GSO 2" SuperView Eyepiece - 30mm
Brand | GSO |
Part Number | SV30 |
Availability | available |
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Product Info
Manufacturer Description
Since their introduction in the US market a few years ago, the GSO SuperView series of wide-field eyepieces have taken the amateur astronomy community by storm. These are, by far, the best-selling GSO eyepieces. With an expansive apparent field of view (AFOV) ranging from 60 - 68 degrees, users will experience incredible views without breaking the bank or impinging on your scope's balance. SuperView eyepieces are available in 2 barrel sizes (1.25" or 2') and 5 focal lengths (ranging from 15mm to 50mm).
Images are virtually free of chromatic aberration or pincushion distortion with excellent flatness of field and eye relief. These eyepieces feature rubber grips on the housing and foldable rubber eyeguards. All eyepieces are fully multicoated, have blackened lens edges for improved contrast, and come with two end caps.
Guan Sheng is a leader in optical telescopes and accessories and their products have been sold for years by the "Big Three" (Meade, Celestron and Orion) under their own brand names. Give these a try - you will not be disappointed!
Reviews
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Feb 16, 2019
Good views
Pros: Cons: Comments:The GSO 30mm 2 inch is a good match for my 120mm doublet. Great clarity on center focus under dark skies. I enjoy looking through my new refractor even more than before!
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jan 31, 2019Great Eyepiece
Pros: Cons: Comments:Was very surprised with the performance - extremely clear and crisp.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
In my Bresser AR152/1200 it works well, but in the AR102/1000 it was FANTASTIC!!!!
Views better than a similar, high-dollar Explore Scientific eyepiece, which had less clarity and was yellowish compared to the GSO.
A Keeper!!!This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Sep 9, 2018GSO SuperView 30mm & 42mm
Pros: Cons: Comments:Purchased both the GSO SuperView 30mm and 42mm 2" inch EPs just to expand my collection. Quality of EPs is excellent. Great eye relief and gives nice bright crisp views. Very good quality for a cheap price. Just wish they made some in higher magnifications. Not on the level of Explore Scientific or Televue, but also doesn't carry the extreme price tags. If your on a budget and wanting a decent wide FOV EP, I would definitely recommend the GSO SuperView 30mm and 42mm.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
Scope: Celestron C8 SCT
Uses: Planetary, Moon, and finding DSOsThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Aug 11, 2018Best view of TDC I ever had
Pros: Cons: Comments:Best view of The Double Cluster I've ever had was using a 30mm SuperView on a 10" F/5 reflector during a star party. Nuff said for me.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Apr 29, 2018Great optic
Pros: Cons: Comments:Good value here. I use this mostly for looking at the moon. 9.25 SCT telescope. I am happy with the views I get with this piece.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
May 11, 2017Great value for long focal length OTA's
Pros: Cons: Comments:This eyepiece performs well at F/10, but on an F/15 150mm refractor it truly is a super view eyepiece. I probably would not recommend this eyepiece for use with a fast Newtonian but on an SCT or other long focal length scope it is a keeper.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Oct 8, 2016Great Value! Can't go wrong with GSO
Pros:Strong Construction,Accurate,Quality Lenses
Cons: Comments:As with many GSO products, quality and price ratio are good. Eye relief and field of view are great. Works very well for finding objects before zooming in and perfect for larger objects. I bought this along with the 2x barlow and love the combo!
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Oct 10, 2015A reasonable eyepiece at a good price
Pros:Comfortable Eye Relief
Cons:Some Astigmatism At F8
Comments:A good finder and big object eyepiece in slower scopes (f/7 and up). Has very comfortable eye relief and is pleasant to use. The only fault is that it exhibits a fair amount astigmatism in the outer third of the field even at f/7.5. However, in defense of the GSO 30mm, while there are eyepieces that show pinpoint stars across the field, those eyepieces cost several times as much. If you're on a budget and seeking to move up from a 1.25" eyepiece as your lowest power eyepiece, this is a decent choice and a good upgrade.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Aug 30, 2015Great bang for the buck!
