Pentax

Pentax 70511 3.5mm XW Telescope Eyepiece

4.7 (102 reviews)

The Pentax XW 3.5mm eyepiece delivers a wide 70° field of view with 20mm of eye relief for comfortable, high-magnification observing.

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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 27, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Pentax 70511 XW 3.5mm is a premium 1.25" eyepiece engineered for high-magnification astronomical and terrestrial observation. Its optical design employs high-refraction, extra-low-dispersion lanthanum glass elements to control chromatic aberration and deliver sharp, color-neutral views from the center of the field to the edges. Pentax's proprietary smc multi-layer coatings are applied to every air-to-glass surface, suppressing internal reflections and maximizing light throughput — a critical advantage when pushing magnification to levels where every photon counts. The 70° apparent field of view is wide enough to provide comfortable context around your target, whether you are splitting tight double stars, observing planetary detail, or examining fine lunar features.

What sets the XW series apart at short focal lengths is the 20mm eye relief, which remains constant across the entire XW lineup regardless of focal length. Most eyepieces at 3.5mm offer only 2–5mm of eye relief, forcing the observer into an uncomfortable squint against the eye lens. The XW's generous relief makes extended observing sessions practical and accommodates observers who wear glasses. The eyepiece body is sealed to JIS Class 4 weatherproof standards, so dew-laden nights and damp outdoor conditions will not compromise the internal optics. A fold-down rubber eyecup adjusts the eye position for those who observe with or without spectacles. For serious visual astronomers seeking the best possible views at high power, the Pentax XW 3.5mm is a benchmark-level eyepiece.

Key Features

Improved 70 Degree field of view for easier viewing

Xw 3. 5mm, 5mm, 7mm, 10mm, 14mm, 20mm will give a wider field of view than our previous eyepieces when used on Pentax spotting scopes or with telescopes

Xw 3. 5mm, 5mm, 7mm, 10mm, 14mm, 20mm, 30mm, and 40mm are designed specifically provide ideal viewing conditions When used with a telescope

Fully multi-coated lenses increase light transmission and color quality

High-refraction, low-dispersion lanthanum glass elements deliver bright, high-resolution images with Minimal aberrations and distortion

Specifications

Focal Length
3.5mm
Apparent Field of View
70°
Eye Relief
20mm
Barrel Size
1.25"
Coatings
smc Pentax Multi-Layer Coating
Weatherproofing
JIS Class 4
Glass Type
High-Refraction, Extra-Low-Dispersion Lanthanum
Model Number
70511

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • The 70° apparent field of view provides a wide, immersive view that makes locating and tracking objects at high magnification much easier.
  • 20mm of eye relief is remarkably generous for a 3.5mm eyepiece, allowing comfortable viewing with or without eyeglasses.
  • JIS Class 4 weatherproofing protects the optics from dew, light rain, and humidity during outdoor sessions.
  • High-refraction, extra-low-dispersion lanthanum glass minimizes chromatic aberration and color fringing at the field edges.
  • smc Pentax multi-layer coatings deliver high contrast and light transmission, which is critical for resolving fine detail at high magnification.

👎 Cons

  • The 3.5mm focal length produces very high magnification, which is only usable on nights with excellent atmospheric seeing conditions.
  • It is a premium-priced eyepiece that costs significantly more than mid-range alternatives at comparable focal lengths.
  • The narrow exit pupil at this magnification makes precise eye positioning important, and any misalignment causes blackouts in the field.
  • At only 3.5mm, it is a specialized eyepiece that will see less frequent use than moderate focal lengths in most observers' collections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. It has a standard 1.25" barrel and fits any telescope or spotting scope that accepts 1.25" eyepieces.
Short focal length eyepieces typically have very short eye relief, forcing you to press your eye uncomfortably close to the lens. The XW 3.5mm maintains 20mm of eye relief, which is exceptionally generous for this magnification and makes it comfortable for extended viewing, including for eyeglass wearers.
Yes. It is rated JIS Class 4 weatherproof, meaning it is protected against water splashing from any direction — suitable for dew-heavy nights and damp outdoor conditions.
It uses Pentax's smc (Super Multi-Coating) multi-layer coatings, which reduce internal reflections and light scatter for higher contrast and better light transmission.
Magnification depends on your telescope's focal length. Divide your telescope's focal length by 3.5mm to calculate. For example, a 1000mm focal length telescope would yield approximately 286x magnification.