Orion 5659 2-Inch SkyGlow Broadband Eyepiece Filter

2" Orion Skyglow Broadband filter. Nice filter for moonlit nights, the neighbors house lights, and general non-LED light pollution. Does not help much for bright white LED light pollution, seems to help a little on dim yellow LED light pollution. Well built, threads nicely, basic round plastic 2 piece case for storage.

I live in a metro area with very bad light pollution. I also have bright white lights around from neighboring structures. Ambient light is bright enough to read by and the sky is pale brown. I bought this filter to see if it would allow me to use a DSLR under such challenging conditions. This is not a miracle filter, but it did help some; as much as expected. It works even better under darker conditions, so it's worth having for any location.

I have 6 light pollution filters, 3 are the Orion Sky Glow (2", 1.25" and SCT threads). Curiously the coating/color is not the same on all of them, some are darker others lighter, so manufacturing tolerances of the filter coating aren't too tight. They help in my suburban back yard (Silicon Valley, California). On some objects, such as the Orion nebula, the contrast is almost doubled, and I see a bit more of the nebula detail. For most other targets (stars, galaxies), it isn't worth the trouble to put the filter on. These filters are best used for visual observation, since they cut out the yellow (from sodium vapor street lights), and give a green hue to things in photographs. (Your night vision sees things in gray, so color hues aren't noticeable for visual observations). If you are going to do astro photography, there are other light pollution filters available, at double to triple the cost, that let in more light from the yellow spectrum, and are better balanced for color photographs.If you buy the 1.25", it should fit any filter thread of that size. If you buy the 2" filter, you will likely discover that there are two popular thread pitches. The Orion 2" thread fits all Orion accessories, William Optics, Baader, IDAS, and a few others. But it doesn't fit well with some of the more expensive filter threads, (only screws in a single thread, so be careful it doesn't pop out).I think the Orion filter is a good deal for the money. There are other filters that are a little better (I own some) that cost much more money; there are probably better uses of your money if you are just getting started. There are also filters that are cheaper (I made the mistake of trying some); I'd recommend this as the bottom of the acceptable filters, and the best deal for the money.Note on how this works: This mostly filters out the yellow light from sodium vapor, and pink light from mercury street lamps that reflect from the atmosphere high overhead. If your city is moving to Florescent, or LED lighting (like mine is), then these won't have as much effect. If your sky is a sickly brownish pinkish yellowish mucky color, this light pollution filter will help. They aren't made for your neighbors incandescent or LED porch light.If you specifically want to see nebula (colored gas clouds), their are narrower band nebula filters, that work better at rejecting more types of light bulbs, while letting in the specific nebula colors (mostly blue-green and deep red).

This is one of the most inexpensive and effective light pollution filters out there. While it won't make things brighter, it will improve contrast by blocking wave lengths which aren't useful. It is important to note that this won't work under all conditions and with all astronomical targets, but it's a great tool to keep in your tool belt!

Works great.

Live just outside a large city in the sub ...light pollution is a problem from the city as well as local issues with big security lights on a nearby building. Filter definite help ..cuts the pollution and brings out the details in the sky.

Item was damaged and returned.

Ehhh, I think this filter offers is some assistance with contrast. Hard to tell. Helps on brighter DSOs, but is less noticeable on some of the dimmer galaxies. In the end, get a filter wheel so you can switch easily.