Pros: Cons: Comments:I got this because I wanted to see what two inch eyepieces were like without spending a fortune. I spent over a week researching and trying to pick the right one. I wanted a wide FOV, but didn't want to exceed my f/4.9, 10" dob's minimum useable magnification. Doing the math I could go up to a 32mm eyepiece, so this one was definitely close enough to minimum magnification. Exit pupil was also a big consideration, I wanted as bright an image as I could get. The calculations said this would give me a 6mm exit pupil (perfect for my age). All the 32mm eyepieces I looked at had an exit pupil that was too big. I checked the FOV calculations, this was definitely smaller than a 32mm eyepiece with a larger AFOV, but it still gave me a larger TFOV than any other eyepiece I have. With so much going for it and a low price to boot, I pulled the trigger. The eyepiece did not disappoint on brightness. It is easily the brightest I have. Eye placement is very forgiving. I noticed no blackouts as I moved my eye around to take the whole view in. Eye relief was also very comfortable for me (I don't wear glasses when I observe). The sharpness on axis is very nice, pinpoint stars through 60-70% of the FOV. The edges drop off a good bit, with seagulls visible as you approach the very edge. The thing is, the FOV is so wide, when you are looking at an object, you don't even notice the edges. My focuser is not long enough to insert the eyepiece all the way. I had to back it out about an inch, but it seemed to be in there securely enough. I can't wait to get it to a dark sky site. This eyepiece will get a lot of use and will probably be the only one I ever need.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jul 14, 2015Great eyepiece
Pros:Lightweight,Quality Lenses,Accurate,Easy to Use,Strong Construction
Cons: Comments:This is the best eyepiece I have at the moment and it has never failed to give me outstanding views. The first time I used it I was taken away by the wide view. The clarity is excellent and pin point on stars. Orion nebula looked like I could reach out and touch it.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Sep 5, 2014Great eyepiece for the money
Pros:Lightweight,Strong Construction,Quality Lenses
Cons: Comments:This eyepiece is lightweight and has good image quality in my telescopes having focal ratios greater than f/6. It is comparable to good quality erfle or konig eyepieces in the 30 to 32mm range. The only drawback for me is the lack of a field stop. However, a suitable o-ring from a hardware store, inserted in the right place in the barrel, makes an effective one. I am pleased with this eyepiece.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Dec 3, 2013Excellent Economical Eyepiece
Pros:Quality Lenses,Easy to Use,Strong Construction
Cons: Comments:This is my first and, thus far, only 2" eyepiece, so I have to remove the 1.25" eyepiece adapter from my Orion XT10's focuser in order to use it and then the focuser has just barely enough travel to allow an image to be brought into focus. For that reason, I find it advantageous not to allow the eyepiece to settle all the way down into the focuser. Instead, I use the screws to hold it in place just short of all the way in, so that objects can come into a clear, sharp view from both sides of their optimal focus points.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
Despite these minor inconveniences, which are hardly the fault of the eyepiece, it has become my favorite finder piece. Whenever I need to look at a big piece of the sky, I plug it in. Its field of view takes in far more than any of my 1.25" plossls can deliver. The plossls probably beat it for crispness on big, bright objects, like the moon and the planets, but I didn't buy it for the moon and the planets. I bought it to help me explore and enjoy the further and dimmer "deep space objects", and I think it does an admirable job in bringing them home to me without sending me to the poor farm.This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
May 30, 2013I like it.
Pros:Strong Construction,Quality Lenses,Accurate,Easy to Use
Cons: Comments:Great buy for the money. I love the clear wide angle views through the EP.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Dec 11, 2012Very happy with this eyepiece.
Pros:Easy to Use,Strong Construction,Quality Lenses,Accurate
Cons: Comments:Good quality eyepiece for a reasonable price. I am just starting out in this hobby, and this was a relatively big step up from the standard eyepieces that came with my scope. It is one of my favorites so far.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jul 9, 2012Fantastic budget wide angle lens
Pros:Strong Construction,Easy to Use,Accurate,Quality Lenses
Cons: Comments:This was my first lens I bought after my initial scope purchase, and all the good things I had heard about GSO lens were confirmed. Fantastic eye relief and field of view. Busy saving for the barlow now.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jun 4, 2011Great value!
