Orion 5599 1.25-Inch Mars Observation Eyepiece Filter

Orion telescopes got it right with this filter. I have observed Mars with all of the typical filters that are suggested, but none of them seem to show as much contrast as this filter. The typical red, yellow, blue, and violet filters all present Mars in an unnatural view. I would say a light orange filter would be the only filter to come close to rendering Mars in a close true color. The downside with the above-mentioned filters is they increase contrast of specific things but not as a whole. Filters on the red end of the spectrum enhance dark and light markings on the disk of Mars but take away any contrast in the Martian atmosphere. While the blue end filters increase atmospheric anomalies, they reduce planetary surface contrasts.What is unique about the Orion Mars filter is it greatly increases contrast of planetary markings without sacrificing contrast in the Martian atmosphere. I have never seen Mars in so much contrast. What is even better about the filter is it comes very close to rendering a true color of Mars and its atmosphere, at least in my opinion. The actual color is a magenta so it does give Mars a slight pinkish hue, but the filter is still the truest color rendering I have seen other than using a polarizing filter. It also seems to do a really good job on Jupiter and Saturn. This filter is a must have for planetary observation.

This is advertised as a Mars filter and on Mars it is one of the best! I have seen more detail on Mars using this filter than any other or combination. AND, lets not stop with Mars, After being disappointed with filters designed for Jupiter and Saturn tried a Mars filter on them. INCREDIBLE! The filter cuts the brightness just a little but enough to yield a natural looking planet with tremendous detail in the rings and bands!! Made by Orion and knowing their stock turnover I owned one and bought a second as a spare just in case Orion decides to drop it from their line. IF YOU DON'T OWN ONE, BEST GASEOUS AND MARS FILTER....PERIOD!

I ordered this Mars Observation filter because it has similar transmission to a DGM GCE galaxy filter, but only costs half as much. It seems to improve the view of the Andromeda Galaxy some from my light polluted suburban backyard. I haven't tried it on any other galaxies yet, because of bad weather. The filter curve is also similar to a Wratten #32 Magenta filter. Basically, it blocks light between 500 and 600 nm and some UV. It helps reduce some of the glare from the high pressure sodium street lights in my neighborhood. Also, it makes the Moon look a funny purple color. It's a good quality filter and doesn't give a double/split color image line some other filters I've tried. I took away 1 star because I haven't actually tried looking at Mars with it yet, and I really don't know if it improves the view of Mars or not.

During the last opposition, it really didn't do much to enhance detail

Very poorly built and glass is lose and moves around.

Arrived promptly. Well made. But have not had opportunity to view Mars with the filter. Based on various reviews it should enhance Mars.

Absolutely useless. Orion should be ashamed for selling this.

This is not a relabeled standard color filter. It's a multi passband filter intended to bring out detail on Mars, and it works. It enhances views of the cloud belts on Jupiter too. But now that I've precision-collimated my SCT I can see that the light scatter from this thing impairs the focus even as the selective passbands bring out contrast. It darkens and reddens the view. After a lot of observation it seems to me that the Baader Moon and Skyglow (Neodymium) filter does a better job on Mars. Better still is the hard-to-get Vernonscope #30 Magenta. Best view of all is with both of those, stacked. I'd suggest those for Mars, the Baader one alone for Jupiter, and pass on this Orion filter. IMHO.

Excelente filtro para ocular en la observación de detalles superficiales del planeta Marte.Este año en el mes de julio es la máxima aproximación del planeta rojo y será de ayuda invaluable este filtro para ver los accidentes marcianos.Este filtro es muy recomendable para observar Marte con 200x o más.Saludos.