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Tele Vue DeLite 5mm 62° Eyepiece - 1.25"
The Tele Vue DeLite 5mm 62° Eyepiece is engineered as a compact, high-contrast alternative to the Delos series, optimized for high-magnification lunar and planetary observation. It utilizes advanced glass types and multi-coatings to maintain a neutral color balance and minimize light scatter on bright targets. By constraining the apparent field to 62°, the design reduces the risk of spherical aberration of the exit pupil (SAEP), improving eye placement stability compared to wider-angle optics.
20mm Eye Relief and Mechanical Integration
The 20mm eye relief and sliding, locking eyeguard facilitate precise eye positioning for both eyeglass wearers and those without. This mechanical system allows the observer to lock the eyeguard at the exact height required to eliminate blackouts while shielding against stray light.
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Dioptrx Compatibility: The 1.25-inch barrel and top housing are designed to accept the Tele Vue Dioptrx astigmatism corrector, allowing observers to bypass eyeglasses for maximum visual acuity.
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Parfocal Group B: This 5mm focal length is parfocal with Tele Vue 1.25-inch Plössls and Panoptics, reducing the need for refocusing when swapping focal lengths.
High-Power Performance in f/5 to f/10 Systems
In an 8-inch f/10 SCT, the Tele Vue DeLite 5mm produces 406× magnification, suitable for resolving fine craterlet detail in Clavius or the Cassini Division of Saturn during nights of stable seeing. In a 4-inch f/7 refractor, it yields 140× with a 0.7mm exit pupil, providing sufficient image brightness for identifying the Galilean moons' transits across Jupiter.
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Small Exit Pupil Geometry: The 5mm focal length creates a 1.0mm exit pupil in an f/5 Newtonian, a common threshold for balancing resolution and contrast on double stars like Albireo (Beta Cygni).
Operational Comparison
The Tele Vue DeLite 5mm occupies a specific niche between the wider Delos series and traditional high-resolution monocentric or orthoscopic designs.
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vs. Tele Vue 5mm Delos: The DeLite is approximately 30% lighter and physically smaller, though it offers a 62° field versus the 72° field of the Delos.
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vs. Tele Vue 5mm Nagler Type 6: The DeLite provides significantly longer eye relief (20mm vs 12mm), which reduces eyelash oil transfer to the lens during extended high-power sessions.
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Is the Tele Vue DeLite 5mm compatible with Dioptrx?
Yes, the Tele Vue DeLite 5mm features a removable eyeguard that allows for the direct attachment of a Dioptrx astigmatism corrector. This is particularly beneficial for observers who require astigmatism correction but prefer to observe without wearing eyeglasses.
How does the Tele Vue DeLite 5mm compare to the 4.5mm Delos?
The Tele Vue DeLite 5mm is significantly lighter and smaller than the 4.5mm Delos while maintaining the same 20mm eye relief. The Delos offers a wider 72° apparent field, but the DeLite is often cited as being less "finicky" regarding eye placement during extended planetary sessions.
Will the Tele Vue DeLite 5mm work well for planetary viewing in a fast f/5 telescope?
In an f/5 system, the Tele Vue DeLite 5mm produces a 1.0mm exit pupil, which is a common "sweet spot" for balancing image brightness and magnification on planets. The eyepiece is designed to handle fast light cones, maintaining sharpness and contrast on targets like Saturn and Mars.
Can I use the Tele Vue DeLite 5mm with a Barlow lens?
The Tele Vue DeLite 5mm performs predictably when paired with Tele Vue Barlows or Powermates, effectively doubling or tripling the magnification without reducing the 20mm eye relief. This is a common method to reach extremely high powers for splitting double stars like Albireo when seeing conditions allow.
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| Focal Length |
5 mm |
| Apparent Field of View |
62° |
| Eye Relief |
20 mm |
| Field Stop Diameter |
5.3 mm |
| Barrel Size |
1.25" |
| Weight |
7.5 oz (213 g) |
| Parfocal |
Group B |
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TeleVue 5-Year Limited Warranty for Telescopes and Accessories