Pros:Build Quality,Lightweight
Cons:A little soft on the edge
Comments:This makes a great finder EP. It is compact, and lightweight by comparison to similar focal lenght 2-inch EPs. Plenty of eye relief for comfortable eye placement. At f/6, a little soft at the edge of the field. Good value for the money.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Apr 20, 2011Excellent wide view eyepiece
Pros:Quality Lenses,Accurate,Strong Construction
Cons: Comments:I really like the wide views I get with this eyepiece. It is constructed very well, and just feels very well made. The view is sharp and crisp, up to very close to the edge. I has become my most used eyepiece. Excellent buy.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jan 2, 2011Stellar Eyepiece
Pros:Strong Construction,Accurate,Quality Lenses
Cons:Low magnification
Comments:This is by far my favorite eyepiece. The eye relief is fantastic, making it comfortable and easy for me and others to use. The views are crisp, sharp, and beautiful. Touring around a very dark sky with this nearly 2
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
May 1, 2010Nice eyepiece
Pros:Quality Lenses
Cons: Comments:The GSO optics is as good as the optics of the big brand names. This 2" eyepiece fits perfectly in my also GSO 2" dielectric mirror diagonal. I strongly recommend both.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jan 18, 2010GSO 2" 30mm Eyepiece
Pros:Accurate,Lightweight,Quality Lenses
Cons:None
Comments:I purchased the GSO 2" SuperView 30mm eyepiece from Agena Astroproducts a while ago and I've used it many, many times. I mainly use this eyepiece for deep-sky viewing which it is well suited for (especially the larger open clusters, the Double cluster of Perseus is simply stunning through this eyepiece, as is the beehive cluster), the 30mm focal length isn't ideal for planetary viewing. I am really impressed with the suprisingly lightweight design and the views I get from it, they are sharp, crisp and quite wide. I also noticed that the comma problem I usually get (I have a fast 10" Dob) is not nearly as pronounced as I get with my other eyepieces of similar size. Unfortunately I can't comment on the accuracy of the colors as I'm colorblind, however, I haven't noticed any major chromatic aberration with this unit.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
If you're looking for fantastic views of the night sky while not forking out a lot of your hard earned cash, then I highly recommend this eyepiece.This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Sep 7, 2009Welcome To The Big Sky
Pros:Strong Construction,Quality Lenses,Accurate
Cons:Had to adjust seating
Comments:I bought this eyepiece for my Zhumell 8" Dobsonian telescope. I found I had to pull it out just a bit from the focuser (the only thing keeping it from being a 5-star review), but that was no big deal. The eyepiece is sturdy with quality optics, giving me that great "lost in space" view I'd heard so much about. A great eyepiece that exceeded my expectations.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jun 7, 2009Very nice eyepiece
Pros:Strong Construction,Quality Lenses
Cons: Comments:An amazing eyepiece for the money. The eye relief is just about perfect and eyeglass wearers will be very pleased with well-made, fold-down eyecups. The image is bright and sharp to about two/thirds of the field. I think the 30mm is the best of the series.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
May 31, 20091st wide view eyepiece, very good
Pros:Strong Construction,Low cost,Clear View
Cons:Heavy
Comments:This eyepiece was my first wide view and 2 inch eyepiece. Based on the review on forums, it was recommended, and I am happy with the purchase. It is very clear to me, and I really like the wide view. I have never used the really high-dollar eyepieces, so I cant compare them, but I would recommend this if you are a backyard astronomer like me! Cost and value are great! The weight was surprising, as my Dob would tend to lean more, but I think that is the same with any 2 inch eyepiece.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
May 27, 2009Great Eyepiece for the Price
Pros:Strong Construction,Quality Lenses
Cons: Comments:This is a great eyepiece for the price. I have a fast f4 scope so with larger eyepieces the quality of the image usually becomes worse. This is not the case for this eyepiece. The quality of the images is great and the price is also well worth it.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
May 27, 2009Excellent eyepiece.
