REVISED question on Ethos EP & galaxy details

Hi folks,

Please allow me to rephrase my original question:

I currently have a 12 inch f/10 Meade LX90.

I have been using University Optics HD orthoscopic EP's for viewing details in galaxies. I use either a 9,12 or 18 mm ortho EP, depending on the galaxy size.

That said, in your opinion would using an Ethos EP enhance the view of galaxy details vs the orthos?


Clear skies......Mike

Mike Alexander said:

Hi folks,

Please allow me to rephrase my original question:

I currently have a 12 inch f/10 Meade LX90.

I have been using University Optics HD orthoscopic EP's for viewing details in galaxies. I use either a 9,12 or 18 mm ortho EP, depending on the galaxy size.

That said, in your opinion would using an Ethos EP enhance the view of galaxy details vs the orthos?


Clear skies......Mike

Yes. Not that the UOs are not good eyepieces.

Hi Mike,
Any differences will not be profound, but subtle. An Ortho will give a crisp image with a limited field of view, but it is a clear image.
There are many EPs that will provide excellent performance besides the Ethos. The cost of the Ethos will buy several of these EPs. Which is the better deal, you must decide.

Reading through this thread I am amazed at how many people have said 'No, the ethos would not be better' but none of them that have said that had compared Ethos to Ortho's while at the same time those who had Ethos and Ortho's both said that they preffered the Ethos.

So, who are we going to believe here?

The people who have never used an Ethos and done a comparison or the people who own both and say the Ethos does provide a better view?

I have an Explore Scientific 14mm 100 degree that, when Barlowed with my 2x GSO barlow, delivers better images than my UO 7mm Ortho. Using the same eyepiece and just the front element of the barlow screwed directly to the eyepeice gives me about 10mm focal length and it seems to just about match a Zeiss 10mm Ortho on axis and perform better across the same field of view as the 10mm orth shows (not to mention all the extra field).

As the Ethos is very slightly better than the ES (head to head testing) I would be very surprised if it does not perform better than just about any ortho in head to head testing.