TeleVue Panoptic Eyepieces

Panoptic
Concept: Using my Wide-Field design as a starting point, I looked to bring Nagler-like performance to the 60 degree+ field class with the Panoptic series. The idea of a lens to "interface" between the eyepiece and Barlow struck me as the proper way to keep size, weight and cost to a minimum while improving edge of field performance even further. I later developed this idea into the Powermates.
— Al Nagler

The Tack-Sharp, Long Eye-Relief 68 degree Field Eyepiece

With the Panoptic series, Tele Vue has taken the Wide-Field concept to Nagler-like performance levels - A meaningful advance over any eyepiece in its 68 degree field class.

Panoptic 41mm

The 41mm Panoptic eyepiece is a big brother to the 24mm Panoptic (largest 1.25" field). With its 46mm field stop, the 41mm Panoptic delivers the largest 2" field possible. An adjustable and removable screw-type top allows quick, comfortable eye positioning. The scalloped shape gives a positive grip.

Panoptic 35mm

The 35mm has a large true field with plenty of eye relief for eyeglass wearers. When combined with a Paracorr to correct the coma of an f/4.5 Newtonian, performance is spectacular across the 68 degree field. Imagine, sharp star clusters at the extreme edge of the field along with a 6.8mm exist pupil!
Panoptic 27mm

Housed in a 2" barrel like the 35mm, the 27mm is lighter & smaller. It's perfect for any telescope size, type or speed, where a little more magnification is desired, yet still allows full field viewing with eyeglasses. For example, with the Tele Vue-102, it gives 33x and a true field of 2 degrees!

Panoptic 24mm

Excerpts from Better View Desired web article, April 2003

Tele Vue Upgrades!
The best view just keeps getting better.
by Stephen Ingraham

The 24mm PanoptIc yields an exceptional 20x view on the 76mm APO, one of the widest, brightest views I have seen. In combination with the 60° viewer [diagonal] it makes locating birds about as easy as it gets with a scope of this quality.
This Sky & Telescope “Hot Product for 2003” is designed to produce the largest true field possible in a 1-1/4" eyepiece. (Its 27mm field stop is the same as the 32mm Tele Vue Plössl). The higher power darkens the sky background while the greater magnification yields more details on extended objects. Further, its light weight (1/2 lb.), comfortable 15mm eye relief, and tapered top instantly make the 24mm Panoptic the ideal eyepiece for getting the maximum field for binocular viewers.

Panoptic 22mm

The 22mm Panoptic is similar in performance to the 27mm. It fits 1 1/4" as well as 2" focusers, and works with all our Barlows and Powermates. The 2" barrel section has an internal thread to allow addition of the EBX-2120 2" Barrel Extender. This permits use of 2" filters.
Panoptic 19mm

Size, weight and performance make the 19mm an ideal mid power chioce. Ideal "soul-mate" to Bino Vue. Parfocal with 15mm and other smaller Plössls and Naglers.
Panoptic 15mm

With comfortable eye relief and sharp 68 degree field, this 1 1/4" eyepiece is a good, modest priced alternative to a 16mm Nagler Type 5.

Barlow Interface

You can double the power of any eyepiece with the 2x Big Barlow, but adding the interface lens brings the pupil back to original position when used with long focal length eyepieces such as the Panoptic 41, 35, or 27mm 2" models. The combination of interface and Big Barlow mimics the Powermate concept.

Of course, multi-coatings, blackened lens edges, filter threads, rubber grip rings and exemplary construction are standard on all Panoptics. Little niceties such as a cover for the eyeguard, and an undercut in the barrel for extra locking security complete the package. A double identifying ring distinguishes all Panoptics in your eyepiece case.

User Reports:

"Best crafted eyepieces available. View is like being on the main deck of the starship Enterprise." R.D.- CA

"The best low power wide-field eyepiece on the market: super sharp, high contrast & excellent aberration correction." T.B.-OH

"I was told the Panoptic redefines wide-field. Now that I have one, they do! Tack sharp is indeed correct." D.B.-ID

"My friends are probably as happy as I am that I bought a 22mm P.O. They were tiring of me borrowing theirs all the time." H.B.-OR
Panoptics



Model #Focal Length(mm)Barrel Size(in) Apparent Field (deg.) Eye Relief(mm)
EPO-41.0 41 2" 68 27
EPO-35.0 35 2" 68 24
EPO-27.0 27 2" 68 19
EPO-24.0 24 1¼" 68 15
EPO-22.0 22 2" & 1¼" 68 15
EPO-19.0 19 1¼" 68 13