Pros:Strong Construction,Quality Lenses,Accurate
Cons: Comments:Using this eyepiece with my 10 inch F/8 telescope, the GSO's are my favorite 2 inch eyepieces. Large lens diameter and comfortable working distance combine with crystal clear optics for a great image. The antireflection coatings are also the best I've seen.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
May 26, 2009Great Bargain Wide-Field EP
Pros:Superb Value,Quality Lenses
Cons: Comments:If you need a wide-field EP and don't want to spend hundreds of dollars for a Tele Vue Panoptic or Nagler, then look no further. The GSO SuperView is a great bargain wide-field EP. It works well in my f/6 scope. In faster scopes, you may need a paracorr.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
May 22, 2009GSO SuperView 30mm
Pros:Price,Agena bolt case,Larger lens,I like the views
Cons:Some edge distortion,Some loss of contrast
Comments:I have been using this 2" 30mm eyepiece for several nights in my C8 f/10 SCT and I have seen pretty good views through this. Specifications indicate this as a wide field eyepiece. But it is kind of strange that when I use this 2" 30mm in my SCT with a 2" visual back and then compare the view to a 1.25" 32mm which has a FOV of 44 degrees, the image is the same! I see the same stars in the view with either eyepiece. I viewed Jupiter through this until it drifted out of the eyepiece and it does show some edge distortion on bright objects, but this Superview seems to be a very nice accessory for me and works great with my C8, especially when you are on a tight budget like I am. I can't compare this to fancy $200 eyepieces because I just wouldn't personally spend that much for one. I don't know all the fancy mumbo-jumbo technicalities about how these are made, but it has made my viewing much better. It comes with a smooth action bolt case and both end caps.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
AstroGuy1 New Member
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- Review by viperbob of New Jersey.
Mar 23, 2009GSO Super View 30mm 2 inch eyepiece
Pros:Price is right,Wide view for a 2 inch EP,Well Made
Cons:FOV may be less,Some sea gull effect in
Comments:What a pleasant experience it was to go out last night here in New Jersey and check out my new and only 2 inch eyepiece that I received from Astronomy Ratings (Grand prize winner). The skies here were excellent, considering how close I am to New York City, and it was an opportunity I couldn't miss.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
The contrast was excellent and the stars/planet were pin point to about 70% and the balance of 30% was not bad. This was using my LX-90 f/10 SCT telescope. The background was almost totally black and the nice green tint on the glass was nice. I have no way of checking out the status on the FOV but it was wider than my standard plossl. Eye relief is nice at 15mm and there are 5 glass elements. This appears to be an excellent, well made eyepiece and is fitted for filters. Since I don't have two I can't check them out in my binoviewer but it's a thought for the future.
This eyepiece is a keeper for me. It is a shame this eyepiece is not parfocal with the 20mm, as being able to use the GSO Super View 20mm without changing the focus. Also this GSO eyepiece doesn't seem to be very heavy since it is so much bigger - actually it is not much heavier than my 32mm Televue plossl. Nice feature.This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Mar 19, 2009Excellent Buy
Pros:Solid Construction, fairly lightweight, clear views.
Cons:None
Comments:I am very happy with this EP. I've used it in an f/5 reflector and the views are crisp almost to the edge. The Pleiades and Double Cluster were fantastic and that's from a very light polluted area. Quite an improvement of the stock 26mm I got with my dob. I also ordered the 15 mm and 20 mm.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yesskooter60 New Member
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- User Notes:
- Review by Skooter60 of Hatfield PA.
Mar 17, 2009It's A Keeper
Pros:Quality Lenses,Strong Construction
Cons: Comments:I have been looking for a reasonably priced wide field EP for use in my F/5 10" reflector for a while and this is a keeper. The views are crisp almost to the edge. The Pleiades fit comfortably in the field of view as did the double cluster. The EP is big but not too heavy. Next I will give it a try in my F/5 refractor to see how it performs. I already ordered the 20mm can't wait.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Feb 18, 2009Nice field of view
Pros: Cons: Comments:This eyepiece is great, its very light, I have a problem with my short refractor because the balance point is way to back and the two screw holes that have for attachment are in front of that so a light eyepiece for me is a must. On f/6 the seagulls that appear on the edge of field are not a problem, you realy need to be looking for that in order to notice them, in my friend 80mm f/9.4 they are non existent. I love the widefields on the milky way using this eyepiece, I have a friend that has a 27mm Panoptic and of course it is better.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
AstroGuy1 New Member
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- Review by wrose of Colorado.
