Review for Zhumell Par-Focal 1.25 Inches 1.5x Erecting Eyepiece 1.25-1.5XERECT-NO

Author: DoninMd from Baltimore, Maryland on Jul 30, 2007
Pros:  Useful for terrestial viewing with reflector telescope
Cons:  1.5 x Barlow effect is a mixed blessing
Would recommend:  yes

DoninMd wrote:

Zhumell Sport Optics This erecting lens, that is also a 1.5x Barlow, was purchased with a 4 ½ inch mirror Meade reflector telescope in order to view objects on the ocean from a summer vacation balcony. Given that, it served well. The lens erected and aligned images as advertised. As a bargain-priced lens, it met expectations. An erecting lens adds nothing to celestial viewing. Also, the Barlow effect overpowers a 114mm (4 ½ inch) reflector at higher magnification so this lens is not suited for celestial viewing with that sized or smaller telescope. It worked well for terrestrial observation with the wide angle Super Plossl 26mm eyepiece and best with the Meade Plossl 32mm lens. Used with more powerful eyepieces, such as the Super Plossl 9.7mm, or Meade Plossl 12.4 mm, the image lost brilliance. The reduced depth of field, coupled with 1.5x Barlow magnification, made viewing with these two lenses marginal. The center of the image using the wider angle eyepieces was crisp and bright; the outermost edge was blurry. No chromatic problems were observed during daylight terrestrial viewing. The lens body itself is nicely finished and rather long at 7 inches. This means one may have to shorten the tripod supporting the telescope to use it comfortably (a step stool next to a reflecting telescope’s lens mount is not a good idea because there is a temptation to lean on the instrument for support). End caps come with the lens and are appreciated, a case would have been nice but that might add to its cost.