Explore Scientific 14mm 100° field argon-purged waterproof 2" eyepiece

$679.99

Availability: In stock

The 100° apparent field of the Explore Scientific 14mm argon-purged waterproof 2" eyepiece provides incredible maximum field/medium power observing in scopes ranging from small refractors to the largest Dobsonians and catadioptrics.
Our Product #: ES14A
Explore Scientific Product #: EPWP10014-01
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Product Description

The new 14mm Explore Scientific 100° field 2" eyepiece is O-ring sealed and argon-purged to be 100% waterproof. While waterproofing might seem important only for observing underwater, waterproofing serves several five useful purposes for the astronomical observer as well.
One, internally sealing the eyepiece and purging it with inert, dry nitrogen gas prevents internal fogging in the eyepiece when observing at very low temperatures. Two, for observers in dusty climates, it halts the intrusion of wind-blown dust and fine particulates into the eyepiece body. Three, for observers in very humid climates, it prevents the growth of fungus on the internal lens elements. Four, for all observers, it maximizes the life of the internal optical coatings. And finally, five, the waterproof 14mm Explore Scientific eyepiece is easier to clean, as there is no risk of cleaning solution migrating from the top of the lens and seeping around edges to be trapped in between elements. To insure a perfect seal, Explore Scientific tests every eyepiece in one meter of water for 30 minutes before shipping.
The 14mm Explore Scientific is a nine element optical system using lenses of dense crown, light crown, dense flint, and lanthanum rare earth optical glasses. It is designed for maximum field/medium power deep space use with telescopes having focal ratios down to f/4. It is exceptionally effective on nebulas with fast f/ratio reflectors, such as Dobsonians, giving both an immense field and a bright exit pupil (over 3mm with the typical f/4.5 Dob). Its very wide field also makes it convenient for moderate power lunar and planetary observing with Dobsonians, as you have much longer to observe before the planet drifts out of the field and the scope has to be repositioned. That said, it is worth noting that the new 14mm Explore Scientific Explore Scientific is marvelous for open clusters, nebulas, galaxy clusters, and globular clusters with <em>any </em>telescope capable of using a 2" eyepiece.
The 100° apparent field of this new 14mm Explore Scientific eyepiece is nearly 50% larger in area than an 82° field eyepiece. You <em>could </em>get a similar true field with a longer focal length (but narrower apparent field) conventional eyepiece,  but the 14mm Explore Scientific Explore Scientific has the benefits of the higher power and darker sky backgrounds that are inherent in its shorter focal length. You can use the field of view calculator in the "formula" tab above to see just how much sky the Explore Scientific can reveal with your telescope.
There is a soft rolldown eyecup to shield the eye from ambient light (from a neighbor's security light, for example) and improve the image contrast. At an eye relief of 14.5mm, the 14mm Explore Scientific would normally somewhat vignette the field of view for eyeglass wearers. However, since the 100° field is so wide that you can't see the full field without having to move your head from side to side to take it all in anyway, vignetting in the conventional sense is not a problem.
The 14mm Explore Scientific has high contrast, comfortable eye relief, and full field sharpness - with well-controlled astigmatism, field curvature, and lateral color. Initial comments from unbiased observers have been uniformly favorable. Here's an example from one experienced observer. "I've looked at the stars for 30 years and I have never had an eyepiece gave me a wow factor like the Explore Scientific 100 degree 14mm did. At 100 degrees it is an awesome vista to see. Not only were the stars pin-point to the very edges of the field, the contrast was greatly enhanced as well. I was totally blown away, it is incredible."
The 14mm Explore Scientific fits 2" focusers only. A safety groove is machined into the 2" chrome barrel to engage your focuser thumbscrew. This helps prevent the eyepiece from falling should the thumbscrew accidentally loosen while observing.
This individually serial numbered Explore Scientific eyepiece is backed by a limited one year warranty, which will be extended to an Explore Scientific transferable lifetime limited warranty when its warranty card is registered with Explore Scientific within 60 days of purchase. 

