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Tele Vue 1.25" Nagler Planetary Zoom Eyepiece 3-6mm

5.0 (5 Reviews) Read Reviews Write Review
Brand TeleVue
Part Number ENZ-0306
Availability available

Product Info

Manufacturer Description

The 3-6mm Nagler Zoom is an exceptional, specialized high-power eyepiece for dialing in the optimum power for planetary viewing with short-focal-length telescopes, such as fast apo refractors. Imaging is superb, and the apparent field stays constant throughout the zoom range. Click stops define the 6mm, 5mm, 4mm and 3mm positions. It also lets observers choose in-between focal lengths, thus giving them the ability to tune the magnification to atmospheric conditions, which is very critical for high-power viewing.

Concept / Background: I did not set out to design a zoom eyepiece, per se. David and I were discussing characteristics we'd like in a superior "planetary" eyepiece, and the zoom feature answered one of the major goals; how to obtain the highest possible useful magnification on a given night considering the ever-changing atmosphere. There were other aspects of equal importance and only the combination of all would satisfy our ethos in creating a "planetary" eyepiece: full field sharpness for any speed telescope, high contrast and transmission for natural color rendition, low scatter, and comfortable eye-relief. Being a zoom, we also concerned ourselves with making sure it was parfocal through the zoom range as well maintaining a constant apparent field of view. The one aspect we were not too concerned with was giving the eyepiece a wide AFOV.

Limiting the AFOV to 50° and the eye-relief to 10mm, we were able to create a compact physical design employing only five elements to reach the optical goals. Like other "Naglers," it utilized a negative lens group ahead of the focal plane. This permitted relatively long eye-relief for very short focal lengths. By independently moving the upper and lower lens groups, we achieved constant focus (parfocality), constant apparent field of view, and essentially constant eye-relief. Just by rotating the upper barrel, you can zoom through the power range. Click stops offer known power points for reference without needing to look at the barrel and instantaneously choose the optimum magnification for the given observing conditions.

I was sufficiently confident in the design and purposely decided to attach my name to the zoom, despite the common association between "Nagler" and 82° AFOV. I felt it was more important to stake our reputation on overcoming the "degrading zoom reputation" than maintaining the 82° assumption for "Nagler" designs.— Al Nagler

Reviews

5.0 (Based on 5 Reviews) 100% of reviewers recommended this product.
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    1. Guest

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      Review by Mike N.
      1532450832
      Jul 24, 2018

      5.0 3-6 Zoom

      Pros:

      Cons:

      Comments:

      Works great, just wish it didn't cost as much

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

    2. Guest

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      Review by harold h.
      1530585546
      Jul 2, 2018

      5.0 best eyepiece yet

      Pros:

      Cons:

      Comments:

      I needed some small focal length premium eyepieces for my small refractors.
      It would just cost too much to have 4 or 5 of these.
      This short focal length zoom eyepiece was the answer to my problem.
      I basically have 4 eyepieces in one with the same field of view now.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

    3. Guest

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      Review by Marina of Catalonia, Barcelona.
      1386720000
      Dec 10, 2013

      5.0 The best eyepiece that you can buy.

      Pros:

      Accurate

      Cons:

      Comments:

      Because to tell you, the best eye that I have. With the Newton 200/1000A current probe the problem with our little focal is get increases for planets, and at the time I also doubted that focal choose and the opportunity arose to acquire the zoom of 3-6, and hear a joy, I have all the needed increases for every occasion and above without go changing eyepiece. My conclusion is that it is an excellent eyepiece.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

      This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

    4. kevinbozard

      kevinbozard New Member

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      1205834940
      Mar 18, 2008

      5.0 A powerful eyepiece, in more ways than one!

      Pros:

      Premium optics, parfocal, easy to use

      Cons:

      None

      Comments:

      I had the opportunity of field testing this eyepiece during a presentation by Nagler. I was also one of those amateurs that thought a zoom eyepiece was a waste of money. After setting up a Tele Vue 85, Mr. Nagler showed off his wares with a standard plossl in place. After the crowd had thinned, he dropped in the 3mm-6mm zoom. Out of curiosity, I made my way to the scope and gave the zoom piece a run. The eyepiece as it turns out, was outstanding. Of course, using a nice eyepiece in a very nice scope may have helped too. Image quality was amazing, and the clarity was second to none. One feature I loved was the fact that the eyepiece was parfocal, which means I didn't have to refocus each time I changed the setting. That alone makes the eyepiece worth it's weight in cost. Also, the different settings could be achieved without removing the eyepiece from it's holder, which was another big plus. I have to save some cash, but as soon as I reach my goal, one of these babies will be residing in my equipment case.

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No
    5. astroman7

      astroman7 New Member

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      1168988400
      Jan 16, 2007

      5.0 A Zoom Worth Owning

      Pros:

      Great power range for planets

      Cons:

      None discovered yet

      Comments:

      I used to think "who would want to spend this much money on a zoom that covers only 4mm in range". With that mentality, I bought a cheap 7-21mm zoom which I promptly resold. I found myself much preferring the set size eyepieces in that power range due to the wider FOV etc. Anyway, with the goal to own too many eyepieces, I bought the Televue 3-6 zoom just to try it out. Conclusion... this is one zoom eyepiece worth having. It is well made and carries with it the quality typical of Televue goods. At over $300, it is pricey, especially for an 1.25" eyepiece, but will save you from owning multiple EP's in that power range. Although a bit powerful for my Nexstar 11, it has a great power range for my Nexstar 5 and especially my 102 refractor. I love the "way" that it zooms where a silky smooth twist brings you to a click stop at 3, 4, 5, & 6mm respectively. Unlike with deep sky objects, in viewing planets, most of us typically want the highest power that any given night will allow. Thus owning a zoom in this range allows you to easily discover the power limits of the particular viewing session. You will find yourself using this one more than anticipated. I do not use Barlows all that much either, but put a Barlow on this one and you have a really powerful eyepiece for really pushing the limits of your smaller scopes. Highly recommended!

      Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
      Was this review helpful? Yes / No
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      Specifications

      Apparent Field of View 50°
      Barrel Size 1.25" (31.7mm)
      Bolt Case Included Yes - Free Agena Eyepiece Container
      Bolt Case Size Agena 42x60mm
      Coatings Fully Multi-Coated
      Design Nagler
      Max Width 1.7" (43.2mm)
      Eye Relief by Design 10mm
      Field Stop Diameter 2.6mm - 5.1mm
      Filter Threads Standard 1.25" Filter Thread (M28.5 x 0.6)
      Focal Length 3mm
      Lens Elements 5
      Lens Groups 3
      Parfocal Yes
      Rubber Eye Guard Yes
      Blackened Lens Edges Yes
      Additional Information

      - Suitable for use with Tele Vue Bino Vue binoviewer
      - Not suitable for use with Tele Vue Dioptrx / digiscoping

      Manufacturer TeleVue
      Eyepiece Focal Length Variable Range
      Eyepiece Field of View 51 - 60 degrees
      Eyepiece Series Tele Vue Nagler
      Barrel Type With safety undercut
      Eyepiece Weight 5.30oz (150.25g)