Assessing the Performance of Baader Hyperion Eyepieces: A Detailed Analysis of Their Features and Quality
Introduction:
Baader's Hyperion eyepiece line, launched in the mid-2000s, offers high-quality, relatively affordable wide-field eyepieces that are compatible with both 1.25" and 2" focusers, eliminating the need for adapters. These eyepieces are particularly advantageous for individuals with astigmatism or those requiring extended eye relief.
Focal Length Options:
available in focal lengths of 24mm, 21mm, 17mm, 13mm, 10mm, 8mm, and 5mm. The 24mm, however, employs a slightly distinct optical design, with a 3.5mm version once available but discontinued due to lack of demand.
Specifications:
- Eye Relief: 20mm (17mm for 24mm Hyperion)
- Apparent Field of View: 68 degrees (61 degrees for 21mm Hyperion)
- Weight: Ranges from 11.6-14.7 ounces (328-417 grams)
- Coatings: Baader's Phantom Group multi-coatings, minimizing light loss and scattering
Recommended Focal Lengths:
Not recommended for telescopes with a focal ratio below f/6, especially Newtonian reflector types, but the 5mm could be attempted, and the 17mm might work decently with a coma corrector.
If using a longer focal ratio refractor or catadioptric telescope, consider starting with the 17mm Hyperion, which is deemed the best in the line and works admirably as a moderate-to-low-power eyepiece for most users. Regardless of whether you already have a comparable 25mm Plossl eyepiece or the like, the 17mm Hyperion complements well without replacing it.
The 5mm Hyperion functions well as a planetary eyepiece but generally exceeds the maximum magnification an f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain can handle. For higher power in SCTs, the 8mm Hyperion provides a more reasonable magnification choice.
Following the 17mm, the 13mm, 10mm, and 8mm in that order are recommended if not already owned.
The 21mm does not fill a useful niche, while the 24mm Hyperion is not recommended due to lack of sharpness.
Hyperion Zoom, Hyperion Aspheric eyepieces, and additional details are not covered in this review.
Eyepiece Features:
The Hyperions boast large eye lenses and extended eye relief, making them suitable for those with astigmatism who wear eyeglasses. They allow the insertion of 'fine tuning rings' between the upper and lower lens groups on all but the 24mm eyepiece. However, these tuning rings are costly and unwieldy for inexperienced users, so it is advisable to use the eyepieces at their fixed focal lengths.
Though Baader claims the lower lens group can be removed from the standard Hyperions to create 2" wide-field eyepieces, aberrations and almost no eye relief make this unadvisable.
The removable eyecups of the Hyperions expose M43 threads, enabling camera adapters for afocal photography, but the advantages of such are minimal for serious astrophotography.
Compared to other wide-field eyepieces, the Hyperions' performance deteriorates below f/6, particularly in the edge-of-field sharpness, which is characteristic of lower-cost wide-field eyepieces.
The 21mm Hyperion and 17mm Hyperion are considered the best in the line, with the 21mm offering surprisingly decent performance in fast scopes, despite a restricted field of view compared to the other Hyperions.
The 13mm Hyperion is suitable for slow instruments of f/8 or above but might not work well for most Newtonians or moderately fast refractors. The 10mm, 8mm, and 3.5mm Hyperions have comparable performance: decent in fast scopes, good at f/6 and above, and exceptional in catadioptrics and refractors at f/10 or above.
- The 17mm Hyperion, regarded as the best in Baader's Hyperion line, is a suitable starting point for long focal ratio refractors and catadioptric telescopes, offering a moderate-to-low power option without replacing a 25mm Plossl eyepiece.
- The Hyperion eyepieces, equipped with large eye lenses and extended eye relief, are particularly beneficial for individuals with astigmatism who wear eyeglasses, and they come with the option of 'fine tuning rings' for adjustment.
- While the Baader's Hyperion line is not recommended for telescopes with a focal ratio below f/6, especially Newtonian reflector types, the 5mm Hyperion functions well as a planetary eyepiece, though it exceeds the maximum magnification an f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain can handle.
- The removable eyecups of the Hyperions expose M43 threads, which can accommodate camera adapters for afocal photography; however, the advantages of such are minimal for serious astrophotography.
- Smart-home-devices, gadgets, and technology enthusiasts might find interest in the Hyperion Zoom, Hyperion Aspheric eyepieces, and other features of the Baader Hyperion line, which were not covered in this review.
