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Agena 1.25" Starguider Dual ED Eyepiece - 3.2mm

4.8 (4 Reviews) Read Reviews Write Review
Brand Agena AstroProducts
Part Number E-AG-SGED3.2
Availability

Product Info

Manufacturer Description

With a true flat field and two high quality ED glass elements of different glass types, the new Agena StarGuider Dual ED eyepieces are characterized by a significantly high contrast image. These 1.25" fully multicoated (FMC) eyepieces give maximum detail and definition across the entire 60 degree field of view (FOV). This feature is especially useful for telescopes without tracking capability where the object drifts across the field of view during observation. A great value, these eyepieces are exceptional at nearly eliminating lateral color aberration and light scatter often associated with more expensive eyepieces that are better suited for deep space objects.

The eyepieces are parfocal, minimizing the amount of refocusing needed when switching from eyepiece to eyepiece within the series.

Agena Dual ED Eyepieces vs. More Expensive Eyepieces:

Premium (and costly!) eyepieces that have similar wide fields of view need many exotic glass elements to achieve that wide field of view - as many as 9 lenses or more. More lenses mean more cost and more glass, which attenuates the amount of light you see. That also means there are more air-to-glass surfaces that can scatter light - reducing contrast and sometimes causing multiple reflections (ghosting) when viewing very bright objects such as the Moon and planets. Extra lenses can also mean compromises in the overall design that can often lead to other issues.

One such issue of all that glass is lateral color aberration. This results when different wavelengths (colors) of light pass through the eyepieces focal plane at different points and appear as a cloud of false color around bright objects. Another issue is light scatter seen as a distracting halo or glow around bright objects. This can also reduce contrast. Light scatter and lateral color are rarely seen in very wide field eyepieces when observing faint deep sky objects, but they become very apparent when viewing lunar, planetary, and double star objects. These objects don't need an extra-wide field of view to see small details and subtle contrast differences. Our 60 degree eyepieces provide high contrast, no scattered light, and the highest possible definition.

Agena Eyepieces - Rooted in Solid Design:

Orthoscopic and Plossl eyepieces have traditionally been the designs of choice for lunar, planetary, and binary star/star cluster observations. Their low number of lenses (typically four) and air-to-glass surfaces give better contrast and definition than the more exotic extra wide field eyepieces. A high quality orthoscopic or Plossl eyepiece on a good telescope gives views of Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn that can be breathtaking. But even these designs can be improved upon for lunar and planetary use.

Long Eye Relief - Up To 20mm!

Agena's StarGuider Dual ED eyepieces are the first long eye relief eyepieces with a comfortably wide field for planetary observing that also give the sharpness, contrast, and lack of lateral color and light scatter of the best orthoscopic and Plossl designs. What they don't have is the limited eye relief and restricted fields. Our eyepiece eye relief averages around 18mm and is as much as 20mm in the 25mm focal length model. Even the 5mm eyepiece has almost 16mm of eye relief! Experienced observers will truly appreciate such generous eye relief at significant magnifications.

The nicely machined body is rubberized and scalloped grooves around the circumference at the top provide a secure grip in all conditions.

Sharpness, Great Contrast and Flat Field of View:

With up to six lens elements in this unique design, these eyepieces are fully internally baffled and all internal spacers have antireflection microbaffles on their edges with flat black anodizing to reduce reflections. The field stop also has microbaffles in its edge to reduce off-axis flaring and produce a sharply delineated field edge. Every air to glass surface is broadband multicoated for peak light transmission and outstanding contrast on subtle lunar and planetary detail. The lens edges are blackened to eliminate internal reflections.

The eyepieces have a twist-up eyecup that can be raised or lowered as much as 11mm to provide the eye relief you find most comfortable. Spherical aberration of the exit pupil is well controlled, so there are no serious blackouts or kidney-bean effects if you move your eye slightly off the axis. Dust covers are provided for both ends of each eyepiece. A groove is machined into the nose piece barrel to ensure the eyepiece is less likely to fall out of the diagonal or focuser if the capture screw becomes accidentally loose.

Technical data:

  • Focal length: Available in focal lengths of 5mm, 8mm, 12mm, 15mm, 18mm and 25mm
  • 1.25" with filter thread
  • Field of view: 60°
  • Fully multi-coated on each glass/air surface

Reviews

4.8 (Based on 4 Reviews) 100% of reviewers recommended this product.
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    1. Ronald Zincone

      Ronald Zincone New Member

      Skill Level
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      User Notes:
      Review by Ronnie Z.
      1520308092
      Mar 5, 2018

      5.0 Another great eyepiece from Agena!

      Pros:

      Cons:

      Comments:

      A beautiful piece of glass! Highly recommend the entire line.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

    2. Guest

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      Review by Gustavo P.
      1517612606
      Feb 2, 2018

      5.0 Great EP at great price

      Pros:

      Cons:

      Comments:

      I have achromats and an apo, and that's where it really shines.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

    3. Guest

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      User Notes:
      Review by J C.
      1498690320
      Jun 28, 2017

      4.0 Excellent Value, Excellent Eyepiece

      Pros:

      Cons:

      Comments:

      Used with 2 refractors, an 80 f/11 and a 102 f/6, this eyepiece performs very well with sharpness and contrast. Too much mag for the 80mm, and the 102mm needs good seeing conditions, I still use this eyepiece regardless of conditions.

      Chunky and solid construction, however, I believe the actual eye relief is far shorter than the designed for designation of 15.8mm.

      Still, and excellent value for a good eyepiece.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

    4. Guest

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      User Notes:
      Review by Lift Off of Mississippi.
      1449619200
      Dec 8, 2015

      5.0 Very surprising!

      Pros:

      Easy to Use,Strong Construction,Quality Optic,Lightweight

      Cons:

      Comments:

      Amazing sharpness and detail viewing through 3 very different style scopes, Celestron Comet Catcher f3.6, flat star field to edge; Parks Jovian SCT f10 same; ES 102 f6.5 refractor same. This eyepiece is a high power home run!

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

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      Specifications

      Apparent Field of View 60°
      Barrel Size 1.25" (31.7mm)
      Bolt Case Included Yes - Free Agena Eyepiece Container
      Bolt Case Size Agena 52x80mm
      Coatings Fully Multi-Coated
      End Caps 2
      Eye Relief by Design 15.8mm
      Filter Threads Standard 1.25" Filter Thread (M28.5 x 0.6)
      Focal Length 3.20mm
      Lens Elements 5
      Lens Groups 3
      Rubber Eye Guard Yes (Twist-Up Eyecup)
      Eyepiece Weight 7.20oz (204.12g)
      Blackened Lens Edges Yes
      Manufacturer Agena AstroProducts
      Eyepiece Focal Length 5mm and Under
      Eyepiece Field of View 51 - 60 degrees
      Eyepiece Series Agena Dual ED
      Barrel Type Tapered barrel