Apogee Orthoscopic 16.8mm

Ratings:Top:Astronomy:Equipment Reviews:Eyepiece Reviews:Apogee Orthoscopic 16.8mm

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Brand and Model:Apogee Orthoscopic 16.8mm
Price ($USD):$25.00
Type:Orthoscopic
Focal Length:16.8 mm
Barrel Size:1.25 in
Apparent FOV:40.0 degrees
Field Stop Dia.:0.0 mm
Eye Relief:0 mm
Elements:4
Weight (lbs):
Description:
Vote Highlights Vote
Apogee Orthoscopic 16.8mm
I've used this eyepiece for quite a while now. Sharpness is just ok in the center but drops off badly in the outer third FOV in any of my scopes (from F6 to F11). Also, unlike the previous posters' comments, it fits way too loosely in my 1.25" eyepiece barrels. I only paid $25 for it but I was still a bit disappointed. Maybe I got a bad one? (the 10.5mm was much better), but since Apogee is clearing them out I can't return it.

Overall Rating: 6
Optics:6 Value:6
Weight: 20 (Notable Vote)
Date:
By: wprince
Link to this vote: http://excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=566129

Apogee Orthoscopic 16.8mm
Apparent field of view feels slightly larger than a typical Ortho, perhaps 48 degrees. Sharpness is outstanding. Field correction is excellent. Contrast and brightness are also excellent. Works great with a 2x apo barlow lens. This eyepiece is very comfortable to use, adequate eye relief (not to much) and no blackout problems. A real sleeper value for $25 to $30. These are supposedly the same as the Meade research grade Orthos sold over a decade ago. Check the Telescope Warehouse if Apogee is out of stock.

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:8 Value:10
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.65.17)
Link to this vote: http://excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=161332

Apogee Orthoscopic 16.8mm
IMHO this is a great deal. Other posters hae commented on the f.o.v. but I do not think the f.o.v. is any smaller than any other ortho and it provides a bright flat field to the edge. I use it with an f/10 and an f/4.5 with good results.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.143.96)
Link to this vote: http://excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=44088

Apogee Orthoscopic 16.8mm
A great bargain at $25 - this eyepiece offers very good image quality in terms of sharpness, contrast, brightness, and color purity. At f/5.3 it is sharp about 75% to the edge of it's FOV. I have not detected any ghosting, and it has a fairly flat field. Reasonable eye relief for non-glass wearers, very light weight, no eye-cup.

(It is rumored by some that this is the same glass as what was used in the older Meade RG orthos. Except for the somewhat unique focal length, I have no knowledge to really prove or disprove this.)

I've compared quite a few eyepieces in f/5.4 and f/5.3 refractors, and am basing my ratings on image quality, not FOV.

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.186.238)
Link to this vote: http://excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=44087

Apogee Orthoscopic 16.8mm
Very nice eyepiece; compares well with my uo orthos (9 and 12.5). Had no problem fitting it into my lumicon diagonal or the focuser on my c102hd. Appears to have a plastic barrel (not chrome), so is very light, but pretty robust. The views through it were fine; sharp almost to the edge with the moon. Seemed bright and no false color. Very recommended for $25!!

Matt

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.165.194)
Link to this vote: http://excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=44085

Apogee Orthoscopic 16.8mm
Optical performance pretty good considering price, narrow field of view though. Biggest complaint is the barrel was to big for some of the 1 1/4 inch holders, could only use it with a visual back, not with my diagonal. Sold it cheap.

Overall Rating: 7
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.74.19)
Link to this vote: http://excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=44084

Apogee Orthoscopic 16.8mm
Optically this eyepiece is outstanding at any price. At $25 it is easily the best eyepiece deal in my 3 dozen or so collection. The 1-1/4" barrel was too tight in my diagonals, however, especially getting the last 1/8" inch or so into the diagonal. This bothered me until I finally sold it. If I was a little better with my hands I may have been able to turn the barrel down to size.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.186.196)
Link to this vote: http://excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=44083

Apogee Orthoscopic 16.8mm
This is probably the best deal in eyepieces available today. Extremely sharp to edge of field, extremely flat, no color and high light transmission from the multicoated lenses. Relatively small FOV just like all orthos. I am still pinching myself about this $25 purchase.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.186.196)
Link to this vote: http://excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=44082

Apogee Orthoscopic 16.8mm
I have to say this is one excellent eyepiece. Stars focus down to _tiny_ pinpoints and the view is sharp to the edge. Good light throughput. The only noticable issue is the relatively small FOV which is expected with an Ortho. The construction seems to be made from black anodized aluminum so it is relatively very light weight compared to other 16-17mm eyepieces. Doesn't have an eyecup so if you have lots of light pollution you'll want to either get some rubber eyecupus or drape a cloth over you head when viewing, which i've been known to do from time to time. Value rating =9.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.14.4)
Link to this vote: http://excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=44086

Apogee Orthoscopic 16.8mm
This eyepiece gives outstanding results with my Star-Liner 6" f/8. The field of view is perfect for tightly framing the Moon or the Sun (using Baader film full-aperture) on a 48" FL scope. It compares very favorably with my UO orthos and Koenigs. My only problem was having enough focus travel (in) for it, but moving my mirror very slightly forward was well worth it.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.27.197)
Link to this vote: http://excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=44080

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