I had the chance to check out my buddys new Baader Hyperion Zoom eyepiece last night . This was an item that I tried to steer him away from due to a mound of negative reviews on zoom eyepieces in the past in that the image quality is inferior and they have a narrow field of view . He was bound & determined to get one anyway . This was a look through his C6 Schmidt Cassigrain . This unit is a 8mm to 24mm click stop zoom . To my eyes I can detect absolutely no problem with image quality at all compared to a fixed focal length eyepiece of the same caliber . The field of view ranges from 68 degrees at the high power end to 40 degrees at the low power end , so it's not going to provide a nice wide field low power view that you would want for say , the Andromeda Galaxy . But set at high power (8mm) looking at Saturn , this zoom eyepiece has the identical field of view of any of the fixed focal length Hyperions & the image quality is at least as good if not having a slight edge on the 8mm Orion Stratus that we compared side by side with it .I am fully impressed . The approach to landing on the Moon sensation was marvelous when zooming as was the sensation in zooming in on Saturn , The Orion Nebula or I imagine any other object you might use it on . The manufacturer states that this unit is parfocal , but as in most cases I have seen it does require a small tweek of the focuser from one setting to the next. Due to suburban light pollution we were only able to put it through the paces on these few items but in my opinion this unit should be very nice on any higher power viewing application such as Planets , Planetary Nebulae , Globular Clusters & even a real trip on lunar as the entire disc of the Moon does just fit into the FOV at low power . I feel that other than the on approach sensation that is a kick , that the ability to zoom to the magnification that seeing conditions will allow from one night to the next and gaining the most magnification without having dead spots in between as you jump from one ocular to the next in the fixed focal length realm , this is a real plus . I am very impressed once again with another fabulous Baader Product . And at a price that won't break the bank it's almost like the only thing you need , just add a good low power wide field eyepiece for the large objects & the zoom pretty much covers the rest ......I'm adding one to my want list!..........................................Dave

Interesting report.  In the past zoom eyepieces or photographic lenses were useful but limited as they just did not perform on a par with single focal length lenses.  This showed up particularly when used for photography.

Sounds like the people at Baader are coming up with some fine optics.

Thanks for the report,

L

One detail I need to add to this review is the fact that this unit had no "Kidney Beaning" or "Blackout" characteristics evident .

Thanks for that first hand review, Dave, I was wondering about that zoom eyepiece, it sounds like a great eyepiece.  A nice tool to have if you want to take a quick eyepiece out to the dark skies...less gear to be fumbling with in the dark.  Baader sure knocked it out of the park with these Hyperions.  I even had the nerve to use my 2x barlow with the 3.5mm. Not only did I get moon dust on my nose, but UP my nose, too!!!  MAN what a close-up.  I really didn't think I would be able to get it into focus that close.  It was just one of those silly moments when I thought "Gee, I wonder how close can I get, before I get my hand slapped?"....Maybe I CAN find the flag up there!  LOLOLOL

Have a great weekend, Carol

Great report, Dave.  I've always been shy of zoom EPs also, but then again there was a time when barlows were frowned upon too.  The zoom might be a great addition when I've got both scopes set-up.  It would save a ton of EP changes when comparing views between the dob and the refractor.  Hmmmmm . . .

The twist up eye cup is rather a nice feature also .