Zhumell Z100 16mm Eyepiece with 100 Degree Apparent Field of View

Comments about Zhumell Z100 16mm Eyepiece with 100 Degree Apparent Field of View:

The optics are good but not perfect. The image distorts on the edges. The price is nice but you get what you pay for.

Comments about Zhumell Z100 16mm Eyepiece with 100 Degree Apparent Field of View:

I got this as the delux package with my Zhumell 10" Dob. I was a little leary about the additional cost it was going to add to the total package since I"m new to astronomy but having used it I believe it was well worth the money. The big Dobs shine at deep space object viewing and this eyepiece is amazing. Very clear and sharp images with a breathtaking wide view. The Orion nebula is very bright and clear and you can see the banding on Jupiter. This lens alone was worth the upgrade price, highly reocmmended.

Comments about Zhumell Z100 16mm Eyepiece with 100 Degree Apparent Field of View:

This eyepiece came with the Zhumell Z8 telescope that I purchased some time ago as part of the deluxe package. Over the last five months, this eyepiece has repeatedly re-seated itself as my absolute favorite in my EP collection, and has out-performed most of the EPs I have borrowed from friends and looked through at star parties.Essentially a less expensive TeleVue Ethos, this EP has a breathtaking 100-degree apparent field of view, comfortable eye relief, a large exit pupil and is at the "sweet spot" of magnification for me (1200mm focal length).Never underestimate the benefit of apparent field of view! Although many people want a wide view for DSOs, the huge apov becomes just as important, if not more important, for lunar and planetary viewing as you increase magnification (as with a 2x or 3x barlow). Why? If you don't have a motorized telescope, a larger apov means less manual tracking with your scope, more viewing, and better "family portraits" of the Jovian and Saturnian families. DSOs will of course frame beautifully.I frequently use this EP with a 2x barlow for lunar and planetary viewing, and it has never disappointed me. I do understand that *technically* some light is lost due to the extra glass in the EP (as compared to simpler plossl and "planetary" EPs), but to me the glorious view and fantastic eye relief/exit pupil more than make up for that. Not only do I recommend this EP to my friends, I have on several occasions drawn envy from strangers who don't understand what they will see until they actually look through this EP. No wonder [...] sells so many Ethos EPs!! One word of warning: this EP requires a fairly large amount of out-focus. *HIGHLY* Recommended!One Con: This EP is about the size of a soup can, and with the Zhumell 2" 2x barlow it sticks out of my focuser like a huge thumb! In addition, the EP weighs about as much as a can of condensed soup so watch out if your scope tends to require delicate balance. This is not a flaw, but a part of any design with so much glass in it.

Comments about Zhumell Z100 16mm Eyepiece with 100 Degree Apparent Field of View:

I purchased this as an upgrade/add-on kit when I purchased my zhumell 10" dob recently. I really didn't expect too much due to the package price. I thought if it was decent that would be good enough. When I opened the box I was please right off the bat due to the packaging. When I got the EP out of the storage tube I was very pleased at the quality of construction and was eager to get it out there and see what it could offer.

I tried the stock 9mm plossl and wasn't very impressed with it so, I pulled out this big boy(2")and dropped it in. Wow! crisp all the way out to the edge, very nice contrast, ZERO ghosting, and brighter than I had ever hoped for.
Would I recommend this EP to others,.....You betcha!

Comments about Zhumell Z100 16mm Eyepiece with 100 Degree Apparent Field of View:

I purchased the Z8 Ultimate Package which include the 16mm Z100. This was a great addition to the 9mm and 30mm eyepieces that come with the standard Z8.

It has a nice, wide FoV that allows you to "look around" and the price is great compared with the Tele Vue Ethos line. I own the Ethos 10 and will probably grow my eyepiece kit around the Ethos line but I won't be replacing the Z100 any time soon.

Construction feels solid. The rubber around the top is pretty stiff and on cold nights I'm worried that it will crack if I fold it back - but so far this hasn't been a problem.