I have been scratching my head on this one...
Scanning reviews & postings, this range of focal lenghts seems to engender "top of breed" eyepieces in every line. What I mean is, the 10.5 seems to be the favorite among the Pentax XLs; the 12 Radian has the highest ratings within that line; Speers-Waler has a well-reviewed 10 and a 12 (or used to); Nagler has 11T6 (the T1 was highly sought after) and the big-lens 12T4.
Taking into account the usual measures including comfort (eye-relief, blackout), performance (contrast, sharpness, FOV), and weight -- is there a "best" among the best?
I have the 17T4 and Speers-Waler 5-8 (both about 80* AFOV) and would like to fill the gap. I sold a 13T1 because it was a tad too close to the 17; wanted a bit more power. I almost jumped on a 10.5XL (for its legendary ease-of-use) but in terms of FOV, the SW5-8 kind of covers it at 8mm (though it's less user friendly). So am I really just choosing among three TeleVues: 12 Radian, 12T4, and 11T6?
I'm also considering the Pentax 8-24 zoom; at 10-12mm the FOV is 50-55*, narrower than the 10.5XL but more flexible and almost as sharp. Yet another possibility is one of the new crop of ~1.6X 2" Barlows, with the 17T4.
Which of these super eyepieces would you rather have? (Only one please!)
-- William
p.s. I wear glasses, but at this magnificaion can usually do without.
Scanning reviews & postings, this range of focal lenghts seems to engender "top of breed" eyepieces in every line. What I mean is, the 10.5 seems to be the favorite among the Pentax XLs; the 12 Radian has the highest ratings within that line; Speers-Waler has a well-reviewed 10 and a 12 (or used to); Nagler has 11T6 (the T1 was highly sought after) and the big-lens 12T4.
Taking into account the usual measures including comfort (eye-relief, blackout), performance (contrast, sharpness, FOV), and weight -- is there a "best" among the best?
I have the 17T4 and Speers-Waler 5-8 (both about 80* AFOV) and would like to fill the gap. I sold a 13T1 because it was a tad too close to the 17; wanted a bit more power. I almost jumped on a 10.5XL (for its legendary ease-of-use) but in terms of FOV, the SW5-8 kind of covers it at 8mm (though it's less user friendly). So am I really just choosing among three TeleVues: 12 Radian, 12T4, and 11T6?
I'm also considering the Pentax 8-24 zoom; at 10-12mm the FOV is 50-55*, narrower than the 10.5XL but more flexible and almost as sharp. Yet another possibility is one of the new crop of ~1.6X 2" Barlows, with the 17T4.
Which of these super eyepieces would you rather have? (Only one please!)
-- William
p.s. I wear glasses, but at this magnificaion can usually do without.
