Sharp views through SCT 9.25". However, I have only one complaint and it's a big one: eye relief. It's simply too long, especially since I don't wear glasses. It's hard to hold head steady to get maximum view. Otherwise, it's sharp right to the edge. Great mid-price performer.

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:9 Value:10
Weight: 5
Date: 06/20/2003 06:50:13 pm PST

Replies: 0

Of all the Ultimas I own, the 18mm is the standout. It has more of that snap-to-focus than the others. The eye relief is also perfect for me: not too long or short. Great mid-price performer.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 Value:10
Weight: 5
Date: 06/20/2003 06:48:02 pm PST

Replies: 0

In addition to the 12.5mm, I have the 18 and 30mm Ultimas. All the Ultimas are great mid-price performance. There's no ghosting when viewing Jupiter with a SCT 9.25 at 189X. And the eye relief is just perfect: not too long as to worry about keeping head steady nor eyeball squishing.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 Value:10
Weight: 5
Date: 06/20/2003 06:46:15 pm PST

Replies: 0

Brings out detail in the Veil. Doesn't do much - at least with me - with Orion or Ring. Add to that, I'm not crazy that it turns all the stars a bit dimmer and purple. But then again, that's exactly why the O-III works in the first place. I guess you can't have it all. A bit over-priced in my book.

Overall Rating: 7
Optics:9 Value:5
Weight: 5
Date: 06/09/2003 10:43:09 pm PST

Replies: 0

I have both the Telrad and Rigel. The Rigel is lighter and more resistant to dew, but that's all it's got going for it (I have no use for the blinking mode). It's very hard to position your head to find the bullseye. With the Telrad, it comes naturally. Then again, I've been using it far longer than the Rigel, so it's probably a matter of getting used to it. The biggest advantage with the Telrad (and it's not credited to Telrad) is that Wil Tirion's starcharts use it to star-hop. If you want to use the Rigel, you have to halve the bullseye (4 degrees vs. 2).

Overall Rating: 8
Performance:9 Value:9
Weight: 5
Date: 06/09/2003 10:39:48 pm PST

Replies: 0