GTO ZOOM

Ratings:Top:Astronomy:Equipment Reviews:Eyepiece Reviews:GTO ZOOM

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Brand and Model:GTO ZOOM
Price ($USD):$59.95
Type:Zoom
Focal Length:7.4-22 mm
Barrel Size:1.25
Apparent FOV:63.0 degrees
Field Stop Dia.:0.0 mm
Eye Relief:0 mm
Elements:0
Weight (lbs):
Description:

Vote Highlights Vote
GTO ZOOM
Going for your A.L Double Star Certificate?
Then this eyepiece is a necessity . . . it's what I used to bag this award and it made it a pleasure.

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:9 Value:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: https://www.excelsis.com:443/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=422844

GTO ZOOM
I picked up the identical Scopetronix version of this zoom used for just $35 on Astromart because I wanted to see if I liked using a zoom. First impressions are that it quite small and lightweight. FOV is 40 degrees at 21mm and a wide 63 degrees or more at 7mm. The coatings are very good with low surface reflectivity - similar in appearance to my Ultimas and Vixen LV eyepieces. The zoom action is solid and silky smooth. Eye relief was quite generous at 13-15mm and focus was nearly parfocal across the 7-21mm zoom range.

I didn't expect much from such an inexpensive zoom but am very surprised. I tried it out on several nights of good seeing on Saturn, Jupiter and several deep sky targets in a head-to-head comparison with my 12.5mm, 10mm and 7.5mm Ultimas and a 9mm Vixen LV. The zoom's images were equal in brightness, contrast and sharpness to any good plossl. It crisply showed banding and the Cassini division on Saturn with four moons in my 6 inch reflector. Jupiter showed very detailed banding with the GRS, festoons and the shadow of a transitting moon very sharp. It also gave very nice and contrasty views of M42 and several open clusters.

What really surprises me is that on all targets, the sharpness contrast and clarity of the Scopetronix zoom virtually equalled the Ultimas and its eye relief was much longer. Frankly, this cheap zoom's images were significantly brighter and sharper than my Vixen LV with nearly similar eye relief.

The only negative on this zoom is the narrow field of view at lower powers (as is the case with any zoom). But it is definately a keeper. My Vixen LV's might be going bye bye.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 Value:9
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: https://www.excelsis.com:443/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=338023

GTO ZOOM
Surprisingly sharp. A bit fussy about head position, some ghosting, yellow tinge around the moon at 22mm, but all forgiveable, esp. at this price. A good way to try out zooming. Great value.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:8 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: https://www.excelsis.com:443/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=286473

GTO ZOOM
Would have given it all tens, but for the overall construction and "feel" of the eyepiece being somewhat lacking.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: https://www.excelsis.com:443/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=245150

GTO ZOOM
[Note: Vote moved from description by webmaster]

Side by side, on Jupiter, this zoom is sharper than my Nagler 13mm Type6 and Panoptic 19mm . . . test it yourself!

Simply great for double star splits and deep sky.

However, does not have the feel and quality of construction as a Nagler, but for the price, this can be overlooked.

Overall Rating: No Vote
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: https://www.excelsis.com:443/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=243907

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