26mm type V nagler - blackouts?

Hi.

I'm thinking of investing in a 26mm type 5 nagler. I've had a few naglers over the years and found them great - except for the 17mm type IV. Lovely eyepiece but for my eyes and scope I found the kidney beaning blackouts a real problem. The 16 type five I replaced it with was just fine though. Does anyone have experience with blackouts in the 26?

My reasoning is that if a 16 type 5 is good a 26 type five should also be fine right? Or am I oversimplifying things? :S

Thanks

Tim

Hi Tim
I'm using the 26T5 in a NP127 and have used it in the TV101, NP101 and TV85 and 11" f/5.4 Starmaster dob and have never had any kidney beaning or blackout issues.
Buck

Tim,

For me the 26mmT5 is probably the most comfortable Nagler I have used. Blackouts are a complete non-issue, unlike the 17mmT4 which I also could not live with. If you have used any of the Vixen LVWs, it has a very similar feel as far as eyeplacement...super easy and comfortable but with a much wider AFOV.

The only potential negatives to the 26T5 are:
1) Most eyeglass wearers will not be able to see the full 82deg AFOV. In fact I have to flip down the rubber eyecup to take in the full field without glasses.
2) There is quite a bit of pincushion distortion that takes some getting used to when panning around. I was really turned off by it when I first got the eyepiece. But after a few viewing sessions my eyes/brain got accustomed to it. Others have explained that this type of distortion was purposefully allowed in the design by Televue to achieve pinpoint stars to the edge of the field.
3) To get the sharp edge of field in a reflector faster than f/5 you will need to plunk down the $$$ for a paracorr.


Steve

Good advice you've received, Tim.
The T5's are my favorite Naglers.
I use the 31, 26, and 20 a lot. The 16 only a bit.
I've never had black-out issues with them.
You'll love the 26.
Linton