Feb 2, 2009Best Buy for the Money
Pros:Excellent finder EP,Well built,Great Value
Cons:Some edge aberration
Comments:One of the best buys for the money I've found lately. My initial findings compare similarly to those of the other reviewers. It is the best overall wide angle eyepiece in its price range I've found. Unlike some others it's build using standard materials and has a metal barrel so it just 'feels better' than some of the plastic eyepieces being sold in this price range. There are a few of these others that have equal optics but the overall construction of this eyepiece puts it a definite notch above them.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
I was looking for a decent 'finder eyepiece' for use with my DOB at Public Star Parties that I wouldn't have to worry too much about. I was using another brand 28mm Wide Angle but was hoping to find something with a little wider FOV and maybe a little less aberration. Agena Products sent me this eyepiece and it has been great. The light transmission, contrast, and detail in the central 2/3's of the FOV blows the 28mm I was using away. While there's definite aberration in the outer 25% in my f/5.6 DOB, this eyepiece is far better than the vast majority of similar focal length wide angle EPs that costs less than $100.
Out of curiosity I've tried this eyepiece in my C9.25 SCT and was pleasantly surprised. It certainly will not compete with high priced eyepieces but definitely holds its own against any other 30mm wide field that costs twice as much. In the slower C9.25 this eyepiece has far less edge issues and is a very nice "knock around" wide field for use as a finder and generally scanning around. I can recommend this eyepiece to anyone looking for a wide field, 2" eyepiece for under $100.This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
melonman New Member
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- Review by melonman of Minnesota.
Nov 27, 2008Another review of the 30mm Superview EP
Pros:Probably real good at f7,Decent at f5,Good finder eyepiece
Cons:Aberration in fast scopes
Comments:Just wanted to add that the other review of this eyepiece is almost exactly the same as my own. The 30 mm does a little better on my 8" F/6 dob than in my F/5. It makes a good finder eyepiece and gives decent views to the edge with stars of low magnitude. But brighter stars flare in the outer 25% of the FOV. That being said, when I purchased mine from Agena AstroProducts I could find no other "finder" eyepiece of this quality for less. I might add, that for an older person, you supposedly will see no increase in the surface brightness of objects in any eyepiece beyond 30mm at F/5 (eyepiece mm/focal ratio of scope) (30/5) because our eyes only open to about 6mm. That means you could use the 42mm in an f/6 and probably get a bigger total FOV.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
AstroGuy1 New Member
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- Review by Wolf359 of Texas.
Nov 17, 2008The Definition of "Bang for Buck"
Pros:Good build quality,Lightweight,Nice eye relief,Exclnt price-performance
Cons:Edge performance in Fast
Comments:I actually got this eyepiece free with a scope purchase and was a bit surprised at its performance. No, it couldn't compete with my premium eyepieces costing 6 times as much, but when you consider that these eyepieces sell for little more than an ordinary plossl, their value is very impressive. In my f5 Dobsonian, the SuperView was sharp out to about 2/3rd's of the field. Stars were noticeably distorted beyond that. However, the sharp portion of the field is about equivalent to that of a standard plossl while the extra remaining field definitely adds to the immersive experience. Eye relief was very good as well and the eyepiece was very light compared to other widefields I've used of similar focal lengths. I would definitely recommend this eyepiece to someone who wants a widefield eyepiece but doesn't want to spend the big bucks.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Apr 28, 2008Very good eyepiece for the price!
Pros:Excellent price! Great eye relief! Sharp optics!
Cons:Not as much AFOV as the 42mm in this series.
Comments:I purchased the 30mm at the same time as the 42mm. I was expecting very similar results but actually found the two eyepieces to be a good bit different! Like the 42mm, I tested the eyepiece in my 100mm f/6 achromatic refractor. And like the 42mm, the image was perfectly sharp across the entire field of view! What was noticeably different was the AFOV. The 30mm appears to be considerably less that the 42mm. I'm not saying it's a bad eyepiece, it's just that I was expecting a little more AFOV from this eyepiece. The AFOV is considerably less than that of a 60+ year old 30mm military surplus Erfle that I use a lot. I was so impressed with the 42mm in this scope that it was just a little bit disappointing. It is still a good eyepiece and I will use it for public star parties and other events. Maybe, it's just not as good a match with this scopes optical system as the other eyepieces.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
I still say it a good eyepiece and is excellent for the price.Feb 14, 2008GSO 30mm SuperView
Pros:Price, Construction, FOV, Lightweight, Sharp Image
Cons:Coma in outer 15% with f5 scope.
