Celestron UHC / LPR Filter Review

Let’s Dive into Celestron UHC / LPR Filter

The Celestron UHC / LPR Filter is designed to enhance your viewing experience by reducing the impact of light pollution. This filter selectively blocks unwanted wavelengths, allowing you to see nebulae and other faint deep-sky objects more clearly. I have been a dedicated amateur astronomer for over a decade, constantly searching for ways to improve my viewing sessions.

Living in a suburban area with considerable light pollution, I needed a solution that would allow me to observe deep-sky objects despite the ambient glow. My primary goal was to improve the contrast of nebulae and other faint objects, making them more visible against the light-polluted sky. The promise of enhanced contrast and improved visibility attracted me to the Celestron UHC / LPR Filter.

Upon unboxing, the filter felt solid and well-made, housed in a protective case. The threaded ring was smooth, promising easy installation into my eyepieces and telescope accessories. My initial thought was that the filter felt premium, suggesting a well-engineered piece of equipment.

I considered other light pollution filters from Astronomik and Orion, but the Celestron UHC / LPR Filter seemed to offer a good balance between performance and price. The Celestron brand is also well-regarded in the amateur astronomy community, further solidifying my decision. I was cautiously optimistic, hoping that the filter would significantly improve my viewing experience in light-polluted skies.

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Real-World Testing: Putting Celestron UHC / LPR Filter to the Test

First Use Experience

I tested the Celestron UHC / LPR Filter in my backyard, a location plagued by streetlights and neighbor’s porch lights. My telescope is an 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain, and I used the filter with various eyepieces. The first object I targeted was the Orion Nebula (M42), a popular target even in light-polluted areas.

The difference was immediately noticeable, with the sky background appearing darker and the nebula’s structure becoming more defined. The filter also helped to enhance the contrast, making the fainter details of the nebula more apparent. It was relatively straightforward to screw the filter into my eyepieces; the threads were smooth and compatible with all my accessories.

There were no immediate issues or surprises after the first use, the filter performed exactly as advertised. The ease of installation and the immediate improvement in contrast made the first viewing session enjoyable.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several months of use, the Celestron UHC / LPR Filter has become a staple in my observing kit. I have used it on numerous nebulae, including the Lagoon Nebula (M8) and the Swan Nebula (M17). The filter continues to deliver consistent results, enhancing the visibility of these objects despite the light pollution.

The filter shows no signs of wear and tear, and the glass remains clean and scratch-free. I store the filter in its original case when not in use, which helps to protect it from dust and scratches. The filter is easy to clean with a microfiber cloth, ensuring optimal performance.

The Celestron UHC / LPR Filter outperforms my expectations for viewing in light-polluted skies. It significantly improves the contrast and visibility of nebulae, making them more enjoyable to observe from my backyard. I’ve used other filters that offer marginal improvements, but this filter provides a noticeable and consistent enhancement.

Breaking Down the Features of Celestron UHC / LPR Filter

Specifications

The Celestron UHC / LPR Filter comes in two sizes: 1.25″ (item 94123) and 2″ (model 94124). These sizes fit standard telescope eyepieces and accessories. The filter is designed to selectively reduce the transmission of certain wavelengths of light, including those produced by artificial light sources.

The filter is specifically engineered to block mercury vapor, and both high and low pressure sodium vapor lights, common sources of light pollution. It also reduces the unwanted natural light caused by neutral oxygen emission in the atmosphere. This reduction improves contrast and visibility of deep-sky objects. The Celestron UHC / LPR Filter achieves an outstanding transmission of over 97% across the entire bandpass, with total blockage of prominent light pollution lines.

Performance & Functionality

The Celestron UHC / LPR Filter excels at enhancing the contrast and visibility of nebulae in light-polluted skies. By blocking unwanted wavelengths, the filter darkens the sky background, making faint nebulae more apparent. The filter’s performance is consistent, delivering noticeable improvements in viewing sessions.

The filter’s strength lies in its ability to selectively block light pollution without significantly dimming the target object. A minor weakness is that it can slightly alter the color of the observed objects, but this is a common trade-off with light pollution filters. The Celestron UHC / LPR Filter meets and even exceeds my expectations for viewing nebulae in suburban skies.

Design & Ergonomics

The Celestron UHC / LPR Filter features a solid construction, with a metal housing and high-quality glass. The filter is lightweight and easy to handle, making it simple to install and remove from eyepieces. The smooth threads ensure a secure fit without any risk of cross-threading.

The filter is very user-friendly; there is no learning curve involved. Simply screw it into the eyepiece or accessory and start observing.

Durability & Maintenance

The Celestron UHC / LPR Filter is built to last, with durable materials and a protective case. The multi-layer dielectric coatings are plasma assisted and Ionbeam hardened, using the latest technology for durability and resistance to scratching. The filter should last for many years with proper care.

The filter is easy to maintain, requiring only occasional cleaning with a microfiber cloth. Store it in its protective case when not in use to prevent dust and scratches.

Accessories and Customization Options

The Celestron UHC / LPR Filter does not come with any additional accessories beyond its protective case. It is designed to be compatible with standard telescope eyepieces and accessories, such as Barlow lenses and camera adapters. The filter can be used with a variety of telescopes, from small refractors to large reflectors.

While there are no specific customization options, the filter can be combined with other filters, such as an OIII filter, for even greater contrast enhancement. The Celestron UHC / LPR Filter integrates seamlessly with existing astronomy equipment.

Pros and Cons of Celestron UHC / LPR Filter