University Optics Konig II 32mm

5.0 UO 1.25 in. Barrel, 32mm König

> Pleasant, easy to use & comfortable
> Good detail, contrast, and light transmission

> A bit large and bulky for a 1.25"
> Eye relief close for eyeglass wearers.

The University Optics 1 1/4" Barrel, 32mm König is a real surprise. This eyepiece is an excellent performer even in relatively fast Newtonians. In an f/4.5 DOB about 20% of the outside edge showed a softening on dense star fields but it's not as bad as I've experienced in other longer focal length 1.25" eyepieces. In my f/12, 6" refractor only 5% of the outer edge showed any aberration. With an AFOV of a little over 50° the view appears wider than a 32mm TV Plössl. On-axis the view is very sharp with excellent detail and great contrast. The eyepiece has good light transmission and provides wonderful views of nebulosities. Eye relief is good on this eyepiece even for eyeglass wearers although it would be tight. Eyepoint is good with ample leeway before any Blackout. The eyepiece works well with filters like the O-III and doesn't vignette with a 2x Barlow. While I consider this eyepiece predominantly for DSO viewing, I've found it's very good for Lunar features providing great resolution. It does not perform as well on Planetary detail but then I typically use a shorter focal length eyepiece for viewing the planets.

This eyepiece is somewhat large but not heavy. I have used this eyepiece in binoviewers and Vixen BT-125 equally well although it is at the limit of O.D. I can comfortably use as a pair. Overall this is a terrific eyepiece. It performs well in every scope/binocular I've tried it in, providing a pleasant, moderately wide field view for a 32mm, 1.25" eyepiece.

Even though this eyepiece does exhibit some edge softness I'm rating it as 5 Star, Excellent because it's one of the best 1.25" Barrel, 32mm eyepieces I've seen for overall performance and general use.