PENTAX PF80 EYEPIECES

[Rick_W]

I have an older Pentax PF80ED with the 20-60x eyepiece.

It was great until I started wearing glasses, and while the glass is still great the eye relief for someone with glasses is not.

Can anyone recommend a long eye-relief eyepiece that will work for this scope?

A similar but separate question, does anyone make an eyepiece with a mil reticle that will work with this scope.

Thank you in advance.

 

[JEFFPPC]

This is not a direct answer to you question but, A friend has the same set up as you. Looking for a better view through his cataract he purchased a wide angle straight 70 x from Pentax. I am impressed. I have a 85mm Zeis with a 15x60 with out the option you have. I wish I could use that lens. Big field of view and bright for the power. Great for spotting bullet holes. We a both wear glasses.

 

[johara1]

look at the Pentax XW series. 20mm eye relief and 70 degree viewing area.... very clear and bright..... jim

 

[Rick_W]

look at the Pentax XW series. 20mm eye relief and 70 degree viewing area.... very clear and bright..... jim

Can you explain what the different focal lengths mean?
3.5mm, 5mm, 7mm, 10mm, 14mm, and 20mm?
I'm sure it determines actual magnification but I can't figure out how to determine what is what.
Thanks.

 

[johara1]

The lower the number the higher the magnification. You need to dig around and you will find it but the 7mm is around 70 power in the 80 but only 55 in th 65mm scope and over a 100 in the 100 mm scope. the eye pieces are interchangeable between scope. also they have eye piece that are a lot cheaper and have less field of view and less eye relief. The zoom 20-60 have very limited eye relief and field of view and are I guess are al right but are nowhere near as clear and bright as a fixed power... jim

 

[Harbie33]

Can you explain what the different focal lengths mean?
3.5mm, 5mm, 7mm, 10mm, 14mm, and 20mm?
I'm sure it determines actual magnification but I can't figure out how to determine what is what.
Thanks.

Magnification is calculated by dividing the focal length of the spotting scope by the focal length of the eyepiece. In your case a PF80 has a focal length of 500mm so if you chose a XW20 eyepiece your magnification will be 500/20 or 25X.

 

[Rick_W]

The lower the number the higher the magnification. You need to dig around and you will find it but the 7mm is around 70 power in the 80 but only 55 in th 65mm scope and over a 100 in the 100 mm scope. the eye pieces are interchangeable between scope. also they have eye piece that are a lot cheaper and have less field of view and less eye relief. The zoom 20-60 have very limited eye relief and field of view and are I guess are al right but are nowhere near as clear and bright as a fixed power... jim

Thank you for the recommendation and short explanation.

 

[Rick_W]

Magnification is calculated by dividing the focal length of the spotting scope by the focal length of the eyepiece. In your case a PF80 has a focal length of 500mm so if you chose a XW20 eyepiece your magnification will be 500/20 or 25X.

Are you sure? That seems also too easy.

Just kidding. THANK YOU!!!

 

[johara1]

I use my 65mm Pentax for seeing mirage and wind flags and I use the XW20 and it is super....

You never did say what you are looking for........ jim

 

[Rick_W]

I use my 65mm Pentax for seeing mirage and wind flags and I use the XW20 and it is super....

You never did say what you are looking for... jim

I'm just wanting something to see impacts on steel under 1000 yards and paper at 100-200.

Was thinking something around 40x magnification would be sufficient.

If I'm wrong I will gladly listen to experience.

 

[johara1]

I don't think that is enough, but depending how big the splash from the bullet is. and how bad the mirage is. Can you see them with the zoom 20-60 eyepiece on 40?.... jim

 

[johara1]

The XW 10mm eye piece is 50 power and has a field of view at 1000 of 24 meters, the XW 7 mm I have is 71 power and a field of view at 1000 of 17 meters and that is really big also...... jim

 

[Rick_W]

I can see paper at 100 when I can get my eye just right in the eyepiece, but that's a struggle. Since I started wearing glasses several years ago I've really struggled with this scope for anything due to the short eye relief. I have a very difficult time even trying to use it to see the moon and space station.

 

[johara1]

I can see paper at 100 when I can get my eye just right in the eyepiece, but that's a struggle. Since I started wearing glasses several years ago I've really struggled with this scope for anything due to the short eye relief. I have a very difficult time even trying to use it to see the moon and space station.

The eye relief is the same on the fixed powers and very easy to use with glasses.... the next fixed power below the 50 is 36 power, is why I mentioned the 50.... jim

 

[Rick_W]

The XW 10mm eye piece is 50 power and has a field of view at 1000 of 24 meters, the XW 7 mm I have is 71 power and a field of view at 1000 of 17 meters and that is really big also...... jim

Based on my limited view through the 20-60x eyepiece I was concerned going above 60x would be more difficult to use.

The XW5 equates to a 100x magnification. I've not real experienced, but I've never seen or heard of a spotting scope with that magnification.

 

[johara1]

Y

Based on my limited view through the 20-60x eyepiece I was concerned going above 60x would be more difficult to use.

The XW5 equates to a 100x magnification. I've not real experienced, but I've never seen or heard of a spotting scope with that magnification.

Yes I believe you are right but the XW 7 isn't hard to use and looking for a hit on steel plate the XW 10 may work, your not looking for bullet holes in paper.... The 100mm Pentax is noted for being able to see bullet holes at 1000yds ....jim

 

[WAMBO]

I have the XW 14, absolutely love it, I believe it makes it about 36 power.

 

[shockman]

I have this scope for shooting,at least ten years now, was purchased on the recommendation of someone that was very knowledgeable about lens's. It was then according to him not the best glass but probably the best for the money far exceeding its price tag when equipped with an XW lens. It came with the 20-60 eyepiece and I bought the XW14. There is really no comparison. I have taken it hunting to count tines as we have a lot of tine restrictions where I hunt. At 1000yds plus I have tried the 20-60 lens for extra magnification and found the resolution to be not very good compared to the XW. I believe the XW lens is much better glass. I also have eyesight issues as I get older but wear contacts to correct, but I can use sunglasses with no problems with eye relief.
Marc

 

[dhagerty40]

I have the PF65EDII with 20-60x zoom. But have been considering going up to the PF80. Right now I am just using it for Metal targets out to 500 Meters. Based on what I see here, I may try a different eyepiece first.

But, would like to ask, Since the Pentax's can use any 1.25" Telescopic eyepiece, Has anybody ever tried any different brand eyepiece?

 

[Harbie33]

I have heard of it being done although I haven’t personally. The XW14 while relatively expensive is ideral for my use on a PF65II.