Eyepiece Explore Scientific 14mm 82° 1.25″

Explore Scientific 14mm 82° 1.25″ eyepiece

If you are looking for an eyepiece that delivers a truly immersive visual experience of the night sky, the Explore Scientific 82° Ar series ranks among the best choices available on the market. The 14mm focal length model with a 1.25″ (31.7mm) barrel offers an exceptionally wide apparent field of view of 82°, giving you the feeling of standing directly in space - rather than merely peering through a small window. This eyepiece was designed with emphasis on image quality across the entire field of view, comfort during extended observation sessions, and maximum durability under demanding outdoor conditions.

Robust and weatherproof construction

The eyepiece body is made of metal and meets a waterproof standard, so condensation, light rain, or a humid summer night at the telescope will not be a concern. A key feature that sets this series apart from cheaper alternatives is nitrogen purging. The internal optical surfaces and mechanical components are completely isolated from moist air, eliminating the risk of moisture condensation inside the eyepiece - a problem that in less expensive eyepieces eventually leads to fogged lenses, fungus growth, or degradation of anti-reflection coatings. The inner surface of the body is additionally protected by a special coating resistant to corrosion and fungal growth. The result is an eyepiece that will maintain its optical performance for many years of intensive use.

Advanced optical design

The Explore Scientific 82° 14mm 1.25″ eyepiece uses a sophisticated optical system consisting of 7 lenses arranged in 4 groups. The key to high image quality is the combination of different types of optical glass - crown glass, flint glass, and lanthanum-infused glass. This combination enables precise correction of chromatic aberration and other optical errors that would otherwise reduce sharpness and contrast, particularly at the edges of the field of view. Lanthanum glass elements are valued for their high refractive index and low dispersion, which directly translates into sharpness and colour fidelity of the observed image.

The optical system is deliberately designed to deliver a flat image with no field curvature - eliminating the typical bowing of the field of view that affects many wide-angle eyepieces. Stars therefore remain pinpoint sharp from the centre all the way to the very edge of the 82° field. The internal baffles and edges of all lenses are finished with a matte black coating that eliminates unwanted reflections and stray light inside the eyepiece body. All of this contributes to a highly contrastive image - clearly visible even when used with very fast objectives with a low focal ratio (f/4 and below).

Fully multi-coated optics (FMC)

All optical surfaces are treated with fully multi-coated anti-reflection coatings (FMC - Fully Multi-Coated). This means that each of the 7 lenses has a set of anti-reflection layers applied to both surfaces, minimising light reflection and maximising light transmission. The result is a bright, contrastive image with minimal light scatter and without the rainbow flares that are unfortunately common in lower-quality eyepieces. FMC coating is today the standard for premium astronomical eyepieces, and its presence on every surface ensures that light from the telescope reaches your eye with the least possible loss.

Comfortable eye relief and adjustable eyecup

An eye relief of 15mm is very favourable for an eyepiece of this focal length. It means you do not need to press your eye tightly against the eyepiece to see the full field of view - simply bring your eye to a natural distance, which significantly reduces eye fatigue during longer observation sessions. Eyeglass wearers will appreciate that the entire field of view can be comfortably seen even with glasses on. The soft rubber eyecup is also designed to fold down - it can be rolled up or extended as needed, adapting to different observers and different situations.

Thanks to the combination of the 82° field of view and the 15mm eye relief, peripheral vision - which is exceptionally sensitive to faint light signals - is also engaged during observation. Observers can therefore more easily detect faint nebulae, galaxies, or fine details on planetary surfaces without straining their eyes. The "spacewalk view" effect this eyepiece delivers is truly remarkable.

Parfocal design - convenience across the series

All eyepieces in the Explore Scientific 82° Ar series are parfocal - meaning that when switching from one focal length to another within the same series, little or no refocusing of the telescope is required. For astronomers who work with multiple eyepieces during a single observation session, this is a significant practical advantage. Swapping eyepieces is quick and smooth, without the need to search for focus from scratch - time under the starry sky is precious, and parfocality will save it for you.

About Explore Scientific

Explore Scientific is an American brand with a long tradition in premium astronomical optics, whose products are popular among enthusiastic amateurs and experienced observers with demanding requirements alike. The 82° Ar series represents an excellent price-to-performance ratio in the wide-angle eyepiece segment - combining carefully engineered optics using quality glass, a robust and durable nitrogen-purged construction, and comfortable ergonomics for long observation sessions.

Whether you are observing globular clusters, large nebulae, the surface of the Moon, or the rings of Saturn, the Explore Scientific 14mm 82° 1.25″ eyepiece will deliver a sharp, contrastive, and visually immersive image that will motivate you to spend more nights under the stars. If you have not yet experienced a truly high-quality wide-angle eyepiece, this model will convince you that the difference is absolutely fundamental.

Key specifications