Plossl vs Goldline Eyepieces: Which Should You Buy?
Plossls are the standard cheap eyepiece: sharp, well corrected and perfectly good, but the view narrows and eye relief becomes uncomfortably tight below about 10mm. Goldlines give a much wider 66 degree field and far more comfortable eye relief at short focal lengths, for a few dollars more. Buy a Plossl set for a first spread of magnifications; buy goldlines for the short focal lengths where Plossls become unpleasant.
At a glance
| Astromania Plossl Eyepiece Set, 3 Piece | SVBONY 6mm Goldline 66 Degree | |
|---|---|---|
| Apparent field | About 50 degrees | About 66 degrees |
| Eye relief at 6mm | Very tight | Comfortable |
| Sharpness on axis | Excellent | Very good |
| Glasses friendly | Only at longer focal lengths | Better |
| Price each | Low | Low |
| Best for | Medium and low power | High power planetary views |
Choose the Astromania Plossl Eyepiece Set, 3 Piece if…
You are building a first set and want a range of magnifications cheaply. Plossls are optically honest and there is nothing wrong with them at 25mm or 15mm, where the eye relief is still comfortable.
Check Astromania Plossl Eyepiece Set, 3 Piece on Amazon
Choose the SVBONY 6mm Goldline 66 Degree if…
You want to observe planets and the moon at high power without pressing your eye against the glass. Short Plossls have famously tight eye relief, and this is the single upgrade most new observers notice immediately.
Check SVBONY 6mm Goldline 66 Degree on Amazon
Related
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current specifications and prices before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
We review it on its own too, in full detail: the Baader Hyperion Mark IV zoom.
Frequently asked questions
What magnification do I actually get?
Divide your telescope's focal length by the eyepiece focal length. A 1,200mm telescope with a 6mm eyepiece gives 200x. Our magnification calculator does this and warns when you exceed what the aperture can usefully support.
What is the highest useful magnification?
A common rule is about 50x per inch of aperture, and atmospheric conditions usually limit you further. Pushing beyond it gives a larger but dimmer and blurrier image, which is why the tiny eyepiece bundled with cheap telescopes is rarely usable.
Do I need lots of eyepieces?
No. Two or three well-spaced focal lengths plus a Barlow covers almost everything. Most observers use a low power for finding and a medium power for viewing far more than anything else.
How we choose: we compare published manufacturer specifications, optical figures we can verify, and reviews from owners who have used the equipment under real skies. We do not test gear in person. Never point any telescope, finder or binocular at the Sun without a certified full-aperture solar filter fitted over the front of the instrument.
Recording your own eyepieces, exit pupils and sessions? The Observing & Astrophotography Planner is the paid version of these pages: 8 printable worksheets you fill in with your own numbers, plus the full PDF, $29.