Astro-Tech 5mm 1.25" Paradigm Dual ED

This is a surprisingly good eyepiece, even more so when you consider its price. I used it in my AT102ED for lunar and planetary viewing and the results were excellent! The 5mm Paradigm is sharp across its reasonably wide 60-degree field; I did not notice any drop-off at the edges. Some internal reflections are visible when viewing very bright objects, but they weren't objectionable. The eye relief is enough to make good use of the adjustable eye guard, which twists up and down smoothly making it easy to find the optimum position. With glasses on, the entire field is easy to take in with the eye guard lowered.

Simply put, for $60 you really can't go wrong with this one. (Posted on 11/5/2019)

Love this line. Works great in my f/6 and f/5 newts when seeing allows. Crisp to the edges and comfortable eye relief. (Posted on 10/19/2019)

I bought this eyepiece after seeing many good reviews on CloudyNights. It is sizable, but an excellent amount of eye relief and apparent field. I used it once, realized it was was way too much magnification so I returned it. I will be getting the 12mm in the same line. I expect it to be just as good as this one. (Posted on 9/9/2019)

After purchasing an 8mm ED last year, wanted to have a higher magnification option and so ordered the 5mm ED. Have been able to use it for two consecutive nights now and very happy with the purchase. Views through a 10" Newtonian and ST-80 have matched my experience from using the 8mm. Great quality for the small investment. Will be using these Paradigms for many years to come. (Posted on 8/30/2019)

I use this eyepiece for the maximum magnification on my Celestron C8. I don't use it all the time but when the seeing allows, it gives great views of the moon, Jupiter and Saturn. Great contrast on lunar and planetary viewing. The Paradigm series of eyepieces are some of the best for the price. (Posted on 7/28/2019)

I use the 5mm as a high power eyepiece for my C8. I like the generous eye relief and 60 degree FOV. I don't think you you find a better eyepiece for the money. (Posted on 7/24/2019)

I just recently had the pleasure of comparing views of Jupiter through my 5 mm Paradigm against a 9 mm Televue Delite and an Explore Scientific Argon-purged 6.7 mm eyepiece.
I had to specifically compare tiny details on one of Jupiter's belts to see any difference between the clarity of image between the 9 mm Delete and the ES 6.7 mm, but the winner was the Delite. The Paradigm was close enough to the others, that I had to spend a minute to be sure there was a difference. I would say that for a fraction of the cost of the others, the 5 mm Paradigm will give you 90-95% of the resolution of eyepieces costing much much more. (Posted on 5/27/2019)

This was my first non-Plossl eyepiece purchase, bought after reading many reviews on cloudynights. The price, AFOV, and eye relief sold me. After ordering, it arrived promptly (about a week) and the first evening, while still light, I turned my XT8 toward Jupiter. After centering in my 32mm, I put the 5mm in and adjusted the focuser. I was amazed at the clarity vs my 6.3mm MA supplied with another scope. The 60 degree AFOV meant not having to adjust constantly, though still often. Cloud bands had actual definition instead of just blurry color differences. My daughter and I were able to use this eyepiece with our glasses on, and I was happy to be able to share this view with my family and neighbors. It does exhibit some EOFB, but since I haven't used any other types of EP's, I can't say this isn't normal. The adjustable eyecup is nice for keeping eyelashes away! (Posted on 1/14/2019)

When my seeing conditions are unusually good (which doesn't happen very often), I get this EP into the focuser as quickly as I can. I love for the planets and moon. I wish I could use it more.

I have complete set of Paradigms, and only have good things to say about all of them. Fantastic eyepieces, even before you consider the absurdly low price. (Posted on 1/14/2019)

I love the whole Paradigm eyepiece family. I believe they are a fantastic value and perform as well as my Baader Hyperions costing 2X more. Compact size, excellent build quality, adjustable eye cup and sharp views with excellent contrast. (Posted on 1/4/2019)

When conditions are really good, I use this eyepiece for high power viewing of moon and planets. I appreciate its contrast, and the detail it shows in my small-aperture scopes. Very good for its price. (Posted on 12/27/2018)

Great views through this eyepiece, and the whole series, these eyepieces are my main ones I use, and ones I recommend people get, as they seem to rival $200+ eyepieces. The 5mm can be a bit tricky, as you'll fight atmosphere and if you're on a dob, it gets tiring to move every 30 seconds or so, but the views when they align, are mesmerizing for Saturn and Jupiter especially. (Posted on 10/8/2018)

My ep case had a vacancy. Below 8mm I had nothing. I wasn't sure how often I would have a chance to use the higher magnification that an ep of 5mm would produce. My original plan was to purchase a Plossl. Plossl's are a good ep's and inexpensive so if it wasn't used much it wouldnt hurt the wallet to bad. Considering eye relief on a 5mm Plossl is so tight that even if I determined a 5mm to be a worthy addition, would I even want to use it.
When I saw the Paradigm ED's on Astronomics here I remembered reading about them on Cloudy Nights. I went back and did a quick search on CN and had read many folks that owned them pleased with the Paradigm ED series. Besides reading the positive reviews on CN there's another appeal to them. The 60° AFOV longer eye relief andthe price. I pulled the trigger and placed my order. A few days later after I received my order an the skies cleared I took it out to check it out . Well worth the purchase. I centered on Mars and was able to see details not seen in my other ep's. The contrast is very good and I find the eye relief comfortable. I also like the twist up eye cup. I use the 5mm more than I expected that I would and am quite pleased. Enough so that I will be putting in my order for the 3.2mm later in the year as a Christmas gift to myself.
If your on the fence about this series, I would pick one up, well worth it. (Posted on 10/6/2018)