Orion Stratus eps?

[the.chosen.one]

What is your opinion on Orion Stratus eps? I'm thinking about purchasing the 17mm ep. Does the 68 degrees field of view apply to all sizes of eye pieces? (with my Plossl eyepieces, the fv gets smaller as the size of the ep shrinks)

[admin]

i dont have one, i wouldn't minding getting one, i like the reviews on them , but i would get the baader hyperion instead when i order mine

[RussL]

I understand that the Orion Stratus and the Baader Hyperions are virtually the same , except for different colors on the coatings, and that the Hyperions give you lots of options by installing different tuning rings which vary the focal length of any given eyepiece. I believe the original design comes from Vixen, if I'm not mistaken. I have considered buying a Stratus myself. The 68* AFOV is standard on them all, and eye relief is 20mm, just what I need. I also hear that they are not as prone to blackout as some long-eyerelief eyepieces are. The Hyperions carry all these same specs for a cheaper price.

One thing that concerns me with such large eyepieces is whether or not it will be difficult to reach to screw in the diagonal or focuser since these eyepieces hang over so much. Anyone know?

[Vinnie]

Yes Dawg,

Actually I only use both Hyperions and LVWs with a 2" diag (and 2" Barlow if used) as the 2" system offers better physical support of these heavy "Hand Grenades" than does 1.25".

Nonetheless, because of the overall bulk, and me with big "tradesmans" hands I use longer than standard set screws on all my refractors, both between the draw tube and diag, and diag and EP

[Carlos_dfc]

Originally Posted by RussL

One thing that concerns me with such large eyepieces is whether or not it will be difficult to reach to screw in the diagonal or focuser since these eyepieces hang over so much. Anyone know?

Yep - I can confirm that if you use a Hyperion on many 1.25" diags, the lower edge (2" section) of the EP does butt up against the screws.

I replaced the standard screws of a SW 1.25" diag, with a couple of narrower ones from an old Antares barlow - just so I could use the 'Hyps' in a SW maksutov

[RussL]

Hm, just as I expected. I'll have to think about that before I go and buy one. I had considered that a longer screw would help, also. Thanks.