Vixen NPL Plossl 15mm 50° 1.25″ eyepiece
The Vixen NPL series represents one of the best choices for amateur astronomers looking for a reliable Plossl eyepiece combining high optical quality with a reasonable price. The four-element optical design with fully multi-coated (FMC) anti-reflection surfaces ensures excellent light transmission and a natural, high-contrast image - exactly what you need when observing planets, star clusters, and nebulae.
Key features
Optical design and coatings
The NPL 15mm uses a classic four-element Plossl design with fully multi-coated (FMC) optics on all air-to-glass surfaces. This minimises reflection losses and maximises light throughput, producing a bright and vivid image even when used with medium-speed telescopes. The result is a sharp, contrasty view that makes detail on planetary discs and within deep-sky objects clearly visible.
50° apparent field of view
With a 50° apparent field of view - the classic standard for Plossl eyepieces - the NPL 15mm delivers a comfortable, sharp image right to the edges of the field. This makes it equally suitable for focused planetary observation and for sweeping through star clusters or extended nebulae.
Standard 1.25″ barrel with filter thread
The standard 1.25″ barrel fits virtually any telescope focuser and accepts standard astronomy filters - planetary, UHC, OIII and others - directly via the built-in filter thread, with no adapters required.
Compact and lightweight - ideal for binoviewers
The compact construction and low weight make this eyepiece an excellent choice for use in binoviewers, where a matched pair of eyepieces with identical optical characteristics is essential. The light weight also reduces strain on focusers with limited load capacity. Of course, the eyepiece performs equally well as a standalone eyepiece in any standard 1.25″ focuser.
Who is this eyepiece for?
The Vixen NPL Plossl 15mm is a proven and popular choice for both beginning astronomers and experienced observers looking for a dependable everyday or backup eyepiece. It offers solid optics without unnecessary compromises - a straightforward tool that simply works well at the eyepiece.
Technical specifications
| Parameter |
Value |
| Optical design |
Plossl (4 elements) |
| Focal length |
15mm |
| Apparent field of view |
50° |
| Barrel diameter |
1.25″ |
| Coatings |
FMC (fully multi-coated) |
| Eye relief |
approx. 12mm |
| Filter thread |
standard 1.25″ |
| Compatible with binoviewers |
yes |
Practical use cases
- Planetary observation - Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars
- Open and globular star clusters
- Bright nebulae with narrowband filters
- General visual observation with refractors, reflectors and catadioptric telescopes
- Binoviewer setups requiring matched pairs
- Travel and lightweight telescope setups
About the Vixen NPL series
Vixen is a Japanese optical manufacturer with decades of experience in designing telescopes and accessories for amateur astronomy. The NPL (New Plossl) line was developed to provide a cost-effective entry point into quality Plossl eyepieces without sacrificing the optical standards Vixen is known for. The series covers a range of focal lengths from 6mm to 40mm, making it easy to build a complete eyepiece set within a single consistent optical family.
