I've wanted to try this new Morpheus since I bought a 14mm a couple of years back. That one was MUCH better optically than my Pentax XW14 - and I sold the Pentax having compared both closely. The new 17.5mm has been much anticipated with a long lead in time...but they have got it just right and crucially, they have vastly improved the poor, thin rubber eyecup which was the one significant fault with an otherwise superb optic.

The new 17.5mm came with two eyecups, which now thread on to the top of the eyepiece body - so much better than the previous system. I believe that this new eyecup design is being phased in to all newly manufactured stocks and may be available as a retro-fit accessory for older versions.

The view is wonderful through this eyepiece - very immersive and with superb contrast, colour and sharpness. It's sharp across over 95% of the field in my Takahashi F8 - or putting it another way, it is sharper across a wider field than the whole field of a Pentax XW - I estimate that around 73 degrees of the 76 are very very sharp, but the whole 76 degree field is pleasing and very immersive.

I believe FLO still have some sizes on offer at £149 - by any measure that is great value. Highly recommended!

The following review is actually an email I sent to some fellow astronomers having had first light with the Morpheus 17.5mm eyepiece. I have been a visual observer for over 45 years, and having astigmatism have to observe with my glasses on.

I had first light at night time with this in the early hours, didn’t get back from work until late yesterday evening (Moon was already too low) and I was tired and hungry so had a snack and a rest before venturing out.

In summary, absolutely delighted, met my hopes and expectations and then some more. Could easily see the field edge to edge with specs, and this was a little back from the eyepiece. Massive eye lens of 37mm, it’s like looking through a huge window. First time in my observing career I’ve been able to make use of any eyepiece with more than 70 degree field, quite a moment for me. Far far better than any 82 degree and up eyepiece I have ever used – or tried to use. The 76 degree field is very immersive, and seems a big difference from anything in the 70 degree class. Reminiscent of looking through the 28mm RKE only with a vastly wider field. Star images sharp across the field ( x47, 1.8 degrees ) in the David Levy telescope (Mak-Newt f4.8 ). Contrast excellent, great views of the double cluster, the Coat Hanger, M31 and companions and the Pleiades. All of these objects with the exception of M31 of course fitted completely into the field of view. I last looked at the double cluster at around 2.15am and the amount of stars visible in a very average and brightening sky was far better than I expected.
I've never been so excited about an eyepiece. I've waited a long time for an eyepiece with more than a 70 degree field where I can easily see all the field in one go and not have to turn my head to see the whole field. It’s easy to see why William Paolin* rates it so highly. So do I, best eyepiece I’ve owned. It's a revelation.

* Author of Choosing and Using Astronomical Eyepieces. Published before the range of Morpheus eyepieces became available.

Bought this eyepiece because people were raving on about them,when clouds wen't away,looked at the Moon WOW how bright and clear the view even the small craters highly recommend these good price as well

This is the 4th addition to my Morpheus collection and used with my 200p last night I can say that it performed wonderfully with stars pinpoint almost to the field stop. The build quality is excellent and it now comes with screw in rubber eyeguard and extension.I am just waiting now for Baader to make the screw in eye guard an accessory so that I can fit them to my other Morpheus eyepieces.
First class service from FLO as always.

It was time to replace my old "favourite' eyepiece with a modern, widefield model. I now have a new favourite!