear, Dark, Steady Skies!
(And considerate neighbors!!!)

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

Kerry wrote:

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=


Nice pictures from a dobsonian. I was pleasantly surprised that when my
cursor hovered over an image that very complete information on camera,
exposure time, technique, and just about anything else appeared.

You have pretty much provided everything I need know to attempt imaging
through my dobsonian.

Regards,


Martin

Martin,

It seems there is a common thought that imaging can't be done with a
dob, because it doesn't track, I guess for stacking or film cameras.
Digital is so sensitive to light-you have to watch for burnouts on the
brighter parts of the moon-why not take a few shots especially when
the planets are close?
Like I told David, I do need to get a Scopetronix adapter to at least
hold the camera steadier, prevent camera shake. I also have a remote
w/ the G3 so that would help decrease camera shake with the shutter
release.
When the viewing is good, my small xt4.5 does well as far as clarity &
detail, thanks to the f/8. With David's XT6 at f/8 & 1200mm
reach-I've thought of getting the XT6 for the longer reach, a bit
larger planetary image to view-what a great scope, with the larger
aperture & I'm sure somewhat more detail to capture.
Your camera will capture more detail in an image than your eye will
see through the ep, so don't let a somewhat?-perhaps not so clear view
fool you. What dob do you have? Even a wide 8" or 10", with all the
light you'd get from one of those-I'm sure they would do well. If you
do give it a try, would love to see your results Martin, maybe send us
a link to your shots.

Clear skies,
Kerry
s.e. Louisiana

Kerry said:

What dob do you have? Even a wide 8" or 10", with all the
light you'd get from one of those-I'm sure they would do well.


I've got a 12.5 inch Starfinder and NO experience with a digital camera.
;o)

I had planned on purchasing one fairly soon. When I used to do some
astrophotography through an 8 inch newtonian on an equaltorial mount TOO
many years ago and used a 35mm camera. This was at least 20 years ago. At
that time, I bracketed (sp?) around estimated exposure times to get the most
satisfactory results.

I am assuming that one can "bracket" with a digital camera. . .yes?


Martin

Kerry said:

What dob do you have? Even a wide 8" or 10", with all the
light you'd get from one of those-I'm sure they would do well.


I've got a 12.5 inch Starfinder and NO experience with a digital camera.
;o)

I had planned on purchasing one fairly soon. When I used to do some
astrophotography through an 8 inch newtonian on an equaltorial mount TOO
many years ago and used a 35mm camera. This was at least 20 years ago. At
that time, I bracketed (sp?) around estimated exposure times to get the most
satisfactory results.

I am assuming that one can "bracket" with a digital camera. . .yes?


Martin

Martin,

It seems there is a common thought that imaging can't be done with a
dob, because it doesn't track, I guess for stacking or film cameras.
Digital is so sensitive to light-you have to watch for burnouts on the
brighter parts of the moon-why not take a few shots especially when
the planets are close?
Like I told David, I do need to get a Scopetronix adapter to at least
hold the camera steadier, prevent camera shake. I also have a remote
w/ the G3 so that would help decrease camera shake with the shutter
release.
When the viewing is good, my small xt4.5 does well as far as clarity &
detail, thanks to the f/8. With David's XT6 at f/8 & 1200mm
reach-I've thought of getting the XT6 for the longer reach, a bit
larger planetary image to view-what a great scope, with the larger
aperture & I'm sure somewhat more detail to capture.
Your camera will capture more detail in an image than your eye will
see through the ep, so don't let a somewhat?-perhaps not so clear view
fool you. What dob do you have? Even a wide 8" or 10", with all the
light you'd get from one of those-I'm sure they would do well. If you
do give it a try, would love to see your results Martin, maybe send us
a link to your shots.

Clear skies,
Kerry
s.e. Louisiana