Apogee Super Easy-View 5.5mm

Ratings:Top:Astronomy:Equipment Reviews:Eyepiece Reviews:Apogee Super Easy-View 5.5mm

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Brand and Model:Apogee Super Easy-View 5.5mm
Price ($USD):$119.95
Type:Orthoscopic
Focal Length:5.5 mm
Barrel Size:1.25 in
Apparent FOV:50.0 degrees
Field Stop Dia.:0.0 mm
Eye Relief:0 mm
Elements:5
Weight (lbs):
Description:The Super Easy Views are based on orthoscopic designs and incorporate a barlow lens to improve eye relief over an orthoscopic eyepiece of the same focal length.

Vote Highlights Vote
Apogee Super Easy-View 5.5mm
Overall I like this eyepiece much better than the 3.6mm version. Eye relief is certainly long enough to be comfortable and much improved over a 5 or 6mm ortho. It is still no where near the Tele Vue Radian's or Pentax XL's 20mm, which in all fairness it never claims to be and I didn't expect it to be either. But, those seeking a comfortable to use high magnification eyepiece for about half the price of Radians or Pentax XL's might want to look at this one some more.

Otherwise everything I said about the 3.6mm holds true for this eyepiece, right down to the lack of dust caps. I think this one holds alot of promise to be a winner, but the real test under the stars still needs to be done. I'll be back!

(mod note: message combined by ScopeDreamer2032)

...And now for the rating. This eyepiece provides exceptionaly sharp, contrasty, distortion and color free views that one expects from an orthoscopic with the added bonus of nice eye relief that makes splitting doubles and extended planetary observing a breeze. Although I cannot compare it directly to a real orthoscopic it is certainly a very respectable performer in all regards. The only limitation is the relatively small AFOV, which isn't problematic for the puposes listed above, it's just a bit strange to have your view scrunched when steping down from 65 AFOV eyepieces.

My only real complaint with this eyepiece is it requires about 1/2 to 3/4" more in-focus than my other eyepieces (which will be a pain for helical focusers and focusers w/o much travel could render them useless) and the strange zip lock bag thing described above. I've decided to give this eypiece a 9 for these reasons, but wouldn't let these problems get in the way of recommend them (just check your focuser).

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 4 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=44233

Apogee Super Easy-View 5.5mm
It has superb eye relief for the focal lenght. Compare with the Meade 5 mm series 3000 with only 2mm of eye relief. It's far more sharper than other complex designs. Works quite fine with my refractor.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=420098

Apogee Super Easy-View 5.5mm
Although it has good eye relief, the optics are
only fair at best. After shipping fees, it costs
almost $125. Wish I had my money back.

Overall Rating: 3
Optics:5 Value:2
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=80456

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