Celestron 94123 1.25-inch UHC/LPR Filter with Multi-Layer Dielectric Coatings - Optimises Spectral and Optical Characteristics for Improved Celestial Viewing, Black

I can't compare this filter to its counterparts from Lumicon, Orion, Thousand Oaks, or others, since I don't own and haven't tried any of them. Physically, the Celestron looks identical those offered by Baader Planetarium--I've never seen any other make with those square serrations along the perimeter. We still haven't been out to our dark site with the O-III yet, but I did give it a quick try a few weeks ago at our local community college, where we usually just do planetary viewing due to the excessive light pollution. I inserted the O-III in our filter slide and pointed it toward M57, not expecting very much. After all, the Ring is supposedly better suited to a UHC filter than the O-III. The results were absolutely stunning--the nebula appeared as a distinct greenish ring against an inky black background. I then changed to a longer FL EP and directed our CPC 925 to slew over to M27. Usually we can't see the Dumbbell from the college and that night was no exception. Not knowing whether it was even in the FOV, I slid in the O-III filter and the nebula just popped right out, nearly dead center, and with as clear definition as we usually get from the dark site (Bortle's green) with no filter at all. We will definitely be picking up the UHC and h-beta filters to join this one. At more than twice the price, I can't imagine how the Lumicon O-III could be twice as good as this one, so I'm very satisfied with the Celestron filter, both in performance and value. UPDATE 7 Sep 2012: Well, it's nearly four years to the day since I bought this O-III and the other Celestron filters, and we've used them at multiple locations under suburban skies, as well as at our dark site. About the only thing I can add is that performance has been fully satisfying in every respect and each filter still looks as good as the day I received them, both optically and physically. I must admit, however, that they live a very pampered life--we use them exclusively in the power/filter slide on our EarthWin binoviewer, and I purchased several additional pairs of carriers so that I never have to swap any filter in & out of a carrier frame. Once mounted in its carrier, each unit only leaves its plastic case long enough to slide it into the binoviewer assembly. (The same carrier also fits newer Denks since they and EarthWin are co-owners on the patent for the power/filter slide system.) I was very surprised to see the 1-star review posted today by Allen Andrews, since my experience with this filter has been very positive. In fact, I dug out the original packaging for my O-III filter because I didn't remember it arriving in the kind of puzzle box that Allen describes. Sure enough, mine came in a clear plastic hinged storage box similar this one, but smaller: http://www.amazon.com/BCW-Trading-Capacity-Hinged-Holder/dp/B005KDHJBU/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_8. It was lined with a thin sheet of foam and the small plastic box was packed inside a slightly larger cardboard box. Fit and finish on the filter appeared flawless right out of the box and I screwed it onto a few different brand EPs and our 2" Zhumell Barlow just to make sure there were no problems with the threads before mounting it in the power/filter slide carrier frame. Allen's review makes me wonder if maybe Celestron is now using a new supplier for this filter and the quality isn't what it used to be. I would recommend that anyone considering this product consult reviews on the astro-vendor websites like Telescopes.com or OpticsPlanet.com, and maybe check the Cloudy Nights forums for any relevant discussion threads. I must also add that my own experience with Celestron products in general has been the exact opposite of Allen's. I have a Celestron CPC 925 GPS SCT purchased in 2007. It is one of the Chinese-made models, but it has been an exceptional scope in every regard: optically, mechanically, and electronically. I can't say the same for my three Meade scopes--two Newtonian reflectors and an ETX-125 Mak-Cas, all of which came out of the box with various defects ranging from clouded mirrors to faulty drive mechanisms and missing parts. A tripod foot cracked and broke on one of our very first outings with the ETX, even though we always set up on vibration isolation pads. However, I agree with Allen that you can't go wrong with any filter made by Tele Vue or Thousand Oaks, and I'd also add Lumicon to that list. For the money, though, I'm still very pleased with our Celestron nebula filters and OWL Astronomy color filters.

I've used many different types of filters by Orion, Lumicon, & Meade. This Celestron O-III filter performs right up there with the premium brands. I've been able to use it in skies ranging from magnitude 3 urban white zone to a magnitude 7 blue zone. The visual contrast can be quite noticeable depending on what type of nebula you are viewing and the seeing conditions. I primarily use it with an EdgeHD 11" OTA which gives great results at 100x to 150x. I've also used it with a 120mm APO refractor which is smaller than recommended for this aggressive of a filter. Yet is still works well and give nice wide field views on the brighter nebulae. I wouldn't use with with smaller planetary nebulae or HII type emission nebulae. the threading is particularly nice it easily fits onto the 2" eyepieces much better than Orion filters. I've dropped it on payments a couple times in the dark and no scratches or dings to the glass. Very well constructed.

