Well after selling almost all my eyepieces, its going to be time to buy some hot new glass. For my scopes 9.25xlt m603 at f/10 and a fs-102,at f/8.6, so which to buy. I do need the eye relief so the pentax and radians should to the trick as far as comfortable viewing. So the question really is which to buy. So guys give me your best, before the wife takes my credit card away.
thanks to all
radians/pentax ?????
Started by MARK PAJOR, 03/15/2007 12:34AM
Posted 03/15/2007 12:34AM
Opening Post
Posted 03/15/2007 01:50AM
#1
It is a difficult decision between the two, but which focal lengths are you planning on buying? That will help in advising you.
In general, the Pentax works great and on Planets seems a little better than the Radian. But The radian is also very nice and I like them for double stars as well as every thing else.
If you can find the Pentax XL 5.2mm, 7mm and 10.5mm those are all very good. The 14mm has too much field curvature for my taste and the Radian would be my choice there.
The other choice would be the TMB/BO planetary which is another good choice and is a lot less money. They have the 60° FOV of the Radian and almost the same performance, with a cooler color view. The Radians have a warmer color. You can buy them new for $99 or used for $70 or so each. If you can buy them used then it would be more than a 2 for the price of one on the Radian or Pentax used. New, the difference will be 2.5 to 1 compared to the Radian and even more compared to the Pentax. Just another possibility.
I find the Radian to be slightly sharper on Double Star splits than the TMB/BO and that the Pentax is about the same as the Radian.
In general, the Pentax works great and on Planets seems a little better than the Radian. But The radian is also very nice and I like them for double stars as well as every thing else.
If you can find the Pentax XL 5.2mm, 7mm and 10.5mm those are all very good. The 14mm has too much field curvature for my taste and the Radian would be my choice there.
The other choice would be the TMB/BO planetary which is another good choice and is a lot less money. They have the 60° FOV of the Radian and almost the same performance, with a cooler color view. The Radians have a warmer color. You can buy them new for $99 or used for $70 or so each. If you can buy them used then it would be more than a 2 for the price of one on the Radian or Pentax used. New, the difference will be 2.5 to 1 compared to the Radian and even more compared to the Pentax. Just another possibility.
I find the Radian to be slightly sharper on Double Star splits than the TMB/BO and that the Pentax is about the same as the Radian.
[SIZE="Large"][/SIZE][COLOR="Blue"][/COLOR] Floyd Blue
Amateur Imager
Posted 03/15/2007 02:16AM
#2
I went with all Pentax XWs after years of Radian use. Over a few nights about a year ago, I spent a lot of time going back and forth repeatedly between some Radians and XWs, and to my eye, the Pentax EPs were sharper and more contrasty. The difference wasn't that big, but I thought it was enough.
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