If you are one of the legions of folks who have "upgraded" to a big-screen television set lately, then you've probably become spoiled by its wonderfully expansive picture.

Well, if you are a telescope user, you will be equally spoiled by the wide-field window into the heavens served up by a Stratus eyepiece. With an apparent field of 68° — which translates to a 71% greater viewing area than that of a typical 52° Plossl — Stratus eyepieces quite literally put more stars in your eyes. In the same way you feel more a part of the action watching a big-screen TV, with Stratus "sixty-eights" you will feel like you are really experiencing your celestial targets, rather than just viewing them from afar. You'll never go back to Plossls again!

But it isn't just the Stratus' field of view that will widen your eyes. Each ocular has a sophisticated eight-element optical configuration that features a monster 1-1/4"-diameter eye lens to look into. Each also has a generous 20mm eye relief, so you'll get the "big picture" even if you wear eyeglasses. The optics are fully multi-coated to maximize light transmission to your eyes, and the lens edges are blackened to ensure excellent contrast.

Stratus eyepieces fit in both 1.25" and 2" focusers. They sport fold-down rubber eyeguards and a knobby rubber grip. The chrome barrels feature a setscrew security recess and are threaded for filters. Each eyepiece comes with protective lens and barrel caps.