Tech Details

Barrel Size 2"
Eye Relief 14.5mm
Field of view 100
Focal Length 14mm
Number of optical elements 9
Weight 1 lb, 14 oz
Warranty 1 year, extendable to lifetime

Reviews

Review by:
These are great eyepieces. They are very comfortable to use for both young and old observers, with our without eyeglasses. The field of view is sharp, edge to edge. The fact that they are fully waterproof reduces my concerns on frequent cleaning. (Posted on 10/31/2019)
Review by:
This is an excellent quality eyepiece, but I find its focal length is in "no man's land". I find I get more use out of lower power eyepieces and higher power eyepieces, but not sorry I have this in my arsenal. (Posted on 9/10/2019)
Review by:
I am using this EP with a 22 inch f/4.2 reflector. The edge correction is 'ok'. Not perfect but ok and very usable. I am not the type to stress out on stuff like that. I use it with a paracorr BTW. Build quality is excellent. One drawback, it's 2 inch only whereas a competitor has a 1.25/2 inch form factor. So I take a star away.

This is my most used EP with the 22 inch. It's a perfect blend of FOV and Magnification. It's priced way under the competition and I've A/B tested both. I could not tell the difference. And if I missed something it's not worth the added price.

IMO this is a great EP. (Posted on 8/23/2019)
Review by:
Recently acquired the 100 degree 14 and 9mm of this series and now I plan on getting the others. What a major win for the owner of the Dobsonian! You will have MINUTES of looking at planets before needing to move the scope. You will get up close and personal with the Double Cluster, for instance, and still maintain view of the entire thing! Stick your head out the window of the spaceship and that's the view you will have with this series. I have used the Ethos by televue at a star perty on two occasions and yes. There is literally a 1-% gain you will find with these given a few hours looking at several objects. If you were to buy a set of each of these two competitors, you would (with experienced eyes) give a slight edge to the Ethos series, but do you really want to pay a few extra hundred per eyepiece for a 1-5% more gain in clarity? I didn't. I would only do that if I was a billionaire. (Posted on 1/3/2019)
Review by:
I own the 20mm 14mm 9mm and 5.5mm ES 100deg. The 14mm is often used in my AT115 on the double cluster. Wonderful views. (Posted on 12/31/2018)
Review by:
I own the 20mm 14mm 9mm and 5.5mm ES 100deg. The 14mm is often used in my AT115 on the double cluster. Wonderful views. (Posted on 12/31/2018)
Review by:
I own all of the ES 100 Degree eyepieces. these have stood up to abuse well, and have great eye relief. They will defiantly spoil you with the wide field of view. I will copy this review to the 14mm and the 9mm as well. these 3 are recommended if you are looking to buy a few
The 25mm, the 14mm and the 9mm are the most used (Posted on 12/14/2018)
Review by:
100 degree eyepieces are generally big and heavy, and this is no exception. The 14mm ES100 was my first foray into these uber-wide fields. (Full disclosure: I have the earlier nitrogen-purged version, purchased used.) For me, something special happens going from 80 to 100 degree AFOV; much more of a 'being there' feeling that comes from being only vaguely aware that there is a field stop. The 14mm ES100 works wonderfully in any scope I put it in, even f/4.5 Newtonians without a coma corrector. OK, the edges aren't perfect if you concentrate there, but they're really not worse than the edge of field in ~any eyepiece with a reasonably large AFOV. When I'm using my 13" f/4.5, this eyepiece stays in almost the whole night (~107x, 0.93*). In fact, this eyepiece was my main motivation to rebuild my 13" scope with a stronger upper end and a Feathertouch. I observed the entire Messier list with this eyepiece in my 6" f/4.5 (49x, 2.04*), and there were few objects that this did not present well. In my 100mmf/9 ED refractor, the optical performance is ~perfect (though I slightly prefer the 9mm ES100 in that scope due to size/weight considerations). This is a killer eyepiece*, and a keeper for sure.

(*And yes, it would be my weapon of choice should a bear or cougar attack me whilst observing :) ). (Posted on 11/6/2018)
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