University Optics Orthoscopic 6mm

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University Optics Orthoscopic 6mm
Apparently there are not a lot of these U.O. 6mm Orthos out there. I think it's because the ad copy does not list them. Their web page and ads are all inconsistent regarding which focal lengths are available. In any case...,

The eyepiece is superb! Excellent edge correction, sharpness, contrast, superb light through-put, and good eye-relief (non-eye-glass wearer).

A lot has been discussed about how light through put differs between simple versus complex eyepiece designs. Well here's an objective measure.

A friend and I recently zoomed in on the Dumbbell Nebula with a 6mm U.O. Ortho and a 6mm Radian (telescope: 10" f4.5 newt). The Dumbbell has the bright apple core shape, and, with enough light gathering ability, the lobs on either side of the core also appear nebulous -- making the nebula look more like a football. When using the 6mm Ortho the core and lobs were readily apparent with direct vision. When using the 6mm Radian they disappeared completely leaving only the core. I have done similar tests on galaxies and splitting double-stars. In all cases the Ortho proved superior regarding light through put, sharpness of image and detail resolution. Discerning a difference between the eyepieces simply requires that the observer find the threshold of resolution for the "lesser" eyepiece.

Before anyone goes crazy about this post, I have both eyepieces and love my Radian. But there is no doubt that simpler eyepieces (well made ones) allow more light through put and more resolution of subtle detail; at least this has been my real world experience over an over again. This ability to allow more light through put is especially crucial for those using small aperture.

Of course the Radian is more comfortable to use; which may allow you to "see more" -- as some have put it. Eye-relief has never been something that bothers me because I don't wear glasses; if I did I'm sure I would use the Radians.

If your looking for the ultimate in light through put and contrast you simply cannot be an orthoscopic (University Optics or otherwise).

U.O. - $57.95 Televue Radian $228.00

Very Highly Recommended1

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=43901

University Optics Orthoscopic 6mm
Pureist's delight that delivers! Ditto the above. Bothersome FOV
and eyerelief knock it from being a 10 for me. Usefull on deepsky and
a relative bargain. Thanks University Optics!

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=43903 

>Pureist's delight that delivers! Ditto the above. Bothersome FOV
>and eyerelief knock it from being a 10 for me. Usefull on deepsky and 
>a relative bargain. Thanks University Optics!


Have you tried the U.O. 2.8X Klee Barlow?  This is a gem, comparable to, or better than a Televue Powermate of similar magnification.  The best part is that there is no loss of eye relief.  Even the light throughput seems unaltered, but I know this can't be true.
University Optics Orthoscopic 6mm
Bright, high contrast views. It only lacks for field of view. An excellent buy.

Overall Rating: 10
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=43904

University Optics Orthoscopic 6mm
Wonderful high power ep. Great planetery views at a remarkable price.

Overall Rating: 10
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=43905

University Optics Orthoscopic 6mm
This eyepiece is clear and contrasty. Works well in my Dob. Highly recommended.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=43906

University Optics Orthoscopic 6mm
Well this is the third University Ocular and the highest power ocular that I have. I have a 9.7 meade plossl and compared to the 6mm the meade is left in the dust. The 6mm is brighter even though the meade is a lower power eyepeice. The ortho is tack sharp to the edge. Compared it tonight on the moon and Jupiter. Changed back and forth between them and lost brightness and contrast with the meade but back to the Ortho and detail and contrast and brightness are back. Wouldnt part with it. Great price cant beat it.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=43907

University Optics Orthoscopic 6mm
A great bargain! Very sharp, contrasty views to edge of field. That being said, the field is quite narrow. Not a problem if you have tracking. Also, the eye relief is short and probably intolerable for those who wear glasses. Not a problem for me since I wear contacts.

Venus was clearly "whiter" and sharper with this eyepiece (200x in my 8" f/6) than with my Radian 8mm (150x) or Tak LE 5mm (245x). Venus is currently a fat crescent and the limb is significantly brighter than the rest of the illuminated disk. With the UO 6mm ortho the demarcation between the bright and darker parts of the disk was sharply defined.

The difference on Jupiter and Saturn wasn't as apparent. But I haven't tried using color filters yet. Overall, highly recommended for those who don't wear glasses and whose scopes are equipped with motorized tracking.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=43908

University Optics Orthoscopic 6mm
One of the best eyepieces on the market today.
As a variable stars observer I am using this eyepiece
in my 6" refractors when a variable star is in dense
field of comparison and other stars.Typical example
is T Draconis when at minimum or T Herculis.
Outstanding sharpness and clarity of this eyepiece
helps to determine magnitude of these stars when
around magnitude 12-13.

miroslav variable stars observer

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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University Optics Orthoscopic 6mm
I'm not sure how this compares to any really expensive eyepieces, since I have never used any, but I can sure say this eyepiece is great. Using my MK67, the images are still very bright (300x, 50x per inch). I'm going to purchase the 5 and the 7mm models too. Eye relief and FOV are not a problem to me. Price is great too. The Orion Ultrascopic 7.5 is a great eyepiece too, but it's about $20 more.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=43910

University Optics Orthoscopic 6mm
This is one of the recent "T" multi-coated models and has very good image quality in terms of sharpness, contrast, brightness, lack of ghosting, and color purity. Fairly narrow FOV, but consistent with other Abbe Orthos of this focal length. The image quality and eye relief are not quite as good, though, as in the 6mm Pentax SMC Ortho. However, it is a very good value for the price.

I've compared quite a few eyepieces in f/5.4 and f/5.3 refractors, and am basing my ratings on image quality, not FOV.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=43911

University Optics Orthoscopic 6mm
Have one for my Pronto and like it very much . I keep it barlowed 2x for 160x , which is about as good as I can expect in my city viewing area . FOV is not a problem for me as when I use this combination , I am not looking for a wide view but a closer look at something specific , double stars , Moon craters , etc. For $ 60.00 bucks it's a 12 !

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=43912

University Optics Orthoscopic 6mm
Bright,tack-sharp views and well worth every penny,this eyepiece is must for planetary viewing.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=66828

University Optics Orthoscopic 6mm
Excellent sharpness and contrast for higher powered planetary and lunar viewing. Eye relief is surprisingly comfortable compared to a 6mm plossl - I can see 75% of the FOV with my glasses on.

Like the highly praised 9mm U.O. ortho, this is an exceptional value that beats virtually all other higher priced plossls, modified plossls and far pricier eyepieces with the exception of FOV. But, that doesn't matter that much when your target is a planet.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=142947

University Optics Orthoscopic 6mm
Awesome EP. The eye relief is a tad short and I dont wear glasses either. Getting my eye in position is not an issue and the views are great. This is one of the few EP's that I still have from my "earlier" days in astronomy. I now have EP's from TV and Pentax and this little barn-stormer is staying put. If eye relief isnt an issue, you will love it.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=143030

University Optics Orthoscopic 6mm
This is probably the sharpest high power eyepiece I own, sharper my 7mm Naglet T6 but not by much and only on the clearest of nights. You give up FOV with this eye piece but nothing else. If your interest lie in planets or even the moon then you could hardly do better at 4 to 5 times the price.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:9 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=406154

University Optics Orthoscopic 6mm
Just like my 4mm UO Abbe another great planetary ep. Very good light transmission,sharpness and contrast with no lateral color and comforable eye relief without my glasses. Another winner Mr Seyfried.


Stan Taylor Vancouver B.C.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:9 Value:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
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