This (and most other celestron band filters) are actually rebranded Baader Planetarium filters. You can compare pictures of these to ones from Baader's website and see that they're exactly the same, not to mention that the back of the plastic casing on these literally says "Baader Planetarium." As for how these work, they do a decent job of filtering out light pollution (I live in a horribly light polluted area outside a major city), but they can't work miracles and they add a blue tint to everything you're viewing. Also note that like it says in the description, these are best for viewing nebulae and unfortunately will dim out any galaxies you're viewing, but these weren't designed for galaxies. As far as I can tell these are flawless and don't appear to be factory rejects, seconds, or QC rejects from Baader, so I suspect it's simply a bulk distribution deal between Baader and Celestron. Overall these are a real bargain for the price and work well for those of us who live in cities and don't have the time to travel to beautiful dark skies.

First, Don't buy this item if you are rocking anything less than an 8in aperture, you wont get added value. Second, it works. It darkens the background, dims the stars and helps nebula to "stand out" a more than before. I could make more detail in Orion than previously seen, and was able to find the Owl, Crab, Monkey Head, and Casper nebula. Took the filter off to check that it was helping and it was. Owl, and Crab became much more dim without the filter and I couldn't see monkey head, or casper nebula without the filter. Does it turn "faint fuzzies" into hubble masterpieces...No, but it allows you to see more than you can without it. Must have for anyone that wants to Nebula hunt

I purchased this item by mistake, thinking it was a general light pollution filter. I live outside a city, where the sky is darker than in the city, but still with significant light pollution. I first tried it on the Pleiades, and saw that it really cut down the brightness, and knocked out most of the stars in the cluster. I puzzled over this, then went into the house and took another look at the specs. Ah, wrong type of filter. Then I looked up what kind of nebulae this would be good for. Fortunately, M42 was on the list. I pointed to M42, and I could see some details I haven't seen without a filter. But, the image was dimmer. I tried the nearby Flame Nebula, but I really couldn't make it out, either. I really can't see it without the filter, either. I've tried a few other emission nebulae, and decided that with a 114m reflector, there isn't enough light gathering power to see anything dimmer than M42 if you live in a bright suburban/urban transition zone. My best guess is that this would be much better with at least a 6" scope. I've decided to hang on to it anyway, in the event I upgrade. The purchase price was 1/2 the listed price, so that made me decide to hang on to it. What I can see through it is clear, and no noticeable distortion with a 114mm scope. I rate 3 stars only, because of the limitation of my own scope. I'm sure it would be higher.

Best bargain in O-III filters to be found. Excellent quality filter. Highly recommended. We spent a few hours on the Veil Nebula at a dark sky site with this filter in an 18" telescope. It pretty much strips out everything that isn't the nebula and leaves an inky black sky highlighted by the bright nebulosity. When Orion came up, we were able to peruse the vast complex field of nebulosity in the Orion region with ease. M27 just comes alive with this filter and looks fantastic. We believe these are re-branded Baader filters at a fantastic price. ----------edit----------- Now that the price is near $100, it's not the bargain it once was when it was less than $70.

This rating is for the product which is new. Works well on nebulae, But I got 2 USED ones sent to me from Amazon. They must have been returned and then shipped to me. TWICE! The third time was the charm, but this should never happen. One was loose and full of dust. However, Amazon stepped up to the plate and replaced and gave me a discount on the last one. But that is a reaction to a situation that shouldn't happen in the first place. Amazon, inspect your returned items and mark them as 'returns' or 'used' and we'll know it from the beginning.....

I use a 4" telescope in urban skies. There is nothing written about this filter other than adknowledge of it's existance by filter gurus in the amateur astronomy web comunity. Bottom line, it does a beautiful job. Otherwise invisible objects in urban skies become magically visible. Summer nebulae M8,M16,M17,and M20 get an amazing enhancement, a couple of them really amazing from nothing there to wow!. M27 and M57 are not "prettier" but i would say " more comfortable" to see. I own both a UHD and OIII lumicon filters but they are too harsh on small telescopes in urban skies. For that,I recommend this cheapo Celestron LPR. Do not be confused however!. Phil Harington lists this filter as a narrowband in his book. It is a broadband. And it works. Save your money, if you have a small telescope in poor skies this is the filter for you. Use low power. I used it from 16x to 40x to wonderful result. At 60x not so good. Happy viewing asn clear skies!