I have completed the first version of a fairly systematic head-to-head test of three zoom eyepieces-- the high end Pentax SMC 8-24mm zoom, the medium/high end Nikon 9-21mm, and the highly regarded new Apogee 7.3-22mm.
The results are somewhat complicated-- rather than try to gist them, I'll refer you to my web site if you want the gory details.
http://users.adelphia.net/~jbrspace/zoom_eyepiece_solar_review.htm
In brief, though, I can tell you that the Apogee is *not* a clone of the higher end Nikons, even if it is an OEM version of the basic Nikon "Earth and Sky" line.
Jim
The results are somewhat complicated-- rather than try to gist them, I'll refer you to my web site if you want the gory details.
http://users.adelphia.net/~jbrspace/zoom_eyepiece_solar_review.htm
In brief, though, I can tell you that the Apogee is *not* a clone of the higher end Nikons, even if it is an OEM version of the basic Nikon "Earth and Sky" line.
Jim