Here I go again....

[Don Alvarez]

In my never ending quest to find value to fill out my EP kit, I got a line on a low power EP, a Luminos 31mm. Now, this is the last focal length I planned on filling out because the 30mm Superview I have is performing adequately in this role. However, for the discounted price of $166 on used/returned 31mm Luminos, I feel this may be an opportunity. What gives me pause is don't know anything about these and I've seen them recommended around here even less than the Meade UWA's.

My endgame was going to be to eventually splurge and get a ES 30mm for my low power EP after I had finished collecting all the Meades. So I guess my question is how does a Luminos stack against that? Is this worthwhile, or would I be sacrificing too much quality and should just wait to get the ES when I am ready?

What would Horatio Alger do?

[bladekeeper]

Horatio would say "Don! Do not get the Luminos! It is NOT a good match for a reflector!"

Luminos eyepieces have their place and scopes they work well with, but a fast reflector is not that scope. You'll find you get a lot of barrel distortion and the FOV will appear to be rolling along under your eye. This quickly becomes annoying (for me anyway). Also, from my experience (granted, rather limited), the background sky tends to be more grey, hence a bit less contrast.

Also, Don, please do consider exit pupil when you buy. If it was me, I'd be interested in cranking the EP focal length back a notch or two, and consider something in the low to mid 20's (mm) range.

[Don Alvarez]

You saying my eyes can't handle 6mm exit pupils? Are you callin me old? Thems fightin words!

[bladekeeper]

You saying my eyes can't handle 6mm exit pupils? Are you callin me old? Thems fightin words!

Hahaha!

I have a little trouble with my 82° 30mm with my 12". I'm 45.

[Don Alvarez]

Define a little trouble. My SV creates 6mm exit pupil, but I don't really notice anything different when looking through that than any of my other EP's. What happens exactly when the light exceeds your pupil size, other than you are just wasting light?

[bladekeeper]

Define a little trouble. My SV creates 6mm exit pupil, but I don't really notice anything different when looking through that than any of my other EP's. What happens exactly when the light exceeds your pupil size, other than you are just wasting light?

It's kind of hard to describe...

It's like there is an un-seeable shadow present, but no matter how much you look for it, you cannot see it. It stays just off axis and out of view, but you know it is there, flitting about like a dark spectre. Almost like an eyelash or stray hair interfering with your vision in one eye and no matter how much you grab for it or swipe at it, it is still there.

This particular eyepiece is wonderful in my short 5" and yields a 4.61mm exit pupil as opposed to 6.02mm with the 12".

[Trombatissimo]

For about the same price as the Luminos, you should be able to find a used William Optics 28mm UWAN that will give the ES 30mm a good run for the money. I agree with the above comments especially about the "grey" background. It showed a surprisingly large amount of scatter and flare for a premium eyepiece. I could easily push to the moon from over five diameters distance, just by "moving towards the light".

[Don Alvarez]

It's kind of hard to describe...

It's like there is an un-seeable shadow present, but no matter how much you look for it, you cannot see it. It stays just off axis and out of view, but you know it is there, flitting about like a dark spectre. Almost like an eyelash or stray hair interfering with your vision in one eye and no matter how much you grab for it or swipe at it, it is still there.

This particular eyepiece is wonderful in my short 5" and yields a 4.61mm exit pupil as opposed to 6.02mm with the 12".

If I didn't know better I'd say it sounds more like you need an exorcist.

You've given me something to think about. Trouble is there doesn't seem to be many wide field options in mid 20's FL's.. ES 24mm.... the 100 degree is out, I'm not paying that for an EP unless I hit the lottery. Or I can stick to my plan, and the question becomes how long do I suppose my eyes will function as well as they do now.

[bladekeeper]

The ES 82° 24mm is an excellent eyepiece. Just sayin'. Immensely better in a fast reflector vs. the Luminos. No exorcism required.

EDIT: Bottom line is, you do what feels right for you and your scope, eye, backyard, etc. What is good for my circumstance may not fit yours, of course.

[Don Alvarez]

I think I'll stick to my plan for now. But thanks everyone for the input on the Luminos. I think I'll let that one slide by.