Agena 1.25" Starguider Dual ED Eyepiece 60-deg AFOV, FMC - 15mm

Please note: This listing is for one eyepiece only as described in the item title and specifications. The other eyepieces in this series referred to in the item description are sold separately.

• The Agena StarGuider Dual ED eyepieces feature high contrast, 2 element ED glass
• Wide 60 degree Field of View (FOV) in 5mm to 25mm focal lengths
• Exceptional at nearly eliminating lateral color aberration and light scatter while retaining excellent sharpness, contrast and definition
• 5 or 6 lenses in up to 4 groups; comfortable 16-20mm eye relief
• Perform as well as other, more expensive Orthoscopic and Plossl eyepieces
• Excellent fit and finish with fully multicoated lenses and flat black anodized internal baffles and field stop
• Rubberized body with retractable eyecups for optimum adjustment of eye relief
• 1.25" barrel with filter thread

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

China

Note: Occasionally, the product you receive might have a slightly different cosmetic appearance or labeling than what is shown. This can often change from batch to batch according to the whims of the manufacturer. However, you will always receive a brand new, original product as described above.

Description copyright: Agena AstroProducts - Reproduction without permission prohibited.

Back to Top

A. Payment: You can pay via any payment method that eBay accepts.

B. Shipping Method: United States Postal Service (USPS) or United Parcel Service (UPS) at your choice and expense (our choice if the item has free shipping option). eBay orders for items over $1,500 can only ship via UPS.

C. Order Processing Time: Orders received by 12 noon Mon – Fri US Pacific Time generally ship on the same business day. Orders received after 12 noon PT or on weekends/holidays will ship by the next business day.

D. Checkout: Please pay for the item(s) within 3 days from your account on eBay or by using the link in the email you receive from eBay.

E. Shipping Discount: We offer combined shipping if you order multiple quantities/items and if items can be combined. eBay will automatically show you the correct combined/discounted shipping costs when you check-out.

F. Combining Purchases: You can combine shipping for items purchased from us on eBay within 3 days. Buy the items individually and check out together for all items. eBay will combine the shipping weights and show you the discounted shipping cost. You must check out for all items together via eBay for this. We cannot combine shipping costs if you check out individually for your purchases.

G. Sales Tax/VAT: Sales tax or VAT may be charged and collected by eBay as required by law based on your ship-to address and local tax/VAT rates. Please check with eBay.

Back to Top

A. Delivery Time:

• USPS First Class shipments will generally take 3-5 business days to arrive after we ship it. Priority Mail shipments will generally take 2-3 business days. However, these delivery times are NOT guaranteed by the USPS. Delays of up to 2 (or sometimes even 3) weeks can occur in about 5% of the shipments due to Covid, operational, or other issues.
• UPS shipments will generally take between 1 and 6 business days to be delivered depending on the method you select.

USPS and UPS do NOT offer any refunds for shipping/delivery delays for ANY reason (except for UPS Next Day Air service). Delays are out of our control once your order ships.

B. Tracking/Delivery Confirmation:eBay will update you once your order ships. You can see the order status or tracking information/link from your eBay account at any time.

C. USPS Tracking Limitations: Please note that is common for USPS tracking to show “Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item” or “Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending” even several days after your order ships. This does not mean that there is a problem with your order or that we have not handed over your package to USPS yet. This simply means that your package is en route without an outbound scan and tracking will not be updated until the package reaches a distribution center at your end several days later.

Back to Top

A. Shipping Cost: Click on the "Shipping and Payments" tab above and select your country to see your shipping choices and cost. If you need a shipping cost estimate for multiple items, please contact us.

B. Delivery Time:

Please note that eBay’s delivery estimates shown are generally too optimistic!

1. UPS (All Shipping Methods):

• We strongly recommend the use of UPS for international orders due to issues related to the ongoing Covid situation. Delivery time usually varies between 3-7 business days depending on your country and the exact shipping method you select.

2. USPS First Class International:

• First class packages will usually be carried by GlobalPost (a USPS international delivery partner) for most of the way. Delivery at your end will be handled by your local postal service.
• Delivery generally takes about 3-4 weeks after we ship your package. This can frequently take 4-6 weeks or more for several countries (8 weeks for Italy, Argentina, and South Africa; 8-12 weeks for Brazil).
• There is very limited tracking available for 1^st class shipments and there is no inquiry/tracing service. Once your package ships, we can do nothing but wait until your package arrives. Please do not become impatient and contact us in 2-3 weeks if your package has not arrived. If you don't receive the package in 6-8 weeks, contact us and we will work with you to resolve the issue.
• If you don't want to take the risk of this delay or lack of tracking, DO NOT USE First Class mail - use Priority or Express shipping, or better still, UPS instead.
• Packages are not considered lost unless 60 days have elapsed from the date of shipment.

3. USPS Priority Mail International: Delivery takes about 2 weeks to most countries after we ship your package. This can sometimes take 3-4 weeks to several countries. The USPS provides some basic tracking information for Priority shipping. Packages are not considered lost unless 60 days have elapsed from the date of shipment.

4. USPS Express Mail International: Delivery usually takes 5-10 business days after we ship your package. Packages are not considered lost unless 30 days have elapsed from the date of shipment.

Again, these delivery times are NOT guaranteed by the US Postal Service. The most common reason for delays is slow customs inspection and clearance in your country, and can be very long, even for Express mail packages. Upon shipping your order, delivery delays are beyond our control, so do not leave us negative feedback or file a claim if your package is delayed. Delays are quite common but losses are very rare, so your patience and understanding will be greatly appreciated.

C. Brokerage Fees, Customs and Duties:

• You are responsible for any carrier brokerage fees and duties/taxes that may be levied in your country. These are not included in our item price or shipping cost. UPS brokerage fees can be quite hefty.
• We have no control over these charges and cannot predict what they may be or if they will be levied upon delivery.
• Customs policies vary widely from country to country (Some countries such as UK are strict about imposing hefty customs duties). It is your responsibility to check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to buying.
• Customs fees are normally charged by the delivery company or your country's postal service or collected when you pick the item up. These fees are NOT additional shipping charges.

A. US Orders: Returns must be shipped back within 30 days. All returned items must be in brand new, resalable condition with original manufacturer’s packaging. A minimum restocking fee of 10% will be deducted if there is any evidence of use or wear, dirt, scratches, missing packaging/parts, etc. We may levy a larger restocking fee if the condition warrants it, or even refuse returns entirely if returned in heavily used/abused condition. Shipping fees are non-refundable (for items with free or discounted fixed shipping, the actual outbound S&H cost we incurred will be deducted) and you are responsible for all return shipping costs. Please contact us first before returning an item.

B. International Orders: No returns/exchanges accepted unless the item we shipped is defective. Please research the product and ask us any questions BEFORE you purchase to make sure you are buying the correct item for your needs.

Back to Top