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Agena 1.25" Starguider Dual ED Eyepiece - 12mm
| Brand | Agena AstroProducts |
| Part Number | E-AG-SGED12 |
| Availability | available |
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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
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Apr 19, 2019
Nice 12mm eye piece
Pros: Cons: Comments:This is the first eyepiece I've added to my 8" Zhumell dob beyond the included 9 and 30mm ep's. It produces bright, clean images to my inexpert eye with good eye relief and easy to focus. On my telescope it plays well with my 2x Celestron Barlow. Very pleased overall and considering adding a 5mm Starguider next.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Dec 20, 2018Agena 12mm Eyepiece
Pros: Cons: Comments:This is an excellent eyepiece, one of my favorites. Wide angle gives moderate magnification of entire full moon, crisp image and good contrast.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
Shipping was fast, as usual from Agena. Nice to have the free bolt case included.This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Nov 17, 2018I really like this eyepiece.
Pros: Cons: Comments:I recently purchased this eyepiece and used it for several hours on a clear moonless night in my 80 mm f/7 Stellarvue achromat refractor. The eyepiece setup for this scope consists of the 25, 12 and 8 mm Starglider series with a Celestron Ultima Barlow used occasionally. I like the build quality. They just feel solidly built, the optical quality, the nice eye relief and that all three are very close to being parfocal. Just a minor tweak on the focus is all that is required when switching eyepieces. With this scope I get 47x and almost a 1.3 -degree field. It is great for open clusters. I am very happy and this is a great value for 60 dollars.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Nov 16, 2018Good at f/5
Pros: Cons: Comments:I purchased this for use with 130mm f/5 Newtonian reflector. There's astigmatism near the edge of the field, as one would expect with a fast scope, but it's not objectionable. With an inexpensive barlow lens most of the edge astigmatism disappears, giving an excellent virtual 6mm eyepiece. The 60-degree field is pleasant, and the field stop is well defined. This is a fine eyepiece, and a good choice for someone wanting better eye relief and a wider field than a plössl, but not wanting to pay a much higher price for a premium wide-field eyepiece.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Feb 21, 2018Hgh vaue eyepiece
Pros: Cons: Comments:I think this series of eyepieces represent a sweet spot for value. Sure you can spend ten times as much for a slight increase in performance but I'd rather have a set of these for half the price of a single "premium" eyepiece.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Dec 27, 2017Incredible Performance! Incredible Value!
Pros: Cons: Comments:I am thoroughly impressed with the Starguider Dual ED series! An amazing value! The 12mm revealed details on the lunar surface I have previously been unable to perceive in my 90mm, F11 achromat. Superb sharpness and contrast, and the color correction is quite good! The eye relief is fantastic! Build quality is absolutely solid! Can't wait to put these fine eyepieces on Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn when they come back around! Don't hesitate to add these to your collection, you will not be disappointed!
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Ronald Zincone New Member
- Skill Level
- Unknown
- Time with Product
- Unknown
- User Notes:
- Review by Ronnie Z.
Jul 30, 2017Best Bang for the Buck EP I've Used
Pros: Cons: Comments:Not much more to say than what's in the title, really. These EPs provide crisp, sharp, well corrected views across the field. Colors are very natural.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
The EP is solidly built, comfortable to use with excellent eye relief.
An absolute winner for the price.This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jun 27, 2017Crisp View
Pros: Cons: Comments:I have only used this eyepiece since the weather has been uncooperative, but I am impressed with the eyepiece after limited use.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
Some planetary and a few double star observations are all I have experienced with the eyepiece, but the views were crisp and sharp. Definitely a step up from the plossl 12mm ( my old favorite)This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Oct 10, 2015Very good
Pros:Accurate,Easy to Use,Quality Lenses,Lightweight,Strong Construction,Compact
Cons: Comments:Very good for the price. Works well even in f/5 scopes.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Sep 25, 2015Best details of moon yet
Pros:Strong Construction,Compact,Quality Lenses,Easy to Use
Cons: Comments:This is the 10th and BEST eyepiece to join my astronomy collection. I was particularly happy with clear, high contrast lunar details that I could see.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jun 26, 2015Excellent for the Money
Pros:Strong Construction,Quality Lenses
Cons: Comments:I recently picked up a 12" F/5 Dobsonian and wanted an eyepiece upgrade to go with it. After using this eyepiece, I will never go back to Plossls. I love the eye relief; it is almost long enough for use with eyeglasses. (I'm an optical engineer, so I'm really picky about such things.) The image is sharp enough that my wife commented on how easy it was to see the bands on Jupiter. Now I just need more Minnesota nights with good seeing.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Mar 27, 201512mm Starguider EP
Pros:Eyeguard Is A Big,Strong Construction,Compact,Quality Lenses
Cons: Comments:Excellent EP. Image is very sharp across the FOV, contrast is excellent,and the retractable eyeguard is an very nice feature,
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Oct 20, 2014Excellent oculars
Pros:Accurate,Large Eye Lens,Quality Lenses
Cons:Heavy
Comments:I spent a good amount of time and research looking for a new, high quality set of eyepieces to retire my older sets. I wanted a first-class, general purpose eyepiece that had a wide field for DSO and high contrast for planetary and binary stars. A difficult demand to fill at any price. I was prepared to spent more than twice the price for my final set.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
Testing the Agena Dual ED 8mm against an 8mm brass Brandon and 7mm Parks under the severest binary star tests with a 6" refractor, the Agena proved to be of equal performance with the bonus of a much greater field of view. The field is absolutely flat and well corrected. The optical quality of the Agena met all my observational requirements.
This eyepiece immediately impressed me with its appearance, weight and design. Its "out of the box" quality promised good things to come and did not fail.
I am a serious observer of 35 years, a hard core refractor owner and demand the best in optics. The Agena Dual ED is a "dark horse" ocular that deserves high praise. You will NOT regret owning the Agena Dual ED eyepieces.This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Sort bySpecifications
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 20mm Filter Threads Standard 1.25" Filter Thread (M28.5 x 0.6) Focal Length 12mm Lens Elements 6 Lens Groups 4 Rubber Eye Guard Yes (Twist-Up Eyecup) Blackened Lens Edges Yes Manufacturer Agena AstroProducts Eyepiece Focal Length 10.1mm - 15mm Eyepiece Field of View 51 - 60 degrees Eyepiece Series Agena Dual ED Barrel Type With safety undercut Eyepiece Weight 6.10oz (172.93g)