Comments:I have had this eyepiece for a while and have really enjoyed it. It is a decent 5 element 2" eyepiece, and it has a very nice feel. The construction of the eyepiece is good and rugged. Optics are good and the coatings look very good with no flaws. I use it in my f5 dob and it performs well. I notice a little coma at about 85% but I have seen worse. I paid about $59 for it and I mainly use it at star parties and it is just fine for that. The FOV is nice and I can get M31, M32, & M110 all in the same view. I recommend this as a good all around wide FOV eyepiece.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesOct 12, 2007Excellent Big View at a Great Price
Pros:Very inexpensive, sharp view, good contrast, wide view.
Cons:Slight loss of focus at the edge of the field.
Comments:Like some of the other reviewers, I received the GSO Superview 30mm eyepiece from Agena AstroProducts as the Astronomy Ratings Monthly Grand Prize. After using it, I'd be just as happy with it if I'd paid the full $58.00 price.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
The SuperView 30mm is a handsome eyepiece with a black anodized metal body, a rubber grip and rubber eye-guard, making it resemble more expensive 2-inch eyepieces. The plated barrel is notched for a lock-screw and is threaded for 2" filters.
I was equally impressed with the 30mm Superview's performance in my 120mm f/5 refractor. Eye relief was comfortable enough to use with my glasses on (though because of my gradient lenses I prefer to view without them). The view showed pinpoint stars at the center and had a pleasing level of contrast without any ghosting. Though there was, as is the case with most economy-priced long focal length 2" eyepieces, a slight loss of focus towards the edge of the field, this was less noticeable than that of my Orion Deep View 35mm, a comparable 2" eyepiece that sells for almost $20 more than the Superview. (More than that if you consider that Orion DOES charge for shipping, whereas Agena does not!) While it did not give the "Spacewalk" effect of more expensive (MUCH more expensive) premium 2" eyepieces, the "Porthole" effect of the 30mm Superview was very satisfying.
In conclusion, the GSO SuperView 30mm eyepiece is an excellent 2" wide-field eyepiece for the Budget Astronomer. While this eyepiece will never outperform any of the wide-field eyepieces costing several times more, it exceeds expectations given the low price.Aug 12, 2007GSO Super View 30mm 2 inch eyepiece
Pros:Price is right, well made, wide view for a 2 inch eyepiece.
Cons:The FOV may be less than advertised, some sea gull effect in the last 30%
Comments:What a pleasant experience it was to go out last night here in New Jersey and check out my new and only 2 inch eyepiece that I received from Astronomy Ratings (Grand prize winner for July '07). The skies here were excellent, considering how close I am to New York City, and it was an opportunity I couldn't miss.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
The contrast was excellent and the stars/planet were pin point to about 70% and the balance of 30% was not bad. This was using my LX-90 f/10 SCT telescope. The background was almost totally black and the nice green tint on the glass was nice. I have no way of checking out the status on the 70 degree FOV but it was wider than my standard plossl. Eye relief is nice at 15mm and there are 5 glass elements. This appears to be an excellent, well made eyepiece and is fitted for filters. Since I don't have two I can't check them out in my binoviewer but it's a thought for the future. This eyepiece is a keeper for me. It is a shame this eyepiece is not parfocal with the 20mm, as being able to use the GSO Super View 20mm without changing the focus. Also this GSO eyepiece doesn't seem to be very heavy since it is so much bigger - actually it is not much heavier than my 32mm Televue plossl. Nice feature.Jul 14, 2007GSO SuperView 30mm
Pros:I like the views it shows, the price, the bolt case and the larger lens.
Cons:Edge distortion and loss of contrast on bright objects.
Comments:I have been using this 2" 30mm eyepiece for several nights in my C8 f/10 SCT and I have seen pretty good views through this. Specifications indicate this as a 68 degree eyepiece. But it is kind of strange that when I use this 2" 30mm in my SCT with a 2" visual back and then compare the view to a 1.25" 32mm which has a FOV of 44 degrees, the image is the same! I see the same stars in the view with either eyepiece.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
I viewed Jupiter through this until it drifted out of the eyepiece and it does show some edge distortion on bright objects, but this Superview seems to be a very nice accessory for me and works great with my C8, especially when you are on a tight budget like I am.
