Product Description
The six lens/four group design and two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements of the 5mm Astro-Tech Paradigm provides all of the optical virtues described at the top of this catalog page - high contrast, a sharp and flat field from edge to edge, excellent color fidelity, and exceptionally low astigmatism and barrel distortion. It has a usable eye relief of 13mm, excellent for such a short focal length eyepiece. Combined with the twist-up eyecup design, the long eye relief makes it a good choice for eyeglass wearers.
This new Astro-Tech 3.2mm Paradigm Dual ED eyepiece will make you rethink your expectations about how much sheer short focal length eyepiece excellence you can get for such a reasonable price.
Tech Details
Reviews
We viewed the comet Lemmon last night, and it was spectacular!! I will say that without the adjustable eye cup, it would have been more challenging, but once the eyecup was tuned in, you just viewed through it without thinking about it. Thats about the highest praise I can give for that category. It was good enough that I ordered the rest of the set.
This is not to say that other eyepieces might be 5% better in contrast or sharpness, but what good is that without comfort? Overall, you are hard pressed to find a better eyepiece without spending almost 5 times as much. The only caveat is a slightly smaller field of view, but I didn't notice once I was done comparing them to my other 68-degree eyepieces. (Posted on 11/11/2023)
I have used the 3.2mm several times on Jupiter, Saturn and Mars during the latest opposition, and have been thoroughly impressed with it. I have compared it to my much more expensive TeleVue 3.5mm Delos, and it's pretty close!
Pros:
Price
Optical quality
Very comfortable to use
A wide enough AFOV as to make planetary observing at higher magnifications at bit more relaxing, especially with a Dobsonian scope that lacks tracking!
Eye relief and eye placement was a LOT more comfortable than the TeleVue Delos, even when using the TV's adjustable eyecup. No Blackouts or kidney beaning with the Paradigm!
Cons:
Not quite as sharp as the vastly more expensive TeleVue option, but certainly, still very good, at any price point let alone USD $60 that Astronomics is asking for them.
Contrast is slightly inferior to the TeleVue 3.5mm Delos that I compared it to, but not by a lot!
At the price, they are a bargain and wholly recommended. Overall, a 5 star product at an entry level price. I have already recommended the AT paradigm range of eyepieces to several friends who are thinking about getting into Astronomy after observing with my scope. (Posted on 11/11/2018)