Edmund Scientific RKE 8mm

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Brand and Model:Edmund Scientific RKE 8mm
Price ($USD):$39.95
Type:Kellner
Focal Length:8 mm
Barrel Size:1.25 in
Apparent FOV:45.0 degrees
Field Stop Dia.:6.6 mm
Eye Relief:8 mm
Elements:3
Weight (lbs):0.2
Description:

Vote Highlights Vote
Edmund Scientific RKE 8mm
I really really like this EP for my little short-focus newt [it's FL generates just about the Mr (2mm exit pupil) with the OTA i'm using it with so it's quite optimal for general observing and because it's 'limited' AF (compared to the now ubiquitous WAs, SWAs and plossls) 'concentrates' the image into a reasonably eyeball-filling though not superfluously large area (not that i'm against WA EPs, just that i think it's an unnecessary and possibly even wasteful 'luxury' when using a 'light-grasp challenged' aperture size)].

Those bespectacled or endowed with long eyelashes won't enjoy this EP.

I give the value only a 5 because i understand Edmund Scientific has raised the price on them and overall only a 7 because of the ungenerous eye relief.

Overall Rating: 7
Optics:9 Value:5
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=182962

Edmund Scientific RKE 8mm
I love Al Nagler's wide-fields, but for lunar and planetary work at high power I found a nice surprise in the Edmund's Reversed KEllner (RKE). Even when you barlow them in PowerMate 2.5x they show me greater detail. I have tried them in my Portaball 12.5" (with legendary Zambutto mirror) and my Tak SKY90.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=130486

Edmund Scientific RKE 8mm
These eyepieces give very good clear views but are not well corrected for fast scopes--that's why some reviewers seem them as not corrected at the edge and some do.

I have compared the RKE 8 and RKE 12 to Pentax XW7, XW10, and TMB monocentric 10mm. (Sorry can't get exact match ups of focal length).

It is a fully comparable eyepiece to these higher end alternatives delivering crisp detail and lovely color saturation.

The XW28--even though perhaps not ideal for a fast scope--does very well on a Star Blast to my taste and gives a better view than the typical cheap 32mm plossl.

I would definitely consider RKEs for binoviewing.

My one reservation about them is what they share with all 1.25 inch eyepieces: on a big SCT like a c11 or c14 you're going to bang your head unless very careful about standing off to one side. You won't have this problem with a two inch eyepiece!

These are superior to the Chinese junk plossls and fully comparable to UO orthos. Regrettably the RKE series stops at 8mm which means that, without a barlow, you can't get into "planet magnifications" on scopes with short focal lengths.

If the world had not invented wide fields of 65, 70 degrees and more this would be the eyeiece series that I would own.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=577396

Edmund Scientific RKE 8mm
I've owned the complete set of RKEs for over a decade. They are well made and threaded for filters. They are sharp edge to edge, no noticable distortion and bright. These are not kelner type eyepieces, I have two kelners and the RKEs are far superior. They are nearly identical to the plossels I have, a bit brighter and a little more eye relief, but a slighty narrower field of view. All said, I think these are the cheapest good quality eyepieces available and a good value.

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:8 Value:9
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=123696

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