I can't compare this to fancy $200 eyepieces because I just wouldn't personally spend that much for one. I don't know all the fancy mumbo-jumbo technicalities about how these are made, but it has made my viewing much better. It comes with a smooth action bolt case and both end caps.Apr 23, 2007Best Buy for the Money
Pros:Excellent finder EP, well built, and great $$ vs Value
Cons:Edge Aberration especially in fast scopes
Comments:One of the best buys for the money I've found lately. My initial findings compare similarly to those of the other reviewers. It is the best overall wide angle eyepiece in it's price range I've found. Unlike some others it's build using standard materials and has a metal barrel so it just 'feels better' than some of the plastic eyepieces being sold in this price range. There are a few of these others that have equal optics but the overall construction of this eyepiece put's it a definite notch above them.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
I was looking for a decent 'finder eyepiece' for use with my DOB at Public Star Parties that I wouldn’t have to worry too much about. I was using another brand 28mm Wide Angle (see picture) but was hoping to find something with a little wider FOV and maybe a little less aberration. Agena Products sent me this eyepiece and it has been great. The light transmission, contrast, and detail in the central 2/3's of the FOV blows the 28mm I was using away. While there's definite aberration in the outer 25% in my f/5.6 DOB, this eyepiece is far better than the vast majority of similar focal length wide angle EPs that costs less than $100.00.
Out of curiosity I've tried this eyepiece in my C9.25 SCT and was pleasantly surprised. It certainly will not compete with high priced eyepieces but definitely holds it's own against any other 30mm wide field that costs twice as much. In the slower C9.25 this eyepiece has far less edge issues and is a very nice "knock around" wide field for use as a finder and generally scanning around. I can recommend this eyepiece to anyone looking for a wide field, 2" eyepiece for under $100.00Dec 28, 2006Another review of the 30mm Superview eyepiece.
Pros:Decent at f/5, probably real good at f/7. Good finder eyepiece
Cons:Aberration in fast scopes 1/3 from the edge
Comments:Just wanted to add that the other review of this eyepiece is almost exactly the same as my own. The 30 mm does a little better on my 8" F/6 dob than in my F/5. It makes a good finder eyepiece and gives decent views to the edge with stars of low magnitude. But brighter stars flare in the outer 25% of the FOV. That being said, when I purchased mine for $57 with shipping from Agena AstroProducts I could find no other "finder" eyepiece of this quality for less. I might add, that for an older person, you supposedly will see no increase in the surface brightness of objects in any eyepiece beyond 30mm at F/5 (eyepiece mm/focal ratio of scope) (30/5) because our eyes only open to about 6mm. That means you could use the 42mm in an f/6 and probably get a bigger total FOV.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesDec 17, 2006The Definition of "Bang for Buck"
Pros:Lightweight, nice eye relief, good build quality, and an excellent price to performance ratio.
Cons:Poor edge performance in fast scopes.
Comments:I actually got this eyepiece free with a scope purchase and was a bit surprised at its performance. No, it couldn't compete with my premium eyepieces costing 6 times as much, but when you consider that these eyepieces sell for little more than an ordinary plossl, their value is very impressive. In my f5 Dobsonian, the SuperView was sharp out to about 2/3rd's of the field. Stars were noticeably distorted beyond that. However, the sharp portion of the field is about equivalent to that of a standard plossl while the extra remaining field definitely adds to the immersive experience. Eye relief was very good as well and the eyepiece was very light compared to other widefields I've used of similar focal lengths. I would definitely recommend this eyepiece to someone who wants a widefield eyepiece but doesn't want to spend the big bucks.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesSort bySpecifications
Apparent Field of View 68° Barrel Size 2" (50.8mm) Bolt Case Included Yes - Free Agena Eyepiece Container Bolt Case Size Agena 65x120mm Coatings Fully Multi-Coated Height (with Eye Guard) 127mm End Caps 2 Eye Relief by Design 22mm Filter Threads Standard 2" Filter Thread (M48 x 0.75) Focal Length 30mm Lens Elements 5 Lens Groups 3 Rubber Eye Guard Yes Blackened Lens Edges Yes Manufacturer GSO Eyepiece Focal Length 20.1mm - 30mm Eyepiece Field of View 61 - 70 degrees Eyepiece Series GSO SuperView Barrel Type Smooth sided Eyepiece Weight 12.90oz (365.71g)